Psychology Overview
Psychological science plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of life. At Iowa State University, distinguished psychologists share their expertise and passion with students by engaging them in cutting-edge research, addressing real-world challenges, and inspiring them to make the world a better place.
The Psychology Department ensures that students receive a comprehensive introduction to the diverse subfields of psychology while offering flexibility in course selection. Students can earn a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts in psychology, and these degrees will open the door to numerous career paths.
Career Options with a Bachelor's Degree
Students who choose to get a job with their bachelor's degree have many employment options. Careers related to psychology include:
- Substance abuse counselor.
- Data scientist.
- Social and human service assistant.
- Psychiatric technician.
- Child life specialist.
- Recreational therapist.
- Applied behavior analyst.
- Correctional treatment specialist.
- Health education specialist.
- Human resources manager.
Career Options Requiring Graduate School
To guide students in making informed choices about careers that require advanced training, the department provides suggested course tracks based on various career interests. While these recommendations are optional, they are designed to help students better understand their chosen careers and enhance their applications for graduate programs. Our career guides can be found here, and they cover the careers listed below:
- Clinical or Counseling Psychology.
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
- Marriage and Family Therapy.
- Social Work.
- Forensic Psychology.
- Health Psychology.
- Sport and Performance Psychology.
- School Psychology.
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
- Social Psychology
- Brain Science and Cognition
- Clinical Neuropsychology.
- Developmental Psychology.
- Experimental Psychology.
- Human Factors and Engineering Psychology.
- Rehabilitation Psychology.
Attending Professional Schools
Psychology is an excellent degree for admission to professional school. Psychology students have proven to be competitive when applying to the professional programs listed below:
Our advising team is here to help you explore your academic and career goals to determine the best path for you.
Student Learning Outcomes
Following the recommendations of the American Psychological Association, the undergraduate curriculum in psychology is designed to allow each student to:
1. Develop a detailed knowledge of psychology
2. Develop an understanding of scientific inquiry and demonstrate critical thinking
3. Understand the role of ethics and diversity in human behavior
4. Be able to communicate effectively in the discourse of psychology
5. Develop skills supporting employment or graduate/professional education
Degree Requirements
Students who want to earn a bachelor's degree with a major in psychology must complete the following requirements:
- Required courses (17-18 credit hours).
- Breadth requirement (15 credit hours).
- Psychology elective courses (12 credit hours).
- Specific bachelor of arts and bachelor of science requirements.
Required Courses
Students must take all of these courses. Students must earn a minimum of C- and an overall average of 2.00 or better in all required courses.
| PSYCH 1010 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 1120 | Psychology Learning Community Seminar | 1 |
| PSYCH 2110 | Career Opportunities in Psychology | 1 |
| PSYCH 3010 | Research Design and Methodology | 3 |
| PSYCH 3020 | Research Methods in Psychology (Required for BS degree. BA students may take ENGL 3020, ENGL 3090, or ENGL 3140.) | 3 |
| PSYCH 4400 | Psychological Measurement I | 3 |
| Students must take one of the statistics courses listed below. | ||
| STAT 1010 | Principles of Statistics | 4 |
| STAT 1040 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| STAT 2010 | Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods | 4 |
| STAT 2260 | Introduction to Business Statistics I | 3 |
Breadth Requirement
Students must take at least one course from five of the following seven areas. Students must earn an overall average of 2.00 or higher in courses used to fulfill the breadth requirement.
| Area A: Developmental Psychology | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Child and Adolescent Psychopathology | ||
| Psychology of Language | ||
| Area B: Social and Personality Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Persuasion and Social Influence | ||
| Personality Psychology | ||
| Social Cognition | ||
| Area C: Biological Psychology | ||
| Brain and Behavior | ||
| Drugs and Behavior | ||
| Sleep and Dreams | ||
| Area D: Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Sensation and Perception | ||
| Learning and Memory | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Judgment and Decision Making | ||
| Area E: Mental and Physical Health | ||
| Counseling Theories and Techniques | ||
| General Psychopathology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Area F: Applied Psychology | ||
| Psychology of the Workplace | ||
| Motivation | ||
| Forensic Psychology | ||
| Human Factors in Technology | ||
| Psychology and Law | ||
| Industrial Psychology | ||
| Area G: Psychology of Culture and Identity | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Cultural Psychology | ||
Psychology Elective Courses
Four additional 3-credit courses in psychology must be taken. Area courses may be used to meet this requirement, but variable credit courses (PSYCH 2910, PSYCH 4900, PSYCH 4910, PSYCH 4920A, and PSYCH 4920B) may not. Course options are listed in the psychology catalog. Students must earn an overall average of 2.00 or higher in courses used to fulfill the psychology elective courses requirement.
Specific Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts Requirements
There are different requirements for the bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees.
- In order to earn a bachelors of science degree, students must take PSYCH 3020.
