University of Michigan Psychology Undergraduate Program: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of Michigan (UM) stands as a pillar of academic excellence, and its Department of Psychology is consistently recognized among the top psychology programs in the United States. This reputation stems from the high caliber of its students, the accomplishments of its graduates, the quality of its programs, and the dedication of its faculty. Faculty members are renowned worldwide for their significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge and discovery within the field of psychology. The Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan--Ann Arbor is dedicated to the success of its students and innovation within the field of psychology.

Mission and Goals

The Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor operates with a three-fold mission:

Creating New Scientific Knowledge: Conducting cutting-edge research to expand the understanding of human behavior and psychological processes.
Teaching Innovative Courses and Involving Students in Real Research: Providing students with a comprehensive education through innovative courses and hands-on research experiences.
Maintaining an Exceptional Record of Graduate Education: Preparing the next generation of leaders in the field of psychology through rigorous graduate training.

The undergraduate psychology program aims to introduce students to the analytical and methodological approaches used in the study of psychology. It prepares students for graduate studies in psychology or other fields, such as business, medicine, and law. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to participate in research and receive hands-on research training, tailoring their program to meet their unique career goals and personal interests.

Program Options and Areas of Study

The University of Michigan offers diverse options for undergraduate psychology students, allowing them to tailor their education to their specific interests and career aspirations. Students may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology. These degrees can be completed fully online, in person, or through a hybrid approach.

The graduate psychology department at the University of Michigan offers PhD degrees that focus on six areas of psychology: Biopsychology, Clinical Science, Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology and Personality & Social Contexts. The department also offers three joint programs of study: Social Work and Psychology, Education and Psychology, and Women's Studies and Psychology.

The psychology program at UM-Dearborn is designed to accommodate non-majors who seek personal enrichment, majors who will pursue careers in human services and in a variety of other fields, and majors intending to pursue an advanced degree in psychology.

Curriculum Overview

As the science of behavior and psychological processes, psychology has a vast range. At one end, it borders on natural sciences such as biology and physiology, and at the other, it shares interests with social science disciplines such as anthropology and sociology. With the goal of understanding, predicting, and modifying behavior and psychological processes, psychologists must include in their studies a variety of perspectives.

The Program thus includes courses in the following areas:

Natural Science: Exploring the biological and physiological underpinnings of behavior, including topics such as learning and memory, sensation and perception, and physiology.
Cognitive: Investigating mental processes such as thinking, problem-solving, and language.
Developmental: Studying the process of human growth and development across the lifespan.
Social: Examining the influence of groups and social contexts on individual behavior.
Clinical/Abnormal: Understanding and treating people with psychological disorders.
Industrial/Organizational: Applying psychological principles to the workplace.

UM-Dearborn Major Requirements

Students desiring to major in psychology are required to take the following or their equivalent.

Pre-Major Requirement

PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology (upper level PSYC courses require a minimum grade of C- in PSYC 101) - 3 Credit Hours

Major Requirements

Students must complete at least 40 credit hours in psychology (PSYC). Four of these credits will be at the lower level (200 level) and 36 credits will be at the upper level (300 level or above). For those transferring from a community college this requirement will mean that the 36 upper level credit hours will be completed during the junior and senior years.

