Psychology Major - Bachelor of Science (BS)

Admission requirements

(All colleges)

39-41 credits

PSY 331 recommendation

The department strongly recommends that all psychology students take the required course of PSY 331 Research Methods: Lecture and Laboratory (4 cr.) late in their sophomore year or early in their junior year. Once students have declared psychology as a major, they should plan on at least four semesters to complete the sequence of courses necessary for graduation with a psychology major. The four semester timeline does not include the time it takes to complete Core General Education Requirements or credits necessary for a minor. We also recommend that students consider volunteer work and/or fieldwork as an important part of their psychological training. The psychology major provides solid training in the liberal arts and in research methods.

Enrollment in PSY 331 requires the following prerequisites: "C" or better in PSY 100 & STAT 145; 2.25 GPA in PSY 100, STAT 145, CST 110, & ENG 110, plus 30 credits. Students will not be able to progress in the major without this course.

Curriculum

Select required number of credits from the following five categories. Additional credits completed within a category, after the required credits are met, may be used as elective credits in category V. STAT 145 is required as part of the 39-41 credits.

I. Core courses11
PSY 100
General Psychology 1
PSY 331
Research Methods: Lecture and Laboratory
STAT 145
Elementary Statistics 1
II. Foundation courses9
Select three of the following:
PSY 204
Abnormal Psychology
PSY 212
Lifespan Development
PSY 230
Cognitive and Biological Foundations of Psychology
PSY 241
Social Psychology
III. Sociocultural awareness3
Select one of the following (more than one strongly recommended):
PSY 282
Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSY 283
Psychology of Culture and Race
PSY 285
Culture and Mental Health
PSY 318
Psychology of Women
PSY 319
Men and Masculinities
PSY 325
LGBTQ+ Youth Psychology
PSY 415
Multicultural Counseling
PSY 442
Racism and Oppression
PSY 443
Prejudice and Stigma
IV. Capstone/Experiential 1-3
Select 1 experience/capstone course from this category.
PSY 308
Research Apprenticeship
PSY 387
Psych Hour Experience
PSY 405
Teaching Apprenticeship in Psychology
PSY 450
Internship in Psychology 2
PSY 461
History and Systems of Psychology
PSY 481
Individual Projects in Psychology
PSY 482
Honors Projects in Psychology 3
PSY 485
Appraising Psychology Seminar
PSY 487
Psychology Ambassadors
PSY 488
Research Capstone: Revise and Resubmit
PSY 489
Honors Seminar 3
PSY 495
Senior Seminar in Psychology
V. Electives 15
Select 15 credits from the following or from any remaining PSY credits listed above (at least 12 credits must be at the 300/400 level): 4, 5
PSY 200
Orientation to the Psychology Major
PSY 205
Effective Behavior
PSY 291
Contemporary Topics in Psychology: Beginner
PSY/PHL 301
Theory of Knowledge
PSY 302
Environmental Issues: Applied Psychology
PSY 305
Human Sexuality
PSY 307
Intimate Relationships
PSY 315
Behavior Modification
PSY 316
Child Abuse and Neglect
PSY 320
Human Motivation
PSY/PHL 333
Philosophy of Mind
PSY 334
Health Psychology
PSY 343
Group Dynamics
PSY 347
Empathic Listening Skills
PSY 350
The Practice of Art Therapy
PSY 356
Infancy and Childhood Development
PSY 357
Adolescent Development
PSY 358
Adult Development
PSY 359
Topics in Gerontology
PSY 360
Cross Cultural Human Development
PSY 370
Educational Psychology
PSY 376
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PSY 377
Psychology and Law
PSY 391
Contemporary Topics in Psychology: Intermediate
PSY 403
Advanced Psychopathology
PSY 404
Counseling and Personality Theories
PSY 406
Positive Psychology
PSY 407
Children's Cognition
PSY 410
Advanced Developmental Psychology
PSY 413
Crisis Intervention
PSY 417
Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
PSY 420
Advanced Research Methods
PSY 422
Death, Dying, and Bereavement
PSY 425
Understanding the Mental Health Counseling Profession
PSY 426
Addictive Behaviors
PSY 430
Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY 431
Consciousness
PSY 432
Learning and Memory
PSY 434
Clinical Neuropsychology
PSY 435
Cognitive Processes
PSY 436
Psychology of Language
PSY 439
Sensation and Perception
PSY 440
Psychopharmacology
PSY 441
Advanced Social Psychology
PSY 451
Psychological Measurement
PSY 458
Dementia
PSY 459
Genes and Behavior
PSY 468
Child Life Theory and Practice
PSY 469
Therapeutic Uses of Play
PSY 491
Contemporary Topics in Psychology: Advanced
RTH 420
Nature and Forest Therapy
Total Credits39-41
1

Psychology majors may double count only PSY 100 and STAT 145 as both Core General Education Requirements and major credits.

