The requirements for a major in Psychology are designed to meet educational goals of two distinct student populations. First, Psychology is a profession which usually requires an advanced degree for employment as a psychologist. Consequently, the major is designed to provide the fundamental knowledge, skills, and experience appropriate for those students who plan to attend graduate school in Psychology. Second, most students who choose a major in psychology do so because they are very interested in the subject and want more than just a casual understanding of Psychology. Therefore, the major is also designed to provide basic knowledge and skills which would be useful to students who plan to complete a BA degree and then pursue a career in a field other than Psychology.
Students must complete a minimum of 30 graded hours of credit in Psychology earning a grade of C or better. At least 15 of the required 30 hours must be upper-division courses, and at least 9 hours (including 6 upper division hours) must be taken at Washburn. The table below shows required courses with prerequisites, and/or choices of courses which meet specific requirements.
|
Requirement |
Course (credit hours) |
Prerequisite |
|
Lower Division Core |
PY 100 Basic Concepts in Psychology (3) |
none |
|
PY 105 Introductory Psychology Laboratory (1) |
PY 100 or concurrent enrollment |
|
|
PY 150 Psychological Statistics (4) |
PY 100 with grade of "C" or better; PY 105 or concurrent enrollment; and MA104 |
|
|
PY 250 Experimental Psychology (4) |
PY 150 and PY 105 with grades of "C" or better |
|
|
PY 299 Psychological Forum (1) |
PY 100; and Sophomore Psychology Major (Pass/Fail Only) |
|
|
Upper Division (U.D.) Core (Must choose four of the six courses) |
PY 301 Principles of Learning (3) |
PY 100 or 101 |
|
PY 305 Sensation and Perception (3) |
PY 100 or 101 |
|
|
PY 306 Cognition (3) |
PY 100 or 101 |
|
|
PY 307 Physiological Psychology (3) |
PY 100 or 101 |
|
|
PY 309 Theories of Personality (3) |
PY 100 or 101 |
|
|
PY 310 Social Psychology (3) |
PY 100 or 101 |
|
|
Senior Capstone Experience (Must earn at least three credit hours) |
PY 387 History and Systems of Psychology (3) |
Psychology Senior or Consent |
|
PY 389 Independent Study (1-3) |
Consent of instructor |
|
|
PY 390 Directed Research (1-3) |
PY 250 and consent of instructor |
|
FRESHMAN |
SOPHOMORE |
JUNIOR |
SENIOR |
|
PY 100 |
PY 250 (with lab) |
U.D. Core 1 |
U.D. Core 3 |
