Psychological Science (BS)

• Program Prerequisite: None.
• Minor: Required, unless a student is a double major.
• Grade Requirements: A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses used to fulfill requirements for the psychology major or minor (a grade of “C-” is not acceptable). In addition an overall GPA for Psychology courses of 2.50 or higher is required. Also refer to the general grade requirements for graduation Degree Requirements.
• Psychological Science Sunset Policy: Students declaring a Psychological Science major, minor, or BIS emphasis in a given catalog year can apply previously completed courses towards their degree (see Course Grade Policy) as long as the courses were taken no longer than 15 years prior to the date of declaration.    
• Credit Hour Requirements: The University requires a total of 120 credit hours for graduation. For psychology, a minimum of 45 credit hours are required within the major. The University requires a total of 40 upper-division credit hours (courses numbered 3000 and above).
• Program Code: Psychological Science (7055BS)
• CIPC: Psychological Science (420101)
• Students are responsible for applying for graduation: Click here for more information.    
• For more information on the major click here to go to the  Department of Psychological Science’s webpage.    

Advisement

After declaring psychology as a major, each student is assigned an advisor. Psychology majors should consult with their advisor each semester prior to registration or as needed. Call the department secretary to schedule an appointment. Psychology teaching majors are encouraged to also consult with an advisor in the Jerry and Vickie Moyes College of Education (call 801-626-6269, Teacher Education Department).  (Also refer to the Department Advisor Referral List.)

Use Grad MAPs to plan your degree

Admission Requirements

Declare your program of study (see Enrollment Services and Information). There are no special admission or application requirements for the psychology major. Teaching majors must meet the Teacher Education admission and licensure requirements (see Department of Teacher Education).

General Education

Refer to Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Science requirements. A number of courses in the major fulfill general education requirements (PSY 1010 , PSY 2000 ) or graduation requirements (PSY 2370 , PSY 3100 ).

Program Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge: Students will understand psychology as a scientific discipline. Essential to this, students will understand a core set of statistical and methodological knowledge regarding how psychologists critically evaluate, creatively test, and scientifically defend psychological claims. They will also understand a core set of content knowledge addressing the biological, cognitive/behavioral, social/personality, and developmental aspects of behavior and their integration.
• Knowledge: Characterize the nature of the science of psychology and grasp the foundations of the science for consuming and producing psychological claims.
• Knowledge: Students will be able to generally characterize psychology as a science, distinguishing its assumptions and methods with those of other disciplines, and specifically describe the strengths and limits of different research methods and the validity of conclusions derived from the research when consuming or producing psychological claims.
• Knowledge: Demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and synthesis of the breadth and depth of psychological science.
• Knowledge: Students will be able to demonstrate theory and research representing different content areas (biological, developmental, abnormal, experimental, and individual differences) and approaches (e.g., behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic, and socio-cultural) of the discipline and appreciate the interactions at the different levels of analysis synthesizing them into comprehensive and multifaceted bio-psycho-social explanations human nature.
• Application: Students will be able to critically apply psychological principles and research to explain social issues, inform public policy, solve problems, understand themselves, and achieve career goals.
• Application: Students will be able to transfer their knowledge of psychological science to understanding and improving society.
• Application: Students will be able to describe the ways that psychological science has applications to social issues, processes, and domains (mental health, law, military, business, and education) and demonstrate ways that disciplinary knowledge can be used to inform social policy, solve social problems, and improve human functioning.
• Application: Students will be able to transfer their knowledge of psychological science to understanding and improving themselves and planning their future.
• Application: Students will be able to use knowledge of psychology science to promote their personal development and career planning by gaining insight into their behavior, mental processes, interests, and talents to develop self-management, self- improvement, and self-assessment strategies necessary to reach their personal and professional goals.
• Values/Ethics: Students will share key values adopted by psychologists, which include (but are not limited to) skepticism and intellectual curiosity, tolerance of ambiguity, respect for human diversity, appreciation of their civic, social, and global responsibilities, and humility regarding the limits of their psychological knowledge and skills. Students will also grasp the spirit of the APA Code of Ethics, follow its guidelines, and recognize the necessity of ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of psychology.
• Values/Ethics: Students will understand and adopt key attitudes beliefs, values, and responsibilities consistent with being a student of psychological science
• Values/Ethics: Students will make strides in adopting key assumptions (e.g., monism), beliefs (e.g., determinism), attitudes (skepticism and intellectual curiosity, tolerance of ambiguity) values (humility regarding their knowledge and skills), and responsibilities (e.g., interpersonal, civic, social, and global responsibilities) of being a student of psychological science.
• Values/Ethics: Students will understand and uphold the ethical standards which guide their interpersonal, professional and scientific behavior
• Values/Ethics: Students will learn and behave in a manner consistent with the APA ethical code regarding their research, professional, and interpersonal activities.
• Interpersonal Relations and Communication: Students will exhibit skills to professionally communicate their understanding of terms, concepts, research, and theories of the discipline to others via written and oral formats. Students will also have interpersonal and collaborative skills necessary to effectively work in groups with others who hold diverse opinions, beliefs, and attitudes.
• Interpersonal Relations and Communication: Students will acquire skills to communicate professionally to others in various formats following disciplinary practices and conventions (e.g., APA style)
• Interpersonal Relations and Communication: Students’ written, oral, and visual communication in formal and informal contexts will demonstrate an adequate level technical competence (grammar, structure, and style) and use of professional conventions (e.g., APA style and other professional conventions) to express, defend, or critique psychological claims ideas in a disciplinary appropriate manner.
• Interpersonal Relations and Communication: Students will demonstrate competence to work effectively in groups (projects, research, etc.)
• Interpersonal Relations and Communication: Student will learn to effectively work with others in group settings, which includes demonstrating skills to listen, communicate, and collaborate in unbiased, non-prejudicial ways.