The study of psychology provides students with a framework for understanding human behavior in its many facets. Grounded firmly within the liberal arts tradition, the USI psychology curriculum encourages the development of the capacity to think clearly, analyze problems, and communicate effectively. The departmental major emphasizes the application of quantitative methods to the study of behavior, as well as the application of psychological principles to solving human problems. Psychology majors frequently develop careers in counseling, rehabilitation, and other helping professions, as well as in personnel, business, sales, research, and teaching. Students pursue either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. The latter requires 12 hours of foreign language study.

Internships and research experiences are available in some areas.

All USI degrees require a minimum of 124 hours of coursework.  In addition to the departmental degree requirements, a minimum of 50 hours in the University Core Curriculum must be met.

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Psychology Major

This checksheet link is only for students who declare
a Psychology major during Fall 2005 or later.

As of Fall 2004, a 2.00 GPA or better is required in the coursework for the major.

41 semester hours

Required courses ~  26 hours

• PSY 201-Introduction to Psychology, 3 hrs.
• PSY 202-Orientation to a Major in Psychology, 1 hr.
• PSY 303-Research Methods and Statistics I, 3 hrs.
• PSY 353-Research Methods and Statistics II, 4 hrs.
• PSY 497-Capstone in Psychology: History and Systems, 3 hrs.

Select two from the following courses:

• PSY 261-Lifespan Developmental Psychology, 3 hrs.
• PSY 273-Social Psychology, 3 hrs.
• PSY 322-Abnormal Psychology, 3 hrs.
• PSY 462-Personality, 3 hrs.

Select two from the following courses:

• PSY 312-Sensation and Perception, 3 hrs.
• PSY 357-Learning Theory, 3 hrs.
• PSY 385-Physiological Psychology, 3 hrs.
• PSY 425-Cognitive Psychology, 3 hrs.

Elective courses ~ 15 hours

• Fifteen hours selected from entire list of offerings in psychology, excluding 498 and 499.

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Psychology Minor

18 semester hours

Required course ~ 3 hours

• PSY 201-Introduction to Psychology, 3 hrs.

Elective courses ~ 15 hours

• Fifteen hours of psychology courses, at least six hours at the 300 or 400 level, excluding PSY 498 and PSY 499.

As of Fall 2004, a 2.00 GPA or better is required in the coursework for the minor.

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Cognitive Science Minor

Check out the requirements >>

18 semester hours

Cognitive Science is the interdisciplinary science of the human mind and cognition which includes study of neuroscience, perception, learning, robotics/artificial intelligence, linguistics, and neural networks. 

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Psychology (Teacher Education)

Students who intend to teach history, government, economics, psychology or sociology at the secondary school (high school) level must declare a Social Science Secondary Education Major.

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Social Science Associate

The Social Science Associate degree program in social sciences is designed for students who anticipate the need for only two years of college education. Basically it reflects the training received in the first two years of a regular four-year program, and a student may, if he or she desires, continue on to a baccalaureate degree. At the same time a student with an associate degree will have the satisfaction of having recognition for his or her efforts, and will be able to produce a tangible certification for prospective employers.  This degree does not qualify the student to teach high school. Certification for high school teachers requires completion of the Social Science Secondary Education degree.