Psychology, B.A.

Return to: 3500 Department of Psychology

Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. It investigates how and why organisms engage in the behaviors and thought-processes they do. The topics of investigation range from the life sciences to the social sciences, and applications occur in clinical, research, industrial, community, and other social contexts.

A career in psychology usually requires a graduate degree. An undergraduate major in psychology can serve as a prerequisite for graduate study in psychology or as background for other careers, e.g., business, law, medical or allied health sciences, and teaching. A major in psychology also can serve the general interest of liberal arts education. The department maintains reference materials, including audio/visual material and an Internet website to assist in career advisement.

Major Eligibility Requirements

Effective fall semester 2014, to be eligible for the Psychology major and to enroll in 3000 and 4000 level Psyc courses, students must fulfill the following requirements:

Complete all courses with the Psyc prefix designated in Psychology’s Field of Study Area and
Earn a 2.3 grade-point average in all Psyc courses counting toward the Field of Study Area requirements (with a minimum grade of “C” in PSYC 1101 ). This GPA will be calculated based on the first attempt at Georgia State University at PSYC 1101 and the first two Psyc Field of Study Area courses taken. WFs counts as an attempt. Ws do not count as attempts. Transfer students who transfer these course(s) into Georgia State, may use the grades in the transferred course(s) to calculate the GPA or they may attempt them once at Georgia State.
Courses retaken using the university Repeat to Replace policy are not counted as first attempts.
If a student has a grade of K in PSYC 1101 , the course is equated to a grade of ‘B’ for major eligibility GPA calculations.

Once students are eligible to take 3000- and 4000-level Psychology courses, they remain eligible to take them as long as they are eligible to enroll at Georgia State University and satisfy other psychology program requirements.

Students in majors other than Psychology, including those minoring in Psychology, may enroll in 3000-and 4000-level courses as long as they meet any pre-requisites for the specific course.

Degree Requirements (120 Hours)

In addition to the Major Eligibility Requirements for Psychology, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see College of Arts and Sciences ) and the University Degree Requirements (see University Degree Requirements and Graduation ).

Core IMPACTS Areas

Core Curriculum recommendations for this program.

Technology, Mathematics & Sciences

Recommended course

PSYC 1100 - Introduction to Biological Psychology 3 Credit Hours

Field of Study Area (18 Hours)

Psychology majors must have a 2.3 grade-point average in the first attempt at PSYC 1101 and the next two Psychology Field of Study Area courses attempted (with a minimum grade of C in PSYC 1101 ) to be eligible to take 3000- and 4000-level Psyc courses. Only the first attempt at these three courses is considered in computing the Field of Study Area GPA (see Major Eligibility Requirements).

Required Courses (12 Hours)

PSYC 1101 - Introduction to General Psychology 3 Credit Hours *
PSYC 2030 - Careers in Psychology 3 Credit Hours
World language at the 1002 level or higher 3 Hours

Select one course from the following (3 Hours)

PSYC 2050 - Introduction to Drugs and Behavior 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 2060 - Introduction to Positive Psychology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 2070 - Introduction to Human Sexuality 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 2080 - Sex, Evolution, and Human Behavior 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 2101 - Introduction to the Psychology of Adjustment 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 2103 - Introduction to Human Development 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 2618 - Introduction to Psychology of Women 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 2621 - Introduction to Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit Hours

Field Electives

Select additional elective courses to complete 18 hours in the Field of Study Area.

Major Area (32 Hours)

The Department of Psychology offers a general program in psychology plus concentration in specific areas of psychology. The general program offers the most choice in courses for a degree in psychology. Concentrations have more restrictive curricula than the general program and are intended to prepare students for a specific career path. Most students will be in the general program. Students planning graduate school or other advanced training in an area related to one of the concentrations should consider applying for admission to that concentration.

Program Academic Regulations

Before taking upper-division courses, students must have completed 60 hours or have the permission of the instructor.

All majors must complete the courses in the Major Area, as specified below. Concentrations have specific requirements (for more details see the concentration requirements that are listed after the area requirements). Majors who meet the requirements in the Major Area and do not choose to pursue a concentration will graduate in the general program.

Concentration Areas

Psychology majors wishing to graduate in a concentration must meet the requirements for graduation listed below. They also must meet all general program requirements listed above. Students must complete all lower-division requirements prior to beginning a concentration. Students completing a concentration will receive a certificate and will have an appropriate annotation placed on their transcript.

Additional Courses Area

Students majoring in psychology are not required to take a minor. Complete additional courses as electives to reach 120 hours in the program.

B.A. Degree

B.A. program students must take six additional hours from courses in the Social Sciences Area. Three hours could be taken as an elective in the Field of Study Area, but the remainder must be taken in the Additional Courses Area.

Online Program

The Department of Psychology offers an online completion program for students who hold an Associate’s Degree in Psychology. Visit https://online.gsu.edu/ for additional information.

Additional Opportunities

Honors College and Psi Chi

The department participates in the Honors College and sponsors a chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology. Qualified students are encouraged to participate in these programs. The diplomas of students who complete the University Honors College indicate that they graduate with honors in psychology.

Graduation with Distinction in Psychology

Departmental distinction is separate from the Honors College. Faculty members may nominate majors who have an overall average of at least 3.5 and who have demonstrated outstanding research, leadership, or service to the department for graduation with distinction. More information about graduation with distinction is available in the department.

Students should consult the department’s website to learn about extracurricular activities than can enhance the psychology major experience.