Psychology, BA

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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. Up to 10 credits of courses graded CR may apply towards the major. All majors must obtain a minimum grade of C in all required courses: PSYC 1200 , PSYC 2050 , PSYC 3030 , PSYC 3050 , PSYC 3700 , and PSYC 4890 . In the bachelor of science and bachelor of science with honors programs, PSYC 2400 , PSYC 4030 , and the two required electives (selected from PSYC 3040 , PSYC 3440 and PSYC 4160 ) also must be graded C or higher. All psychology majors must complete at least 30 credits in the major at Seattle University. PSYC 2050 , PSYC 3030 , PSYC 3050 , and PSYC 4890 must all be completed at Seattle University.

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

Psychology majors may choose any minor but are not required to do so.

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

Module I: Engaging Academic Inquiry

UCOR 1100 - Academic Writing Seminar
UCOR 1200 - Quantitative Reasoning (or MATH 1010 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 (or BIOL 1610/1611, 2200, CHEM 1500/1501, PHYS 1050, 1210)

Module II: Engaging Jesuit Traditions

Module III: Engaging the World

II. College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

Modern Languages 1150, 1250, 1350, or equivalent (15)

NOTE:

All students with a major in the College of Arts and Sciences must demonstrate competency through the level of 1350 in a language other than English. This competency is ordinarily achieved by successful completion of the three-course sequence: 1150, 1250, and 1350. 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 and Cultures 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 major requirements.

Choose one of the following three courses:

III. Major Requirements

60 credits in psychology, including:

NOTE:

Statistical Thinking recommended to satisfy UCOR 1200
*Must be graded “C” (2.00) or better
No more than 10 total credit hours of independent study and/or practicum are permitted

Departmental Honors

Psychology Major with Departmental Honors