Psychology, B.S.

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Requirements for the Major:

The following major requirements apply to students in the class of 2024 and onward, until further notice.

1. Three Foundational Courses

PSY 100 - Introduction to Psychology
PSY 200 - Statistical Methods in Psychology
PSY 300 - Research Methods in Psychology
Note: We recommend that, if possible, students complete PSY 200 and PSY 300 by late in the sophomore year or early in the junior year.

2. Area Course Requirement

At least one Area Course from each of the following four content areas. Additional courses from each Area may serve as Free Electives:

Area 1:

Area 2:

Area 3:

Area 4:

3. Laboratory Course Requirement:

One Laboratory Course from the following. Additional Laboratory Courses may serve as Upper-Level Electives or as Free Electives.

4. Seminar Requirement

One Seminar Course from the following. Additional Seminar Courses may serve as Upper-Level Electives or as Free Electives.

5. Upper-Level Elective

One additional course numbered PSY 310 through PSY 451. This requirement may be satisfied by completing an additional Lab Course, an additional Seminar Course, or any course with an appropriate course number.

6. Two Free Electives

Any two additional psychology courses.

Please Note: Psychology majors in the classes of 2024 and beyond may not use cognate courses to satisfy psychology requirements as specified in previous year catalogs.

7. Senior Writing Requirement:

Students may fulfill the College’s senior writing requirement in psychology in one of three ways: (1) by writing a thesis; (2) by completing a seminar (400-level) course designated WS in the senior year (this course must be in addition to any other seminar used to fulfill the basic WAC requirements); or (3) by completing a one- or two-term senior project. Any seminar which fulfills the Senior Writing Requirement also counts toward the requirement of one Seminar Course (see above).

Requirements for Honors in Psychology:

In addition to meeting College-wide requirements, honors in psychology requires:

All proposals for honors theses must be submitted to the department administrative assistant no later than the end of the eighth week of the spring term of the junior year. The proposal should be one typewritten page describing the general area of the project, the student’s preparation for the project (e.g., related course work), and the proposed faculty supervisor. Further information is available from the department administrative assistant.