Navigating the Psychology Degree: A Comprehensive Guide to College Requirements

Embarking on a journey to understand the human mind through a psychology degree is an exciting endeavor. However, navigating the requirements and options can feel overwhelming. This article provides a structured overview of the considerations and requirements for pursuing a psychology degree, encompassing both Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) pathways, along with insights into minors, course selection, and transfer credits.

Choosing Between a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

One of the first decisions students face is whether to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology. When choosing a degree, students should always start with what they are most interested in. The distinction lies in the focus and coursework. If you have always been good at science and math, and you like it, you will most likely complete the Bachelor of Science in Psychology. If you have always been a successful writer, like the humanities, and enjoy learning about people and cultures, you will probably want to pursue the Bachelor of Arts.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): This path typically emphasizes humanities, social sciences, and a broader understanding of culture.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.): This path generally includes more science and math coursework, focusing on research and analytical skills.

Many students ask which is better for jobs and graduate school. There is not one good answer for everyone. The answer depends on how well you would do in each of the areas. Some students think that the B.S. is the only way to graduate school, but if you can only get low grades in those courses, you may significantly hurt your chances for admission. Most graduate programs want a diversity of courses. They also want students to show that they can do well in challenging courses. This can be done through either the B.A. or the B.S. degree in Psychology. It is most important to do well in the most challenging courses that you can handle. It is also important to look ahead to see what courses are recommended by the graduate programs you are pursuing. If the programs you are looking into are more scientific in nature, you will probably want the courses in the B.S. The best way to determine which degree is best for you is by meeting with a Psychology advisor.

At Denison University, the primary difference between the two majors is the completion of additional science courses outside of the Psychology Department when pursuing a B.S. degree in psychology. A student should discuss with a faculty member of the Psychology Department whether the B.A. or B.S. degree is more appropriate for their situation and future plans.

Navigating Specific Course Requirements

Regardless of the chosen path, certain courses are foundational to a psychology degree.

Foundational Courses

Introduction to Psychology: This course provides an overview of the topics and perspectives in contemporary psychology and an introduction to the methods of psychological science. PSYC 100 fulfills the lab science general education requirement (the Y GE). PSYC 100 is a prerequisite for all other psychology courses offered. Refer to information below regarding Advanced Placement (A.P.) and transfer credit for PSYC 100.
Research Methods and Statistics: This course focuses on the primary research methods and data analysis procedures used by psychologists. Completion of the Citi Program's Research Ethics & Compliance training is a requirement of the course. PSYC 200 fulfills the quantitative reasoning general education requirement (the Q GE). PSYC 200 is a prerequisite for the 200-level research courses.
History and Systems of Psychology: This course offers an overview of the ideas and approaches that have informed psychological study since its inception and explores their relationship to contemporary issues. Junior or senior status is required to enroll in this course.
Advanced Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (B.S. Degree): This course is specifically required for the B.S. degree in Psychology at Denison University.
Assessment Exam: A zero-credit course used to track each Psychology major's completion of the required departmental assessment exam during their senior year. The exam provides an opportunity for students to receive feedback on their mastery of psychology content knowledge.

Elective Courses

Elective courses provide an opportunity to study specific topics and perspectives in psychology. Psychology electives include topical courses numbered between 206 to 299, 305 to 399, and topical courses numbered above 401. Other topical courses that can be taken as a psychology elective include (but are not limited to): Psychology of Music, Psychology of Diversity, Self Regulation, Psychopharmacology, Development of Children with Special Needs.

The following courses do NOT count toward the elective courses required for the major: Directed Study or Independent Study, Senior Research in Psychology or Advanced Senior Research in Psychology.

Seminar Courses

Psychology seminars allow for a “deep dive” into a specific topic in psychology. PSYC 300 - Seminars or PSYC 301 - Seminar: Psychology of Women fulfill the psychology seminar requirement. PSYC 300 is open to students who have junior or senior status and have completed a 200-level research course combination.

Topical/Research Course Combinations

The topical/research course combinations allow students to study a particular area or approach in psychology while simultaneously conducting related research. Research courses must be taken concurrently with their accompanying topical courses. The first topical/research course combination must be at the 200-level; the second topical/research course combination must be at the 300-level.

200-level Topical/Research Course Combinations: PSYC 200 and successful completion of the Citi Program's Research Ethics & Compliance training are prerequisites for all 200-level Topical/Research Course Combinations. All 200-level research courses fulfill a writing requirement (a W GE). 200-level Topical/Research Course Combination options: Development in Infancy and Childhood and Research in Development in Infancy and Childhood, Social Psychology and Research in Social Psychology, Organizational Psychology and Research in Organizational Psychology, Theories of Personality and Research in Personality Psychology, Adolescence and Research in Adolescence, Psychopathology and Research in Psychopathology, Cultural Psychology and Research in Cultural Psychology, Health Psychology and Research in Health Psychology, Psychology of Thinking and Research in Psyc of Thinking, 200-level Special Topics Research Course (- Special Topics Research Course may be offered in combination with a 200-level topical course that does not have a preassigned research course).

300-level Topical/Research Course Combinations: Successful completion of a 200-level research course is a prerequisite for all 300-level topical/research course combinations. 300-level Topical/Research Course Combination options: Research in Psychology of Learning and Research in Psychology of Learning, Cognitive Psychology and Research in Cognitive Psychology, Sensation and Perception and Research in Sensation and Perception, Biological Psychology and Research in Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Research in Clinical Psychology, Nonverbal Behavior in Human Interactions and Research Nonverbal Behavior in Human Interactions, Adult Development and Aging and Research in Adult Development and Aging.

