Psychology Major

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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
4-Year Students: 9 / 2.50
Transfer Students: 6 / 2.50

A student who receives three or more grades of “W” or “I” in a semester will be placed on departmental probation. Once students are placed on probation, they will be given a probation plan that specifies the requirements to remain in 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.

Requirements

Foundations of Psychological Sciences 1 (16 credits)

PSY 101 - General Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 202 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 205 - Statistics for Psychology Credits: 4
PSY 220 - LifeSpan Human Development Credits: 3
PSY 250 - Biological Bases of Behavior Credits: 3

Foundations of Psychological Sciences 2 (6 Credits)

Choose two of the following courses.

PSY 304 - Social Psychology for Majors Credits: 3
PSY 308 - Cognitive Processes Credits: 3
PSY 320 - Psychology of Perception Credits: 3

Psychological Science-Methods 3a (4 credits)

Choose one of the following (390, 391, 392, 393, 394), plus its accompanying 1-credit lab course listed underneath it:

PSY 390 - Research Methods in Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 380 - Research Methods Lab in Developmental Psychology Credits: 1
PSY 391 - Research Methods in Social/Personality Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 381 - Research Methods Lab in Social/Personality Psychology Credits: 1
PSY 392 - Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 382 - Research Methods Lab in Cognitive Psychology Credits: 1
PSY 393 - Research Methods in Physiological Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 383 - Research Methods Lab in Physiological Psychology Credits: 1
PSY 394 - Research Methods in Psychology of Perception Credits: 3
PSY 384 - Research Methods Lab in Psychology of Perception Credits: 1

Psychological Science-Depth 3b (3 credits)

Chooose one of the following that was not selected in 3a:

PSY 420 - Child Clinical Methods Credits: 3
PSY 423 - Health Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 430 - Young Adult Health Risk Behaviors Credits: 3
PSY 450 - Evolutionary Psychology Credits: 3
PSY 460 - Psychology of Individual Differences Credits: 3
PSY 470 - Women’s Health Credits: 3
PSY 475 - Cognitive Health and Changes with Age Credits: 3
PSY 478 - Emotion Credits: 3

Advanced Electives (6 credits)

Choose two additional Psychology courses at the 300 or 400 level. You may not select PSY 323.

Total Credits: 35

University Studies Requirements

In addition to the requirements in the major, students will be required to complete the University Studies requirements. For more information: http://www.umassd.edu/generaleducation/universitystudies/universitystudiescurriculum/.

Psychology Honors Program

The Psychology Department participates in the university honors program by offering honors sections of general psychology, and it also has a departmental honors program.

The psychology honors program is designed to provide psychology students with the opportunity to engage in independent research. It is recommended for all students who wish to pursue a PhD degree, whether in an experimental or applied area. Honors students typically have GPAs over 3.0, but admission to the honors program is based on overall potential and motivation rather than on grade point average alone.

The sequence begins in the junior year with the identification of a research topic and a faculty advisor. Beginning in the junior year or in the first semester of the senior year, honors students carry out an original research project by enrolling in an eight-credit honors research seminar.