|
|
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
I. Psychology Major Requirements: Important Reminders
- All courses that count toward the psychology major requirements must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Grades of "C-" or below will not be accepted. This includes all psychology courses counting toward the major requirements and Statistics 1300: Elementary Statistics or its equivalent (a required course for all psychology majors).
- Students must complete at least two psychology courses numbered 4000-level or above.
- Students must complete at least one psychology course that is Writing Intensive.
A) Required Courses for Psych Majors
Psychology 1000 (General Psychology)
All students are required to take Psych 1000: General Psychology. We encourage students to consider the diverse content of this introductory course as they begin the career exploration process. Questions to ask yourself include: What subjects within psychology appeal to me the most? What kinds of careers are available within those areas? What options are available in my field of interest if I enter the field with a bachelor’s degree? Will I need a master’s (M.A.) or doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in order to work in this particular field, and if so, how competitive is the graduate school application process?
Research Methods Sequence (Stat 1300/Psy 3010/Psy 3020)
The undergraduate psychology major curriculum reflects our strongly-held belief that psychology is a science. Understanding the nature of science, as well as the methods of research in the psychological sciences, is a major focus of the undergraduate degree. Just as majors in chemistry and physics learn about the research methods that apply to those disciplines, psychology majors must learn about the methods that are used in psychology research. Therefore, students are required to complete an introductory statistics course (i.e., Statistics 1300 or its equivalent) followed by a two-semester research methods course sequence (i.e., Psych 3010 followed by Psych 3020). Students can choose to take Statistics 1300 (or its equivalent) and Psych 3010 during the same semester, but Psych 3010 must be completed before taking Psych 3020.
Capstone Course (Psychology Capstone Lab Course)
In the last or second-to-last semester before they graduate, all psychology majors must complete a capstone psychology lab course. The goal of the capstone course is to provide an opportunity for students to synthesize the knowledge gained from their coursework, and to use that knowledge in the process of data collection.
Currently, the capstone courses include the Tests and Measurements Capstone Lab (Psych 4970), Developmental (Psych 4971), Animal Learning (Psych 4972), Human Cognition (Psych 4973), Human Senses (Psych 4974), Experimental Social Psychology (Psych 4975), Clinical Psychology (Psych 4978), and the Honors Capstone Lab (Psych 4976 & 4977).
Note: The Honors Lab is a two-semester sequence during the senior year. Students must have a 3.3 cumulative MU GPA in order to participate in the Honors Lab and graduate with departmental honors.
B) Distribution Areas
Psychology majors are required to take one course from each of five distribution areas. This ensures that students will have exposure to a wide range of psychological theory and research. In addition, students choose a 2000-level or above course to receive additional education according to their interests. The psychology faculty believes that students with a degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia should understand specific ideas related to each of the five distribution areas.
Although the distribution areas are presented below as distinct areas of study, a great deal of overlap exists between them. We hope that students will develop an understanding of the ways that the various areas complement one another, and gain the ability to integrate information learned in the different areas. Thus, we encourage students to look for links and relations between material learned in all their courses, and to wonder how information learned in one class can be understood in terms of the information learned in another.
The five distribution areas are as follows:
1) Psychology of Learning and Cognition
This distribution area studies the mechanisms of the mind and how they are altered by experience, as inferred through psychological experimentation in which carefully-planned stimuli are administered to subjects and behavioral responses, as well as physiological responses in some instances, are recorded, analyzed, and considered. Such processes include memory, perception, problem-solving, comprehension, and thought.
Research questions related to this distribution area include:
- What are the processes underlying the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of information?
- How do we infer mental concepts from behavior?
Courses related to this distribution area include Theories of Learning (Psych 3110), Decisions, Values & Choice (Psych 3130), Cognitive Psychology (Psych 3140), Human Memory (Psych 3150), Perception & Thought (Psych 3160), and Perception (Psych 4110). Complete course descriptions can be found on the psychology department’s website and/or in the MU Undergraduate Course Catalog (available online and at the bookstore).
