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Psychology

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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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 250.

ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
or ENGL 250H Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition: Honors

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

PSYCH 302Research Methods in Psychology3
ENGL 302Business Communication3
ENGL 309Proposal and Report Writing3
ENGL 314Technical 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 111Orientation to Psychology1
or PSYCH 112 Psychology Learning Community Seminar
PSYCH 101Introduction to Psychology *3
PSYCH 211Career Opportunities in Psychology1
PSYCH 301Research Design and Methodology *3
PSYCH 440Psychological Measurement I *3

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

Area A
PSYCH 230Developmental Psychology3
PSYCH 335Child and Adolescent Psychopathology3
Area B
PSYCH 280Social Psychology3
PSYCH 380Social Cognition3
Area C
PSYCH 310Brain and Behavior3
PSYCH 315Drugs and Behavior3
Area D
PSYCH 312Sensation and Perception3
PSYCH 313Learning and Memory3
PSYCH 316Cognitive Psychology3
PSYCH 318Judgment and Decision Making3
Area E
PSYCH 360Personality Psychology3
PSYCH 460General Psychopathology3
Area F
PSYCH 250Psychology of the Workplace3
PSYCH 350Human 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 291, PSYCH 490, PSYCH 491, and PSYCH 492) 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 201Introduction to Philosophy (not 207)3
Two of the following
BIOL 101Introductory Biology3
or BIOL 211 Principles of Biology I
or BIOL 212 Principles of Biology II
BIOL 155Human Biology3
or BIOL 255 Fundamentals of Human Anatomy
or BIOL 256 Fundamentals of Human Physiology
CHEM 160Chemistry in Modern Society3
or CHEM 163 College Chemistry
PHYS 101Physics for the Nonscientist (or higher)3
STAT 101Principles of Statistics *3-4
or STAT 104 Introduction to Statistics
3 credits in Mathematics from selected course list**
*

minimum grade of C-

**

Popular choices include Math 104, Math 140, Math 150, Math 165, and Stat 301.  See general education mathematics list for alternative options.  Neither Math 105 nor Math 106 may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Students pursuing a B.S. degree also must complete PSYCH 302 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 104 or Math 150 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. 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 300/400 level. You must also complete the LAS world language requirement and career proficiency requirement. 

Four Year Plans

Psychology, B.A.

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 1503Psychology Choice*3
PSYCH 10133Social Science Choice*3
Required Natural Science*3Required Natural Science*3
Required Math*3Arts & Humanities Choice*3
Social Science Choice*3Electives3
PSYCH 1111LIB 1601
 16 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 25023Psychology Choice*3
Psychology Choice*3Psychology Choice*3
Arts & Humanities Choice*3STAT 10134
PHIL 2013Minor3
Required Natural Science*3LAS 2031
PSYCH 2111 
 16 14
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSYCH 30133PSYCH 302, ENGL 302, ENGL 309, or ENGL 31413
Psychology Choice*3Minor3
Philosophy Choice*3World Language/Elective3-4
World Language/Elective3-4Elective6
Minor3 
 15-16 15-16
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSYCH 44033Psychology 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 250.

3

Psych Requirement: C- minimum

*

Choose from list of selected courses available from an advisor.

Psychology, B.S

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 1503Psychology Choice*3
PSYCH 1111Social Sciences Choice*3
PSYCH 10133Required Natural Science*3
Required Math*3Arts & Humanities Choice*3
Social Sciences Choice*3Electives3
Required Natural Science*3LIB 1601
 16 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 25023Psychology Choice*3
Psychology Choice*3Psychology Choice*3
Arts & Humanities Choice*3STAT 10134
PHIL 2013Electives3
Required Natural Science*3LAS 2031
Required Natural Science Laboratory*1-2 
PSYCH 2111 
 17-18 14
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSYCH 30133PSYCH 30213
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 44033Psychology 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 250.

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 101 Introduction to Psychology and PSYCH 301 Research Design and Methodology, each with a minimum grade of C-. At least 9 of the 18 credits must be in 300 level courses (or above), but no more than three credits total may be from PSYCH 291 Introductory Research Experience, PSYCH 490 Independent Study, PSYCH 491 Research Practicum, and PSYCH 492 Fieldwork Practicum. 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.