Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Undergraduate Program in Psychology

Our department offers a bachelor's degree with flexible requirements that allow you to develop a course of study that reflects your interests and abilities. Our graduates are well prepared to enter the workforce in a variety of or pursue advanced studies.

The program provides students with a solid experimental background – an essential foundation for further postgraduate study and training in all areas of psychology and related fields. Our undergraduate students have the opportunity to become involved in ongoing research with faculty and are strongly encouraged to do so.

Psychology, BA Degree Requirements

The BA in Psychology requires 60 hours, composed of 14 or 15 four-credit lecture or seminar courses (depending on options) plus one four-credit laboratory course.

Psychology BA Degree Requirements

  • Three core courses (12 credits - all three are required):

    PSYC 111 - General Psychology

    PSYC 243 - Statistical Analysis and Design (prerequisite: PSYC 111) 

    MATH 147 and 148 are NOT acceptable equivalents for PSYC 243

    PSYC 344 - Research Methods in Psychology (prerequisite: PSYC 243)

  • Three foundational courses (12 credits):

     Prerequisite or corequisite: PSYC 243

    • PSYC 350 - Human Memory

    • PSYC 351 - Perception

    • PSYC 356 - Learning

    • PSYC 358 - Cognition

    • PSYC 360 - Psychotherapy: Models and Methods 

    • PSYC 362 - Behavioral Neuroscience 

    • PSYC 385 - Psychological Tests

  • One corresponding foundational laboratory course (4 credits):

     Prerequisite: PSYC 344 AND pre/corequisite: corresponding experimental course

    • PSYC 352 - Laboratory in Perception

    • PSYC 357 - Laboratory in Learning (or PSYC 355 - Lab in Child Behavior)

    • PSYC 359 - Laboratory in Cognition

    • PSYC 361 - Laboratory in Psychotherapy Methods

    • PSYC 363 - Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience

  • 400-level courses (8 or 12 credits; see below for the two options to fulfill this requirement):

    Option 1: These courses should be taken from two different faculty members and can include PSYC 406/465/470/473/476/480.

    Option 2: Two courses (8 credits total) of independent research (PSYC 397/490/492/493/494/499) may substitute for one of the 400-level courses. These two independent research courses may be taken with the same faculty member.

  • Six courses in science and mathematics electives (24 credits):

    • Only two of these courses can be in psychology.

    • PSYC 391 does not count.

    • Only 4 credits of independent research (PSYC 397/490/492/493/494/499) may be used as an elective.

    • Science and mathematics courses outside of psychology must meet the all-college science requirements and cannot include independent study, supervised teaching or internships.

    • At least two courses (8 credits) of the science and math electives outside psychology must be taken from the same department.

    • Math 107, 108, 147, and 148 do not count toward science and math electives.

    Read through the advising resources and if you still have questions on requirements, Degree Works, courses, etc., we encourage you to see the academic adviser or one of the peer advisers.

  • Important Notes About the Major
    • You must have earned a C or higher in both PSYC 111 and PSYC 243. All other courses used to fulfill major requirements, including those from other departments, must have a grade of C- or better.
    • Psychology courses may only be retaken once to earn the minimum grade.
    • Only one math/science elective may be taken Pass/Fail. See the Psychology Academic Advisor before changing an elective to pass/fail. 
    • A Pass grade is accepted for eight credits of Independent Study (PSYC 397, 490 or 499) or internship, (PSYC 395). No other psychology courses for the major can be taken pass/fail.
      • Internship (CDCI 395) Note: Students who wish to participate in an internship and who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that they will be asked about their prior criminal history. This may impede your ability to participate in certain internships. Students who have concerns about such matters, or are looking for additional information, are advised to contact the dean's office of their intended academic program.
    • Residency Requirement: At least 16 credits from the Psychology major must be taken in residence at °®¶¹´«Ã½.

To Declare a Major in Psychology

If you're interested in declaring a major in Psychology, we encourage you to do so by the end of your sophomore year. Please meet with an academic advisor in Psychology to answer any questions related to the major and to help with course planning. Transfer students intending to major in psychology should contact the Psychology Department's academic advisor when you arrive on campus. Please visit the Advising Page for more information on declaring a major.

Additional Tracks Within Psychology

Psychology Major Track in Autism Spectrum Disorder: 

The Psychology major track in Autism Spectrum Disorder is designed to prepare students for advanced studies who have a strong interest in youth populations with an emphasis on autistic and neuro-divergent youth.

The track focuses on issues important to autistic youth and their families, such as ethics, client choice, research methodologies, evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches, State and Federal Regulation and systems of service delivery, including special education

Students get hands on experience through the practicum courses by working at the Institute for Child Development on campus.

Foundations in Psychology Track:

The Foundations in Psychology track provides appropriate freshman and sophomore-level courses for the Psychology major. It is offered, primarily, for students who may wish to transfer to another SUNY as a Psychology major.

Transferring courses to °®¶¹´«Ã½

Make sure that you have all of the transcripts for your previous college credit sent to °®¶¹´«Ã½. Once these are processed the credit will appear on BU-Brain. Courses found on the course-to-course transfer equivalency table will automatically transfer as listed.

Courses not posted on the transfer table will need additional review. If there is a course that did not transfer as a direct equivalent to one of our requirements you may petition for those credits to count by completing the . Members of our faculty will review the course and determine if it is equivalent. You must be logged into your B-Mail account, and provide the full syllabus for the course.