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B.A. in Psychology

(HEGIS 2001)

Dowling's School of Arts and Sciences degree programs are constructed upon a well-rounded core curriculum of arts and humanities, natural science, math, and social sciences. These are the classic building blocks that ensure career versatility in an ever-changing world. Psychology students are prepared for direct work in the field or for more advanced professional training in graduate studies. Students will develop a critical understanding of the scientific study of behavior and a practical knowledge of the forces that shape human interaction. This program offers students the opportunity to engage in learning via the classroom, the laboratory, seminar, internship, and independent study.

Career Outcomes for Psychology Majors

Dowling's psychology degree prepares you for diverse careers in business, social work, biology, aeronautics, law enforcement, education, civil service, and the military, or for further graduate study. Your communications, analytical and research skills will qualify you for a career as an employment counselor, marketing representative, occupational analyst, and more.

College-Wide Requirements 9 credits
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Core Requirements 33 credits
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Major Requirements 36 credits
Component 1: Experimental component
(9 or 12 credits)
PSY 1001A Introduction to Psychology (required for all students) 3
PSY 3170A Statistics for Psychological Research (required for all students) 3
PSY 3171A Psychological Methods & Research Design (required for all students) 3
PSY 3172A Research in Psychology (required if planning on graduate school in psychology) 3
Component 2: Major content area component
(12 credits)
PSY 2015A Developmental Psychology I (Child Development) 3
PSY 2016A Developmental Psychology II (Adolescent Development) 3
PSY 2030A Cognitive Psychology 3
PSY 2120A Social Psychology 3
PSY 3112A Theories of Personality 3
PSY 3165A Physiological Psychology (recommended if planning on graduate school in psychology) 3
Component 3: Clinical component
(6 credits)
PSY 3125A Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology 3
PSY 3140A Abnormal Psychology 3
PSY 2135A Psychological Testing (recommended if planning on graduate school in psychology) 3
PSY 3155A Behavior Modification 3
Component 4: Psychology electives
(6 or 9 credits)
PSY 2017A Psychology of Aging 3
PSY 2145A Industrial / Organizational Psychology 3
PSY 2150A Interpersonal Adjustment 3
PSY 3175A Theories of Learning 3
PSY 3190A History and Systems (recommended if planning on graduate school in psychology) 3
PSY 3330A Counseling of the Aging and Their Families 3
PSY 4173A School Psychology 3
PSY 4174A Psychology of Women 3
PSY 4175A Psychology of Religion 3
PSY 4176A Interpersonal Relationships 3
PSY 4177A Human Sexuality 3
PSY 4178A Forensic Psychology and Law 3
PSY 4179A Health Psychology 3
PSY 4180A / PHL 4180A Philosophy of Psychiatry & Psychology 3
PSY 4188A Psychological Science Fiction in Film 3
PSY 4180A Selected topics seminars (one time only course offerings) 3
PSY 4191A & 4192A Independent Study 3
PSY 4195N & 4196N Internship 3
PSY 4198N & 4199N Applied Internship 3
PSY 4291A & 4292A Honors Thesis 3


Minor & Elective Requirements 42 credits
Minor Requirements 15-18 credits
Electives 28-31 credits
Total: 120 credits

Note: PSY 4191A, 4192A, 4195N, and 4198N are intended to be used by a small number of above average students as "elective credit" which shall not count as part of the 32 credit Psychology Core Requirements. In addition, PSY 3101C, 3102C, 3103C, and 3104C shall not count as part of the 32 credit Psychology Core Requirements (they can count as "elective credits" or General Core Requirements credits).

Departmental Honors in Psychology: A Departmental Honors Project is available to students in this program in their senior year (90 credits overall). The project requires substantial original independent research and the successful completion of both PSY 4291A and PSY 4292A.