Planning the Psychology Major

General Sequence
Honors Sequence
Minor Sequence
Educational Planning Questionnaire
Course Offerings

Psychology Honors Sequence

The Honors program in Psychology offers high performing studnets a structured means to take full advantage of the opportunities of a highly reputed psychology program with a research emphasis. Only CLA Honors majors can receive an Honors Psychology degree. See the CLA Honors Program website for additional information.

Worksheets for the Honors major requirements in psychology are available outside of 105 Elliott and in 107 Elliott at all times.

Core Course Requirements

The following courses are required of all psychology Honors majors. These constitute the core of the honors major program.

1. Psy 1001/Psy 1001H: Introduction to Psychology
All psychology majors must first complete Psy 1001 or its equivalent. Psy 1001/1001H is a prerequisite for all other Psychology courses. Honors students are encouraged to take Psy 1001H: Honors Introduction to Psychology, which is a more in-depth version of Psy 1001 designated for high ability students.

2. Psy 2801: Intro to Psychological Measurement & Data Analysis
Psy 2801 is an introduction to the basic concepts and procedures related to the measurement and analysis of psychological variables. The main goal of this course is for students to understand the data of psychology and the appropriate selection and use of statistical tools to describe and evaluate results of psychological research. This course is a combination lecture/laboratory course. As such, students are expected to listen and participate in both the lectures and laboratory activities. Students should complete Psy 2801 as soon as possible following completion of Psy 1001 and prior to upper level courses in the discipline.

I have already taken a stats class. Do I have to take Psy 2801 too? Possibly. Consult with a psychology advisor for mor information about statistics classes that can replace Psy 2801.

3. Psy 3001W/3001V: Introduction to Research Methods (prereq: Psy 2801)
Psy 3001W/3001V is designed to teach the fundamentals of psychological research and to teach critical thinking in all areas of psychology research. Students apply the scientific method and learn experimental esign and the standards used to write up experimental results. This course requires written reports of experiments conducted in class as well as quizzes, exams and a final experimental report. You will also learn to develop a research project proposal with appropriate statistical tests for data analysis. Psy 3001W should be taken imediately following Psy 2801. Psy 3001V is an alternative to Psy 3001W and an Honors opportunity. Psychology Honors students are encouraged to complete 3001V: Honors Introduction to Research Methods.

Can I take 3xxx-level psych courses without lab psych? Yes, in some cases. Check course prerequisites.

4. Distribution Requirements--all are 3 credits unless otherwise indicated
The department of Psychology divides its courses into the three broad areas listed below. You are required to take courses in each of these areas as described in letters A-C in order to ensure breadth of understanding across the discipline. Honors students should explore 5xxx level course options, fulfilling requirements in this manner as often as possible.

A. Cognitive and Biological (CAB) Psychology-at least TWO of the following courses:

3011	Intro. To Learning and Behavior	5031W	Perception
3031	Intro. to Sensation and Perception	5034	Psychobiology of Vision
3051	Intro. to Cognitive Psychology	5036W	Computational Vision
3061 or 5061	Intro. to Biological Psychology OR Neurobiology of Behavior	5037	Psychology of Hearing
4011	Applied Behavioral Psychology	5038W	Introduction to Neural Networks
4036	Perceptual Issues in Visual Impairment	5051W	Psychology of Human-Machine Interaction
5012	Learning and Cognition in Animals	5054	Psychology of Language
5014	Psychology of Human Learning and Memory	5062	Cognitive Neuropsychology
5015	Cognition, Computation, and Brain	5064	Brain and Emotion

B. Clinical, Personality, and Social Psychology- at least TWO of the following:

3101 OR 5101	Intro. to Personality OR Personality Psychology	5204	Psych of Interpersonal Psychology
3201	Intro. to Social Psychology	5205	Applied Social Psychology
3301	Intro. to Cultural Psychology	5206	Social Psychology and Health Behavior
3604 OR 5604H	Intro. to Abnormal Psychology OR Abnormal Psychology	5207	Personality and Social Behavior
3617	Intro. to Clinical Psychology	CPsy3301	Intro. to Child Psychology (4 cr.)
3666	Human Sexuality	CPsy4303	Adolescent Psychology (4 cr.)
5202	Attitudes and Social Behavior

C . Individual Differences, Quantitative and Applied Psychology- at least ONE of the following:

3135 OR 5135	Intro. to Individual Differences OR Individual Differences	5138	Psychology of Aging
3511	Intro. to Counseling	5501	Vocational & Occupational Health Psychology
3711	Intro. to Industrial/Organizational Psychology	5707	Personnel Psychology (4cr.)
4133	Testing and Assessment	5708	Orgaizational Psychology (4cr.)
4501	Psychology of Women	5862	Psychology Measurement: Theory and Methods
4801	Intro. to Statistics	5865	Advanced Psychological and Educational Measurement
5137	Behavior Genetics

5. Psy 4994V: Honors Research Practicum
The Honors Research Practicum is designed to prepare you for the completion of your Honors Thesis. The course meets weekly for a seminar during which students learn about the research process and present research projects on which they are working. Each student will be assigned a faculty advisor with whom they will be working on a research project. This experience may lead to development of your Honors Thesis. It will introduce you to the research process and Psychology Department faculty, which will assist in your selection of a project and thesis advisor. Because this course constitutes preparatory work for the Honors Thesis, it is to be taken prior to beginning the Honors Thesis and during the junior year.

6. Psy 4902V, Honors Project
The Honors Project satisfies the Major Project requirement for honors majors.

When? It typically takes students at least two semesters to complete the Honors Project. We recommend that you begin the project Fall term of your senior year. You will work on the project independently in consultation with your faculty advisor.
What are the prerequisites? Psy 1001/1001H, 2801, 3001W/3001V, 4994V, and junior or senior status. In addition, it is strongly recommended that you complete the majority of your upper division Psychology courses.
How do I find an advisor? The psychology undergraduate advisors may be able to suggest possible matches of interest and experience between you and faculty members. However, identifying and approaching a prospective faculty advisor is your responsibility.
How do I register and how many credits should I take? A contract form and information sheet are available from the advisors in 105 Elliott Hall. You must submit the signed contract form to an advisor in 105 Elliott for a course permission number, allowing you to register. You will consult with your faculty advisor to determine the appropriate number of credits you will receive for your work. A general rule of thumb is three hours of work per week for each credit you earn in a semester (e.g., three credits is about 9-10 hours of work per week). You may earn a maximum of six Psy 4902V credits, taken across one or more semesters as registration fits your workload and academic schedule.
What is the nature of my project? Your project may consist of either a comprehensive critical literature review or an original research project and report. The letter is most common. The nature and scope of the project are determined in consultation with a faculty project advisor whom you select.

7. Electives from 3xxx-, 4xxx- or 5xxx-level psychology courses to satisfy the total minimum credit requirement (36 credits). A total of six credits from Psy 3960/4960/5960, 3993/4993, and 3996/4996H may be used.

The courses discussed in the categories above constitute the basic Honors major program in psychology and will fulfill the minimum Honors major requirements.

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Updated 9/18/06