Degree Requirements
Program Overview and General Department Information
Students must be advised and have a program plan on file with the department. There are two psychology advisors. The advisors may be used as a resource for information about the department, University and career opportunities, as well as course scheduling and program changes. The psychology advisors are located in Founders Hall, room 1110.
All students interested in psychology should take PSYC 111 as a first course in psychology. Majors should complete the core sequence of PSYC 111, 200, 220 and 221 within the first four semesters after acceptance as majors. PSYC 220 must be successfully completed before students can enroll in 221. Majors and minors who desire to transfer credit from other colleges or universities must have their transcripts evaluated as soon as possible by a psychology advisor so that any credits accepted may be noted in their files.
Aspects of the psychology curriculum which may be of interest are: (1) the Robert J. McLaughlin Psychology Honors Academy, which allows student members to work closely with a faculty member to develop and complete an honor’s thesis (2) independent research and field study courses, in which students may work in a laboratory under the supervision of a faculty member or in a field setting (e.g., a local organization) and (3) clubs and groups such as the SIUE chapter of the Psi Chi Honor Society and the Psychology Club.
General Education Requirements for the Major
- First Semester Transition (1 hour)
- Foundations Courses (15 hours)
- Breadth Courses (18 hours)
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Experience Courses
- Eight courses in fine & performing arts and humanities including two semesters of the same foreign language (BA only)
- Minor Courses (18-21 hours)
- Electives
Degree Requirements for BA and BS Major
- PSYC 111, 200, 206, 208, 220, 221, and 494
- PSYC 201, 203, 204, or 205
Four electives at the 300 and 400 level (six hours at the 400 level)
No more than nine hours of 491, 493 and 496 collectively (and no more than six hours in any one of these courses) may be applied toward psychology major requirements. No more than three hours of these courses can count toward psychology minor requirements (additional hours of these courses can count toward total credit hours needed for graduation).
PSYC 111, 200, 220 and 221 should be completed within four semesters after declaration as a major.
The senior capstone is required of all senior psychology majors. For details, contact your psychology advisor.
The Bachelor of Science program requires completion of eight courses in life, physical and social science including two labs rather than eight courses in fine and performing arts or humanities including one year of foreign language. Admission, retention and transfer policies remain the same for both degrees. All students should plan their programs in consultation with their advisors.
Retention
Majors earning below a 2.0 cumulative GPA at SIUE for two consecutive semesters will be dropped from the psychology program. A grade of C or better is required for a psychology course to count toward the major. In addition, a student will be dropped from the psychology program after two unsuccessful attempts of PSYC 200, 220, 221 or 494. Unsuccessful attempts are defined as receiving the grades of W, WF, WP, WR, UW, U, D or F in a class.
