Psychology, BA

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (375000BA)

More on the Psychology major

The discipline of Psychology, with its rich history and extensive tradition in the study of human and animal behavior, continues to prepare students for diverse careers in health, business, industry, and research. The University of Akron Department of Psychology offers an extensive and varied curriculum coupled with an active faculty and student-driven research program that develops analytical and problem-solving skills desired by employers and graduate programs.  Furthermore, our focus on diversity and cultural competence in our undergraduate curriculum both enhances the educational experiences of our undergraduates while preparing them for local, national, and global work environments. The academic background and applied experiences via hands-on research opportunities with our faculty enable students to seek postgraduate employment and successfully compete for graduate school opportunities leading to advanced degrees (M.A./M.S., PhD) in various psychology sub-specialties (e.g., clinical; counseling; experimental; gerontology; developmental; industrial/organizational; school).  

 

Requirements for Admission 

Must earn a 2.0 cumulative GPA

Must earn a 2.0 major GPA

Must earn 30 credits

Must complete general education: Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic requirement

Must complete general education: Writing requirement part one

Must complete general education: Writing requirement part two

The following information has official approval of The Department of Psychology and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.

Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.

Requirements

Summary

General Education Requirements36
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements14
Psychology Core 32
Psychology Electives8
Additional Credits for Graduation *30
Total Hours120
*

Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation.

Recommended General Education Courses

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major.
Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations.
Academic Foundations12
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours 1
Speaking: 3 credit hours
Writing: 6 credit hours
Breadth of Knowledge 22
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours
PSYC 100
Introduction to Psychology
Diversity
Domestic Diversity
PSYC 250
Psychology of Diversity
PSYC 435
Cross-Cultural Psychology
or PSYC 474
 Psychology of Women
Global Diversity
Integrated and Applied Learning2
Select one class from one of the following subcategories:
Complex Issues Facing Society
PSYC 425
Psychology of Hate
Capstone
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings.
Total Hours36
1

The Psychology Department recommends that a student take a statistics course to satisfy their general education math requirement.

College of Arts & Sciences Requirements

Degree requirements in Arts & Sciences include the demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the second year of a foreign language.
2 Year Language Proficiency14
101 Beginning I
102 Beginning II
201 Intermediate I
202 Intermediate II
SLPA 222
Survey of Deaf Culture in America (American Sign Language option only)
Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either:
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major;
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops

Psychology Core

PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC 105Professional & Career Issues in Psychology1
PSYC 110Quantitative Methods in Psychology 14
PSYC 220Introduction to Experimental Psychology4
PSYC 250Psychology of Diversity4
Select 16 credits of the following:16
PSYC 230
Developmental Psychology
PSYC 320
Biopsychology
PSYC 335
Dynamics of Personality
PSYC 340
Social Psychology
PSYC 345
Cognitive Processes
PSYC 410
Psychological Tests & Measurements
Total Hours32
1

The Psychology Department recommends that a student take a statistics course to satisfy their general education math requirement. It is strongly recommended that a student complete statistics prior to PSYC 110 Quantitative Methods in Psychology.

Psychology Electives

Complete 8 credits: 18
PSYC:2xx
200-level Psychology courses
PSYC:3xx
300-level Psychology courses
PSYC:4xx
400-level Psychology courses
Total Hours8
1

No more than four credits may be fulfilled with PSYC 495 Field Experience in Psychology or PSYC 497 Independent Reading/Research in Psychology. 

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology 3
PSYC 105 Professional & Career Issues in Psychology 1
Writing Requirement 3
Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic Requirement 3
Modern Language Requirement 3
Elective 4
 Hours17
Spring Semester
Writing Requirement 3
Modern Language Requirement 3
Natural Science with Lab Requirement 4
Speaking Requirement 3
 Hours13
2nd Year
Fall Semester
PSYC 110 Quantitative Methods in Psychology 4
PSYC 230 Developmental Psychology 4
Natural Science Requirement 3
Modern Language Requirement 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
PSYC 220 Introduction to Experimental Psychology 4
PSYC 250 Psychology of Diversity 4
Modern Language Requirement 3
Social Science Requirement 3
Domestic Diversity Requirement 3
 Hours17
3rd Year
Fall Semester
GEOG 275 Geography of Cultural Diversity 2
PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy 3
PSYC 340 Social Psychology 4
ART 101 Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE 3
Arts Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
PSYC 320 Biopsychology 4
PSYC 335 Dynamics of Personality 4
PSYC 435 Cross-Cultural Psychology 4
SOCIO 320 Social Inequalities 3
 Hours15
4th Year
Fall Semester
BIOL 312 Neuroscience in Health and Disease 3
PSYC 330 Emotion Across the Lifespan 4
PSYC 460 History of Psychology 3
PSYC 475 Psychology of Adulthood & Aging 4
 Hours14
Spring Semester
ENGL 350 Black American Literature 3
PSYC 425 Psychology of Hate 4
PSYC 380 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 4
PSYC 345 Cognitive Processes 4
 Hours15
 Total Hours120