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Psychology Major

Courses in the psychology major are designed to acquaint the student with the scientific investigation of behavior and mental processes. Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in psychology should complete the Psychology Major-Research Track and are also encouraged to complete the requirements to gain the department’s minor in Advanced Scientific Analysis. Students who are not pursuing a graduate degree in psychology but are interested in using their knowledge of psychology in other professions, like business, communication, education, law, or social work are encouraged to complete the Psychology Major-Applied Track.

 



Real World Experience

All students are required to do one professional internship, but many of our students elect to complete two. Student completing the psychology major (applied track) are required to participate in two internship experiences. Our students have interned at:

  • Burrell Behavioral Health
  • C.A.R.E. Animal Rescue
  • Cox Health Psychiatric Unit
  • Family Violence Center
  • Federal Public Defender’s Office

  • Juvenile Justice Center
  • Mercy Marian Center
  • Missouri Board of Probation and Parole
  • Planned Parenthood
  • U.S. Marshals Service

What happens after graduation?

Upon graduation, nearly 100% of our students who apply are accepted to attend graduate, law, or medical school Recently, our students have chosen to study at such places as:

  • American University
  • George Washington University
  • King’s College in London
  • Purdue University
  • Sam Houston State

  • Suffolk University
  • University of California-Davis
  • University of Missouri-St. Louis School of Medicine
  • Washington University

Careers in Psychology

The Department of Labor continues to list psychology as a growth field in terms of employment opportunities. Although some forms of employment in psychology require a graduate degree, those who obtain undergraduate degrees readily find employment in a diverse range of settings. Psychologists are employed in corporations, law enforcement agencies, court-related agencies, hospitals, mental health clinics, research laboratories, schools and many other types of organizations.  

To learn more about employment opportunities, you may find the Careers in Psychology website helpful. Each sites explores job opportunities related to sub-fields within psychology:

  • behavioral neuroscience
  • biopsychology
  • clinical psychology
  • cognitive psychology
  • developmental psychology
  • experimental psychology
  • industrial/organizational psychology
  • social psychology

Visit the Missouri Employment page for jobs within the state of Missouri.

Those who are interested in obtaining employment within specific agencies should locate websites for those organizations. In some instances, you may acquire information that will guide your selection of coursework and thereby help you gain a more competitive edge once you have completed your undergraduate or graduate degree.

Psychology, BS

Courses in the BS in Psychology are designed to acquaint the student with the scientific investigation of behavior and mental processes. Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in psychology should complete the BS in Psychology and are also encouraged to complete the requirements to gain the department’s minor in Advanced Scientific Analysis.

The BS in Psychology requires 47-50 credit hours of coursework.

Students should complete all 100- and 200-level requirements before accumulating 60 credit hours (junior status).

All prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment in the following courses.

PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 230: Life Span Development
PSYC 240: Social Psychology
PSYC 337: Psychopathology and Clinical Science
BSCI 109: Scientific Writing
BSCI 200: Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences
BSCI 275: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
BSCI 275-L: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Laboratory
BSCI 359: Advanced Behavioral Research with Thesis I

It is essential that students complete BSCI 109, BSCI 200, BSCI 275, and BSCI 275-L before taking BSCI 359. Those students who fail or do not successfully complete BSCI 359 will be removed from the Advanced Behavioral I and II course sequence. Students will not be allowed to register for and/or audit BSCI 361 during the following spring semester. Failing students must re-attempt the 359/361 sequence the following fall semester

BSCI 361: Advanced Behavioral Research with Thesis II

Those students who fail or do not successfully complete BSCI 361 must earn a passing grade in BSCI 343 in order to fulfill the university and department research requirement. The final grade awarded in BSCI 343 shall not replace any prior grade earned in BSCI 361.

BSCI 380: Undergraduate Internship Experience
PSYC 450: History of Psychology

Students enrolled in BSCI 493 are required to take a comprehensive examination over topics covered in the major as well as a nationally-normed exit exam.

Brain-Behavior Courses (Choose One):
PSYC 346: Health Psychology
PSYC 348: Psychoneuroimmunology
PSYC 356: Biopsychology
PSYC 440: Cognitive Psychology

Sociocultural Diversity Courses (Choose One):
SOCI 302: Poverty and Inequality
PSYC 313: Cross-Cultural Psychology
SOCI 316: Race and Ethnic Relations
PSYC 352: Psychology of Gender
WGST 101: Introduction to Women and Gender Studies

Advanced Methodology Courses (Choose One):
BSCI 308: Qualitative Research Methods
BSCI 435/L: Psychological Tests and Measurements/Lab
BSCI 475/L: Advanced Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences/Lab

Elective Courses (Choose Two):
BSCI 308: Qualitative Research Methods
BSCI 435: Psychological Tests and Measurements
BSCI 435-L: Psychological Tests and Measurements Laboratory
BSCI 475: Advanced Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
BSCI 475-L: Advanced Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Laboratory
BSCI 480: Undergraduate Internship Experience II
PSYC 312: Positive Psychology
PSYC 313: Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSYC 325: Psychology of Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood
PSYC 333: Psychology of Sustainability
PSYC 338: Personality Theory in Psychology
PSYC 346: Health Psychology
PSYC 348: Psychoneuroimmunology
PSYC 352: Psychology of Gender
PSYC 355: Industrial Organizational Psychology
PSYC 356: Biopsychology
PSYC 357: Psychology of Adulthood
PSYC 363: Lifestyle Medicine Theory and Practice
PSYC 370: Human Sexuality
PSYC 371: Psychology and the Law
PSYC 372: Holistic Health Practices
PSYC 440: Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 390, 490: Selected Topics
PSYC 391, 491: Research
SOCI 320: Drugs and Society

Psychology, BA

Courses in the psychology major are designed to acquaint the student with the scientific investigation of behavior and mental processes. Students who are not pursuing a graduate degree in psychology, but are interested in using their knowledge of psychology in other professions, like business, communication, education, law, or social work are encouraged to complete the BA in Psychology. Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in psychology should complete the BS in Psychology and are also encouraged to complete the requirements to gain a minor in Advanced Scientific Analysis.

The psychology major-applied track option requires 44 credit hours of coursework.

Students should complete all 100-and 200-level requirements before accumulating 60 credit hours (junior status).

All prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment in the following courses.