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Mar 03, 2025
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2025-2026 Undergraduate 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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College Scorecard
The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs. The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings. Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program. That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=4227&fos_credential=3 Program Requirements:
Psychology (B.S.) 4-Year Plan - A grade of C- or higher required in all courses beginning with the prefix PSY.
- A grade of D- or higher required in all psychology supporting courses with a prefix other than PSY.
- No credits can share between the Human Diversity & International Relations requirements and Science/Math/Computer Science/Social Science Courses.
- 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 one PSY 46700-UTA course or one PSY 39200-individual UTA course can count in the major toward PSY Electives 2000+. Additional UTA courses may count toward the overall degree credit total.
- New PSY courses approved and added to the curriculum in future catalogs may satisfy the PSY Elective requirements.
Psychology (B.S.) with Secondary Education 4-Year Plan Psychology (B.S.) Articulation with Northwest State Community College, Requirements & 2-Yr 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: Credits 30
Effective Fall 2025, the General Education program at PFW requires 30 credits to be completed, such that students pass each course listed below with a grade of C- or better: - Category A. Foundational Intellectual Skills (Foundational Intellectual Skills Course Lists)
- One course in A1. Written Communication Cr. 3.
- One course in A2. Speaking and Listening Cr. 3.
- One course in A3. Quantitative Reasoning Cr. 3.
- Category B. Ways of Knowing (Ways of Knowing Course Lists)
- One course in B4. Scientific Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B5. Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B6. Humanistic Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B7. Artistic Ways or Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B8. Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- Six additional credits from any Foundational Skills (A1-A3) or Ways of Knowing (B4-B8) categories
- At least one Ways of Knowing course that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness
Some programs recommend courses and/or require a specific course as part of the major that may also be used to fulfill General Education requirements. Please see below or your Academic Advisor for courses that fulfill both purposes. You can familiarize yourself with other program regulations at 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
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.
- The following courses may not double-count toward the Psychology Applied/Methodological Courses requirement: MA 16500, MA 22900, STAT 34000
Lab Requirement
Select one of the following courses: Human Diversity and International Relations: Credits 6
Choose six credits from the Human Diversity & International Relations list below. Psychology Major Course Requirements:
Psychology Foundational Core: Credits 12
Students who have transfer credit for a Research Methods course without a lab component may receive credit for the lab requirement upon successful completion of one of the following: PSY 43100, PSY 44100, PSY 44600, PSY 44900, or PSY 49600. Psychology Area Courses: Credits 9
Choose three courses from the list below. - Only one of the following can count for PSY Area: PSY 23500, PSY 26700, or PSY 36900. The others may be used in PSY Electives 2000+.
- Only one of the following can count for PSY Area: PSY 24000 or PSY 35700. The other may be used in PSY Electives 2000+.
Psychology Upper-Level Core: Credits 9
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: Credits 6
Note: Courses meeting requirements for the Psychology Applied/Methodological area may not double-count toward the Psychology Capstone or the Science/Math/Computer Science/Social Science requirements. Choose two courses from the following list: Psychology Capstone: 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. Note: Courses meeting the Psychology Capstone requirement may not double-count toward the Psychology Applied/Methodological area. Choose one course from the following list: 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)
- Successful completion of the Exit Exam in Psychology
General Electives:
- Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120
Total Credits: 120 minimum
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 |
Return to: Program Descriptions
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