2) Biological and Comparative Psychology
This distribution area studies the biological basis of the behavior of humans and other animals. Higher brain processes such as learning, memory, perception, and cognition are examined from the perspectives of neuroscience, evolution, and contemporary psychological theory. Other courses examine the behavior of animals, including learning, mate selection, predator-prey relationships and foraging.
Research questions related to this distribution area include:
- How is information conveyed within and among neurons?
- What parts of the brain are involved in perception, action, language, and memory?
- How do learning and behavior by animals serve to maximize fitness?
Courses related to this distribution area include Mind, Brain & Behavior (Psych 2210), Drugs & Behavior (Psych 2220), Physiological Psychology (Psych 4210), Animal Behavior (Psych 4220), Clinical Psychophysiology (Psych 4230), and Cognitive Neuroscience (Psych 4240).
3) Social/Personality Psychology
This distribution area employs scientific methods to understand the nature and causes of individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behavior in social situations. Personality psychology focuses on individual differences (e.g., traits, motives) in patterns of thought, emotion and behavior, as they relate to and unfold in the context of social, developmental, and biological contexts.
Research questions related to this area include:
- How do elements of social situations interact with personality traits to influence goal striving and risky behavior?
- How do processes of group relations influence outcomes from prejudice to health and well-being?
Courses related to this distribution area include Social Psychology (Psych 2310), Introduction to Personality (Psych 2320), Intergroup Relations (3310), Functions & Processes of the Self (Psych 3320), Personality Theory (Psych 4310), and Attitude Change (Psych 4340).
4) Developmental Psychology
This distribution area studies the cultural and biological influences on age-related changes in cognition, emotion, and social behavior that take place throughout an individual’s lifespan.
Research questions related to this area include:
- How are early sex differences in play patterns and social behaviors related to sex differences in cognitive
and social competencies in adulthood?
- What are the cognitive and brain mechanisms that contribute to children’s ability to learn language and other forms of social communication?
- How does children’s ability to regulate their emotional reactions influence the development of personality, social competencies and their relationships with peers?
Courses related to this distribution area include Developmental Psychology (Psych 2410), Normal Language Development (Psych 3810), Infancy (Psych 3410), and Psychology of Aging (Psych 4410). Note: Due to the overlap in course content, a student may receive credit for only one of the following three courses: Psych 2410, HDFS 2420, or E&CP 2500.
5) Clinical/Abnormal Psychology
This distribution area focuses on scientific study of the causes of mental disorders as well as methods for assessing and alleviating mental health problems and related types of maladjustment. It also is concerned with the study of positive mental health and wellness, including strategies for preventing the development of mental disorders.
Research questions related to this area include:
- What factors lead to the development of different types of personality disorders?
- What types of treatment are most effective for alleviating depression?
- What are the essential attributes of positive mental health?
- What types of intervention programs are effective in preventing school violence?
Courses related to this area include Abnormal Psychology (Psych 2510), Research in Psychopathology (Psych 4530), Emotional Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence (Psych 4540), and Introduction to Clinical Psychology (Psych 4550). Note: Students may take either Psych 2510 or Psych 4530; they cannot receive credit for both courses. Psych 2510 provides a general overview of abnormal psychology, while Psych 4530 provides a more in-depth overview of research within the field of abnormal psychology.
C) 2000-Level (or above) Psychology Elective (minimum of three hours)
Students must complete at least one psychology course that is a 2000-level or above course, excluding Special Problems, Readings courses, and capstone labs (i.e., Psych 2950, 4950, 4960, and all capstone labs), and the coursework must add up to at least three hours (e.g., a student can take a 3-hour course, or take three 1-hour intersession courses to count toward this requirement). Based on personal interests, students may opt to complete a second course in one of the five distribution areas, or they may choose a different course. Some popular courses that are not a part of the distribution areas include: Human Sexuality (Psych 2810), Topics Courses (Psych 3003/4003—check Schedule of Courses to find out the topic), Health Psychology (Psych 3830), Law & Psychological Sciences (Psych 3860), Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Psych 4810), Psychology of Women (Psych 4830), and History of Psychology (Psych 4840).
