Psychology
Major Details
The bachelor of arts in psychology is designed to introduce students to the rather wide range of current research and theory. The program is designed as a progression from breadth to depth so that students gain an understanding of the wide range of interest and application of psychology and then can choose particular areas for further study. Majoring in psychology demands that students acquire the ability to research a subject by gathering evidence and analyzing data using statistical methods. Students might employ these skills to research and analyze various subjects in a number of professional and academic settings. The bachelor of arts curriculum also requires students to learn and practice the skills of working with others individually and in groups.
During their first year in the program, students complete the Introduction to Psychology course in order to acquire a general understanding of the discipline. This course provides a historical overview of the study of psychology and its experimental methods, as well as a general understanding of clinical and social psychology.
All psychology majors must complete two courses in statistics and research methods, typically taken during the second year. Specifically, students must complete Introduction to Methods and Statistics (2001C and 2002C, 4 credit hours each). These courses give students the ability to perform research. After obtaining the ability to gather evidence and analyze results, students move into advanced psychology courses and apply their skills in various topics.
All psychology majors must take classes that expand areas studied in Introduction to Psychology, areas of experimental, social, personality and developmental psychology. These are areas of psychology that define the core of the discipline.
The bachelor of arts degree is distinguished from the bachelor of science degree in psychology by requiring courses in interpersonal and group skills and focusing more on the application of psychology to various settings in the community and industry.
During the third and fourth years in the program, students take upper-level courses in various topics of psychology. As students' interests develop, they choose advanced courses on various topics. Students intending to enter a graduate program in psychology will work closely with members of the faculty to conduct guided research in their area of interest. Students planning to pursue careers in other areas should complete coursework in topics related to their intended focus and further develop their analytical research skills. The psychology major has access to the 4+1 program in human resources which allows for the acquisition of the master's in human resources to be obtained with one year of courses work beyond the bachelor’s degree.
For questions regarding the major requirements and options, please contact the general Psychology advising email, psycadvisor@uc.edu, or the general College of Arts & Sciences advising line, 513-556-5860.
The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) offers flexible degree requirements that allow for and highly encourage multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.
- Human resources
- Criminal justice
- Management
- Marketing
- Sociology
- Africana studies
- Asian studies
- Biology
- Communication
- History
- Neuroscience
- Organizational leadership
- Political science
Curriculum
This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.
If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school, use Transferology to see how credits you have earned will transfer to UC. See all courses offered at University of Cincinnati.
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