At which campus can I study this program?
Entrance to Major
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:
- attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
- have third-semester classification.
READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, a minimum of 124 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 14-18 |
| Requirements for the Major | 65 |
0-4 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes 0-4 credits of General Education GQ courses.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol 
appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Knowledge Domains
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Integrative Studies (may also complete a Knowledge Domain requirement)
- Inter-Domain or Approved Linked Courses: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Requirements for the Major
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| PSYCH 100 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 301W | Basic Research Methods in Psychology | 4 |
| Additional Courses 1 | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| PSYCH 200 | Elementary Statistics in Psychology | 4 |
| or STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics | |
| Select 18 credits of the following, with a minimum of 3 credits from each of the following six categories: | 18 | |
Learning and Cognition | ||
| Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Psychology of Learning | ||
| Animal Minds | ||
| Language and Thought | ||
| L1 Acquisition | ||
| Learning and Memory | ||
| Advanced Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Language | ||
| Visual Cognition | ||
PSYCH 459 | ||
| Advanced Conditioning and Learning | ||
Social and Personality Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Social Psychology | ||
| Introduction to the Psychology of Gender | ||
| Cross-Cultural Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Personality Psychology | ||
| Psychology and a Sustainable World | ||
| Advanced Social Psychology | ||
| Self and Social Judgment | ||
| Social Psychology of Interpersonal/Intergroup Relationships | ||
| Applied Social Psychology | ||
| Multicultural Psychology in America | ||
| Personality Theory | ||
| The Psychology of Gender | ||
Biological Bases of Behavior | ||
| Introduction to Psychology of Perception | ||
| Neurological Bases of Human Behavior | ||
| Evolutionary Psychology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Comparative Psychology | ||
| Physiological Psychology | ||
| Behavior Genetics | ||
| Psychology of Fear and Stress | ||
| Clinical Neuropsychology | ||
Developmental Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Developmental Psychology | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Adolescence | ||
| Cognitive Development | ||
| Social and Personality Development | ||
| Topics in Developmental Psychology | ||
| Development Throughout Adulthood | ||
| Psychological Intervention in Childhood | ||
Applied and Clinical Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Well-being and Positive Psychology | ||
| Introduction to the Psychology of Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Industrial-Organizational Psychology | ||
| Psychology of the Differently-Abled | ||
| Principles of Measurement | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Treatment and Education in Developmental Disabilities | ||
| Engineering Psychology | ||
| Forensic Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Adjustment and Social Relationships | ||
| Behavior Modification | ||
| Child Psychopathology | ||
| Mental Health Practicum with Children | ||
| Introduction to Clinical Psychology | ||
| Selection and Assessment in Organizations | ||
| Work Attitudes and Motivation | ||
| Leadership in Work Settings | ||
Capstone Experience | ||
| History and Systems of Psychology | ||
| Senior Seminar in Psychology | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Research Projects | ||
| Internship | ||
| Independent Studies | ||
| Select 12 credits of additional Psychology courses from any offered for a total of 30 credits of Psychology courses beyond PSYCH 100 and PSYCH 301W | 12 | |
| Requirements for the Option | ||
| Requirements for the Option: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select an option | 24 | |
| 1 | Must select at least 15 credits at the 400-level. |
Requirements for the Option
Science Option (24 credits)
Available at the following campuses: Altoona, Beaver, Berks, Brandywine, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Scranton, York
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 15 credits of the following: | 15 | |
| Introductory Biological Anthropology | ||
| Humans as Primates | ||
| Introduction to Biobehavioral Health | ||
Any BIOL course | ||
Any CHEM course | ||
Any MICRB course | ||
Any PHYS course | ||
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Supporting Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits in natural sciences/quantification from department list | 6 | |