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Course Lists

200-Level Courses: Select one course from the following (4 Credit Hours):
- PSYC 200: Introduction to Developmental Psychology
- PSYC 220: Introduction to Social Psychology
- PSYC 240: Introduction to Mental Health and Adjustment
- PSYC 260: Introduction to Brain and Behavior
Methods (CAPM): Select one course from the following (4 Credit Hours):
- PSYC 415: Lab in Developmental Psych
- PSYC/CRJ 425: Lab in Social Psychology
- PSYC 4445: Personality Assessment Lab
- PSYC 465: Experimental Psychology
Biological Psychology (CABP): Select one course from the following (4 Credit Hours):
- PSYC 370: Physiological Psychology
- PSYC 372: Animal Behavior
- PSYC 400: Cognitive Neuroscience
- PSYC 455: Health Psychology
Clinical/Personality (CACP): Select one course from the following (4 Credit Hours):
- PSYC/CRJ 440: Abnormal Psychology
- PSYC 441: Intro to Clinical Psychology
- PSYC 442: Child Psychopathology
- PSYC 450: Personality Theory
Developmental Psychology (CADP): Select one course from the following (4 Credit Hours):
- PSYC 300: Life-Span Developmental Psych
- PSYC 301: Psych of Infant Development
- PSYC 302: Psych of Child Development
- PSYC 315: Personality Development
- PSYC/CRJ 407: Psychology of Adolescence
- PSYC 412: Psychology of Aging
Social/Organizational Psychology (CASP): Select one course from the following (4 Credit Hours):
- PSYC 320/CRJ 382: Social Psychology
- PSYC/CRJ 322: Psychology of Prejudice
- PSYC/CRJ 325: Psyc of Interpersonal Relation
- PSYC 3955: Diversity and the Workplace
- PSYC 426: Applied Social Psychology
- PSYC 427: Media Psychology
- PSYC 428: Self & Identity
- PSYC 429: Community Psychology
- PSYC 4305: Psychology in the Workplace
Statistics and Experimental Design:
- PSYC 381: Prin of Stat and Exper Design (must be taken before Methods course) (4 Credit Hours)
Cognitive (CAPC): Select one course from the following (4 Credit Hours):
- PSYC 335: Psychology of Bilingualism
- PSYC 363: Cognitive Psychology
- PSYC/LING 375: Psychology of Language
- PSYC 400: Cognitive Neuroscience
- PSYC 461: Learning and Memory
- PSYC 463: Sensation and Perception
- PSYC/STS 464: Applied Cognitive Psychology
- PSYC 474: Animal Learning and Cognition
Electives in Psychology: Select 8 credits any upper-level psychology (PSYC) to equal 40 total credits (8 Credit Hours)

Important Notes

At least 16 of the 36 upper level credit hours in PSYC must be elected at UM-Dearborn.
No more than 8 credit hours of Independent Study and no more than 8 credit hours of Independent Research within the Behavioral Sciences (anthropology (ANTH), psychology (PSYC) and sociology (SOC)) may be counted in the 120 credit hours required to graduate
Students completing the Psychology curriculum are able to meet CASL's criteria for a B.S.; the completion of 60 or more credit hours (at least 20 credit hours of which are in upper level courses 300 level or above) in specified STEM or applied sciences coursework to be granted the B.S. degree. Please see your academic advisor to discuss this option.

Honors Program in Psychology

Psychology offers an honors program which provides special opportunities for outstanding students, including a research training seminar followed by research in collaboration with faculty members. Students are formally accepted for the honors program early in their junior year. Prospective students should plan on completing PSYC 381 and a Methods course by the end of fall term in their junior year.

Requirements for entrance are:

GPA of 3.2 or higher in psychology and overall UM-Dearborn courses
Informal evidence of being a superior student, such as high motivation and ability to work independently

Requirements for graduation with honors in psychology are the successful completion of:

All requirements for the psychology major
PSYC 481 Computers in Psychology, normally taken in the fall semester, senior year
PSYC 498 Honors Seminar normally taken winter term, junior year
PSYC 499 Honors Research normally completed during senior year
Research proposal meeting completed early in senior year
Final Oral Defense completed at least one month prior to graduation

Psychology Internship

Juniors and seniors can obtain practical experience working under supervision in a setting relevant to psychology. Internship students will spend approximately 6 or 12 hours per week at their field placement and will attend a weekly seminar on campus. Students may register for PSYC 485 Psychology Internship for 2 to 6 credits.

Minor or Integrative Studies Concentration Requirements

A minor or concentration consists of PSYC 101 and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in psychology (PSYC). A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for the minor/concentration. Minors requiring 12 credits may share one course with a major. Minors requiring 15 credits or more may share two courses with a major.