- In order to earn a bachelors of arts degree, students must complete an ISU-approved minor, certificate, or second major. In addition, students may take ENGL 3020, ENGL 3090, or ENGL 3140 to fulfill their advanced composition requirement.
University and College Requirements
As majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Psychology students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University-wide requirements for graduation in addition to those stated above for the major.
Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. cultures and communities (formerly U.S. diversity) and a three-credit course in international perspectives. Check (http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html) for a list of approved courses. Discuss with your advisor how the two courses that you select can be applied to your graduation plan.
LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 3000/4000 level. You must also complete the LAS world language requirement and career proficiency requirement.
Four Year Plans
Psychology, B.A.
Students must earn a minimum of C- and an overall average of 2.00 or better in all required courses for the psychology degree. Students must earn an overall average of 2.00 or higher in all breadth and elective courses for the psychology degree. Students must also complete an ISU-approved minor, certificate, or second major.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | LIB 1600 | 1 |
| PSYCH 1010 | 3 | ENGL 2500 | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities Choice | 3 | Social Science Choice | 3 |
| Social Science Choice | 3 | Arts & Humanities Choice | 3 |
| PSYCH 1120 | 1 | PSYCH 2110 | 1 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | Natural Science Choice | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | LAS 2030 | 1 |
| Psychology Choice | 3 | STAT 1010 | 4 |
| Arts & Humanities Choice | 3 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PSYCH 3010 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Psychology Choice | 3 | World Language/Elective | 3-4 |
| Philosophy Choice | 3 | Arts and Humanities Choice | 3 |
| World Language/Elective | 3-4 | Minor | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | PSYCH 3020, ENGL 3020, ENGL 3090, or ENGL 3140 | 3 |
| 15-16 | 15-16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PSYCH 4400 | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Psychology Choice | 3 | Electives | 7-10 |
| Minor | 3 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| 15 | 16-19 | ||
| Total Credits: 120-125 | |||
Psychology, B.S
Students must earn a minimum of C- and an overall average of 2.00 or better in all required courses for the psychology degree. Students must earn an overall average of 2.00 or higher in all breadth and elective courses for the psychology degree.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| PSYCH 1010 | 3 | Social Sciences Choice | 3 |
| PSYCH 1120 | 1 | Arts & Humanities Choice | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities Choice | 3 | ENGL 2500 | 3 |
| Social Sciences Choice | 3 | LIB 1600 | 1 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | PSYCH 2110 | 1 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Psychology Choice | 3 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| Arts & Humanities Choice | 3 | STAT 1010 | 4 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | Electives | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | LAS 2030 | 1 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PSYCH 3010 | 3 | PSYCH 3020 | 3 |
| Psychology Choice | 3 | World Language/Elective | 3-4 |
| World Language/Elective | 3-4 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities Choice | 3 | Electives | 3 |
| 15-16 | 15-16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PSYCH 4400 | 3 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| Psychology Choice | 3 | Electives | 12 |
| Electives | 9 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 119-121 | |||
Psychology Undergraduate Minor
The department offers a minor in psychology. The minor requires the following:
- Completing 18 credits in Psychology, including PSYCH 1010 Introduction to Psychology.
- At least 9 credits must be in 2000 level or higher courses, of which at least 6 credits must be in 3000 level or higher courses.
- No more than three credits total may be from PSYCH 2910 Introductory Research Experience, PSYCH 4900 Independent Study, PSYCH 4910 Research Practicum, PSYCH 4920A Fieldwork Practicum: Human Services, or PSYCH 4920B Fieldwork Practicum: I/O Psychology.
- At least 3 of the credits are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.
- Earn at least a C- or better in each course and an overall average of C or better in these courses.
The Psychology Undergraduate Minor is an LAS Minor. In addition to University polices governing minors, LAS minors require at least 6 credits in courses numbered 3000 and above, with a grade of C or higher.
Contact the psychology advising office for more information.
Graduate Study
The department offers work for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in psychology. A Master of Science may be earned as part of that degree.
The department offers a doctoral specialization in counseling psychology (APA accredited) and doctoral areas of concentration in cognitive psychology and social psychology.
A basic goal of graduate study in the Department of Psychology is to provide all students with a broad base of knowledge in psychological science, as well as exposure to the content and methodological skills necessary for effective performance in teaching, research and professional practice. Accordingly, graduates have an extensive knowledge of psychological principles and the conceptual and quantitative skills to conduct psychological research and to communicate the results to the scientific community, students in the classroom, and the general public. Graduates in counseling psychology are skilled in delivering services to diverse clientele in a variety of settings.
The department also participates in the interdepartmental programs in human computer interaction (http://www.vrac.iastate.edu/hci/), neuroscience (http://www.neuroscience.iastate.edu/) and in the interdepartmental minor in gerontology (http://www.gerontology.iastate.edu/programs/).
A formal class and a supervised practicum in the teaching of psychology is recommended for all doctoral students whose future plans may include teaching at the college level. A 12-month internship in a training site or agency approved by the faculty is required of all doctoral students in counseling psychology.