Interdisciplinary Minors

All College of Social Science students are required to complete an Interdisciplinary Minor. Please review the list of minors. Once you have determined the minor that you wish to complete, you may submit the form below.

Flexibility and Customization

The flexibility of the requirements for the psychology majors and minor means that it is the responsibility of the student to select a course of study most compatible with their future goals. We encourage students to study a broad range of topics in psychology. Students contemplating graduate school are strongly encouraged to become involved in research activities in the department (e.g., Directed Study, Independent Study, Senior Research, Research Assistant, Denison Summer Science Scholars). Students interested in the intersection of biology and behavior may be attracted to the Neuroscience Concentration. Students interested in the application of psychology to organizations and businesses may be drawn to the Organizational Studies (OS) Program. All students are encouraged to work closely with their advisors in developing an appropriate set of career steps and program of courses in the major.

Additional Academic Opportunities

In many cases, it is possible to add more than just academic courses or a single degree on an MSU transcript. There are opportunities for minors, additional majors, and second degrees.

Additional Majors

An option available to psychology majors is completing an additional major in another discipline. An additional major is listed on a final transcript. This does not award an additional diploma. Most disciplines offer an additional major, though the requirements for each can be very different. Most additional majors range between 24 - 60 credits.

Second Degrees

Second degrees are available for students wanting two diplomas. The University requires students pursuing a second degree to complete a minimum of 30 credits beyond their first degree. Department and college-level requirements are usually required.

Minors

Some minors are interdisciplinary and some have courses all in one department. To sign up for a minor, please contact the academic advisor in the area of interest.

Transferring Credits and Study Abroad

Transfer Credits

Note: Before taking a course at another institution, you should clearly understand the MSU Policy on transferability of courses. For more detailed information, please go to Transfer MSU and consult with your academic advisor.

Students may waive the PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology requirement with approved PSYC 199 - Introductory Topics in Psychology credit. The student must submit a request for this transfer credit following the successful completion of an introductory psychology course taken at another college or university. However, it is important to note the following: PSYC 199 - Introductory Topics in Psychology does not fulfill a Y (Science) GE. PSYC 199 - Introductory Topics in Psychology does not count toward the courses for the psychology major or minor. Thus, students with PSYC 199 - Introductory Topics in Psychology credit will need to complete one additional psychology elective course to meet the required number of courses for the B.A. degree or minor in psychology. A psychology minor with PSYC 199 - Introductory Topics in Psychology credit would need to complete four psychology electives, and a student completing a B.A. degree in psychology would need to complete three electives. If a student with PSYC 199 - Introductory Topics in Psychology credit elects to take PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology at Denison, the PSYC 199 credit will be forfeited. Students with PSYC 199 - Introductory Topics in Psychology credit may begin their study of psychology at Denison with PSYC 200 - Research Methods and Statistics or a psychology elective course.

We attempt to provide a fair assessment of psychology courses taken at other institutions in order to facilitate the transition of transfer students to Denison. Because of some unique qualities of the psychology curriculum at Denison, e.g. offering Introduction to Psychology as a lab science and the topical/research course combinations, we are not able to guarantee that all psychology courses taken at another college or university will fulfill course requirements for the Psychology major or minor at Denison.

Advanced Placement (A.P.) Credit

Students who earn a 4 or 5 on the A.P. Psychology exam will receive credit toward graduation (it will appear on your transcript as PSYC 096 credit), but this credit does not count towards the psychology major or minor at Denison. Psychology majors/minors (including those with an A.P. Psychology exam score of 4 or 5) must still complete PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology at Denison or an equivalent Introductory Psychology course that includes a rigorous laboratory.

Study Abroad

Denison University works to make study abroad possible for all students. The Psychology Department encourages students to study abroad during their junior year. You will be able to transfer back one psychology elective course from your study abroad experience. For a transfer course to count toward this requirement for the major or minor, the transfer course must be equivalent to 3-4 credit hours in a psychology course at Denison, and must have been reviewed and approved, in advance, by the Psychology Department Chair. To request review of a potential transfer course, please submit to the Psychology Department Chair the Off-Campus Study transfer credit form along with a complete and current syllabus from the transfer course. Transfer and Off-Campus Study courses cannot be approved without a syllabus reviewed by the department chair. Additional Psychology courses taken from an Off-Campus Study program will not count toward the Psychology major or minor but may be eligible for credits toward graduation at Denison. Some Denison students studying abroad conduct independent research or internships as part of their study abroad experience. We encourage students to visit the Off-Campus Study office to explore options.

Integrative Studies Requirement

Psychology majors pursuing the B.S. The College of Social Science requires each student to complete a breadth requirement. The requirement can be fulfilled by completing any of the following: (1) any minor in the College of Social Science, with a maximum of two courses from the student’s primary major counting towards requirements of the minor; (2) a second degree or additional major within the College of Social Science; (3) a second degree or additional major in a college other than the College of Social Science; or (4) a minor outside of the College of Social Science. A maximum of two courses from the student’s primary major may count towards requirements of the minor.

Internship Opportunities

PSY 382 - Internship *Instructor approval is required.

tags: #psychology #degree #colleges #requirements