Psychology Major
Students may choose to simply major in psychology without a particular specialization (by completing the Requirements for a Major in Psychology) or may choose to major in psychology with a specialization by completing the requirements for a concentration in Mental Health Services or an Interdisciplinary Concentration in Women's Studies. They may also choose to minor in Psychology or Human Development.
Requirements for a Major in Psychology
The Psychology major requires successful completion of 14 courses in Psychology. Six of these courses are specific core requirements; four are from specified areas and the remaining four are electives. At least three courses (nine credits) must be at a 300 and/or 400 level, and all three courses must be taken at Worcester State University. The minimum of 37 credits must include the following four core courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | (13 credits) | |
| PS-101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PS-275 | Psychological Statistics | 4 |
| PS-276 | Research Methods | 3 |
| PS-307 | Applied Research Methods | 3 |
| Diversity requirement. Select one of the following courses. | (0 credits) | |
| Psychological Foundations of Diversity | ||
| Psychology of Human Sexuality | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Capstone. Select one of the following courses. | (12 credits) | |
| Capstone: Contemporary Issues in Psychology | ||
| Capstone Seminar in Mental Health Services: Transition to Practice | ||
| Select one course each from four of the five different areas | 12 | |
| Developmental | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Adolescence | ||
| Psychology of Aging | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Applied Social Psychology | ||
| Personality and Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (or PS 335) | ||
| Theories of Personality | ||
| Psychological Testing and Measurement | ||
| Learning and Cognition | ||
| Psychology of Learning | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Biopsychosocial Processes | ||
| Introduction to Health Psychology | ||
| Brain and Behavior | ||
| Sensation and Perception | ||
| Psychology electives | (12 credits) | |
| Electives - Choose four elective courses from any of the courses in psychology that are not required and are not counted under the four areas. | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 43 | |
Students must obtain a C- or higher in all psychology courses that serve as prerequisites for other psychology courses.
Sample Timetable for Completion of Degree: Psychology
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester One | Credits | |
| LASC | First-Year Seminar (FYS) | 3 |
| EN-101 | College Writing I | 3 |
| PS-101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (USW) | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (CON) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| EN-102 | College Writing II | 3 |
| PS-2XX | PS Major Area | 3 |
| PS-2XX | PS Major Area (Not PS-276) | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (QR) | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (TLC) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Semester Three | ||
| PS-275 | Psychological Statistics | 4 |
| PS-2XX | PS Major Area | 3 |
| PS Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
| LASC | LASC Elective (GP) | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (USW) | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| PS-276 | Research Methods | 3 |
| PS-2XX | PS Major Area | 3 |
| PS-2XX | PS Major Elective | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (NSP) | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (TLC) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Semester Five | ||
| PS-307 | Applied Research Methods | 3 |
| PS-3XX | PS Major Area | 3 |
| PS-3XX | PS Major Elective | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (HBS) | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (ICW) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| PS-1XX+ | PS Major Elective | 3 |
| PS-1XX+ | PS Major Elective | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (NSP) | 4 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| LASC | LASC Elective (CA) | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Semester Seven | ||
| PS-4XX | Capstone | 3 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
Students are required to meet with their academic advisor to review their courses for the upcoming semester. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation. First-year and transfer students with 45 or fewer credits at the time of admission shall complete two academic programs (a major/major or major/minor) to qualify for graduation. For more information, please view the MajorPlus section of this catalog.