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, both founded on a solid philosophical reflection on values of the human person. The curriculum is designed for students who plan to work as professional psychologists and thus need a sound preparation for graduate study; for students who plan a career in any field dealing primarily with people, such as nursing, teaching, social work, guidance, and human resources; or for those who desire a well-rounded education and thus need a basic knowledge and understanding of human experience and behavior.

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.

Psychology majors may choose any minor. Premedical students may take a bachelor of science in psychology. Psychology majors may not register for P/F in the courses listed under departmental requirements. They must obtain a minimum grade of C in the required courses, MATH 110 , PSYC 120 , PSYC 205 , PSYC 303 , PSYC 305 , PSYC 370 , and PSYC 489 in the bachelor of arts and bachelor of arts with honors programs. In the bachelor of science and bachelor of science with honors programs, those courses plus PSYC 240 or PSYC 316 , PSYC 403 , and PSYC 404 or PSYC 440 must be graded C or higher. Psychology majors must complete at least 30 credits in the major at Seattle University.

A psychology major cannot count more than 10 credits in independent study and internship toward the credits required for the major.

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 totals 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 5
PHIL 110 - Introduction to Philosophy and Critical Thinking 5
HIST 120 - Origins of Western Civilization 5
ENGL 120 - Introduction to Literature 5
MATH 110 - Functions and Algebraic Methods 5 * or above
Lab Science 5
Fine Arts (one approved 5-credit course) 5
PHIL 220 - Philosophy of the Human Person 5
Social Science I (not psychology) 5
Social Science II (not psychology and different discipline from Social Science I) 5
Theology and Religious Studies Phase II (200-299 ) 5
Ethics (upper division) 5
Theology and Religious Studies Phase III (300-399 ) 5
Interdisciplinary 3 to 5
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:

PSYC 120 - Introductory Psychology 5 *
PSYC 205 - Writing for Research in Psychology 5 *
PSYC 303 - Statistics and Research Methods I 5 *
PSYC 305 - Statistics and Research Methods II 5 *
PSYC 370 - History and Schools of Psychology 5 *
PSYC 489 - Senior Seminar 5 *
PSYC Electives (30)
Notes: 1. *Must be graded “C” (2.00) or better. 2. No more than 10 credits of independent study and internship are permitted.

Departmental Honors

Psychology Major with Departmental Honors