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Dec 21, 2024
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Psychology (B.S.)
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 Return to: Program Descriptions
Neff Hall 388 ~ 260-481-6403
Courses in psychology provide an understanding of human behavior and mental processes from a scientific perspective. The Psychology B.S. prepares students for careers that involve knowledge of behavior along with skills in data analysis and research. It is well-suited for students who are also interested in the natural sciences, computer science, and other social sciences, and who wish to pursue graduate programs in psychology and related fields or medical school. There are many opportunities for students to become involved in research in our extensive laboratory facilities and in field experiences in the community.
For details on pursuing a secondary education second degree (BSEd) to teach Psychology in middle school/high school, click on the links to the Secondary Education - Second Degree Program and the School of Education page in this catalog. Note: The BSEd as a second degree in these programs cannot be earned without completion of the bachelor’s degree in the content area from the College of Science. See Program Requirements below for a link to the Secondary Education - Second Degree 4-Year Plan.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree, students will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Know the major theoretical approaches, findings, and historical trends in psychology
- Understand the major research methods in psychology, including design, data analysis, and interpretation
- Think critically and use the scientific approach to understand behavior
- Understand the values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a science (e.g., value of empirical evidence, tolerance for ambiguity, ethics in research, teaching, and practice)
- Apply concepts, information, and skills learned in psychology courses to their lives and work
- Effectively locate and evaluate sources of information
- Express themselves effectively in the discourse of the discipline
- Understand people from a diverse range of backgrounds and varying demographic characteristics such as age, race, disability, sexual orientation, class, ethnicity, religion, and cognitive abilities
- Make decisions about future employment or graduate education
Program Delivery:
- This program is available on-campus.
Declaring this Major:
- Declare this major within the Department of Psychology.
General Requirements:
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Program Requirements:
Psychology (B.S.) 4-Year Plan :
- A grade of C- or higher in all courses required for the major that are not supporting courses.
- A grade of D- or higher for all courses taken as supporting courses for the major.
- No credits can share between the Human Diversity & International Relations requirements and any of the following: General Education, PSY major requirements, Science/Math/Computer Science/Social Science Courses.
- Either PSY 23500 or PSY 36900 may be taken, not both (overlapping content courses).
- Either PSY 26700 or PSY 36900 may be taken, not both (overlapping content courses).
- Only one of the following can count for PSY Distribution: PSY 23500, PSY 26700, or PSY 36900. If PSY 23500 or PSY 26700 is used in PSY Distribution, the other may be used in PSY Electives 2000+.
- For courses that may be repeated for credit (e.g., PSY 49600), 3 credits may count in the major and additional credits may count toward the overall degree credit total.
- PSY 39200 with substantially different content may count more than once in the major, as approved by the department chair. Only 3 credits of Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship will count in the major.
- PSY capstone courses not used to satisfy the PSY capstone requirement may be used to satisfy the PSY electives requirement. This also applies to new PSY courses approved and added to the curriculum as PSY capstone courses in future catalogs.
Psychology (B.S.) with Secondary Education 4-Year Plan :
To earn the B.S. with a major in psychology, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above:
General Education Requirements: Credits 33
- Click on the General Education Requirements link above for details.
- A grade of C- or higher is required for each course used to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.
Psychology B.S. Supporting Courses
English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6
Both courses require a grade of C- or better
College Algebra: Credits 3
Science/Math/Computer Science/Social Science Courses: Credits 18-24
Courses must be in addition to courses used to meet General Education and Major requirements.
Choose six courses from the Human/Animal Biology, Chemistry, Math/Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, or Sociocultural Forces list below.
- At least two courses (6 cr) must be in BIOL, CHM, CS, MA or STAT.
- At least one course must have a lab. See lab list below for courses that contain a lab or are a stand-alone lab course.
Lab Requirement
Select one of the following courses:
Human Diversity and International Relations: Credits 6
Courses must be in addition to the courses used to meet General Education and PSY Major requirements.
Choose six credits from the Human Diversity & International Relations list below.
Psychology Major Courses Required: Credits 21
Psychology Distribution Requirements: Credits 9
Choose three courses from the list below. Note: Only one of the following courses can count in this requirement: PSY 23500, PSY 26700, or PSY 36900.
Psychology Elective Courses 2000+ Level: Credits 6
In the case of courses which can be repeated for credit (e.g., PSY 39200), more than one section of the same course number must have substantially different content, as approved by the department chair, if both are to be used toward meeting this requirement. At least three credits must be taken at Purdue Fort Wayne.
Psychology Applied/Methodological Courses: Credits 6
Choose two courses from the following list, and note:
- Courses meeting requirements for the Applied/Methodological Psychology area may not double-count in other areas of the major.
Psychology Capstone Requirement: Credits 3
The capstone course is a culminating experience in the senior year in which the student develops a major project (literature review, research proposal, empirical study, or service learning project) that demonstrates characteristics of critical thinking, including the ability to identify a problem, evaluate evidence, and use information to analyze existing conclusions, draw new conclusions, or contribute to real-world applications or understanding of larger issues. In the event that a unique project may warrant, the Honors Thesis in Psychology (PSY 49900) may be an alternate choice. Contact an advisor or the department to determine feasibility.
Prerequisites:
1. Senior standing (90 credits) or completion of 33 credits in psychology
2. Successful completion of PSY 20300 with a grade of C- or better
Choose one of the following:
Supplemental Requirements:
- Completion of the FOCUS career guidance tool and a Career Development Center session to review the results (during PSY 14000)
- Completion of a Career Development Center session to review resume or curriculum vitae (during junior year)
- Completion of a Career Development Center session focused on cover letter review, personal statement review, or mock interview (during senior year)
- Successful completion of the Exit Exam in Psychology
General Electives:
- Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120
Student Responsibility
You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.
Additional Course Use:
Courses listed below may also be considered in meeting specific degree requirements.
PSY 20100 required; CRIM 30000, ECON 27000, POL 39500, SOC 35100, STAT 24000, STAT 30100, STAT 51100 accepted
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Return to: Program Descriptions
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