Course Descriptions (UM-Dearborn)

Psychology 101 (Introduction to Psychology): Introduces students to theories and research in the field of psychology. This course focuses on the scientific underpinnings of the field from both the social and natural science perspectives. A treatment of the principles of sensation, perception, maturation, learning, motivation, memory, thought, language, and physiological bases of behavior. A treatment of the principles of human development, intelligence, motivation, personality theory, social and abnormal psychology, and psychotherapy.
Introduction to Developmental Psychology: Developmental psychology examines how we become who we are by exploring how various genetic and environmental factors interact over time, to further our understanding of how we think and how we behave. This course provides an overview of the principal concepts currently used in developmental psychology in describing and explaining biological, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Students will learn the basis for developmental discussion and reflect upon developmental phenomena. A basic exposure to developmental concepts, research methods, statistics, APA format, peer-review, and ethics provided in this course will prepare students to succeed in upper-level psychology courses.
Introduction to Social Psychology: Students will be introduced to the field of Social Psychology, which considers how individuals affect and are affected by other people and by their social and physical environments. Basic research methods in social psychology, as well as foundational social psychological theory and research will be covered.
Introduction to Mental Health and Adjustment: This course is designed to help students continue to develop a foundational knowledge about psychology through the exploration of mental health. Building on the key concepts students learned in other psychology courses (e.g., introduction to psychology), this course will examine scientific approaches to the study and treatment of mental health issues and general human adjustment. The course will cover topics related to clinically based research, defining and classifying mental health and illness, general types psychological distress, and introductory treatment considerations for individuals with mental health problems.
Introduction to Brain and Behavior: Students will be introduced to the scientific study of human behaviors and mental processes, and the underlying brain mechanisms responsible for those behaviors. Topics on basic brain anatomy and techniques used to study both the brain and human behavior will also be introduced.
Preparing for Careers in Psychology: This one-credit course for psychology majors provides students with information and skills to help pursue a career in psychology or in a related field. The course focuses on career options within each of the major sub-fields of psychology. Psychological research on resumes, interviewing and negotiation skills, and networking is incorporated into the course. Students develop a career plan, write a resume, and complete an e-portfolio.
Life-Span Developmental Psychology: This course examines human growth and changes from the lifespan perspective by discussing human development from conception through death. Development is examined across the life span in various domains, including physical, social-emotional, cognitive, moral and personality, among others. Developmental theories, stages and influences of development and research methods/findings are emphasized. This course will help students examine the development of ourselves and others, as well as the interactions and relationships we have in the world, as we progress through life.
Psychology of Infant Development: This course examines the current theories and findings concerning the physical, cognitive and social-emotional development of infants, 0-3 years of age, and focuses on the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in development. Central to this course is academic service work, which provides students with hands-on experience working with infants and toddlers in a childcare center off-campus.
Psychology of Child Development: This course examines the current theories and findings concerning the physical, language and cognitive, and social-emotional development of children, from conception to pre-adolescence. This course focuses on the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in development.
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: This course provides an interdisciplinary overview of the key theories and topics in Women's and Gender Studies. Special attention is given to how gender intersects with class, race, nationality, religion and sexuality to structure women's and men's lives.
Personality Development: An investigation of the factors involved in the formation of personality and the changes in personality across the life-span. The influence of family, peers, and society will be emphasized.
Social Psychology: This course provides a comprehensive overview of the field of social psychology focusing on a review of the field's founding principles and classic studies, as well as a focus on recent research. Topics include social cognition; interpersonal behavior (e.g., attraction, aggression, and altruism); attitudes; prejudice and discrimination; social influence; group processes (e.g., intergroup relations; conflict resolution); and social issues (e.g., income inequality).
Psychology of Prejudice: A consideration of ethnic (including racial), sexual, and religious prejudice from the psychological point of view, focusing on the mind of both the oppressor and the oppressed.
Psychology of Interpersonal Relations: Students will be introduced to the field of relationship science from a social psychological perspective. The class begins with an overview of important research methods and theories (e.g., interdependency, attachment, evolutionary, social role theory). Topics cover communication, attraction, friendship, love, sexuality, threats to relationships, conflict and violence, as well as fostering healthy relationships.
Psychology of Bilingualism: This course is an introduction to the study of bilingualism with a focus on biological and cognitive aspects of bilingualism. Topics covered include definitions and types of bilingualism; differences between monolinguals and bilinguals; language development in children and adults and differences between early and late learning; brain areas involved using one and multiple languages; language processing in bilinguals, including topics such as working memory, executive control, proficiency, age of acquisition, and language attrition; and the relationship between language, thought, and culture. We will also discuss social aspects of bilingualism, including heritage language, identity, and attitudes.
Cognitive Psychology: This course introduces the field of cognitive psychology, which studies human thinking, intelligence, and memory from an information-processing approach. As such, a broad range of topics will be covered (including attention, mental representations, categorization, short and long-term memory, language, reasoning, problem-solving, judgment, and decision making). Major theories of cognition will be evaluated with both behavioral and neuroscientific evidence. This course serves as a starting point for many subsequent in-depth cognitive courses (e.g., Learning and Memory).
Cognitive Neuroscience: This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the relationship between brain function and psychological processes. Topics covered include methods in neuroscience research, neurotransmission, neuroanatomy, behavioral genetics, brain development and neuroplasticity, circadian rhythms and sleep, sensation and perception, motivation processes, stress, emotions, memory and language. We will also discuss the connection between biological processes and psychological disorders. No previous knowledge of biology is required for this course.
Animal Behavior: The Animal Behavior course will examine the scientific approach of the study of animal behavior, adaptation and learning, using cross-species comparisons from an evolutionary perspective. This course will also investigate human-animal interactions, and the causes of endangered species and conservation issues. In this course, students will explore the complexities and sensitivities in studying animal behavior. From a theoretical perspective, this upper level course covers foundational concepts in evolution, ethology, behavioral ecology, and sociobiology. Topics to be discussed include the theories, methodologies, and research that serve as the foundation for the study of behavior in human and non-human animals, comparatively. It will also cover the biological bases of behavior, and the principles of evolution in relation to behavior and development. Special topics to be explored may include: navigation, optimal…

