Psychology
Jane Roberts, Interim Chair
The Department of Psychology teaches students to use the scientific method in understanding the brain and human behavior. Students learn sound analytical skills and gain a strong foundation in life sciences, social sciences and the humanities. A psychology degree builds the groundwork for successful employment after graduation in fields such as human services, management, counseling, student affairs, criminology and law. Pre-health students* often find psychology to be an ideal primary area of study while pursuing medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and nursing, among other fields.
The department offers two undergraduate degrees. Students may elect a program leading to the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. We also offer a minor. Our programs provide room for specialization and development so students can explore specific interests relevant to their goals. With support from our dedicated faculty and advisors, students will be prepared to enter graduate training in practitioner-oriented fields as well as research-oriented fields including school psychology, clinical-community psychology, cognitive or behavioral neuroscience and quantitative psychology.
*Pre-health students in particular may benefit from the interdisciplinary neuroscience degrees offered at the university.
Entrance Requirements
Lower Division
In order to be admitted into the Department of Psychology, freshmen and transfer students must meet all University and college admission requirements. Transfer students must meet all such requirements and have a GPA of 2.25 or better. Acceptance into the department with a lower-division classification does not guarantee progression into the upper-division psychology major.
Upper Division
Progression into the upper division is based on the successful completion of all lower-division criteria.
Progression Requirements
Lower Division
All students enter the lower division when the psychology major is declared.
Requirements
- Complete PSYC 101 and PSYC 221 with a grade of C or better.
- Attain a 2.25 cumulative GPA.
- The preceding lower-division requirements must be met by the completion of the first 30 credit hours as a declared psychology major. If at that time the student has not met the requirements, the student must select another major.
Regulations
- Ineligible to enroll in 500-level and higher courses.
- May repeat psychology major courses only once to earn the required grade of C or better.
Upper Division
Students enter the upper division in one of two ways:
- Successfully complete lower-division requirements within the first 30 credit hours as a declared psychology major.
- May be placed in with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher and have earned grades of C or better in both PSYC 101 and PSYC 221 or equivalents.
Regulations
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or be subject to academic probation. If a 2.00 cumulative GPA has not been attained by the completion of the probationary term, the student must select another major.
- May repeat psychology major courses only once to earn the required grade of C or better.
- Students may attempt PSYC 220 and PSYC 228 two times each. If after the second attempt a student has not earned a grade of C or higher, the student will be removed from the major.
- May enroll in 500-level and higher courses if the prerequisites have been completed.