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Bachelor Degree Options
Choosing a BA or a BS degree?
A Psychology major may choose to obtain either a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) or a Bachelor of Science degree (BS). The Psychology courses required for a BA and BS are identical.
The College of Arts and Sciences has different course requirements for those earning a BA vs a BS The BA requirements focus on culture and social behavior, liberal arts, and humanities whereas the BS requirements focus on mathematics and the natural and social sciences.
The Psychology faculty recommends the BA for most students. The BS degree is most appropriate for students planning research careers in areas of Psychology requiring a strong background in mathematics and science.
However, even for students headed for research intensive careers, the BA degree supplemented by selected science and mathematics courses can be the best overall choice. Psychology advisors can help with decisions in individual cases.
Academic Advising for the Psychology Undergraduate ProgramsThe Department of Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage offers undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs aimed at preparing students 1) for advanced study in the social and health sciences and 2) to become members of the behavioral health workforce. The department also maintains the Psychological Services Center, a clinic that provides low cost mental health services to campus and community members. The department strives to offer degree and certificate programs that meet the needs of the state of Alaska.Â
Admission Requirements- Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Programs.
- Complete the following Admission Requirements for the Bachelor of Art (BA) in Psychology.
- Students wishing to declare psychology as a major must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.50.
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- All psychology majors are also 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. This exam is taken in the UAA Testing Center, and a fee will be charged to students.
- Complete the following major 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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
PSYÂ A111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
PSYÂ A150 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
PSYÂ A200 | Introduction to Behavior Analysis | 3 |
PSYÂ A260 | Statistics for Psychology | 3 |
PSYÂ A260L | Statistics for Psychology Lab | 1 |
PSYÂ A261 &Â A261L | Research Methods in Psychology and Research Methods in Psychology Laboratory | 4 |
PSYÂ A345 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
PSYÂ A370 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3 |
PSYÂ A375 | Social Psychology | 3 |
PSYÂ A468 &Â A468L | Learning and Behavior and Learning and Behavior Laboratory | 4 |
Psychology Capstone Requirement 1 | 3 | |
Each capstone option is designed to synthesize and apply material from the psychology major. Choice of a capstone should be based, at least in part, on the student’s future career plans. Students planning to work in human service jobs following graduation should consider taking PSY A495A. Students planning on graduate work in psychology should consider taking PSY A412, PSY A428, PSY A499A or PSY A499. Students may elect to take all of these courses as upper-division electives. | ||
PSYÂ A412 | History of Psychology | |
PSYÂ A428 | Evolutionary Psychology | |
PSYÂ A495A | Psychology Practicum | |
PSYÂ A499A | Developing Psychological Research | |
PSYÂ A499 | Senior Thesis | |
Psychology Electives | 9 | |
Complete an additional 9 credits of upper-division psychology courses. | ||
Writing | 3 | |
WRTGÂ A213 | Writing and the Sciences | |
Mathematics and Statistics | 3 | |
MATHÂ A121 | College Algebra for Managerial and Social Sciences | |
or STAT A200 | Elementary Statistics | |
Biology | 3-6 | |
BIOLÂ A102 | Introductory Biology | |
or BIOL A108 | Principles and Methods in Biology | |
Additional Electives | 6-8 | |
Complete any two-semester sequence in humanities, world language, or American Sign Language | ||
Total | 57-62 |
1 | All of the psychology capstone courses have rigorous prerequisites. Minimum grades of C in these prerequisites are required for admission into the capstone courses. See course descriptions of each capstone course for more details. |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for this degree, of which 42 credits must be upper-division.Â
Concentration in Behavior AnalysisThis 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. Please go to UAA's Authorization by State website for information about licensure or certification in a state other than Alaska.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Concentration requirements: | ||
PSYÂ A200 | Introduction to Behavior Analysis | 3 |
PSYÂ A400 | Strategies of Behavior Change | 3 |
PSYÂ A495A | Psychology Practicum | 3 |
Complete a minimum of 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
PSYÂ A447 | Behavioral Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder | |
PSYÂ A455 | Interventions for Challenging Behavior | |
PSYÂ A467 | Organizational Behavior Management | |
PSYÂ A478 | Applications of Behavior Analysis | |
Total | 15 |
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:
- Satisfy all requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
- Maintain an overall and psychology specific GPA of 3.50.
