Program of Study
The Psychology major is intended to provide a solid foundation for a good general education. A psychology major is not designed to provide specialized professional training, but promote a general education. The psychology major aims to provide a broad understanding of principles underlying human functioning, to promote an appreciation for a scientific understanding of human experience and behavior, and to foster effective reasoning skills. The psychology student may find many careers relevant to the knowledge and investigative skills they obtain at SVSU. The student interested in areas as Criminal Justice, Nursing, Social Work, Biology, Computer Science, Business, and Education will find a basic knowledge of psychology of special use to them. The psychology major acquires specific skills in research and statistical analyses, and may study such areas as learning, personality assessment, motivation, social influence, neuropsychology, and abnormal behavior all of which are valuable in pursuing many careers including, of course, becoming a psychologist.
Requirements for the Psychology Major and Minor
A psychology minor requires 18 credits in psychology (20 credits for Education students). Psych 210 (Applications of Human Development) and Psych 255 (Personal and Social Adjustment) count toward the minor, but not the major. In addition to Psych 100 (General Psychology), one class from Core A and one class from Core B are required for the minor with electives totaling at least 18 credits.
A psychology major requires 38 credits and completion of the core requirements below. For further advice regarding the major and your academic career at SVSU, see a psychology faculty member and obtain a copy of the Psychology Student's Manual.
When to take courses
- Psych 100-General Psychology First year
- Psych 299-Statistics Math requirement. Take as soon as possible. No later than end of sophomore year. Must be taken with Psych 302.
- Psych 302-Computer Data Analysis Take with Psych 300.
- Psych 305-Experimental Psychology Preferably second semester of sophomore year or first of junior year. Psych 300, 302 are required!
- Psych 488-History and Systems Senior status and completion of most of core program is required.
- In addition to the above foundation courses, the psychology major must take at least two courses from Core A (Natural Science) and two courses from Core B (Social Science) areas, AND complete two Lab courses.
Psychology majors at SVSU must complete an assessment test when they first declare their desire to major in psychology, and develop a portfolio of their academic work in the psychology program to be handed in when they complete the History and Systems class. In addition, psychology students take an assessment test of their knowledge of psychology in their senior year. Consult with the psychology faculty regarding the portfolio and assessment tests.
CORE A - Psychology Majors, complete any two of the following:
- Psych 320 Learning Theories
- Psych 330 Motivation
- Psych 335 Comparative Psychology
- Psych 340 Physiological Psychology
or
- Psych 346 Neuropsychology
(Both cannot be taken to fulfill the core requirement) - Psych 345 Sensation and Perception
- Psych 425 Cognitive Psychology
CORE B - Psychology Majors, complete any two of the following
- Psych 350 Social Psychology
- Psych 370 Personality Theories
or
- Psych 430 Psychoanalytic Theory
(Both cannot be taken to fulfill the core requirement) - Psych 372 Abnormal Psychology
- Psych 373 Interviewing
- Psych 375 Psychological Testing
- Psych 410 Developmental-Gerontological Psychology
- Psych 453 Industrial-Organizational Psychology
LAB COURSES - Psychology Majors, complete two labs.
- Psych 320L Lab in Learning
- Psych 330L Lab in Motivation
- Psych 335L Lab in Comparative Psychology
- Psych 340L Lab in Physiological Psychology
- Psych 345L Lab in Sensation and Perception
- Psych 350L Lab in Social Psychology
- Psych 370L Lab in Personality
- Psych 373L Lab in Interviewing
- Psych 425L Lab in Cognitive Processes
Note: All labs require Psych 299, Psych 302 and Psych 305, and past or concurrent enrollment in related classes. (Consult with faculty and college catalog regarding specific prerequisites and typical lab activities).