Planning Your Psychology Major


The psychology major exposes students to the breadth of psychology while giving them a choice in how to satisfy particular requirements, especially at the upper-level. Psychology majors are encouraged to use this freedom to participate in special opportunities within the major, such as directed research, or an internship; and to participate in a cross-disciplinary study program and take courses in related areas, such as educational studies, sociology, or biology. Many students come to St. Mary's interested in psychology, while others come to the major later from another discipline or as transfer students. Regardless of when you begin your study, you should proceed through the major in the same sequence. After introduction to psychology, take a 200-level content course and the two-course sequence in statistics and writing & research methods. Having completed these core courses, you are free to take your upper-level requirements in an order that fits your interests and schedule, although we strongly recommend that you take your two lab courses in your junior year, prior to executing your St. Mary's Project.

Entering Major as a First-Year Student

Entering Major as a Second-Semester Sophomore
Entering Major as a Junior

Suggested Sequence When Entering the Major as a First Year Student

Fall

Spring

Special Opportunities

First Year

Introduction
(PSYC 101)

other GEC requirements

200-level content course

other GEC requirements

Sophomore

Statistics (PSYC 201)

other GEC requirements

elective outside major

Writing / Res. Methods (PSYC 203)

one 300/400-level course

finish GEC requirements

directed research

field experience

Junior

one lab course

one 300/400-level course

elective outside major

cross-disciplinary study

one lab course

one 300/400-level course

elective outside major

cross-disciplinary study

internship (8-16 cr)/directed research/field experience

peer tutor (intro, stats)

Senior

SMP

elective outside major

cross-disciplinary study

SMP

elective outside major

cross-disciplinary study

internship as part of SMP

peer lab assistant

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Suggested Sequence When Entering Major as a Second Semester Sophomore
(having taken Introduction to Psychology)

Fall

Spring

Special Opportunities

Sophomore

Statistics (PSYC 201)

200-level content course

GEC requirements

field experience

Junior

Writing/ Res. Methods (PSYC203)

one lab course

one 300/400-level course


elective outside major

one lab course

one 300/400-level course

elective outside major

cross-disciplinary study

directed research/field experience

peer tutor (intro, stats)

Senior

SMP

one 300/400-level course

elective work outside major

SMP

elective work outside major

cross-disciplinary study

internship as part of SMP

peer lab assistant

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Suggested Sequence When Entering Major as a Junior
(having taken Introduction to Psychology)

Fall

Spring

Special Opportunities

Junior

Statistics
(PSYC 201)

200-level content course

one 300/400-level course


elective outside major

Writing/Methods (PSYC203)

one lab course

one 300/400-level course

elective outside major

directed research

field experience

Senior

SMP

one lab course

elective work outside major

SMP

one 300/400-level course

elective work outside major

field experience


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