Psychology Major

Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology

The major requires a minimum of nine courses and a minimum of 32 credit hours.

1. PSY 100 General Psychology 4
2. PSY 301 Research Methods and Analysis 14
3-5. At least three 300- or 400-level core content PSY courses from the following: PSY 314, PSY 330, PSY 332, PSY 337, PSY 338, PSY 340, PSY 341, PSY 342, PSY 345, PSY 347, PSY 349, PSY 351, PSY 352, PSY 44512
6-9. Four additional courses to meet the 9-course, 32-credit minimum requirement: Any-level PSY course, including special topics, 3-week courses, and theses. One 3 or 4-credit independent study (PSY 260 Independent Study or PSY 360 Independent Study) may count toward this requirement. One 3 or 4-credit internship (PSY 290 Internship or PSY 390 Internship) may count toward this requirement. Approved courses outside the department: JPS 270 Interpersonal Communications (PSY 270), SPST 340 Psychology of Sport & Exercise, or MATH 112 Elementary Statistics.12
Total Credits32
1

Will not be accepted as transfer credit and may not be taken at a consortium school.

Minimum credit hours required for a B.S. degree in psychology is 32 credits, although most students will earn more than 32 credits to complete the 9 courses required in the major.

Majors should consult with their departmental advisors regarding the selection of their courses. A list of alternative plans and detailed course sequences for pursuing a major may be obtained from the student’s advisor or any other member of the department.

Community engagement is strongly encouraged, and students may count one 3 or 4-credit internship toward the requirements for the major. Internships that count for fewer than 3 credits will not count toward the major. Recent majors have received credit through internships for activities such as work with people with autism; with children with developmental delays or emotional disturbances; with the elderly; with children at the YWCA and a local shelter for homeless families; and with such organizations as Alcohol and Drug Services of Guilford County, Moses Cone Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Unit, Pathways Family Shelter, Triad Health Project, and the Women’s Resources Center.

Similarly, the department encourages students to pursue their interests through independent studies in specific topics not offered as regularly scheduled courses. Students may count one 3- or 4-credit independent study toward the major. Independent studies that are less than 3 credits will not count toward the major. Should a student wish to undertake original research, the department offers mentorship toward presentation of papers at professional meetings and/or publication. The department offers guidance toward graduate training. Students who wish to attend research-focused graduate programs are encouraged to conduct a senior thesis. Students who complete theses in Psychology typically take PSY 301, PSY 445, and PSY 470 or 490 in sequence, which means they must enroll in PSY 301 no later than their third-to-last semester on campus. Generally, PSY 301 should be taken no later than the fourth psychology course unless a student transfers three or four psychology courses to Guilford. In the latter case, PSY 301 should be taken as the second psychology course a student takes at Guilford.

Collaborative learning is a key component of the psychology major in that many of our courses involve students working with others as they critically analyze, engage with, and try to address real-world and enduring problems. For example, students in PSY 301 work in collaborative teams as they learn the skills necessary to identify a question or problem, understand the field’s current perspective on that question or problem, and then conduct an original research project. Moreover, students are encouraged to enroll in one of the department’s 3-week immersive courses that are project- and team-based, and in which students apply their knowledge of psychology to understand and address current issues.