Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2024 - 2025 College Catalog Degree Requirement: Psychology, BS Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Psychology, BS

View Psychology Department website

Psychology is the scientific discipline dedicated to the study of mental experience and behavior. The goal of the psychology major is to develop students’ understanding of the theories, methods, and professions within psychological science. This general goal is translated into specific objectives that concern the understanding of scientific methodology, the current state of psychological knowledge, and the application of methodology and knowledge to real-world problems and events.

The psychology major consists of four components. First, a required core of foundation courses introduces students to themes, research, and communication and professional skills within psychology. This core includes required methodology courses in writing, statistics, and research design. Second, students take breadth courses that enhance their knowledge of concepts and methods in subdisciplines of psychology. The breadth courses include upper-level laboratory courses where students develop skills in the design, analysis, evaluation and communication of psychological research. Third, students expand their knowledge of psychology with an upper-level elective. Fourth, every psychology major must complete a St. Mary’s Project.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will explain key concepts within diverse content areas of psychology.
  • Students will design and execute an empirical project/methodology within psychology.
  • Students will effectively analyze and interpret data.
  • Students will identify, evaluate, and integrate findings from the primary literature.
  • Students will demonstrate effective written communication of ideas in psychology.
  • Students will demonstrate effective oral communication of ideas in psychology.
  • Students will develop a professional identity informed by skills, behaviors, and dispositions reflected in psychological science and practice that supports the transition from the psychology major into multiple contexts.

Degree Requirements

General College Requirements

General College Requirements (see “Curriculum” section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major:

Foundation Courses (16 credit hours)

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hours: 4
PSYC 204 - Psychological Research, Analysis, and Writing I Credit Hours: 4
PSYC 206 - Psychological Research, Analysis, and Writing II Credit Hours: 4
PSYC 310 - Scientific Writing and Professional Development Credit Hours: 4

Breadth (20-22 credit hours)

  • Five courses comprising:
  1. One course from each of the five breadth areas (Biological & Sensory Processes; Culture & Community; Development & Learning; Health & Counseling; Social & Cognitive Processes)
  2. At least two of five courses must be 200-level courses
  3. At least two of five courses must be 300-level courses in either of two formats:

 

  1. Lecture plus required laboratory section (5 credits)
  2. Laboratory seminar (4 credits)

Biological & Sensory Processes

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
PSYC 235 - Physiological and Sensory Psychology Credit Hours: 4
PSYC 236 - Topics in Biological and Sensory Processes Credit Hours: 4

 

PSYC 322 - Biological Psychology plus Laboratory AND Credit Hours: 5
  • PSYC 322L - Biological Psychology Lab Section
  •  

    PSYC 323 - Laboratory Seminar in Biological and Sensory Processes Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 414 - Drugs, Brain, and Behavior Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 484 - Advanced Topics in Biological and Sensory Processes Credit Hours: 4

    Culture & Community

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 263 - Multicultural Psychology Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 264 - Topics in Culture and Community Credit Hours: 4

     

    PSYC 364 - Culture and Community plus Laboratory AND Credit Hours: 5
  • PSYC 364L - Culture and Community Lab Section
  •  

    PSYC 365 - Laboratory Seminar in Culture and Community Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 456 - Psychology of Gender Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 487 - Advanced Topics in Culture and Community Credit Hours: 4

    Development & Learning

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 211 - Topics in Development and Learning Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 230 - Lifespan Development Credit Hours: 4

     

    PSYC 320 - Psychology of Learning plus Laboratory AND Credit Hours: 5
  • PSYC 320L - Psychology of Learning Lab Section
  •  

    PSYC 321 - Laboratory Seminar in Learning Theory Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 330 - Developmental Psychology plus Laboratory AND Credit Hours: 5
  • PSYC 330L - Developmental Psychology Lab Section
  •  

    PSYC 332 - Laboratory Seminar in Developmental Psychology Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 431 - Infant and Child Development Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 483 - Advanced Topics in Development and Learning Credit Hours: 4

    Health & Counseling

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 280 - Counseling Theories and Methods Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 282 - Topics in Health and Counseling Credit Hours: 4

