Bachelor Degree Options

Admission Requirements

Satisfy the Application and Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Programs. In addition, students wishing to declare psychology as a major must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.50.

Academic Requirements

All prerequisites for required psychology courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C. Students who audit or are unable to earn a minimum grade of C in a lower-division (100- or 200-level) PSY course may repeat the course two additional times on a space-available basis. Students who audit or wish to repeat an upper-division (300- or 400-level) PSY course may repeat the course one additional time on a space-available basis. Students repeating a course are required to complete all components of that course during the semester in which the course is retaken. When repeating a course with a lecture and laboratory component, both components must be repeated.

Graduation Requirements

• Satisfy the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• Complete the major requirements below.

Major Requirements

All psychology majors are required to take the exit examination, a standardized test of knowledge of psychology approved by the Department of Psychology. There is no minimum score required for graduation. The exam is taken in the Advising and Testing Center and a fee will be charged to students.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for this degree, of which 42 credits must be upper-division.

Concentration in Behavior Analysis

This concentration provides foundational knowledge and professional skills to apply the science of behavior analysis across a range of settings and client populations, including staff in the workplace, children and adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities, and individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Completing the coursework below, in addition to required supervised practicum experience with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, helps prepare students to apply for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board examination for becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst.

Honors in Psychology

The Department of Psychology recognizes exceptional undergraduate students by awarding them departmental honors in psychology. To graduate with departmental honors, the student must be a declared psychology major and meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy all requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50.
3. Complete PSY A412.
4. Complete PSY A420.
5. Complete PSY A499. The thesis project must be approved in advance by the Undergraduate Studies Committee and carried out by following applicable departmental guidelines.
6. Students intending to graduate with departmental honors must notify the Departmental Honors Committee in writing on or before the date they file their Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar.

Honors Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with departmental honors in psychology will possess:

• An advanced understanding and application of descriptive and inferential statistics and use of statistical software in data analysis.
• A broad knowledge of psychology’s historical foundation.
• The ability to conduct a critical review and analysis of existing psychological literature.
• The ability to design and execute empirical research that tests clearly stated hypotheses or addresses clearly articulated research questions.
• A clear understanding of research ethics and the responsible conduct of research in the field of psychology.
• The ability to communicate effectively in writing, in poster format, and in oral presentations, including mastery of APA style.
• The ability to draw conclusions from research findings, including recognition of the limitations, applications, and implications of the data, and a discussion of alternative explanations of the results.