| Select 3 credits in social and behavioral sciences from department list | 3 | |
Business Option (24 credits)
Available at the following campuses: Altoona, Beaver, Berks, Brandywine, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Scranton, York
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 15 credits of the following: | 15 | |
Any ACCTG course | ||
| Introduction to Business | ||
| Legal Environment of Business and Social and Ethical Environment of Business | ||
or BA 243 | Social, Legal, and Ethical Environment of Business | |
Any ECON course | ||
Any FIN course | ||
Any HPA course | ||
Any IB course | ||
Any MGMT course | ||
Any MKTG course | ||
Any SCM course except SCM 200 | ||
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Supporting Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits in natural sciences/quantification from department list 1 | 6 | |
| Select 3 credits in social and behavioral sciences from department list | 3 | |
| 1 |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Altoona
Brad Pinter
Associate Professor of Psychology, Department Chair
Smith Building C128A
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5507
tbp1@psu.edu
Beaver
Kevin Bennett
Assistant Teaching Professor of Psychology
100 University Drive
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3904
klb48@psu.edu
Brandywine
Joshua Marquit
Assistant Teaching Professor Psychology
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1409
jdm53@psu.edu
Fayette
Elaine Barry
Associate Professor
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4284
esb12@psu.edu
Greater Allegheny
Advising Office
Academic Affairs
101 Frable Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
412-675-9140
GA-Academics@lists.psu.edu
Hazleton
Lisa Goguen
Associate Professor of Psychology
Memorial 103
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3023
lms42@psu.edu
Lehigh Valley
Kevin Kelley
Psychology Program Coordinator
2809 Saucon Valley Road
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-285-5062
kjk13@psu.edu
Mont Alto
Robin Yaure
Associate HDFS Professor and Program Coordinator of HDFS & Psychology
112 Weistling Hall
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6210
r2y@psu.edu
New Kensington
Rick Harnish
Professor, Psychology
Engineering 122 A
3550 Seventh Street Road
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-334-6735
rjh27@psu.edu
Schuylkill
Cory Scherer
Interim Assistant Director of Academic Affairs/Psychology Program Coordinator
A201C 200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6066
crs15@psu.edu
Scranton
Renae McNair
Assistant Teaching Professor
Dawson 203
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-963-2715
trw115@psu.edu
York
Mark A. Casteel
Professor of Psychology
210 Grumbacher Building (GISTC)
1031 Edgecomb Ave.
York, PA 17403
717-771-4028
mac13@psu.edu
Career Paths
Graduates of our program enter the workforce or pursue additional education in a variety of programs, including both Master’s and PhD programs in experimental, counseling, school, and clinical psychology.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
Professional Resources
Contact
Altoona
DIVISION OF EDUCATION, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Elm Building 103
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
818-949-5756
alg177@psu.edu
http://altoona.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/psychology/request-information
Beaver
100 University Drive
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3904
klb48@psu.edu
http://beaver.psu.edu/psychology
Brandywine
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1409
jdm53@psu.edu
http://brandywine.psu.edu/psychology
Fayette
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4284
esb12@psu.edu
http://fayette.psu.edu/psychology
Greater Allegheny
101 Frable Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
412-675-9140
GA-Academics@lists.psu.edu
http://greaterallegheny.psu.edu/psychology-ba-or-bs
Hazleton
Memorial 103
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3023
lms42@psu.edu
http://hazleton.psu.edu/psychology-degrees
Lehigh Valley
2809 Saucon Valley Road
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-285-5062
kjk13@psu.edu
https://lehighvalley.psu.edu/academics/degrees/psychology
Mont Alto
112 Wiestling Hall
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6210
r2y@psu.edu
https://montalto.psu.edu/academics/bachelors/psychology-degree
New Kensington
3550 Seventh Street Rd.
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-334-6735
rjh27@psu.edu
https://newkensington.psu.edu/ba-degree-information
Schuylkill
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
A201C 200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6066
crs15@psu.edu
http://www.schuylkill.psu.edu/psychology
Scranton
113 Dawson Building
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-963-2715
trw115@psu.edu
http://worthingtonscranton.psu.edu/psychology
York
210 Grumbacher Building (GISTC)
1031 Edgecomb Ave.
York, PA 17403
717-771-4028
mac13@psu.edu