2

PSY 450 requires arrangements with the Career Services Office and the psychology internship coordinator that must be initiated prior to the start of the semester.

3

PSY 482 and PSY 489 require admission to the Psychology Honors Program.

4

If not used to satisfy minimum requirements in category I - IV.

5

Psychology majors should consult with their advisor on which courses might be recommended based on their post-graduation plans.

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements to qualify for a degree. All enrolled students have access to a degree audit to track all of these requirements. 

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Science core requirements

The college core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the Core General Education Requirements (CGER). Students may select from courses offered by the full range of academic departments within the college according to their interests. The college core allows students to build their critical thinking, communication, problem solving, teamwork, and global competencies through in-depth exploration of topics of their choosing.

The following conditions apply:

  1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases only) or in the Department of Global Cultures and Languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Teacher education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree and follow the School of Education core. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  2. Courses completed for the college core cannot overlap with CGER or the student's first major except where otherwise stated. The college core is in addition to those degree requirements. Overlap with a second major, minor, or certificate is allowed.
  3. Courses approved for use in the college core:
    1. Fine arts category: 150-300 level in ART, 100-300 level in MUS or THA.
    2. Humanities category: 100-300 level in CHI, FRE, GCL, JPN, HCK,
      HMG, RUS, or SPA, SPE 207, SPE 214, CST 211, CST 213,
       CST 310 , CST 312, CST 315 , CST 319, CST 338 , CST 410 ,
       CST 412       , CST 413 , CST 415 , CST 419 ,
             100-300 level in PHL, 200-300 level in ENG or HIS,
       MS 402, RGS 207, RGS 210, RGS 308, RGS 309, RGS 321, RGS 360,
       RGS 374.
    3. Social science category: 100-300 level in ANT, ARC, CRIM, ENV,
      POL, PUB, or SOC, CST 190, CST 230, CST 260, CST 271,
       CST 280, CST 301, CST 321, CST 322, CST 330,  CST 331, CST 332,
       CST 333, CST 334, CST 336, CST 337, CST 339, CST 350, CST 351,
       CST 353, CST 354, CST 358, CST 360, CST 365, CST 378, CST 380,
       CST 388, PSY 100,100 level in RGS,
       RGS 205, RGS 303, RGS 307, RGS 314, RGS 316, RGS 320, RGS 322,
       RGS 328, RGS 337, RGS 340, RGS 350, RGS 353, RGS 362, RGS 373,
       RGS 377, RGS 409. Students with a declared minor in child/youth
      care or psychology may request additional courses from those programs be applied to the core by contacting the CASSH Academic Services Director.

Diversity course requirement

All students in CASSH must complete at least one diversity course from within CASSH. This course can overlap with CGER, major, minor, or other degree requirements. Select from the 100-400 level in ANT, ARC, CHI, CRIM, FRE, GCL, GER, HCK, HMG, JPN, RUS, SOC, SPA, or RGS; or from the following:
 ART 215, ART 251, ART 301, ART 331, ART 332, ART 335, CST 271,
 CST 332, CST 337, CST 419, ENG 207, ENG 208, ENG 210, ENG 212,
 ENG 215, ENG 220, ENG 336, ENG 357, ENG 360, ENV 350, ENV 351,
 ENV 352, ENV 353, ENV 354, HIS 195, HIS 220, HIS 230, HIS 250,
 HIS 260, HIS 285, HIS 310, HIS 319, HIS 327, HIS 328, HIS 329,
 HIS 330, HIS 333, HIS 335, HIS 336, HIS 338, HIS 345, HIS 357,
 HIS 359, HIS 360, HIS 362, HIS 363, HIS 377, HIS 383, HIS 386,
 HIS 389, HIS 390, INS 494, MUS 205, MUS 209, MUS 377, PHL 212,
 PHL 335, PHL 336, PHL 349, POL 130, POL 140, POL 202, POL 205,
 POL 309, POL 325, POL 330, POL 332, POL 335, POL 336, POL 340,
 POL 341, POL 344, POL 345, POL 346, POL 355, PUB 210, PSY 282,
 PSY 283, PSY 318, PSY 319, PSY 325, PSY 360, THA 130, THA 351. 