- Complete one additional 3-credit Psychology Capstone option other than PSYÂ A499.
- Complete PSY A499. The thesis project must be approved in advance by the Undergraduate Studies Committee and carried out by following applicable departmental guidelines.
- 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.
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.
The Department of Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage offers undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs aimed at preparing students: (1) for advanced study in the social and health sciences, and (2) to become members of the behavioral health workforce. The department also maintains the Psychological Services Center, a clinic that provides low-cost mental health services to campus and community members. The department strives to offer degree and certificate programs that meet the needs of the state of Alaska.Â
Admission Requirements- Complete the Application and Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Programs.Â
- Complete the following Admission Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology.
- Students wishing to declare psychology as a major must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.50.
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- 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 UAA Testing Center, and a fee will be charged to students.
- Complete the following major 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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
PSYÂ A111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
PSYÂ A150 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
PSYÂ A200 | Introduction to Behavior Analysis | 3 |
PSYÂ A260 | Statistics for Psychology | 3 |
PSYÂ A260L | Statistics for Psychology Lab | 1 |
PSYÂ A261 &Â A261L | Research Methods in Psychology and Research Methods in Psychology Laboratory | 4 |
PSYÂ A345 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
PSYÂ A370 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3 |
PSYÂ A375 | Social Psychology | 3 |
PSYÂ A468 &Â A468L | Learning and Behavior and Learning and Behavior Laboratory | 4 |
Psychology Capstone Requirement 1 | 3 | |
Each capstone option is designed to synthesize and apply material from the psychology major. Choice of a capstone should be based, at least in part, on the student's future career plans. Students planning to work in human service jobs following graduation should consider taking PSYÂ A495A. Students planning on graduate work in psychology should consider taking PSYÂ A412, PSYÂ A428, PSYÂ A499A, or PSYÂ A499. Students may elect to take all of these courses as upper-division electives. | ||
PSYÂ A412 | History of Psychology | |
PSYÂ A428 | Evolutionary Psychology | |
PSYÂ A495A | Psychology Practicum | |
PSYÂ A499A | Developing Psychological Research | |
PSYÂ A499 | Senior Thesis | |
Psychology Electives | 9 | |
Complete an additional 9 credits of upper-division psychology courses. | ||
Writing | 3 | |
WRTGÂ A213 | Writing and the Sciences | |
Mathematics and Statistics | 6-8 | |
Complete two of the following: | ||
MATHÂ A121 | College Algebra for Managerial and Social Sciences | |
or MATH A151 | College Algebra for Calculus | |
MATHÂ A221 | Applied Calculus for Managerial and Social Sciences | |
SOCÂ A462 | Social Science Statistics | |
STATÂ A200 | Elementary Statistics | |
STATÂ A253 | Applied Statistics for the Sciences | |
Biology | 7-16 | |
BIOLÂ A102 | Introductory Biology | |
or BIOL A108 | Principles and Methods in Biology | |
Complete at least two of the following courses: | ||
BIOLÂ A111 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | |
BIOLÂ A112 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | |
BIOLÂ A200 | Introduction to Complexity | |
BIOLÂ A240 | Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences | |
BIOLÂ A242 | Fundamentals of Cell Biology | |
BIOLÂ A252 | Principles of Genetics | |
