Psychology (B.A.)
At-a-Glance

Minimum hours required for major: 36

Minimum hours required for minor: 19. Students may design a minor which best fits with their major. Guidelines are available in the Psychology Department, Chester Building 158.

Advising: Students may make an appointment for advising by a faculty member with the Psychology Department secretary in CB 158 or by calling (216) 687-2544.

Student Organizations: Psi Chi (a national psychology scholastic honorary society)

Additional information:

The study of psychology is concerned with explaining, predicting, and describing the thoughts, emotions, and actions of humans and animals. A major or minor in psychology provides an excellent background for occupations in such diverse fields as business, education, and the human services. A major provides the basis for graduate training leading to the pursuit of psychology as a profession in either the academic or applied areas.

It is possible to major in psychology by taking courses only in the evening. However, the choice of courses to meet the degree requirements is limited.

Independent Study opportunities may be arranged by the student (PSY 396).

An Outstanding Undergraduate Psychology Student award is presented annually by the department.

Return to top

Major-Field Requirements (B.A.)

All majors are required to take a minimum of 36 credits of Psychology course work. Students must earn grades of C or above in order for courses to count toward satisfying the requirements for the Psychology major.

1. Required courses:
   • PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
   • PSY 311 Behavioral Science Statistics (ANT 305 or OMS 201 and OMS 202 may be substituted)
   • PSY 412 Psychology Laboratory
   • PSY 499 Exit Evaluation
2. One course from each of the following areas:
• Core A
  • PSY 339 Social Psychology
  • PSY 342 Psychology of Personality
  • PSY 344 Intellectual and Personality Testing
  • PSY 345 Abnormal Psychology
• Core B
  • PSY 368 Perceptual Processes
  • PSY 370 Psychology of Learning
  • PSY 372 Memory and Cognition
  • PSY 451 Human Performance
  • PSY 479 History of Psychology
• Core C
  • PSY 385 Psychology of Motivation
  • PSY 481 Psychopharmacology
  • PSY 482 Biological Basis of Behavior
  • PSY 487 Brain and Cognition
3. 12 hours of electives: any course offered by the Psychology Department

No more than 8 credit hours (combined) of PSY 390 and PSY 396 may be applied toward the major.

Students majoring in Psychology also are encouraged to do 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.

Students anticipating application for admission to graduate programs in psychology should consult their faculty advisers in the department about the appropriate structuring of their undergraduate curriculum. This is advisable for both psychology and non-psychology majors.

Return to top

Evening Major in Psychology

A major in Psychology is available to evening students. However, the choice of courses to meet the degree requirements is limited.

Return to top

Honors Program in Psychology

The Honors Program is designed for the Psychology major who is considering graduate-level training and wants additional exposure to the research process. Honors Program information can be found at: http://sciences.csuohio.edu/dept/psychology/. Application forms for the Honors Program can be located at CB 158. 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.

Return to top

Psychology Minor

The minimum requirements for the Psychology minor are: PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology); 2 courses, one each from any two of the three Core areas A, B, or C (see Major-Field Requirements above); 7 credit hours of Psychology electives, with at least one course at the 300- or 400-level.

Students must earn grades of C or above in order for courses to count toward satisfying the requirements for the Psychology minor.

Return to top