Psychology Major

BA degree

GPA Requirements

The Psychology Department has a GPA requirement that varies with the number of credit hours completed (see below). Failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average will mean departmental probation. In the semester following one in which the student’s GPA is below the minimum, the student will not be allowed to register for courses designated for psychology majors only.

Number of credit hours/minimum required GPA
30 / 2.00
50 / 2.750

A student who receives three or more grades of “W” or “I” in a semester will be placed on departmental probation. After two consecutive semesters of departmental probation, students may be dis-enrolled from the major.

Major Requirements

Psychology majors must fulfill the requirements listed below. Students must have earned  a C- or better in any psychology course taken to meet the requirements listed as required courses.

All psychology majors are required to complete successfully the courses listed among the four areas in the requirements section. This system is designed to provide students with a broad introduction to the field, a strong foundation in research methodology, the ability to understand research and apply it to theory, and practice and opportunity to explore areas of the field in depth. Students should plan to complete General Psychology, Statistics for Psychology and three other classes from the Foundations 1 and 2 areas by the end of  the sophomore year.  While any two elective courses will fill the Area 4 requirement, several special options are available, including the counseling sequence (PSY 406, 407, and 480), which introduces students to some applied aspects of psychology. Students interested in research who are considering eventual graduate education in psychology may apply to pursue Honors Research (PSY 498 and 499) or Independent Study (495). Research opportunities are possible in any area represented by our faculty, including cognitive, developmental, social, biological and clinical areas. There is also a combined bachelor’s and master’s program (BA/MA), which allows talented students to earn both degrees within 5 years. Psychology majors interested in that program should plan to apply no later than the junior year. All Psychology majors are required to participate in the senior year assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to provide an empirical basis for curricular improvement.