Psychology (BA/BS)

Sara D. Hodges, Department Head
541-346-4921
Straub Hall
1227 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-1227

From cognitive and developmental psychology to practices in clinical psychology and psychopathology, the UO’s Department of Psychology immerses you in the study of the human mind and behavior. All students collaborate on research as part of their academic sequence and many gain additional research experience in department labs. You will learn strong critical thinking skills and how to evaluate and convey evidence. Develop your skills in real-world settings with student-run peer programs, internships at local clinics, shelters, hospitals, and justice centers.

We are a community of scientists including faculty and postdoctoral scholars engaged in cutting-edge research. The psychology major will expose you to basic concepts, theories, findings, and ethical issues in multiple areas: social, personality and psychopathology, developmental, cognitive and experimental, and biological and physiological psychology.

Upon completing their training, UO psychology majors should have a broad knowledge of psychology, including basic statistical techniques and ethical issues, and be skilled at reading, evaluating, and communicating about the primary scientific literature in psychology.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Identify major theories, research findings, and methodological approaches in a variety of key content areas including, for example, cognition, neuroscience, development, social behavior, personality, and psychopathology and mental health; and apply research findings to human behavior in everyday life.
• Find relevant articles in the primary psychological literature on a given topic, identify key research questions and hypotheses in scientific articles, and critically evaluate the research design and the quality of evidence presented.
• Choose appropriate basic statistical analysis techniques for a specific research question and set of data, complete basic data analyses, and summarize the results in an APA-style report.
• Communicate clearly and effectively about psychological topics, including methodological and ethical issues in psychology, based on an understanding of both the strengths and limitations of empirical evidence.

 To satisfy major requirements students take a total of 68 credits. Of those credits, 56 credits in psychology courses are required, 48 of which must be upper-division, and 16 of which must be taken in residence at the University of Oregon. Introduction to Psychology I (PSY 201Z) and Introduction to Psychology II (PSY 202Z) must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of mid-C or better, although AP and IB coursework with appropriate grades is acceptable with a grade of P*, and elective upper-division psychology courses may be taken pass/no pass. A minimum grade point average of 2.00 in psychology coursework is required.

Psychology Major Requirements

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or OXEU 388: Social Psychology

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or OXEU 388: PSY: Human Development

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or OXEU 388: PSY: Psychopathology

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Students must take 12 upper-division psychology elective credits, 8 of which must be actual content courses. A maximum of 4 credits in Research: [Topic] (PSY 401) or Practicum: [Topic] (PSY 406) may be applied to the upper-division credits. Practicum credits must be earned at a practicum site approved by the head undergraduate faculty advisor.

Honors Curriculum

Students with excellent records who plan to pursue a career in psychology may consider applying to the departmental honors program. The honors program centers on an independent research project, which the student develops and carries out under the supervision of a departmental committee. Information about admission criteria and how to apply is available online.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult psychology advisors to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Bachelor of Science in Psychology