Psychology, B.A.

FACULTY:
Susan Clayton, Chair
Michael Casey
Nathan Foster
Amber Garcia
Grit Herzmann
Meredith Hope
Bryan Karazsia
Amy Jo Stavnezer

Psychology combines perspectives from both the natural and social sciences to understand the processes underlying human and animal behavior by examining influences ranging from the neurological to the sociocultural. The Psychology curriculum prepares students for diverse professional experiences. Over two-thirds of its many graduates enter professional programs at either the M.S. or Ph.D. level in psychology or related areas (e.g., education, social work, law). Other students enter the job market in various settings immediately after graduation (e.g., technology, sales, finance, and social services).

The Psychology major stresses an empirical scientific approach to the broad range of psychological and behavioral issues and problems. The curriculum is intended to expose students to both scientific and applied aspects of the discipline. The Department of Psychology maintains a statistical/computer facility and well-equipped animal, developmental, cognition, and social/personality laboratories as part of its facilities. Students also have access to the College’s nursery school for observational studies.

Major in Psychology

Consists of ten courses:

PSYC 10000 - Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 25000 - Introduction to Statistics and Experimental Design
One elective 200-level Psychology course
One of the following 300-level lab courses:
PSYC 32200 - Memory and Cognition
PSYC 32300 - Behavioral Neuroscience
PSYC 32400 - Cognitive Neuroscience
or
PSYC 33500 - Perception and Action
One of the following 300-level lab courses:
PSYC 32500 - Personality: Theory and Research
PSYC 32700 - Developmental Psychology: Theory and Research
or
PSYC 33000 - Social Psychology: Theory and Research
Three elective 300-level Psychology courses
Junior Independent Study: see Special Notes below
PSYC 45100 - Senior Independent Study–Semester One
PSYC 45200 - Senior Independent Study–Semester Two

Special Notes

Junior Independent Study: The College requirement of a unit of Independent Study in the junior year is satisfied by PSYC 32100 , PSYC 32200 , PSYC 32300 , PSYC 32400 , PSYC 32500 , PSYC 32600 , PSYC 32700 , PSYC 33000 , or PSYC 33500 before Senior Independent Study.
Advanced Placement: A student who has received a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement examination in Psychology may receive credit for PSYC 10000 and does not need to take that course as a prerequisite for advanced courses. The advanced placement policy of the College is explained in the section on Admission .
A student who has earned a D or F in the same course two times may not repeat that course or count it within the major or minor.
A minimum grade of C is required in PSYC 25000 to advance in the major or minor.
Majors and minors are not permitted to take any courses within the department for S/NC credit, except for internships.
A student must earn a grade of C- or higher for a course to count toward the major or minor, or to count as a prerequisite for any Psychology course.
Students must complete two laboratory courses in Psychology before their senior year.
A maximum of two courses taken at other institutions may be counted towards the major or minor.
Double majors with Psychology may elect to complete their I.S. in their other department and not complete 451 and 452 in Psychology. If this option is selected, students are required to take one additional 200- or 300-level elective in Psychology.