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
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Introductory Prerequisite Courses | ||
WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 |
WR 122Z | Composition II (WR 123 recommended) | 4 |
or WR 123 | College Composition III | |
PSY 201Z | Introduction to Psychology I | 4 |
PSY 202Z | Introduction to Psychology II | 4 |
STAT 243Z | Elementary Statistics I | 4 |
Methods Foundations Courses | ||
PSY 301 | Scientific Thinking in Psychology | 4 |
PSY 302 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | 4 |
PSY 303 | Research Methods in Psychology: [Topic] | 4 |
300-Level Core Courses | 12 | |
Select three of the following, one of which must be PSY 304 or PSY 305: | ||
Biopsychology | ||
Cognition | ||
Social Psychology | ||
Personality | ||
Developmental Psychology | ||
Psychopathology 1 | ||
400-Level Specialty Courses | 12 | |
Select three of the following: | ||
Psychology and Law | ||
Forensic Psychology | ||
Learning and Memory | ||
Human Performance | ||
Perception | ||
Psychology and Evolution | ||
Brain Mechanisms of Behavior | ||
Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
Hormones and Behavior | ||
Group Dynamics | ||
Decision-Making | ||
Cultural Psychology | ||
Stereotyping and Prejudice | ||
Motivation and Emotion | ||
Psychology of Trauma | ||
Intimate Relationships | ||
Cognitive Development | ||
Social Development | ||
Infancy | ||
Development and Psychopathology | ||
Upper-Division Elective Courses 2 | 12 | |
Total Credits | 68 |
- 1
or OXEU 388: PSY: Psychopathology
- 2
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
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
First-Year Interest Group or elective course | 4 | ||
First-Year Interest Group or arts and letters area-satisfying curse | 4 | ||
PSY 202Z | Introduction to Psychology II | 4 | |
First term of first-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
Begin taking your second language in your first or second year | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Winter | |||
PSY 201Z | Introduction to Psychology I | 4 | |
WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 | |
Arts and letters area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Second term of first-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
Meet with a psychology advisor to discuss your academic goals | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Spring | |||
Social science area-satisfying course (or PSY 202Z/201Z) | 4 | ||
WR 123 | College Composition III | 4 | |
Science area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Third term of first-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
Complete both PSY 201Z and PSY 202Z in your first or second year | |||
Plan your summer experience with a psychology advisor | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Total Credits | 48 |
Second Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
PSY 305 or choose from PSY 304-309 | 4 | ||
Social science area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Arts and letters area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
First term of second-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
Consider studying abroad | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Winter | |||
Choose from PSY 304-309 | 4 | ||
Social science area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Second term of second-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
Choose 300-level core courses in your area of interest | 4 | ||
Consider doing an internship for the major | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Spring | |||
PSY 301 | Scientific Thinking in Psychology | 4 | |
STAT 243Z | Elementary Statistics I | 4 | |
Social science area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Third term of second-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
Take PSY 301 and STAT 243Z in your second year | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Total Credits | 48 |
Third Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
PSY 302 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | 4 | |
Choose from PSY 306-309 | 4 | ||
PSY 401 or PSY 406 |
Research: [Topic] or Practicum: [Topic] |
1-4 | |
Elective course or remaining area of inquiry course | 4 | ||
Consider psychology honors | |||
Credits | 13-16 | ||
Winter | |||
PSY 303 | Research Methods in Psychology: [Topic] | 4 | |
Elective course or remaining area of inquiry course | 4 | ||
Choose from PSY 304-309 | 4 | ||
PSY 401 or PSY 406 |
Research: [Topic] or Practicum: [Topic] |
1-4 | |
Consider study abroad | |||
Credits | 13-16 | ||
Spring | |||
PSY 400-level specialty course | 4 | ||
PSY 300-400 level elective | 4 | ||
Elective courses or remaining area of inquiry course | 4-8 | ||
