Psychology, BS
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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)
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Students may co-enroll in PSYC 206 and PSYC 310 with consent of the department chair.
Breadth (20-22 credit hours)
- Five courses comprising:
- One course from each of the five breadth areas (Biological & Sensory Processes; Culture & Community; Development & Learning; Health & Counseling; Social & Cognitive Processes)
- At least two of five courses must be 200-level courses
- At least two of five courses must be 300-level courses in either of two formats:
- Lecture plus required laboratory section (5 credits)
- Laboratory seminar (4 credits)
Biological & Sensory Processes
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 323 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 322 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 or consent of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 204 with a grade of C- or better, PSYC 301 with a grade of C- or better, or with permission of the instructor.
Culture & Community
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 365 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 364 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 356.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 204 with a grade of C- or better, PSYC 301 with a grade of C- or better, or with permission of the instructor.
Development & Learning
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 321 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 320 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 332 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 330 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 331.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 204 with a grade of C- or better, PSYC 301 with a grade of C- or better, or with permission of the instructor.
Health & Counseling
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 371 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 370 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 375.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 204 with a grade of C- or better, PSYC 301 with a grade of C- or better, or with permission of the instructor.
Social & Cognitive Processes
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 325 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 324 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 341 without consent of the department chair.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Not open to students who
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 204 with a grade of C- or better, PSYC 301 with a grade of C- or better, or with permission of the instructor.
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
First Year:
Fall
Spring
- one or two 200-level breadth courses*
Second Year:
Fall
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the department chair.
Spring
Third Year:
Fall
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Students may co-enroll in PSYC 206 and PSYC 310 with consent of the department chair.
OR
Spring
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Students may co-enroll in PSYC 206 and PSYC 310 with consent of the department chair.
OR
Fourth Year:
Fall
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 or PSYC 303 and PSYC 310 with a grade of C- or better; Students may co-enroll in PSYC 310 and PSYC 493 with permission of the department chair. Consult faculty mentor for project guidelines.
Spring
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 or PSYC 303 and PSYC 310 with a grade of C- or better; Students may co-enroll in PSYC 310 and PSYC 493 with permission of the department chair. Consult faculty mentor for project guidelines.
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
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or better or with permission of the department chair.
Spring
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better. Students may co-enroll in PSYC 206 and PSYC 310 with consent of the department chair.
Second Year:
Fall
One 300-level laboratory breadth course.
A 400-level breadth course.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 or PSYC 303 and PSYC 310 with a grade of C- or better; Students may co-enroll in PSYC 310 and PSYC 493 with permission of the department chair. Consult faculty mentor for project guidelines.
Spring
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 or PSYC 303 and PSYC 310 with a grade of C- or better; Students may co-enroll in PSYC 310 and PSYC 493 with permission of the department chair. Consult faculty mentor for project guidelines.