The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.
WARNING: The following information reflects a degree requirement which expired as of Summer 2020. Please click the appropriate link under "Degree Programs" on the right side of this page to view the currently effective requirements for this program. If a link to this program does not appear, the program may no longer be available, or may be available under a different academic unit. You can find past requirements under the appropriate archived catalog.
Psychology - Bachelor of Science (120 Credits)
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology requires a minimum of 35 credit hours in PSYCH, at least 15 hours of which must be in 300-400-level courses. Students must take at least 10 credit hours of psychology in residence at WSU and must maintain at least a C average in PSYCH courses. Students must have two years of one foreign language in high school or take one year in college of a modern foreign language before graduation. Beyond certain minimum requirements there is flexibility in the degree program, in accordance with the needs of the individual student. A student may certify as a BS major after completion of 30 semester hours, PSYCH 311 with a C- or better, and cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.
For the BS degree in Psychology, the four learning goals are: (1) Students will understand basic research design and analysis; (2) Students will be able to describe societal influences on individual behavior, and they will display an understanding of the cultural relativism inherent in defining what is normal and abnormal behavior; (3) Students will be able to critically evaluate scientific studies; (4) Students will demonstrate proficiency in the written communication of psychological concepts.
For the BS degree in Psychology, the four learning goals are: (1) Students will understand basic research design and analysis; (2) Students will be able to describe societal influences on individual behavior, and they will display an understanding of the cultural relativism inherent in defining what is normal and abnormal behavior; (3) Students will be able to critically evaluate scientific studies; (4) Students will demonstrate proficiency in the written communication of psychological concepts.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| BIOLOGY 101 [BSCI] and 105, or BIOLOGY 102 [BSCI], 106 [BSCI], or 107 [BSCI] | 4 |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| PSYCH 105 [SSCI] | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Communication [COMM] or Written Communication [WRTG] | 3 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Humanities [HUM] | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 or 4 |
| Foreign Language or Electives | 3 or 4 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| Physical Sciences [PSCI] with lab | 4 |
| PSYCH 210 | 3 |
| Foreign Language and/or Electives | 5 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS], Humanities [HUM], or Social Sciences [SSCI] | 3 |
| PSYCH 311 | 4 |
| Electives | 7 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Focus Area PSYCH Electives1 | 9 |
| PSYCH 312 [M] | 4 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Focus Area PSYCH Electives1 | 6 |
| 300-400-level Electives | 10 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Focus Area PSYCH Electives1 | 6 |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| PSYCH [M] Course | 3 |
| 300-400-level Electives | 4 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Electives | 15 |
| Complete Psychology Exit Interview and Survey | |
Footnotes
| 1 | Focus Area Electives (21 credits): Students must complete at least 2 courses from each of the following areas: 1) Behavior/Cognition: PSYCH 110, 265, 328, 372, 384, 473, 490, 491, 492; 2) Social/Motivational PSYCH 230, 306, 307, 308, 309, 321, 324, 350, 403, 466, 470; and 3) Clinical/Developmental: PSYCH 320, 333, 342, 348, 361, 363, 440, 442, 444, 464, 468. Additional approved courses include any PSYCH course not used to fulfill other PSYCH requirements. Note that many courses require prerequisites and not all courses are offered both Fall and Spring semester. Contact advisor for additional information. |