BIOLÂ A273 | Experiential Learning: Ecology and Evolution | |
BIOLÂ A288 | Principles of Evolution | |
BIOLÂ A311 | Experiential Learning: Animal Physiology | |
BIOLÂ A320 | Vertebrate Biology | |
BIOLÂ A321 | Experiential Learning: Vertebrate Biology | |
BIOLÂ A412 | Behavioral Endocrinology | |
BIOLÂ A413 | Neurophysiology | |
BIOLÂ A414 | ||
BIOLÂ A415 | Comparative Animal Physiology | |
BIOLÂ A417 | Applied Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology | |
BIOLÂ A418 | Fish Physiology | |
BIOLÂ A423 | Ichthyology | |
BIOLÂ A427 | Marine Invertebrate Biology | |
BIOLÂ A430 | Marine Mammal Biology | |
BIOLÂ A441 | Animal Behavior | |
BIOLÂ A442 | Experiential Learning: Animal Behavior | |
BIOLÂ A452 | Human Genome | |
BIOLÂ A455 | Experiential Learning: Bioinformatics | |
BIOLÂ A461 | Molecular Biology | |
BIOLÂ A464 | Metals in Biology | |
BIOLÂ A463 | Molecular Biology of Cancer | |
BIOLÂ A466 | ||
BIOLÂ A467 | Wildlife Ecology | |
BIOL/CHEM A471 | Immunology | |
BIOLÂ A472 | Biogeography | |
BIOLÂ A473 | Conservation Biology | |
BIOL/CHEM A474 | Ecotoxicology | |
BIOLÂ A477 | Tundra and Taiga Ecosystems | |
BIOLÂ A480 | ||
BIOLÂ A481 | Marine Biology | |
BIOLÂ A482 | ||
BIOLÂ A483 | Exploration Ecology | |
BIOLÂ A484 | Experiential Learning: Exploration Ecology Field Study | |
BIOLÂ A486 | Evolutionary Ecology | |
BIOLÂ A487 | Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates | |
BIOLÂ A489 | Population Genetics and Evolutionary Processes | |
Experimental and Scientific Foundations | 6-7 | |
Complete two of the following: | ||
ANTHÂ A205 | Biological Anthropology | |
ANTHÂ A452 | Culture and Human Biodiversity | |
ANTHÂ A455 | Culture and Health | |
CHEMÂ A103 | Introduction to General Chemistry | |
CHEMÂ A104 | Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry | |
CHEMÂ A105 | General Chemistry I | |
CHEMÂ A106 | General Chemistry II | |
CHEMÂ A321 | Organic Chemistry I | |
CHEMÂ A322 | Organic Chemistry II | |
CHEMÂ A441 | Principles of Biochemistry I | |
CHEMÂ A442 | Principles of Biochemistry II | |
CSÂ A109 | Computer Programming (Languages Vary) | |
ECONÂ A101 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
ECONÂ A102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
ECONÂ A333 | Experimental Economics | |
ECONÂ A456 | Behavioral Economics | |
ECONÂ A459 | Industrial Organization and Public Policy | |
Total | 64-76 |
1 | All of the above psychology capstone courses have rigorous prerequisites. Minimum grades of C in these prerequisites are required for admission into psychology's capstone courses. |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for this degree, of which 42 credits must be upper-division.
Concentration in Behavior AnalysisThis 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. Please go to UAA's Authorization by State website for information about licensure or certification in a state other than Alaska.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Concentration requirements: | ||
PSYÂ A200 | Introduction to Behavior Analysis | 3 |
PSYÂ A400 | Strategies of Behavior Change | 3 |
PSYÂ A495A | Psychology Practicum | 3 |
Complete a minimum of 6 credits of the following: | 6 | |
PSYÂ A447 | Behavioral Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder | |
PSYÂ A455 | Interventions for Challenging Behavior | |
PSYÂ A467 | Organizational Behavior Management | |
PSYÂ A478 | Applications of Behavior Analysis | |
Total | 15 |
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:
- Satisfy all requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
- Maintain an overall and psychology specific GPA of 3.50.
- Complete one additional 3-credit Psychology Capstone option other than PSYÂ A499.
- Complete PSY A499. The thesis project must be approved in advance by the Undergraduate Studies Committee and carried out by following applicable departmental guidelines.
- 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.
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.