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Comparison: New vs. Old

Download the printer friendly summary of the Existing verus Revised Psychology Major Comparison.

A Comparison of the Existing and Revised Psychology Majors

  • “Current Major”:  2003-04 thru 2012-13
  • “Revised Major”:  2013-14 onward

Beginning in Academic Year 2013-14 the requirements for fulfillment of a Psychology Major will change. Students who declare the Psychology major during or after the 2013-14 academic year will automatically participate in the revised major. Students graduating after Spring 2013 who declare, or have declared, before the Fall 2013 semester, will have the option to fulfill the requirements for the current or revised major.

The Psychology Major (both current and revised) is composed of seven components:

1. Introduction to Psychology
2. Research Design
3. Core Content Courses
4. 400-Level (Advanced) Seminars
5. Final Project (Thesis)
6. Mathematical Competency
7. Science Competency

The revisions to the major primarily affect Core Courses and Science Competency as described in the table below. The other components remain unchanged. These revisions to the major were made to provide greater flexibility and choice for students, ease the blocks requirement, and align the curriculum with APA’s “Domains of Knowledge” formulation.

Additionally, the 400-Level Seminar offerings have changed slightly with one offering (PY425 Depression) being discontinued and two new offerings (PY409 Social Cognition; PY435 Behavioral Game Theory) being added.

The full list of (minimal) requirements for existing and revised majors is listed below.

CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR            REVISED PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

1. Introductory Psychology (1 course / 1 block)
      PY100 or PY101 or PY111        

  Same
2. Research Design (1 course / 2 blocks)
      PY202		  Same
3. Core Courses (5 courses / 6 blocks)
      PY299 (Neuroscience) - 2 blocks
      PY362 (Abnormal)
      PY374 (Development)
      PY332 (Learning) or PY344 (Cognition)
      PY209 (Social) or PY281 (Personality)		 (5 courses / 5 blocks)
      PY297 (Neuroscience I)
      PY281 (Personality) or PY362 (Abnormal) 
      PY309 (Social) or PY374 (Development) 
      PY332 (Learning) or PY344 (Cognition)
      + 1 Core (from above or PY298 Neuroscience II)

4. Advanced Seminars (2 courses / 2 blocks)
      Choose from available 400-level offerings

  Same
5. Final Project (Thesis) (1 course / 1 block)
      PY451		  Same

6. Mathematical Competency (1 course / 1 block)
      MA126 (Calculus I) 

  Same
7. Science Competency (2 courses / 2 blocks)
      Choose from non-Psychology Natural Science		 (1 course / 1 block)
      Choose from non-Psychology Natural Science
 Total: 13 Courses / 15 Blocks  12 Courses / 13 Blocks

This is the Department of Psychology