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Psychology

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Psychology Overview

For college-level requirements in undergraduate curricula leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, see College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

An undergraduate major in psychology provides a liberal arts and science education, which also can serve as preparation for graduate study in psychology, law, or the health professions. The undergraduate major in psychology enables graduates to understand and apply the scientific principles, facts, and basic methods of psychology to their personal and professional activities. Students with a bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) in psychology may qualify for a variety of positions including those in social sciences, mental health, corrections, rehabilitation, developmental disability centers, and business (management, insurance, opinion polls). Professional work as a psychologist in academic, business, clinical, government, and school settings requires graduate degrees. Depending on professional goals, a minor in another discipline may be desirable.

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

COMMUNICATION PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT

According to the university-wide Communication Proficiency Grade Requirement, students must demonstrate their communication proficiency by earning a grade of C or better in ENGL 2500. 

ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
or ENGL 2500H Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition: Honors

The Department requires a C- or better in one of the following:

PSYCH 3020Research Methods in Psychology3
ENGL 3020Business Communication3
ENGL 3090Proposal and Report Writing3
ENGL 3140Technical Communication3

The major must include the following psychology courses each with a minimum grade of C- and an overall average of C or better:

PSYCH 1110Orientation to Psychology1
or PSYCH 1120 Psychology Learning Community Seminar
PSYCH 1010Introduction to Psychology *3
PSYCH 2110Career Opportunities in Psychology1
PSYCH 3010Research Design and Methodology *3
PSYCH 4400Psychological Measurement I *3

The major also must include at least one course from four of the following six areas:

Area A
PSYCH 2300Developmental Psychology3
PSYCH 3350Child and Adolescent Psychopathology3
Area B
PSYCH 2800Social Psychology3
PSYCH 3800Social Cognition3
Area C
PSYCH 3100Brain and Behavior3
PSYCH 3150Drugs and Behavior3
Area D
PSYCH 3120Sensation and Perception3
PSYCH 3130Learning and Memory3
PSYCH 3160Cognitive Psychology3
PSYCH 3180Judgment and Decision Making3
Area E
PSYCH 3600Personality Psychology3
PSYCH 4600General Psychopathology3
Area F
PSYCH 2500Psychology of the Workplace3
PSYCH 3500Human Factors in Technology3
Three additional 3-credit courses in psychology9

Three 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, and PSYCH 4920) may not.

In accordance with college requirements, a C or better average is required in the courses used to satisfy the major.

Departmental requirements for the B.A. and B.S. include the following supporting courses:

6 credits in Philosophy including6
PHIL 2010Introduction to Philosophy (not 207)3
Two of the following
BIOL 1010Introductory Biology3
or BIOL 2110 Principles of Biology I
or BIOL 2120 Principles of Biology II
BIOL 1550Human Biology3
or BIOL 2550 Fundamentals of Human Anatomy
or BIOL 2560 Fundamentals of Human Physiology
CHEM 1600Chemistry in Modern Society3
or CHEM 1630 College Chemistry
PHYS 1010Physics for the Nonscientist (or higher)3
STAT 1010Principles of Statistics *3-4
or STAT 1040 Introduction to Statistics
3 credits in Mathematics from selected course list**
*

minimum grade of C-

**

Popular choices include MATH 1040, MATH 1400, MATH 1500, MATH 1650, and STAT 3010.  See general education mathematics list for alternative options.  Neither MATH 1050 nor MATH 1060 may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Students pursuing a B.S. degree also must complete PSYCH 3020 Research Methods in Psychology with a minimum grade of C- and a minimum of 10 additional credits from courses listed in the LAS Gen Ed Natural Sciences and Mathematical Disciplines Area as follows: six additional credits in natural sciences, one additional credit in a laboratory course, and three additional credits in mathematics. It should be noted that either MATH 1040 or MATH 1500 may be counted toward the B.S. degree requirement, but not both.

Students electing a B.A. degree also must complete an ISU approved minor, certificate or additional major.

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.

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003Psychology Choice*3
PSYCH 101033Social Science Choice*3
Required Natural Science*3Required Natural Science*3
Required Math*3Arts & Humanities Choice*3
Social Science Choice*3Electives3
PSYCH 11101LIB 16001
 16 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 250023Psychology Choice*3
Psychology Choice*3Psychology Choice*3
Arts & Humanities Choice*3STAT 101034
PHIL 20103Minor3
Required Natural Science*3LAS 20301
PSYCH 21101 
 16 14
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSYCH 301033PSYCH 3020, ENGL 3020, ENGL 3090, or ENGL 314013
Psychology Choice*3Minor3
Philosophy Choice*3World Language/Elective3-4
World Language/Elective3-4Elective6
Minor3 
 15-16 15-16
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSYCH 440033Psychology Choice3
Psychology Choice*3Minor3
Minor3Electives7-10
Electives6 
 15 13-16
Total Credits: 120-125
1

Meets English Proficiency Requirement: C- minimum.

2

The university-wide Communication Proficiency Grade Requirement requires a grade of C or better in ENGL 2500.

3

Psych Requirement: C- minimum

*

Choose from list of selected courses available from an advisor.

Psychology, B.S

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003Psychology Choice*3
PSYCH 11101Social Sciences Choice*3
PSYCH 101033Required Natural Science*3
Required Math*3Arts & Humanities Choice*3
Social Sciences Choice*3Electives3
Required Natural Science*3LIB 16001
 16 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 250023Psychology Choice*3
Psychology Choice*3Psychology Choice*3
Arts & Humanities Choice*3STAT 101034
PHIL 20103Electives3
Required Natural Science*3LAS 20301
Required Natural Science Laboratory*1-2 
PSYCH 21101 
 17-18 14
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSYCH 301033PSYCH 302013
Psychology Choice*3Required Math*3
World Language/Elective3-4Required Natural Science*3
Philosophy Choice*3World Language/Elective3-4
Electives3Electives*3
 15-16 15-16
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSYCH 440033Psychology Choice*3
Psychology Choice*3Electives10-13
Electives8 
 14 13-16
Total Credits: 120-126
1

Meets English Proficiency Requirement: C- minimum.

2

The university-wide Communication Proficiency Grade Requirement requires a grade of C or better in ENGL 2500.

3

Psych Requirement: C- minimum

*

Choose from list of selected courses available from an advisor.

Psychology Undergraduate Minor

The department offers a minor in psychology. The minor requires completing 18 credits in psychology, including PSYCH 1010 Introduction to Psychology and PSYCH 3010 Research Design and Methodology, each with a minimum grade of C-. At least 9 of the 18 credits must be in 3000 level courses (or above), but no more than three credits total may be from PSYCH 2910 Introductory Research Experience, PSYCH 4900 Independent Study, PSYCH 4910 Research Practicum, and PSYCH 4920. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement. In addition to an overall C average or better in courses used to satisfy the minor, a C- or better is required in each course. 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.