Psychology, BA

The specific and unique role of the Psychology Department is to provide knowledge of psychology as a human science and as a natural science, founded both on solid philosophical reflection and scientific rigor. The curriculum is designed to provide a basic knowledge and understanding of human experience and behavior and the methods psychologists use to gain such knowledge and understanding. A psychology major is ideal for students who plan a career in any field that deals primarily with people (such as nursing, teaching, social work, guidance, and human resources, to name only a few), or for students who plan to work as professional psychologists and thus need a sound preparation for graduate study.

General Program Requirements

Entry into the psychology major requires a 2.75 grade point average for incoming freshmen and a 2.75 grade point average for transfer students and for those transferring majors within the University.

All psychology majors (BS and BA, with and without honors) may not register for pass/fail (P/F) in the courses listed under departmental requirements; courses graded P/F may not apply to major or Core requirements. All majors must obtain a minimum grade of C in all required courses: MATH 110 , PSYC 120 , PSYC 205 , PSYC 303 , PSYC 305 , PSYC 370 , and PSYC 489 . In the bachelor of science and bachelor of science with honors programs, PSYC 240 or PSYC 416 , PSYC 403 , and PSYC 344 or PSYC 404 also must be graded C or higher. All psychology majors must complete at least 30 credits in the major at Seattle University. PSYC 303 , PSYC 305 , and PSYC 489 must all be completed at Seattle University.

A psychology major cannot count more than a total of 10 credits in independent study and/or internship toward the credits required for the major.

Psychology majors may choose any or no minor.

Several courses in the Psychology major have been identified as satisfying the core interdisciplinary requirement. Those courses may be used to fill major requirements or major electives while also fulfilling university core requirements. The credit for each course completed is included in total credits only once.

Requirements

In order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in psychology, students must complete a minimum of 180 credits with a cumulative and major/program grade point average of 2.00, including the following:

I. Core Curriculum Requirements

ENGL 110 - College Writing: Inquiry and Argument
PHIL 110 - Introduction to Philosophy and Critical Thinking
HIST 120 - Origins of Western Civilization
ENGL 120 - Introduction to Literature
MATH 110 - Functions and Algebraic Methods or above*
Lab Science
Fine Arts (one approved 5 credit course)
PHIL 220 - Philosophy of the Human Person
Social Science I (not psychology)
Social Science II (not psychology & different discipline from Social Science I)
Theology and Religious Studies Phase II (200-299 )
Ethics (upper division)
Theology and Religious Studies Phase III (300-399 )
Interdisciplinary
Senior Synthesis satisfied by PSYC 489

II. College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Modern Language 115, 125, 135, or equivalent (15)

NOTE:

All students with a major in the College of Arts and Sciences must demonstrate competency through the level of 135 in a language other than English. This competency is ordinarily achieved by successful completion of the three-course sequence: 115, 125, and 135. Because these courses are a college requirement, no course in the sequence may be taken on a pass/fail, correspondence, or audit basis. Placement into other than the beginning course of the sequence is achieved by acceptable performance on the Modern Language Competency Examination. See the Modern Languages Department for details on the examinations. Courses used to satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences modern language requirement may not be used to fulfill psychology major requirements.

Choose one of the following two courses:

III. Major Requirements

60 credits in psychology, including:

NOTE:

*Must be graded “C” (2.00) or better.
No more than 10 total credit hours of independent study and internship are permitted.

Departmental Honors

Psychology Major with Departmental Honors