Psychology BS

Major: Psychology
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits:180.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 42.2799
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3031

About the Program

Drexel University's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is a tight-knit, active community of internationally known faculty and impressive student scholars. The department defines psychology as a science of mind and behavior. From the neurophysiological underpinnings of cognition to defining the impact of human behaviors within the judicial systems and policies. Psychology contributes to the human behavioral aspects of other fields, including STEM, medicine, law, arts, and other social sciences. Our students work alongside professors on cutting-edge research and clinical projects in a range of areas, including health, forensic, neuropsychology, human development, experimental, cognitive, and clinical psychology. Undergraduates also benefit from Drexel's cooperative education program, gaining hands-on, extensive work experience in areas of their interest.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program learn how to ask and answer important questions regarding human behavior, cognition and emotion, and how to apply their findings to improve lives. Within the program, students have the option to concentrate in three specific areas:

Mind, Brain and Behavior

The Mind, Brain and Behavior (MBB) area of focus allows psychology majors to concentrate their plan of study on how the mind and brain produce human behavior. Situating the mind within its biological substrate is one of the great scientific challenges of the 21st century. MBB covers introductory through advanced courses, exposing students to the formal study of the human mind and behavior and their underlying brain systems and structures

Human Development

This area allows students to focus on issues affecting human development across the lifespan. Using a biological, cognitive and socio-emotional perspective, students gain both breadth and depth in the understanding of current issues in child, adolescent and adult development.

Clinical and Health

For those interested in health and service careers, this area of focus includes coursework, experiential learning, and individualized mentorship, providing students with practical experience in the field.

Combined Accelerated Degrees

There are two accelerated programs to which undergraduates may apply: the Psychology BS/MS program as well as the Psychology BS/JD in Law program (a collaboration with the Thomas Kline School of Law). For more information, visit the Drexel University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences degree offering page.

Additional Information

To schedule an appointment, students should contact the Psychological and Brain Sciences department's academic advisor:

Devon M. Thomas
Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Program
Phone: 215-895-0487
Email: dmt356@drexel.edu
Office: Stratton 103A

Degree Requirements 

University Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
UNIV H101The Drexel Experience1.0
UNIV H201Looking Forward: Academics and Careers1.0
College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum **
Developing Quantitative Reasoning **6.0-8.0
Two courses in MATH based on placement exams OR
Symbolic Logic I
Symbolic Logic II
Engaging the Natural World **6.0-8.0
Analyzing Cultures and Histories **6.0-8.0
Understanding Society and Human Behavior **6.0-8.0
Cultivating Global Competencies **6.0-8.0
Perspectives in Diversity **3.0-4.0
Departmental Requirements
Business Elective ***4.0
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
Fine Arts Elective 3.0
MATH 101Introduction to Analysis I4.0
or MATH 121 Calculus I
General Psychology Course Requirements
PSY 111Pre-Professional General Psychology I 3.0
PSY 112Pre-Professional General Psychology II 3.0
Select two of the following:6.0
Developmental Psychology
Approaches to Personality
Introduction to Social Psychology
Required Psychology Courses
PSY 212Physiological Psychology3.0
PSY 240 [WI] Abnormal Psychology3.0
PSY 264Computer-Assisted Data Analysis I3.0
PSY 265Computer-Assisted Data Analysis II3.0
PSY 280Psychological Research3.0
PSY 290History and Systems of Psychology3.0
PSY 325Psychology of Learning3.0
PSY 330Cognitive Psychology3.0
PSY 360 [WI] Experimental Psychology3.0
PSY 380Psychological Testing and Assessment3.0
Advanced Psychology Electives
Any non-required PSY course at the 200-level or above.12.0
Senior Thesis Sequence ^
PSY 490 [WI] Psychology Senior Thesis I4.0
PSY 491 [WI] Psychology Senior Thesis II4.0
PSY 492 [WI] Psychology Senior Thesis III4.0
Free Electives54.0
Total Credits180.0-191.0
*

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

See Core Curriculum List for a complete list of course options.