D) Optional: Additional Psychology Courses (including research credit hours)
Students are not required to complete additional psychology courses, but they can choose to do so. Students should keep in mind that no more than 40 hours of psychology courses can count toward the credit hours needed for graduation. Since the psychology degree requires 30 hours of coursework, students can take up to 10 hours of additional psychology courses. Many students choose to earn credit for Psych 2950, 4950 (Special Problems) or Psych 4960 (Special Readings). Psych 2950 and 4950 provides students with a variety of opportunities to gain research experience working in faculty members’ research labs. Psych 4960 provides students with the opportunity to complete selected readings and write research papers with guidance from a psychology faculty member. For more information about Psych 2950 and 4950, check out the bulletin board across the hall from the Advising Office, pick up a Faculty Research Interest List, and pick up a copy of "FAQs about Psych 2950/4950" from the Advising Office.
E) Optional: Minor and/or Additional Major
Students can choose to add a minor and/or additional major to the psychology major, but it is not a requirement for psychology majors. We do encourage students to consider adding a minor and/or additional major to the psychology degree. It is often possible to add a minor to the psychology major and still graduate with the minimum number of hours required for graduation.
Minor (require at least 15 hours of coursework)
The minor gives students the opportunity to focus on a subject other than psychology. MU offers around 75 different minors. The minor is listed on the transcript for a student, but it is not listed on the diploma. Most minors require at least 15 hours of coursework. Some minors have very specific requirements (e.g., Business, Human Development and Family Studies), and some minors offer more flexibility in terms of course choices (e.g., History, English). A student can check the Undergraduate Course Catalog and/or the minor department website to find out the requirements for the minor. Popular minors for psychology majors include: Biological Sciences, Business, English, HDFS, Social Justice, Sociology, and Spanish. Students who wish to complete a minor should contact the minor department for information about minor requirements.
Additional Major (require at least 30 hours of coursework)
Some students plan to receive two undergraduate degrees; these students are referred to as "double" or "dual" majors.
Double majors plan to receive two Bachelor of Arts degrees (e.g., Psychology AND Communication, English, History, Sociology), and must complete at least 120 hours of coursework to earn both degrees. Double majors only need to meet the A&S foundation requirements for one of the degrees. For example, a student with Psychology and English degrees can choose to meet the general education requirements for Psychology, which means that the student can count English courses toward the humanities foundation requirements. Or, if the student chooses to meet the A&S foundation requirements for English, then the student can count Psychology courses toward the Behavioral Sciences foundation requirements.
Dual majors plan to receive degrees from two different colleges (e.g., A&S and Business, A&S and Journalism, A&S and Human Environmental Sciences) or they plan to receive a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science within the College of A&S (e.g., Psychology and Biological Sciences). Dual majors must have at least 132 hours of coursework to earn both degrees, and must meet all requirements for both degrees. Students who wish to complete an additional major should contact the major department for information about major requirements.
II. College of Arts & Science Foundation (Basic Skills), University General Education and Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree
A) English 1000: Exposition & Argumentation
Students must complete English 1000 or its equivalent with a grade of "C-" or better.
B) Two Writing Intensive (WI) Courses
After completing English 1000 or its equivalent, students must complete two Writing Intensive courses with a grade of "C-" or better; one of the two courses must be a psychology course with a grade of "C" or better. Writing Intensive courses are designated as "WI" on the Campus Writing Program website, may only be completed at MU, and are not offered during the summer sessions.
C) American Government or History Course
Missouri state law requires that all college students complete a course in American History or Government. A list of these courses can be found on the list of "MU Courses Approved to Meet A&S Foundation Requirements"—lists are available in the Advising Office and on the A&S advising website.
