This is an archived copy of the 2024-2025 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.
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 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| or ENGL 2500H | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition: Honors |
The Department requires a C- or better in one of the following:
The major must include the following psychology courses each with a minimum grade of C- and an overall average of C or better:
The major also must include at least one course from four of the following six areas:
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:
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 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 |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | Psychology Choice* | 3 |
| PSYCH 10103 | 3 | Social Science Choice* | 3 |
| Required Natural Science* | 3 | Required Natural Science* | 3 |
| Required Math* | 3 | Arts & Humanities Choice* | 3 |
| Social Science Choice* | 3 | Electives | 3 |
| PSYCH 1110 | 1 | LIB 1600 | 1 |
| | 16 | | 16 |
| Sophomore |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| ENGL 25002 | 3 | Psychology Choice* | 3 |
| Psychology Choice* | 3 | Psychology Choice* | 3 |
| Arts & Humanities Choice* | 3 | STAT 10103 | 4 |
| PHIL 2010 | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Required Natural Science* | 3 | LAS 2030 | 1 |
| PSYCH 2110 | 1 | |
| | 16 | | 14 |
| Junior |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| PSYCH 30103 | 3 | PSYCH 3020, ENGL 3020, ENGL 3090, or ENGL 31401 | 3 |
| Psychology Choice* | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Philosophy Choice* | 3 | World Language/Elective | 3-4 |
| World Language/Elective | 3-4 | Elective | 6 |
| Minor | 3 | |
| | 15-16 | | 15-16 |
| Senior |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| PSYCH 44003 | 3 | Psychology Choice | 3 |
| Psychology Choice* | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | Electives | 7-10 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| | 15 | | 13-16 |
| Total Credits: 120-125 |
Psychology, B.S
| Freshman |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | Psychology Choice* | 3 |
| PSYCH 1110 | 1 | Social Sciences Choice* | 3 |
| PSYCH 10103 | 3 | Required Natural Science* | 3 |
| Required Math* | 3 | Arts & Humanities Choice* | 3 |
| Social Sciences Choice* | 3 | Electives | 3 |
| Required Natural Science* | 3 | LIB 1600 | 1 |
| | 16 | | 16 |
| Sophomore |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| ENGL 25002 | 3 | Psychology Choice* | 3 |
| Psychology Choice* | 3 | Psychology Choice* | 3 |
| Arts & Humanities Choice* | 3 | STAT 10103 | 4 |
| PHIL 2010 | 3 | Electives | 3 |
| Required Natural Science* | 3 | LAS 2030 | 1 |
| Required Natural Science Laboratory* | 1-2 | |
| PSYCH 2110 | 1 | |
| | 17-18 | | 14 |
| Junior |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| PSYCH 30103 | 3 | PSYCH 30201 | 3 |
| Psychology Choice* | 3 | Required Math* | 3 |
| World Language/Elective | 3-4 | Required Natural Science* | 3 |
| Philosophy Choice* | 3 | World Language/Elective | 3-4 |
| Electives | 3 | Electives* | 3 |
| | 15-16 | | 15-16 |
| Senior |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| PSYCH 44003 | 3 | Psychology Choice* | 3 |
| Psychology Choice* | 3 | Electives | 10-13 |
| Electives | 8 | |
| | 14 | | 13-16 |
| Total Credits: 120-126 |
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.