***

Any course from the following programs will count towards meeting this requirement: ACCT, BLAW, BUSN, ECON, FIN, INTB, MGMT, MIS, MKTG, ORGB, SMT, and STAT 

Any course from the following programs will count towards meeting this requirement ARTH, DANC, MUSC, PHTO, THTR, and VSST.

Students with AP psychology, or transfer students with PSY 101 credit, should check the AP Student Placement Exam Crosswalk or check with their advisor.

^

Students who do not wish to complete the senior thesis sequence are required to complete instead an additional 12.0 credits of advanced Psychology electives at the 200 level or above.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, No co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
PSY 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0PSY 120, 140, or 1503.0 
MATH 101 or 1214.0PSY 1123.0PSY 2403.0 
UNIV H1011.0PSY 120, 140, or 1503.0UNIV H2011.0 
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Cultivating Global Competencies3.0-4.0 
 Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Fine Arts Elective3.0 
 14-15 16-18 16-17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PSY 2643.0COM 2303.0PSY 2123.0VACATION
PSY 2903.0PSY 2653.0PSY 2803.0 
Analyzing Cultures and Histories3.0-4.0PSY 3303.0PSY 3603.0 
Cultivating Global Competencies3.0-4.0Developing Quantitatve Reasoning3.0Business Elective4.0 
Understanding Society and Human Behavior3.0-4.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0Psychology Elective3.0 
 15-18 15-16 16 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PSY 3253.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Psychology Elective3.0VACATION
PSY 3803.0Psychology Elective3.0Free Electives12.0 
Psychology Elective3.0Free Electives7.0  
Understanding Society and Human Behavior3.0-4.0   
Free Elective3.0   
 15-16 13-14 15 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
PSY 490*4.0PSY 491*4.0PSY 492*4.0 
Free Electives12.0Free Electives12.0Free Electives9.0 
 16 16 13 
Total Credits 180-190
*

Students who do not wish to complete the senior thesis sequence are required to complete instead an additional 12.0 credits of advanced Psychology electives at the 200 level or above.

4 year, 1 co-op*

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 101*1.0VACATION
PSY 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
MATH 101 or 1214.0PSY 1123.0PSY 120, 140, or 1503.0 
UNIV H1011.0PSY 120, 140, or 1503.0PSY 2403.0 
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0UNIV H2011.0 
 Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Cultivating Global Competencies3.0-4.0 
  Fine Arts Elective3.0 
 14-15 16-18 17-18 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PSY 2643.0COM 2303.0PSY 2123.0PSY 3253.0
PSY 2903.0PSY 2653.0PSY 2803.0PSY 3803.0
Analyzing Cultures and Histories3.0-4.0PSY 3303.0PSY 3603.0Psychology Elective3.0
Cultivating Global Competencies3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Business Elective4.0Understanding Society and Human Behavior3.0-4.0
Understanding Society and Human Behavior3.0-4.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0Psychology Elective3.0Free Elective3.0
 15-18 15-17 16 15-16
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEAnalyzing Cultures and Histories3.0-4.0Psychology Elective3.0
  Psychology Elective3.0Free Electives12.0
  Free Electives9.0 
 0 0 15-16 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
PSY 490**4.0PSY 491**4.0PSY 492**4.0 
Free Electives12.0Free Electives9.0Free Electives9.0 
 16 13 13 
Total Credits 180-191
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Students who do not wish to complete the senior thesis sequence are required to complete instead an additional 12.0 credits of advanced Psychology electives at the 200 level or above.

5 year, 3 Co-ops*

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 101*1.0VACATION
PSY 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV H1011.0PSY 1123.0PSY 120, 140, or 1503.0 
MATH 101 or 1214.0PSY 120, 140, or 1503.0PSY 2403.0 
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0UNIV H2011.0 
 Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Cultivating Global Competencies3.0-4.0 
  Fine Arts elective3.0 
 14-15 16-18 17-18 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEPSY 2643.0COM 2303.0
  PSY 2903.0PSY 2653.0
  Analyzing Cultures and Histories3.0-4.0PSY 3303.0
  Cultivating Global Competencies3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0
  Understanding Society and Human Behavior3.0-4.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0
 0 0 15-18 15-17
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEPSY 2123.0PSY 3253.0
  PSY 2803.0PSY 3803.0
  PSY 3603.0Psychology elective3.0
  Business elective4.0Understanding Society and Human Behavior3.0-4.0
  Psychology elective3.0Free elective3.0
 0 0 16 15-16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEAnalyzing Cultures and Histories3.0-4.0Psychology elective3.0
  Psychology elective3.0Free electives12.0
  Free electives9.0 
 0 0 15-16 15
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
PSY 490**4.0PSY 491**4.0PSY 492**4.0 
Free electives12.0Free electives9.0Free electives9.0 
 16 13 13 
Total Credits 180-191
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Students who do not wish to complete the senior thesis sequence are required to complete instead an additional 12.0 credits of advanced Psychology electives at the 200 level or above.

