Psychology Major
The Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology introduces students to the major theoretical perspectives and primary empirical techniques of hypothesis testing in psychological science, as well as the application of psychological principles.
Students pursuing this bachelor’s degree must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in the Newcomb-Tulane College core curriculum, 120 credit hours in their degree and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000. More information on degree and core curriculum requirements can be found here.
See Recommended Plans of Study below.
Curriculum Requirements
The following are required for the major in psychology:
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PSYC 1000 | Introductory Psych | 3 |
| PSYC 3090 | Univariate I & Lab | 4 |
| PSYC 3130 | Experimental Psychology & Lab | 4 |
| Biological and Cognitive Processes | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Brain and Behavior | ||
| Comp Animal Behavior | ||
| Evolution & Psychology | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Child Psychology Students may receive credit for only one of PSYC 3210 or PSYC 3270 in the undergraduate degree. | ||
or PSYC 3270 | Lifespan Development | |
| Adolescent Psychology | ||
| Clinical Applications and Assessment | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Psychological Testing | ||
| Educational Psychology Students may receive credit for only one of PSYC 3200 or PSYC 3202 in the undergraduate degree | ||
or PSYC 3202 | Educational Psychology in a Diverse Society | |
| Clinical Science and Psychological Disorders | ||
| Developmental Psychopathology | ||
| Introduction to Health Psychology | ||
| Cultural, Personality, and Social Psychology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro to African American Psychology | ||
| Intro To Social Psychology | ||
| Intro To Personality | ||
| Select a total of 9 additional psychology elective credits that must be completed at the 3000 level or above (for a total of 29 hours at/above the 3000 level). 1 | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
- 1
Please note that ALL 3000 level courses count towards the 29 credits, including PSYC 3090 Univariate I & Lab (4 c.h.) and PSYC 3130 Experimental Psychology & Lab (4 c.h.), and the departmental distribution requirements
In addition:
- Students majoring in psychology must complete the math courses necessary for the B.S. degree, one SSE laboratory course (and its co requisite) outside of (and NOT cross-listed with) PSYC, and one 3 credit non-laboratory SSE courses that is outside (and NOT cross-listed with) PSYC.
- No more than 16 credits may be transferred to count towards the Psychology Major.
- Psychology majors are limited to taking a maximum of three courses for credit towards the major while studying abroad.
- Students must earn at least a 2.0 major GPA.
- At least 29 credits must be taken at or above the 3000 level.
- S/U graded courses do not count towards the major requirements.
Recommended Plans of Study
General Psychology Major Plan of Study
Dual Psychology/Neuroscience Major Plan of Study
These example plans of study for the BS in Psychology represent a fall semester start and encompass all program requirements. Students are responsible for reviewing university, school, and program requirements, along with prerequisites and the sequencing of courses in coordination with their academic and major advisors.
general Psychology plan of study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| PSYC 1000 & PSYC 1001 |
Introductory Psych and Psychology Beyond Classroom |
3 |
| MATH 1210 & MATH 1211 |
Calculus I and Calculus I Recitation (or equivalent) |
4 |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 10 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one 3000-level PSYC Major elective | 3 | |
| Select one MATH course Students must complete the math courses necessary for the B.S. degree. | 3-4 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one Biological and Cognitive Processes course (see list above) | 3 | |
| Select one 3000-level PSYC Major elective | 3 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYC 3090 | Univariate I & Lab | 4 |
| Select one Developmental Psychology course (see list above) | 3 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 8 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one Clinical Applications and Assessment course (see list above) | 3 | |
| Select one Non-PSYC SSE Lecture elective | 3 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 10 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYC 3130 | Experimental Psychology & Lab Due to course capacity restrictions, students may not be able to enroll in this course until senior year. | 4 |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 12 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one Non-PSYC Science w/ Lab course | 4 | |
| Select one Cultural, Personality, and Social Psychology course (see list above) | 3 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 7 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one 3000-level PSYC Major elective | 3 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-121 | |
psychology/neuroscience plan of study
Students planning to double major in Neuroscience and Psychology must meet with a Neuroscience advisor to develop their double major curriculum plan.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| PSYC 1000 & PSYC 1001 |
Introductory Psych and Psychology Beyond Classroom |
3 |
| MATH 1210 & MATH 1211 |
Calculus I and Calculus I Recitation (or equivalent) |
4 |
| CHEM 1070 & CHEM 1075 |
General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I |
4 |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 1080 & CHEM 1085 |
General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II |
4 |
| CELL 1010 | Intro to Cell & Molec Biology | 3 |
| Select one 3000-level PSYC Major elective | 3 | |
| Select one MATH course Students must complete the math courses necessary for the B.S. | 3-4 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16-17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 2410 & CHEM 2415 |
Organic Chemistry I or Organic Chemistry I: Deep-learning |
4 |
| CELL 2050 or EBIO 2070 |
Genetics or Molecular and Evolutionary Genetics |
3 |
| Select one Biological and Cognitive Processes course (see list above) | 3 | |
| Select one 3000-level PSYC Major elective | 3 | |
| Select one Advanced Anthropological/Social Science course (see Neuroscience Major page for list) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYC 3090 | Univariate I & Lab | 4 |
| NSCI 3300 or PSYC 3300 |
Brain and Behavior or Brain and Behavior |
3 |
| Select one Advanced Biology/Chemistry course (see Neuroscience Major page for list) | 3-4 | |
| Select one Elective Lab course (see Neuroscience Major page for list) | 1-4 | |
| Select one Developmental Psychology course (see list above) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-18 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 1210 & PHYS 1211 |
Introductory Physics I or General Physics I |
4 |
| NSCI 3310 or CELL 3310 |
Cellular Neuroscience or Cellular Neuroscience |
3 |
| Select one Elective Lecture (Behavior/Cognitive) course (see Neuroscience Major page for list) | 3 | |
| Select one Clinical Applications and Assessment course (see list above) | 3 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYC 3130 | Experimental Psychology & Lab | 4 |
| NSCI 3320 or CELL 3320 |
Systems Neuroscience or Systems Neuroscience |
3 |
| Select one Advanced Math/Physical Science course (see Neuroscience Major page for list) | 3-4 | |
| Select one Elective Lecture (Cellular/Mollecular) course (see Neuroscience Major page for list) | 3 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16-17 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one Cultural, Personality, and Social Psychology course (see list above) | 3 | |
| Select one Elective Lecture course (see Neuroscience Major page for list 3) | 3 | |
| Select one Elective Lab course (see Neuroscience Major page for list) | 1-4 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 7 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSCI 3330 | Experiential Learning in Neuroscience Zero-credit add-on to 3 credits of NSCI/SCEN 4910 (Research/Lab); or 3 credits of SCEN 4570 (Internship); or another appropriate experience formally approved by the Neuroscience Curriculum Committee. S/U graded. | 0 |
| Select one 3000-level PSYC Major elective | 3 | |
| Select one Elective Lab course (see Neuroscience Major page for list) | 1-4 | |
| NTC Core and General Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 13-16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-132 | |
Program String and Field of Study: SEBS_UG, PSYC
For more information, contact the School of Science and Engineering.