D) Math 1100/1120, 1160 or 1180
Students must complete Math 1100/1120, 1160, or 1180 or its equivalent with a grade of "C-" or better. Psychology majors who are not planning to take higher level math courses usually take Math 1120: College Algebra for Non-Calculus-Bound Students. Students who plan to take higher level math courses usually take 1100 (College Algebra for Calculus-Bound Students), 1160 (Pre-Calculus Math), or 1180 (Elementary Functions).
E) Math Proficiency (MP) Course
After completing College Algebra or its equivalent, students must complete at least one Math Proficiency (MP) course. MP courses build on the skills that students acquire in College Algebra. Statistics 1300 at MU fulfills this requirement for psychology majors. For a list of MP courses, check the General Education Program’s website. Important Note: Students who are planning to take a Math Proficiency course at another college should check with their advisor to confirm that the course will be considered an MP course in transfer (the transfer course must have College Algebra as a prerequisite).
F) Capstone Lab Course
During their last or second-to-last semester at MU, all psychology majors must complete a capstone lab course. This requirement is described in the psychology major requirements section of this information packet.
G) Foreign Language
Students must complete 12-13 hours of a single foreign language. Students who completed four full years of a single foreign language in high school (9th to 12th grade) are exempt from the foreign language requirement. Students with a background in French, German or Spanish may take the Foreign Language Placement Test to find out if they can "test in" to a higher level of a language at MU (contact Testing Services, 205 Parker Hall, 573-882-4801 for information about the FLPT). Students with a background (including fluency) in another language should contact their advisor for more information on placement in foreign language. The 12 hour sequences take two semesters (6 hours, 6 hours) and include Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Russian. The 13 hour sequences take three semesters (5 hours, 5 hours, 3 hours) and include American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Korean, Latin, and Spanish.
H) College of Arts & Science "Breadth of Study" and "Depth of Study" Foundation Requirements
Students must complete coursework in each of the four foundation areas. The courses must be approved to meet the A&S foundation requirements. Please refer to the "MU Courses Approved to Meet A&S Foundation Requirements" list. Be careful when reading the list—sometimes it says "all courses except" the listed courses, and sometimes the listed courses are the only courses that are approved to meet the foundation requirement. Also, certain subjects (e.g., Black Studies, Peace Studies, Women's Studies) have courses that count in different areas (e.g., Black Studies 2200 is a Behavioral Science, Black Studies 1410 is a Social Science, and Black Studies 1720 is a Humanities & Fine Arts course). Be careful when reading the approved course list!
I. Breadth of Study (Coursework Required in Each of the 4 Areas Below)
Area 1) Biological, Physical & Mathematical Sciences (B/P/M)
Students must complete at least 9 hours of coursework covering at least 2 of the following category areas: biological sciences (e.g., biology, anthropology), physical sciences (e.g., astronomy, chemistry, geology, physics), and mathematical sciences (e.g., mathematics, statistics, and computer science). At least one course must be a science lab course (unless the science lab requirement is met in a minor or additional major). Science lab courses are listed at the bottom of the biological/physical/math sciences area on the Approved Course list.
All psychology majors must complete Statistics 1300 (or its equivalent), which is a course that counts
toward this foundation area (in the Mathematical Science category). Courses that are equivalent to
Statistics 1300 include: Statistics 1200 and 2200 (students must complete both courses with a grade
of "C" or better in order to meet the equivalency requirements for the psychology major), Statistics
2500, Statistics 1400, and Stat 4710.
Courses that are not equivalent to Statistics 1300 include: Statistics 1200 (without Statistics 2200) and E&CP 4170 (without Statistics 2200), and Social Work 4310.
Area 2) Behavioral Sciences (BEH)
Students must complete at least 5 hours covering at least 1 of the subject areas. The subject areas include anthropology, HDFS, and sociology. For psychology majors, psychology courses cannot count in this category—they count toward major requirements only.
Area 3) Social Sciences (SSC)
Students must complete at least 9 hours covering at least 2 subject areas. At least 1 course should also meet the American Government or History course requirement (unless this requirement is met in a minor or additional major). The subject areas include economics, geography, history, and political science.
