Psychology, BS

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: 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 , PSYC 403 , 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.

Requirements

In order to earn the bachelor of science 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

Module I: Engaging Academic Inquiry

UCOR 1100 - Academic Writing Seminar
UCOR 1200 - Quantitative Reasoning (or MATH 118 or above)
UCOR 1300 - Creative Expression and Interpretation
UCOR 1400 - Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
UCOR 1600 - Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
UCOR 1800 - Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences (satisfied in major)

Module II: Exploring the Self and Others

Module III: Engaging the World

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 many not be used to fulfill psychology major requirements.

Choose one of the following two courses:

III. Major Requirements

70 credits in psychology, including:

Choose one of the following two courses: *

IV. Other Major Department Requirements

In physical science:

NOTE:

* Must be graded C (2.00), or better.
** BIOL 161/171 requires placement into MATH 120 or higher.
Department recommends Statistical Thinking for UCOR 1200.
No more than 10 total credits of independent study and/or internship are permitted.

Departmental Honors

Psychology Major with Departmental Honors