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Major 
Psychology
The study of psychology is concerned with explaining, predicting, and describing the thoughts, emotions, and actions of humans and animals. Psychology is a tremendously varied field. Psychologists diagnose and treat people; conduct basic research; work within communities, companies and other organizations in managing people, assessing job performance, and improving sales; work in educational institutions, teaching psychology or working as school psychologists; and work in other environments with various responsibilities. They test intelligence and personality. Many psychologists work as healthcare providers. They assess behavioral and mental function and well-being, intervening when appropriate. They study how human beings relate to each other and to machines, to improve human relationships and design better machines and processes.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
A bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology is considered preparation for graduate studies at the master’s or doctoral (Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D.) level. Psychologists work as clinical psychologists, assessing and treating mental disorders; counseling psychologists, helping people who are undergoing life’s difficulties and changes; developmental psychologists, focusing on childhood, adolescence and aging; educational psychologists, focusing on the study and practice of teaching and learning; engineering psychologists, designing machines and processes for optimal productivity; forensic psychologists, applying psychological principles to legal issues; health psychologists, assessing the biological, psychological, and social factors affecting health and illness; industrial/organizational psychologists, evaluating and implementing changes in organizational processes, job analyses, environment and employee satisfaction at work; neuropsychologists, studying the relationship between brain function and behavior; quantitative and measuring psychologists, dealing with analysis and interpretation of psychological data; rehabilitation psychologists, helping patients with disabilities cope with challenges in different facets of life, as well as the prevention of disabilities that arise from violence and substance abuse; school psychologists, working in public and private schools assessing and counseling students; social psychologists, studying the interaction of people and people groups, working in advertising and marketing departments of companies, evaluating consumer purchasing habits, responses to advertising, and brand image; and sports psychologists, counseling athletes to maximize performance. Many psychologists also work as college professors, where they teach and conduct research.
Bachelor degree recipients may find work related to their major. They may be assistants in rehabilitation centers or involved in data collection and analysis. If they meet state certification requirements, they may teach psychology at the high school level. The study of psychology serves as preparation for many other professions. For example, a psychology background is often useful in the fields of human resources, advertising, or sales.
PROGRAM
BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.) IN PSYCHOLOGY: The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program is the largest program in the College of Science. In addition to available laboratory space for research, psychology majors also have access to computers for research and laboratory instruction. Psychology majors also are required to take a minimum of 36 credit hours in psychology, earning grades of C or better in order for courses to count toward satisfying the degree requirements. In addition to the regular B.A. program, an honors program is available for a limited number of qualified students who plan to enroll in graduate school and want additional research experience. Engaged learning experiences (for all programs) include research with nationally recognized CSU faculty, internship and fieldwork experience, and independent study. Virtually all courses are taught by doctoral faculty. A psychology minor requires 19 credit hours of specified psychology courses. Student organizations include Psi Chi, a national psychology scholastic honorary organization, and the Psychology Club, an organization of undergraduate psychology majors. An evening B.A. in psychology is also available. However, the choice of courses to meet the degree requirements is limited.
All students receive individual advising by faculty members.
Requirements of the College of Science: A minimum of 128 credit hours is required for a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, of which 42 semester credit hours must be earned in 300 and/or 400 level courses. Introduction to University Life (1 credit hour) is required for all newly admitted freshmen (not required for transfer students).
General Education Requirements: All degree-seeking students are required to meet general education requirements. Students are responsible for ensuring that courses chosen satisfy these requirements and are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor. A comprehensive description of the requirements is available online at www.csuohio.edu/acaffairs/gened.htm.
Required Courses for the B.A. in Psychology (minimum of 36 credit hours with grades of C or better):
Each of the Following Required Courses (12 credits) (credit hours in parentheses):
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (4)
PSY 311 Behavioral Science Statistics (4) (ANT 305 or OMS 201 and OMS 202 may be substituted)
PSY 412 Psychology Laboratory (4)
PSY 499 Exit Evaluation (0)ONE Course from EACH of the Following Core Areas:
Core A
PSY 342 Psychology of Personality (4)
PSY 344 Intellectual and Personality Testing (4)
PSY 345 Abnormal Psychology (4)Core B
PSY 368 Perceptual Processes (4)
PSY 370 Psychology of Learning (4)
PSY 372 Memory and Cognition (4)
PSY 451 Human Performance (4)
PSY 479 History of Psychology (4)Core C
PSY 385 Psychology of Motivation (4)
PSY 481 Psychopharmacology (4)
PSY 482 Biological Basis of Behavior (4)
PSY 487 Brain and Cognition (4)AND 12 Credit Hours of Psychology Electives:
PSY 220 Child Development (3)
PSY 221 Adolescent Psychology (3)
PSY 223 Life Span Development (4)
PSY 255 Psychology of Women (4)
PSY 293 Special Topics in Psychology (2-4)
PSY 331 Industrial-Organizational Psychology (4)
PSY 335 Consumer Psychology (4)
PSY 349 Introduction to Clinical Psychology (4)
PSY 351 Personal Behavior Modification (4)
PSY 352 Human Sexuality (4)
PSY 353 Health Psychology (4)
PSY 356 Multicultural Psychology (4)
PSY 357 Humanistic/Transpersonal Psychology (4)
PSY 361 Psychology of Consciousness (4)
PSY 390 Field Placement* (4)
PSY 393 Special Topics in Psychology (1-4)
PSY 396 Independent Study* (as arranged)
PSY 411 Computer Applications of Statistics (4)
PSY 414 Writing in Psychology (2)
PSY 429 Psychology of Aging (4)
PSY 448 Mental Health and Aging (4)
PSY 493 Special Topics in Psychology (2-4)
PSY 495H Honors Seminar (4)
PSY 497H Senior Honors Project (4)
* (No more than 8 credit hours (combined) of PSY 390 and PSY 396 may be applied toward the degree)
Note: Any courses in Core A, Core B, and Core C not used to satisfy the core area requirements can be used to satisfy the psychology elective requirement. Students are encouraged to do general course work in the areas of sociology, the philosophy of science, biology, and anthropology. Those planning to go to graduate school should obtain a solid background in mathematics, research methods, and experimental psychology and should consult their advisor about the appropriate structuring of their undergraduate curriculum.
Psychology Honors Program
Application to the program is typically made during the first semester of the junior year. Students accepted into the program enroll in PSY 495H Honors Seminar as second semester juniors. During this time, students identify a faculty research mentor and propose their research. The research is conducted, and the Honors Project is completed while enrolled in PSY 497H Senior Honors Project, during each semester of the senior year.
For more information, contact:
Department of Psychology
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue, CB 158
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
Phone: 216.687.2544
http://sciences.csuohio.edu/departments/psychology/
For official requirements for a degree in this major, see the Undergraduate Catalog for the academic year in which you were admitted to the University.