Apply for psychology honors | |||
Credits | 12-16 | ||
Total Credits | 38-48 |
Fourth Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
PSY 400-level specialty course | 4 | ||
PSY 300-400 level elective | 4 | ||
Elective courses or remaining requirements | 8 | ||
Meet with an advisor early to make a graduation plan | |||
Apply to graduate schools or look for work after graduation | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Winter | |||
PSY 400-level specialty course | 4 | ||
PSY 300-400 level elective | 4 | ||
Elective courses | 8 | ||
Credits | 16 | ||
Spring | |||
Remaining PSY requirements | 4-8 | ||
Remaining requirements for Core Ed/Cultural literacy | 4-8 | ||
Elective courses or remaning degree requirements | 4-8 | ||
Apply to graduate on DuckWeb the term you complete all requirements | |||
If you are considering graduate school, consider taking additional psychology courses/seminars | |||
Credits | 12-24 | ||
Total Credits | 44-56 |
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
First-Year Interest Group or elective course | 4 | ||
First-Year Interest Group or arts and letters area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
PSY 202Z | Introduction to Psychology II | 4 | |
Elective course | 4 | ||
Credits | 16 | ||
Winter | |||
PSY 201Z | Introduction to Psychology I | 4 | |
WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 | |
Arts and letters area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Elective course | 4 | ||
Meet with a psychology advisor to discuss your academic goals. | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Spring | |||
Social science area-satisfying course (or PSY 202Z/PSY 201Z) | 4 | ||
WR 123 | College Composition III | 4 | |
Science group-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Elective course | 4 | ||
Complete both PSY 201Z and PSY 202Z in your first or second year | |||
Plan your summer experience | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Total Credits | 48 |
Second Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
PSY 305 or choose from PSY 304-309 | 4 | ||
Mathematics course | 4 | ||
Arts and letters area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Elective course | 4 | ||
Consider studying abroad | |||
If you are considering graduate school, take 300-level CORE courses in your intended field of study | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Winter | |||
Choose from PSY 306-309 | 4 | ||
Arts and letters area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Social science area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Mathematics course | 4 | ||
Choose 300-level core course in your area of interest | |||
Consider doing an internship for the major | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Spring | |||
PSY 301 | Scientific Thinking in Psychology | 4 | |
STAT 243Z | Elementary Statistics I | 4 | |
Science area-satisfying course | 4 | ||
Elective course | 4 | ||
Take PSY 301 and STAT 243Z in your second year | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Total Credits | 48 |
Third Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
Choose from PSY 306-309 | 4 | ||
PSY 302 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | 4 | |
PSY 401 or PSY 409 |
Research: [Topic] or Terminal Project |
1-4 | |
Elective course or remaining area of inquiry | 4 | ||
Begin working in a research lab or doing an internship | |||
Consider PSY honors | |||
Credits | 13-16 | ||
Winter | |||
PSY 303 | Research Methods in Psychology: [Topic] | 4 | |
Elective course or remaining area of inquiry course | 4 | ||
Choose from PSY 304-309 | 4 | ||
PSY 401 or PSY 406 |
Research: [Topic] or Practicum: [Topic] |
1-2 | |
Credits | 13-14 | ||
Spring | |||
PSY 400-level specialty course | 4 | ||
PSY 300-400 level elective | 4 | ||
Elective courses or remaining area of inquiry | 4-8 | ||
Apply for PSY honors | |||
Credits | 12-16 | ||
Total Credits | 38-46 |
Fourth Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
PSY 400-level core course | 4 | ||
PSY 300-400 level elective | 4 | ||
Elective courses | 8 | ||
Meet with an advisor early to make a graduation plan | |||
Apply to graduate schools or look for work after graduation | |||
Credits | 16 | ||
Winter | |||
PSY 400-level specialty course | 4 | ||
PSY 300-400 level elective | 4 | ||
Elective courses | 4-8 | ||
PSY 401 or PSY 403 |
Research: [Topic] or Thesis |
1-4 | |
If you are considering graduate school, consider taking additional psychology courses/seminars | |||
Credits | 13-20 | ||
Spring | |||
Remaining PSY requirements | 4-8 | ||
Remaining requirements for Core Ed/Cultural literacy | 4-8 | ||
Elective courses or remaining degree requirements | 4-8 | ||
Apply to graduate on DuckWeb the term you complete all requirements | |||
Credits | 12-24 | ||
Total Credits | 41-60 |