MAJORING IN PSYCHOLOGY

Degrees

The Department of Psychology offers programs leading to the following types of degrees:

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree.

Both programs give the student a broad introduction to contemporary Psychology and provide a sound basis for advanced study at the graduate level in Psychology and other related fields. The Department also offers a minor in Psychology for students in other majors.

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Becoming a Major

To be accepted as a major in the Department of Psychology, a student must meet the following requirements:

• 2.25 or better cumulative grade point average (GPA)
• 2.25 or better GPA in Psychology courses
• 30 credit hours with at least two psychology courses

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Transfer Students

Students who are transferring to Wright State from another institution must meet all the requirements of the major of psychology, the College of Science and Mathematics and Wright State University Requirements. Complete up-to-date information is available at http://www.wright.edu/prospective/.

The Degree Audit Repot (DARS) for transferring students must be updated by the PUP Office before it is correct. Once the DARS is updated, it will appear on Wings Express as “advisor reviewed.” If the advisor reviewed DARS is not available, please contact the PUP Office in 342 Fawcett, 937-775-4155, for a request.

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Learning Objectives

The psychology curriculum here at WSU is designed to provide you with knowledge and skills you need to enter many related careers or to move on to graduate school.

Our extensive curriculum is based on five learning objectives:

1. Be familiar with current theory and research in diverse areas of psychology.
2. Have fundamental research design and mathematical/statistical skills needed to understand psychological science
3. Have skills in integrating and communcating about knowledge in self-selected areas of psychology.
4. Communicate effectively in both written and oral forms.
5. Have advanced research design, mathematical/statistical, and computing skills needed to critically evaluate and conduct research in a self-selected area of interest. (B.S. only)

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B.S. or B.A. - What is the Difference?

Below is an overview of the difference in requirements for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

B. S.		B. A.
Total General Education hours*	56	Total General Education hours*	56
Required GE Substitutions: Area I: STT 160 Area III: PSY 105 Area VI: PSY 110		Required GE Substitutions: Area I: STT 160 Area III: PSY 105 Area VI: PSY 110
Total Psychology hours	84	Total Psychology hours	76
7 Core Courses: (2 from row 1, 2 from row 2, 1 from row 3) Row 1: 321, 361, 371, 391 Row 2: 311, 331, 341, 351 Row 3: 304, 306, 307, 309 PSY 301, 302 & 303 Two PSY 487 PSY Electives		7 Core Courses: (2 from row 1, 2 from row 2) Row 1: 321, 361, 371, 391 Row 2: 311, 331, 341, 351 Row 3: 304, 306, 307, 309 PSY 301, 302 & 303 Two PSY 487 PSY Electives
PSY 402 1 course from the following: PSY 323, 333, 343, 353, 363, 373, 393		College Requirement 27 hours outside CoSM & CECS
Required Supporting Courses	11-13	Required Supporting Courses	3-5
MTH 128 or 129 CS 141 & 142 (or 2 other programming courses)		MTH 126 or 127 N/A
General Electives	42-44	General Electives	31-33
TOTAL Hours	187	TOTAL Hours	187

*Students should complete ENG 101 and 102 and the General Education mathematics requirements (MTH 126 or higher and STT 160) by the time they have earned 60 credit hours at WSU.

Worksheets for the B.S. and B.A. degrees in Psychology are available in the link below.

• B.S. Degree Worksheet
• B.A. Degree Worksheet

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B.A. or B.S. - Which Should I Choose?

The B.A. degree provides fundamental research design and data analysis skills , and also provides flexibility to take courses that enhance preparation for a career in a related field after graduation. 

Therefore, the B.A. degree is an excellent choice for students who are:

• Interested in clinical/counseling graduate schools in psychology (M.A. or Psy.D.)
• Planning on a career in a related area. For example:
  • Law school
  • Marketing
  • Sales or Business
  • Social work
  • Rehabilitation…etc

The B.S. degree offers courses that teach students advanced mathematical, statistical, and basic computer programming skills. Mastery of these skills is excellent preparation for a career in academic and research career in psychology.

Therefore, the B.S. degree is an excellent choice for students who are considering

• Ph.D. graduate programs in psychology or related area
• Medical School
• Teaching in a university or college
• A career in research

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