- About the Department
   - Undergraduate Studies
       Majors
        General Psychology
        BioPsychology
        Psych/Criminal Justice

The document presented below that can be read or downloaded contains the general requirements for the Psychology major. It also contains policies for transfer credits, courses taken outside of the department, the honorary society Psi Chi, departmental honors and departmental awards.

Download the General Psychology Major Guide [doc]

Undergraduate Advising is available in room 4130J Edwards Building One, 556-5579

ADVISING FOR THE PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

Undergraduate Advising is available in room 4130J Edwards Center I; (513)556-5579 or from Psychology Faculty.

TRANSFER CREDITS
Coursework in psychology above an introductory level taken prior to entering Arts & Sciences and passed with a minimum grade of C is permitted to be applied as an elective toward the major. All courses taken outside of the Psychology department must be approved by a Faculty advisor to count toward major credit.

For a course transferred from outside of the department to satisfy an individual group requirement as listed on page 1, the course must be shown to be substantially the same as the one taught in the department. See the undergraduate advisor for information on the procedure for obtaining approval.

Regardless of the number of psychology credits completed elsewhere, transfer students are required to complete a minimum of 18 hours of course work within the Psychology Department.

COURSEWORK THAT CAN BE TAKEN FROM OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT
After being admitted into the College of Arts & Sciences, you are limited to 9 hours of course work which can be taken outside the Psychology Department and applied toward the 54 required for the major.  All such work must be approved by a Psychology Faculty Advisor (petitions are available in the department office and room 4130J Edwards Building One).  The 9-hour rule applies whether courses are taken from another A&S Department or outside the college. 

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
Students meeting the following requirements may graduate with departmental honors: 1) a minimum of 3.33 GPA in Psychology courses, 2) completion of the Seminar for Honors Students in Psychology (PSYC 475) and 3) a senior thesis.  Please direct any questions regarding departmental honors to Dr. Kevin Shockley, Coordinator of the Psychology Honors Program, 409E Dyer, 556-3124. Learn more...

PSI CHI
Psi Chi is the National Psychology Honor Society.  Qualified majors are invited to participate automatically.  For additional information, contact Dr. Purcell Taylor, Psi Chi Advisor, Room 229C Dyer, phone number 556-1681 Learn more...

VARIATIONS FROM THE GENERAL MAJOR
Biopsychology and Psychology/Criminal Justice tracks are variations of the general major.  These options are interdisciplinary in content, combining psychology and other fields of study both from within and outside the College of Arts & Sciences.  Depending upon one's career goals, these tracks may provide better preparation for the competitive job market and/or for graduate school admission.  Handouts describing each track are available in 4130J Edwards Building One.

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS
Four departmental awards are offered each year: the Allen Award for Outstanding Senior Woman; the Hubert Award for Outstanding Senior Man; the Smith Award for Scholarly Work that improves the quality of life for African-Americans; and the Bills Research Award.  While only faculty within the department may nominate a student for the Bills Award, nominations for the other three awards may be submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Studies by anyone.  Self-nominations are welcome.  Deadline for nominations is the end of the first week in May.