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Some graduates seek employment immediately after receiving their bachelor’s degrees.They are well trained to work as research assistants in consulting firms and medical settings or to provide front-line services in mental health and educational settings. Other graduates go on to professional schools in law, business, medicine, and other health professions. Still others pursue graduate training in psychology and related fields. Students build skills and knowledge that provide a foundation for advanced study, create opportunities for future growth, and can be used to improve the quality of life for others.

Co-op Experiences

Drexel University has long been known for its co-operative education programs, through which students mix periods of full-time, career-related employment with their studies. Co-op/internship employment is an option for psychology majors. Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Psychology Faculty

Meghan Butryn, PhD (Drexel University). Professor. Treatment and prevention of obesity and eating disorders, behavioral treatment, acceptance and commitment therapy.
Dorothy Charbonnier, PhD (State University of New York at Stony Brook). Associate Teaching Professor. The nature of the creative process and writing.
Evangelia Chrysikou, PhD (Temple University) Director, PhD Program in Applied Cognitive and Brain Sciences. Associate Professor. Cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, neural basis of language, memory, and executive functions, neurocognitive processes associated with problem solving and flexible thought
Brian Daly, PhD (Loyola University, Chicago) Department Head. Associate Professor. Pediatric neuropsychology, intervention with at-risk youth.
David DeMatteo, PhD, JD (MCP Hahnemann University; Villanova University School of Law) Director of the JD-PhD Program in Law and Psychology. Professor. Psychopathy, forensic mental health assessment, drug policy; offender diversion.
Evan M. Forman, PhD (University of Rochester) Director WELL Center. Professor. Clinical psychology: mechanisms and measurement of psychotherapy outcome, cognitive-behavioral and acceptance based psychotherapies, the development and evaluation of acceptance-based interventions for health behavior change (for problems of obesity and cardiac disease) as well as mood and anxiety disorders; neurocognition of eating.
Pamela Geller, PhD (Kent State University) Director, Clinical Training. Associate Professor. Stressful life events and physical and mental health outcomes, particularly in the area of women's reproductive health (e.g. pregnancy, pregnancy loss, infertility, medical education).
Maureen Gibney, PsyD (Widener University). Teaching Professor. Clinical psychopathology; neuropsychological evaluation and intervention with the elderly.
Naomi Goldstein, PhD (University of Massachusetts) Co-Director of the JD-PhD Program; Stoneleigh Foundation Fellow. Professor. Forensic psychology; juvenile justice; Miranda rights comprehension; false confessions; juvenile justice treatment outcome research; anger management intervention development; child and adolescent behavior problems.
Kirk Heilbrun, PhD (University of Texas at Austin). Professor. Forensic psychology, juvenile and adult criminality, violence risk assessment, forensic psychological assessment, treatment of mentally disordered offenders, academic-sports mentoring.
Adrienne Juarascio, PhD (Drexel University). Associate Professor. Enhancing treatment outcomes for eating disorders and obesity; Acceptance-based behavioral treatments; Evaluating mechanisms of action in behavioral treatments
Marlin Killen, PhD (Trident University International). Teaching Professor. Authentic teaching methods in Psychology as well as student persistence behavior.
John Kounios, PhD (University of Michigan) Director, PhD Program in Applied Cognitive and Brain Sciences. Professor. Cognitive neuroscience, especially creativity, problem solving, and cognitive enhancement.
Aaron Kucyi, PhD (York University). Assistant Professor. Brain networks, mental health, spontaneous thought, attention, experience sampling, fMRI, intracranial EEG.
Michael Lowe, PhD (Boston College). Professor. Prevention and treatment of eating disorders and obesity; effects of appetitive responsiveness and dietary restraint on eating regulation; psychobiology of obesity-proneness; empirical foundations of unconscious processes.