Bachelor of Science course requirement

Bachelor of Science students complete four courses as follows:

  1. A lab science course from:
     ANT 102, BIO 100, BIO 105, BIO 203, BIO 312,BIO 313, CHM 103,
     CHM 104, ESS 205, ESS 206, GEO 101, GEO 221, GEO 222, MIC 100,
     MIC 230, PHY 103, PHY 104, PHY 106, PHY 155, PHY 160, PHY 203,
     PHY 204; and
  2. An approved college core social science course; and
  3. An additional course from the previously listed lab sciences, college core social science, or a qualitative course from: CS 101, CS 115, CS 120, CT 100, FIN 207, MTH 115, MTH 116, MTH 123, MTH 150, MTH 151, MTH 160, MTH 175, MTH 207, MTH 208, MTH 215, MTH 216, STAT 145, STAT 245; and
  4. One course from the college core fine arts or humanities categories.

Second major, minor, certificates, or individualized option requirement

In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete one of the following:

  1. Complete a second major outside of the student's major program; or
  2. Complete a minor outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  3. Complete two certificates outside of the student's major program with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400-level; or
  4. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits that are in addition to the minimum credits required in the CGER. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400-level outside the major department. The remaining six credits may consist of:
    1. 100-level or higher courses outside the major; or
    2. 300/400-level courses inside the major department not being used to fulfill major requirements.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).
  2. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  3. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  4. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  5. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  6. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  7. Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use their degree audit and work closely with their advisor(s) and college dean's office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

Core General Education Program

The Core General Education Requirement (CGER) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include CGER placeholders to ensure completion of the core general education requirements. The CGER category listed in parentheses indicated the recommended course to help complete CGER and the program requirements. Transferred courses may alter the plan. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. CGER courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the Core General Education Requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take The Eagle Advantage for College Success (UWL 100, 2 cr.) or FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENG 110 (CGER CL-WL Communication & Literacy: Written Literacy)3PSY 100 (CGER SBS-BS Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies (PSY Cat I))13
CGER NSWL-ES Natural Science & Wellness: Experiential Science4CST 110 (CGER CL-SL Communication & Literacy: Spoken Literacy)3
CGER HA-PDU Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us3UWL 100 or FYS 100 (CGER SBS-FS Social & Behavioral Science: Social Foundation for Success)2
CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics2STAT 145 (CGER MQR-QR Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning (PSY CAT I))14
University Elective3CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics1
 University Elective2
 15 15
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSY Cat II: Foundation Course3PSY Cat II: Foundation Course3
PSY Cat II: Foundation Course3PSY Cat III: Sociocultural Awareness3
CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World 3CASSH Core Course3
CASSH Core Course3Minor Course3
Minor Course3University Elective3
 15 15
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSY 331 (PSY Cat I)24PSY Cat V: Electives (300/400-level)3
PSY Cat V: Electives (300/400-level)3CGER NSW-MBP Natural Science & Wellness: Mind, Body, & Planet3
CGER CL-SWT Communication & Literacy: Stories We Tell3CASSH Core Course - Experiential Science4
CASSH Core Diversity Course3Minor Course3
Minor Course3University Elective 2
 16 15
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSY Cat V: Electives (300/400-level)3PSY Cat V: Electives (300/400-level)3
PSY Cat IV: Experiential/Capstone1-3PSY Cat V: Electives3
CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States3CASSH Core Course3
Minor Course3Minor Course3
University Elective3University Elective3
 14 15
Total Credits: 120
1

Psychology majors may double count only PSY 100 and STAT 145 in both Core General Education Requirements and the major.

2

Enrollment in PSY 331 requires the following prerequisites: "C" or better in PSY 100 & STAT 145; 2.25 GPA in PSY 100, STAT 145, CST 110, & ENG 110, plus 30 credits. Students will not be able to progress in the major without this course.