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PSYCHOLOGY
College: Arts and Sciences
Degree: B. A. or B. S.
Limited Access: YES
Contact: Academic Coordinator
Address: 204 Eppes Building, FSU
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270
Phone: (850) 644-4260
Description of Major
Psychology attempts to understand, describe, predict and control behavior. The study of human behavior and animal behavior are two broad categories of specialization; within each category further areas of specialized study are possible and can be matched to career opportunities. The undergraduate program in Psychology at FSU offers students a broad background in many areas of Psychology, and is flexible enough to allow the advanced student to select from several courses in an area of his/her greatest interest. The student may participate in a variety of formal programs which offer educational opportunities in Psychology such as the Honors Program, the Work-Study program, the program offered at the London Study Center in the Social Sciences, the Psi Chi Organization, and, in addition, qualified students are encouraged to work in the department’s human and animal research laboratories and to participate in the department’s research in school and clinical problems in applied settings.
Prerequisite Coursework: 0 beyond other requirements.
Students must complete the following prerequisites required for admission in preparation for the upper division major. Transfer students who do not complete the program prerequisites will have the opportunity to complete these program requirements once at FSU. The following, which should be taken as part of Liberal Studies, are required as preparatory courses for the major, and must be completed with a minimum grade of C-. All may also apply toward Liberal Studies and/or major requirements.
* BSC XXXX (3) one course in any level general biology
PSY 2012 (3) General Psychology
* STA XXXX (3) Statistics. STA 2122 (4) preferred
XXX XXXX (3) any lower level psychology
*Please review the section on Admission Requirements below.
Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include: a minimum of six hours each in written communication, humanities, and natural science, and three hours each in history and mathematics. These should be completed as part of the general education/Liberal Studies program. In addition, students must be proficient in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (2614 or equivalent) level.
Admission Requirements to Major Program of Studies
Due to the limitations in the number of faculty and physical resources, admission to the undergraduate program will be based on the following admission requirements: 1) a minimum GPA of 2.8 in all courses attempted, 2) completion of STA 2122 (Introduction to Applied Statistics), and 3) completion of General Psychology, 4) completion of biology course (contact the Advising Office for which courses are accepted), and 5) completion of at least 52 academic credits or an A.A. Degree. Prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or higher in each course.
Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at
www.academic-guide.fsu.edu.
Major Program of Studies at FSU: 36 hours
Grades below C- will not be accepted for major or minor credit. Students who have more than four grades below C- in any coursework in psychology, at Florida State or elsewhere, will not be permitted to continue toward a degree with a major in Psychology. If a student receives a fifth grade below C-, he or she will be required to change majors. Students must complete the following requirements:
Group 1. Research Methods (4 hours)
PSY 3213C (4) Research Methods in Psychology with Lab (pre-req: STA 2122)
Group 2. Neuroscience (3-4 hours)
One course from the following:
PSB 2000 (3) Brain and Behavior (may not be used for admission into the major and to meet Group 2 requirement)
PSB 4461 (3) Hormones and Behavior
EXP 3203C (4) Animal Sensory Processes with Lab (pre-req: PSY 3213C)
PSB 3004C (4) Physiological Psychology with Lab (pre-req: PSY 3213C)
EXP 3202C (4) Sensation and Perception with Lab (pre-req: PSY 3213C)
Group 3. Social, Cognitive, Developmental (6-7 hours)
Two courses from the following, only one of which may have the DEP prefix:
SOP 3004 (3) Social Psychology
EXP 2020 (3) Mind and Cognition
EXP 4640 (3) Psychology of Language
EXP 3404 (3) Human Memory and Learning
EXP 3604C (4) Cognitive Psychology with Lab (pre-req: PSY 3213C)
DEP 3103 (3) Child Psychology or DEP 4404 (3) Psychology of Adult Development and Aging
Group 4. Lecture/Laboratory Combinations (0-8 hours)
Two lecture/lab combinations from the following list.
If one or more of the following courses is used to meet Group 2 and/or Group 3 requirements, it/they may also be used to meet Group 4 requirements. Note, “double counting” courses will not reduce the number of hours required in the major; the student will simply increase the number of Group 5 (Psychology Electives) hours required.
PSB 3004C (4) Physiological Psychology with Lab (pre-req: PSY 3213C)
EXP 3202C (4) Sensation and Perception with Lab (pre-req: PSY 3213C)
EXP 3422C (4) Conditioning and Learning with Lab (pre-req: PSY 3213C)
EXP 3604C (4) Cognitive Psychology with Lab (pre-req: PSY 3213C)
Group 5. Psychology Electives (14-21 hours)
Students must take enough additional psychology elective courses to bring the total psychology hours to 36 (not including General Psychology). Though students are encouraged to take Directed Individual Study, Research Topics, and Honors Thesis hours, there are limitations on how these may apply toward meeting this requirement and the major. In addition, courses with a WST prefix will not count toward this major, even if listed on the psychology “course look up.” Students who have not otherwise taken any 4000-level psychology courses must take at least 3 hours of 4000-level psychology electives (which may not include PSY 4911-14, PSY 4920, or PSY 4039). Students should consult with their advisor in selecting elective courses to assure that they meet departmental guidelines and their own academic goals.
Minor Coursework: 12-18 hours as stated by the minor area. Work used to meet Liberal Studies and language requirements may not be used for the minor.
Computer Skills Competency: CGS 2060 (3), CGS 2064 (3), CGS 2100 (3), or BSC 2010L (1).
Oral Communication Competency: 0-3 hours
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met through appropriate high school speech training or with an approved college-level course.
Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
Liberal Studies 36*
Major Coursework 36
Minor Coursework 12-18
Foreign Language 0-12 (depending on placement)
Computer Skills 1-3
Oral Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total hours to 120
*NOTE: The prerequisites listed above should be taken as part of the Liberal Studies; if not, elective hours will be reduced.
Remarks:
1. 60 hours must be earned at a senior institution.
2. The final 30 hours must be in residence at FSU.
3. A minimum of 40 hours must be earned at the 3000/4000 level.
4. Students who plan to earn the B. A. degree must complete a foreign language through the intermediate (2200 or equivalent) level and nine additional hours in the fields of history and/or humanities.
Employment Information
Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: NOTE: Most require graduate training. Psychologist: Clinical, Counseling, School, Educational, Social Experimental, Developmental, Child, Industrial or Organizational, Neuroscientist, Social Worker, Human Resource Specialist, Career Counselor, Rehabilitations Counselor, Corrections Officer, Personnel Manager, Vocational Counselor, Mental Health Counselor, Job Analyst, Salesperson/Sales Manager, Behavioral Specialist, Management Trainee, Manager.
Representative Employers: Universities, Colleges and Jr. Colleges, Business/Industry, Hospitals, Prison Systems, Primary and Secondary Schools, Testing Companies, Rehabilitation Agencies, Veterans Administration, Mental Health Agencies, Financial Institutions.
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