UM-Flint Psychology Program

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, including thoughts, feelings and behavior. There are two main branches in psychology: experimental (biological, cognitive, developmental, social) and applied (clinical, industrial/organizational, health, legal), with dozens of focus areas within them. As a UM-Flint psychology major, you will develop a solid foundation in psychological research and its methodology and a comprehensive understanding of psychological processes. Although some psychology majors become psychologists, many do not.

The UM-Flint Psychology Program prepares students for a wide range of careers including Business, Education, Law, Medicine, Social Work, and bachelorâs-level psychology positions.

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With so many educational opportunities and career paths available to our psychology students, we strongly recommend regular meetings with our knowledgeable and experienced academic advisors. Nicole Altheide advises on-campus psychology students. Therasa Martin advises psychology students who are taking classes fully online. Because a psychology degree offers so many different career opportunities, all psychology majors take PSY 300, Preparing for Careers in Psychology. This course will engage you in a range of professional development activities, from examining possible career paths at the bachelorâs and graduate level, to creating materials for your portfolio.

We offer multiple sections of courses every year to streamline your degree completion and align with your interests. Earning your psychology degree with UM-Flint is highly convenient. You can take classes on campus, entirely online or in a hybrid format that combines the two. Whichever format you choose, you will be taught by expert faculty members. While our faculty have been intensively trained and many are actively engaged in research, they came to UM-Flint because they love teaching and are committed to student success. That commitment extends to mentoring students. Every psychology major is assigned a faculty mentor who can answer questions about planning for jobs or graduate school, internships, research opportunities, time management, work/life balance and much more. Our expert faculty work with students both in and out of the classroom, providing personal attention during class sessions as well as collaborating with students on a variety of cutting-edge research projects.

Students in the online psychology program enjoy the same faculty mentorship, professional advising, and academic support services as in-classroom students. Those resources include a First Year Experience course designed to help you excel in an online environment, 24/7 access to library resources, and online tutoring.

UM-Flint students are automatically considered, upon admission, for the Go Blue Guarantee, a historic program offering free tuition for high-achieving, in-state undergraduates from lower-income households.

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