     

    PSYC 370 - Counseling Psychology plus Laboratory AND Credit Hours: 5
  • PSYC 370L - Counseling Psychology Lab Section
  •  

    PSYC 371 - Laboratory Seminar in Health and Counseling Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 475 - Psychopathology Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 486 - Advanced Topics in Health and Counseling Credit Hours: 4

    Social & Cognitive Processes

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 221 - Cognitive Psychology Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 222 - Topics in Social and Cognitive Processes Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 250 - Social Psychology Credit Hours: 4

     

    PSYC 324 - Cognitive Psychology plus Laboratory AND Credit Hours: 5
  • PSYC 324L - Cognitive Psychology Lab Section
  •  

    PSYC 325 - Laboratory Seminar in Cognitive Psychology Credit Hours: 4

     

    PSYC 340 - Social Psychology plus Laboratory AND Credit Hours: 5
  • PSYC 340L - Social Psychology Lab Section
  •  

    PSYC 341 - Laboratory Seminar in Social Psychology Credit Hours: 4
    PSYC 485 - Advanced Topics in Social and Cognitive Processes Credit Hours: 4

    Upper Level Elective (4-5 credit hours)

    One 300- or 400-level course not used to satisfy the Breadth or Capstone requirement. PSYC 396 - Collaborative Research in Psychology satisfies this requirement. PSYC 397/PSYC 497 Directed Research in Psychology satisfies this requirement (2 and 4 credit graded experiences only).

    Capstone (8 credit hours)

    Every psychology major must complete a St. Mary’s Project. This project may be in psychology or in another major discipline or study area. The Department website provides information about the SMP and mentor assignment process.

    Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements

    Students must earn a grade of C- or better, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00, in courses used to satisfy the major. Courses taken for credit/no credit may not be used to satisfy requirements for the major.

    Sequence of Study for 4-year students

    The following sequence of courses is a typical model for fulfilling the requirements of the psychology major over four years:

    First Year:

    Fall
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hours: 4
    Spring
    • one or two 200-level breadth courses*

    Second Year:

    Fall
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 204 - Psychological Research, Analysis, and Writing I Credit Hours: 4
  • one or two 200-level breadth courses* (*aim to have at least two 200-level breadth courses by the end of this semester)
  • Spring
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 206 - Psychological Research, Analysis, and Writing II Credit Hours: 4

    Third Year:

    Fall
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
  • one 300-level laboratory breadth course
  •  

    PSYC 310 - Scientific Writing and Professional Development Credit Hours: 4

    OR

  • one 400-level breadth course
  • Spring
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
  • one 300-level laboratory breadth course
  •  

    PSYC 310 - Scientific Writing and Professional Development Credit Hours: 4

    OR

  • one 400-level breadth course
  • Fourth Year:

    Fall
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 493 - St. Mary’s Project (first half of St. Mary’s Project) Credit Hours: 1-8
  • one 300 or 400-level elective
  • Spring
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 494 - St. Mary’s Project (second half of St. Mary’s Project) Credit Hours: 1-8

    Sequence of Study for Transfer Students

    The following sequence of courses is a typical model for fulfilling the requirements of the psychology major over two years.  Junior transfer students must take PSYC 204 in their first semester in order to complete the major in two years; if PSYC 204 sections are full, email the instructor(s).

    First Year:

    Fall
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 204 - Psychological Research, Analysis, and Writing I Credit Hours: 4
  • two 200-level breadth courses
  • Spring
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    PSYC 206 - Psychological Research, Analysis, and Writing II Credit Hours: 4

     

  • one 200 or 400-level breadth course
  • PSYC 310 - Scientific Writing and Professional Development (with permission of the department chair) Credit Hours: 4

    Second Year:

    Fall
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed

    One 300-level laboratory breadth course.

    A 400-level breadth course.

    PSYC 493 - St. Mary’s Project Credit Hours: 1-8
    Spring
    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
  • one 300-level laboratory breadth course
  • one 300- or 400-level elective
  • PSYC 494 - St. Mary’s Project Credit Hours: 1-8
    Notes: