Future Students

Academics

Psychology

College of Liberal Arts


 

QUICK JUMP
  Psychology
  Requirements and Core Courses
  Careers in Psychology
  Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Campus Organizations and Activities
  Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
  Contact Information

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and the mental processes that determine behavior. Psychology also applies the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems.

• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science, minor, master of science, doctorate
• Available at: Pullman; Vancouver (B.S. only)

Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The bachelor of science in psychology requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in psychology, at least 15 hours of which must be in 300- and 400-level courses. Students must take at least 10 credit hours of psychology in residence at Washington State University and must maintain at least a C average in psychology courses.

Students can minor in psychology or obtain certificates in abnormal child psychology and helping skills.

REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING PROGRAM
• Students may certify as a major after earning 30 semester hours, completing Psych 311 with a C- or better grade, and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.
• As early as possible in their academic career, students who are considering a psychology degree should seek consultation with a faculty advisor in the psychology department for assistance in planning their individual program.

REQUIRED COURSES
Biol 102—General Biology
     or 103—Introductory Biology
Psych 105—Introductory Psychology
Psych 311—Elementary Statistics in Psychology
Psych 312—Experimental Methods in Psychology
Three courses from Group I:
     Psych 372—Intro to Physiological Psychology
     Psych 384—Psychology of Perception
     Psych 390—Operant Behavior
     Psych 401—Historical Development of Psychology
     Psych 470—Motivation
     Psych 473—Advanced Physiological Psychology
     Psych 490—Cognition and Memory
Two courses from Group II:
     Psych 321—Introduction to Personality
     Psych 324—Psychology of Women
     Psych 333—Abnormal Psychology
     Psych 350—Social Psychology
     Psych 361—Principles of Developmental Psychology
     Psych 363—Psychology of Aging
     Psych 412—Psychological Testing and Measurement
     Psych 440—Clinical/Community Pshychology
     Psych 464—Behavior Disorders of Children and Adolescents
Two courses from the following to complete the Writing in the Major [M] requirement:
     Psych 312—Experimental Methods
     Psych 328—Self Control
     Psych 401—Historical Development of Psychology
     Psych 440—Clinical/Community Psychology
     Psych 473—Advanced Physiological Psychology

NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

Careers in Psychology

A psychology degree prepares students for a wide variety of in-demand careers, some of which require additional education beyond the bachelor’s degree. Recent national statistics show that a degree in psychology, sometimes combined with a minor in a second area (such as business or chemical dependency), has become increasingly marketable.

Psychologists work in these areas:
• Aerospace and defense industries: system design (human factors), human/machine interaction
• Community health centers: helping individuals and families in crisis
• Computer industry: software design, training software users
• Corporate offices/industry: employee assistance program developer, teamwork development, personnel decisions, public relations manager
• Government/law: consulting, lobbying, forensics, law enforcement, advising lawyers on jury selection, working to reform prisoners
• Hospitals: drug addiction counseling, work with mentally ill and/or physically ill
• Research firms: marketing research, data analysis
• Private practice: family and marital counseling, personal counseling
• Schools and universities: school counselors, teachers, professors

Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• Interest in people and behavior
• Able to apply abstract knowledge to real life situations

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Psychology majors may apply for University-level scholarships and over $50,000 in scholarships awarded by the College of Liberal Arts.  Students may also be eligible for undergraduate research awards.

Campus Organizations and Activities

• The student-directed Psych Club helps expand psychology interests outside the classroom with others who have similar interests.
• WSU hosts a chapter of Psi Chi, a national honor society that recognizes students’ academic achievements and provides activities for psychology majors.

Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Computer Science
• Human Development
• Marketing
• Neuroscience
• Sociology

Contact Information
Department of Psychology
Johnson Tower 233
Washington State University
PO Box 644820
Pullman, WA 99164-4820
gooch@mail.wsu.edu
509-335-2631
 

Strengths of the Program

  • WSU faculty members have national and international reputations for excellence.
  • Engage in groundbreaking psychology research in neuroscience, memory, adult and child disorders, and health psychology.
  • The department's undergraduate computer lab has 17 networked computers equipped with a wide variety of current software.
  • Gain first-hand experience in research and professional work through WSU's cooperative arrangements with outside agencies.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us