Stephanie Manasse, PhD (Drexel University) Director, MS and Accelerated BS/MS in Psychology Programs. Assistant Professor. Novel treatments for adolescents and adults with eating disorders, Momentary drivers of binge eating, Self-regulation, Ecological momentary assessment.
John Medaglia, PhD (The Pennsylvania State University). Associate Professor. Applying models and methods developed in neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience and graph theory to understand and treat brain dysfunction and enhance healthy functioning
Megan Meyer, PhD (Temple University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Influences on preferred body type; changes in body image, self-esteem, and self-efficacy in females as a function of strength training; Sensation and Perception
Danette Morrison, PhD (University of Maryland - College Park). Associate Teaching Professor. Social and academic motivation within school context; Social relationships and identity development; Educational attainment of ethnic minorities
Arthur Nezu, PhD, DHLL, ABPP (State University of New York at Stony Brook). Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Community Health and Prevention. Behavioral medicine applications of problem-solving therapy and other cognitive-behavior therapies (e.g., to decrease emotional and psychosocial risk factors; improve adherence), particularly with regard to patients with cardiovascular disease; assessment.
Christine Maguth Nezu, PhD (Fairleigh Dickinson University). Professor of Psychology, Professor of Medicine. Cognitive-behavioral assessment and treatment for mood, anxiety, personality disorders, and coping with chronic illness; mind/body studies; stress and coping; developmental disabilities and comorbid behavioral and emotional disorders; spirituality and psychology.
Nancy Raitano Lee, PhD (University of Denver). Associate Professor. Neuropsychological and neuroanatomic correlates of intellectual and developmental disabilities; Verbal memory and language difficulties in Down syndrome and other genetic disorders; Comorbid autism spectrum disorder symptoms in youth with genetic disorders; Neuroanatomic correlates of individual differences in typical and atypical cognition
Diana Robins, PhD (University of Connecticut) Director, AJ Drexel Autism Institute. Professor. Autism screening, early detection of autism
Leeland Loew Rogers, PhD (University of Delaware). Assistant Teaching Professor. Incidental learning, statistical learning, attention.
Ludo Scheffer, PhD (University of Pennsylvania) Director of Undergraduate Studies. Teaching Professor. Meta-cognitive development, writing, and computers; Language and literacy development in the early years in the context of family and schooling; Youth-at-risk; School violence and bullying; Program/intervention effectiveness
Maria Schultheis, PhD (Drexel University). Professor. Clinical Neuropsychology and rehabilitation following neurological compromise (brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis), application of technologies in psychology. Specialization in the use of virtual reality (VR) simulation, and evaluation of the demands of driving after disability.
Julia Sluzenski, PhD (Temple University). Associate Teaching Professor. Spatial and episodic memory, memory loss across the lifespan, developmental psychology.
Alexa Tompary, PhD (University of New York). Assistant Professor. Neural bases of episodic memory and conceptual knowledge, systems memory consolidation theories, functional neuroimaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Fengqing (Zoe) Zhang, PhD (Northwestern University). Associate Professor. Neuroimaging data analysis; Data mining; Bayesian inference; High dimensional data analysis
Eric A Zillmer, PsyD (Florida Institute of Technology) Carl R. Pacifico Professor of Neuropsychology and the Director of Athletics. Professor. Psychological assessment (neuropsychological, cognitive, personality), psychiatric and neurological disorders, behavioral medicine, neurogerontology, mathematical modeling, sports psychology, psychology of genocide.

Emeritus Faculty

Donald Bersoff, JD, PhD (Yale University, New York University). Professor Emeritus. Law and psychology; mental health law.
James Calkins, PhD. Professor Emeritus.
Mary Spiers, PhD (University of Alabama at Birmingham). Professor Emeritus. Clinical neuropsychology and medical psychology; memory and practical applications for memory disorders in the elderly; cognitive health of women.
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