Psychology Majors
The Discipline of Psychology
Psychology is a traditional discipline in the liberal arts and sciences, rooted in the Western intellectual tradition. Since its founding in the late nineteenth century, psychology has evolved into a science with a wide scope of interests. Many psychologists provide treatment for a broad range of disorders, while others work to solve pressing social issues. The diverse world community of academic and professional psychologists is devoted to expanding our understanding of individual and collective behavior and applying that understanding toward improving the human condition.
Declaring the Major
Since Psychology is an open major, all you have to do to enter this exciting and intellectually-enlarging program is come to the
College of Family, Home and Social Sciences Advisement Center
(151 SWKT), meet with an advisor, and fill out some papers.
If you like psychology, but not enough to declare a Psychology Major, consider
minoring in Psychology or Psychology Teaching.
BS in Psychology – The Requirements
51–52 hours
*
1. At least 36 of the total major credits must be 300-level or above. (Students can enroll in 500-level courses on a space-available basis.)
2. At least 23 hours of psychology major credit must be received while in residency at BYU.
3. A maximum of 13 hours may be taken as Independent Study (only 8 of which may count as residence hours).
4. Complete the following prerequisite courses:
Psych 101, 111, 210
Note: These courses must be completed prior to enrollment in the courses listed in item 6 below.
5. Complete the following prerequisite courses:
Psych 301, 302, 304
Note: Psych 301 is prerequisite to both Psych 302 and 304. Psych 301 may be taken concurrently with 210. Psych 301, 302, and 304 are prerequisites to all other 300- and 400-level courses.
6. Complete four courses in one of the following clusters, including the required course indicated. In addition, complete three of the courses listed in one or both of the other clusters:
Cluster A—Developmental and Clinical Psychology:
Complete the following required course:
Psych 341
Complete three courses from the following:
Psych 311, 320, 321, 322, 342, 343, 348
Cluster B—Social Psychology:
Complete the following required course:
Psych 350
Complete three courses from the following:
Psych 306, 311, 330, 338, 341, 352, 353, 354, 356, 358, 359, 376
Cluster C—Behavior, Brain, and Cognition:
Complete the following required course:
Psych 381
Complete three courses from the following:
Psych 311, 361, 365, 370, 375, 382
7. Complete 3 hours from the following capstone seminars:
Psych 410R, 420R, 430R
Note: To enroll in a capstone seminar students must have completed Psych 101, 111, 210, 301, 302, and 304 (or be concurrently enrolled in 302 or 304); one core course from Cluster A, B, or C; and three other 300-level psychology courses (or be concurrently enrolled in the third course).
8. Complete one course from the following:
Engl 150
Honrs 150
Phil 150
Note: Waivers based on AP or other test scores do not apply to this requirement. One of the courses must be taken, and a 200-level course is recommended.
9. Complete one multicultural issues course from the following:
Anthr 101
El Ed 351
MFHD 354
Soc 113
10. Complete one gender issues course from the following:
Pl Sc 472
Psych 306
Soc 367
WS 222
Note: If Psych 306 is selected to fill this requirement, it cannot also be used to fill the requirement listed in item 6 above (Cluster B).
*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.
Note: These requirements are specific to the Psychology curriculum and must be completed
in addition to
the University’s core graduation requirements.
For a detailed list of all requirements relevant to the major and university core and a suggested sequence of undergraduate courses, download the
Psychology Major Academic Plan
(MAP).