Area 4) Humanities & Fine Arts (HUM)
Students must complete at least 12 hours covering at least 3 subject areas. The subject areas include art or music appreciation, classical civilizations, foreign civilizations, literature, philosophy, religious studies, and art history.
II: Depth of Study (Three 2000-Level Courses Covering at Least 2 Areas)
Among the four foundation areas listed above (i.e., biological/physical/math sciences, behavioral sciences, social sciences, and humanities & fine arts), students must complete at least three (3) Arts and Science (A&S) courses (coursework must add up to a minimum of nine hours) that are numbered 2000-level or above, and the three courses must cover at least two (2) of the four (4) foundation areas. One of the three courses must be completed at MU.On the "Courses Approved to Meet the A&S Foundation Requirements" list, the non-A&S courses are designated with an asterisk (*)—these courses cannot be used to meet the 2000-level course requirement. Please ask your advisor if you are unsure about whether a course will count to meet this requirement, especially if you are planning to transfer a 2000-level depth of study course from another college to MU.
J) Elective Courses
Since students must have at least 120 hours when they graduate (132 for dual majors), usually they are able to (and need to) take elective courses in order to reach the minimum number of credit hours they need to graduate. A student who is earning a psychology major and a 15-hour minor will generally have between ten to fifteen hours of elective hours. Based on their educational interests, students can decide which courses they wish to take to count in the electives.
Note: If a psychology major earns a grade of "C-" or below in a course (but not an "F"), the course can count as an elective. However, keep in mind that psychology majors can only count a total of 40 hours of psychology courses toward the hours they need for graduation. All "C- or below" psychology courses will count in those 40 hours, even though they will not count to meet the psychology major requirements.
K) Courses That Do Not Count Toward Graduation
Some courses will not count toward the 120 (or 132) hours needed for graduation, or they may have hours "cut" toward graduation. Obviously, if a student fails a course (grade of "F"), that course will not count toward graduation. If a student repeats a course, the hours do not count twice for graduation (e.g., if a student takes Stat 1300 and receives a "C-", and repeats the course, the student will receive 3 hours of credit toward graduation, not 6 hours). Course numbers with "0" as the first digit, such as Math 0110 (Intermediate Algebra), do not count toward graduation. Some courses, such as SSC 1150 (Learning Strategies for College Students), have hours cut toward graduation; for example, 1150 is a 2-hour course, but only 1 hour can count toward graduation. Students may have a maximum of five hours of orientation coursework count toward graduation. Check with your advisor if you have questions about a course counting toward your graduation hours.
L) Review of Overall Requirements for Graduation:
Complete at least 30 hours of 3000-level or above coursework:
In order to graduate from MU, students must have at least 30 hours of coursework numbered 3000-level or above. The coursework can come from the psychology major, a minor or an additional major, the College of Arts & Science foundation requirements, basics skills requirements, university general education requirements, and/or elective hours. Students who transfer courses from other colleges should check with their advisor to determine if any of their transfer coursework is considered "3000-level or above" at MU.
Complete at least 120 hours to graduate (132 hours if dual major):
In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a student must complete 120 hours (or 132 if a dual major) of coursework. The student must complete all major requirements, requirements for a minor (if applicable), the College of Arts & Science foundation (basic skills), University general education and graduation requirements, and elective hours (if necessary) to reach the required number of hours to graduate.
Earn a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0:
At graduation, the student must have a 2.0 MU cumulative and MU GPA, a 2.0 GPA in the major, a 2.0 GPA in the final 30 hours, and a 2.0 GPA in the final 60 hours.
|
Welcome to the Department of Psychological Sciences
Our Goals for the Undergraduate Psychology Major
Directions to the Advising Office (100 McAlester Hall)
Advising Office Information
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Helpful Websites/Contact Information
How To Be Successful at MU: Ten Tips From Your Advisor
Forms
Courses
FAQs
|
University of Missouri-Columbia 