Psychology BS
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Minimum Required Credits: 120.0
Co-op Option(s): Two Co-op, One Co-op, No Co-op
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 42.2799
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3031
About the Program
Psychology is a scientific discipline that focuses on the science of the mind and behavior. Psychologists in the field use the methods of both natural and social science to advance our knowledge and understanding of thought, emotion, and behavior in humans and other organisms. Our psychology program is designed to immerse students within a research-based educational experience exposing them to a broad range of areas in basic and applied psychological sciences.
Psychology majors will engage in courses that will mold their ability to demonstrate their comprehension of major theoretical concepts and perspectives, historical trends, and evidence-based findings. In addition, they will be able to discuss how psychological principles apply to understanding behavior and mental processes. Our students can enroll in foundational and advanced courses spanning clinical psychology, physiological psychology, cognition, sensation and perception, pediatric psychology, law & psychology, educational psychology, industrial psychology, and other major subfields of psychology.
It is crucial to take advantage of different professional and educational opportunities throughout one’s time as a student. Some of the essential experiences potential employers look for are internships within the industry, leadership experience, and general work experience. Our undergraduates benefit from Drexel's cooperative education program (i.e., co-op), gaining firsthand, extensive work experience in their area of interest. Through co-op, past students have worked in research labs, corporate offices, hospitals, even with local professional sports teams. In addition, we encourage students to collaborate with professors on innovative research projects in a range of areas, including health, forensics, neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, and clinical health. Engaging in research provides hands-on experience, molds analytic skills, and reinforces content knowledge contributing to a well-rounded educational experience.
Many future careers related to the field of psychology require the pursuance of a degree beyond a bachelor’s. Our program is well suited to prepare students for graduate studies in psychology, the medical field, law, business, and STEM careers. Our psychology students build skills to become intelligent consumers of information and active investigators of the fields of cognition, behavior, and social science thus understanding how each facet of psychology impacts everyday decision-making. In the end, our undergraduate degree directly prepares students for careers that require knowledge and understanding of behavior, research design, and the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data.
Additional Information
For more information about this program, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Requirements
| University Requirements | ||
| EXP 1001 | Introduction to Experiential Learning | 3.0 |
| WRIT 1100 | Composition and Rhetoric I | 3.0 |
| or WRIT 1110 | English Composition I | |
| WRIT 1200 | Composition and Rhetoric II | 3.0 |
| or WRIT 1210 | English Composition II | |
| Introductory Core Competencies 1 | ||
| Select one course from each of the three (3) categories of Introductory Core Competency Courses: | 9.0 | |
Introductory: Inquire and Analyze | ||
Introductory: Collaborate and Integrate | ||
Introductory: Apply and Engage | ||
| Free Electives | 15.0 | |
| College Requirements | ||
| Journeys Through the Arts & Sciences | 3.0 | |
| Data Visualization | 3.0 | |
| Ethics | 3.0 | |
| Program Requirements | ||
| PSY 1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3.0 |
| PSY 1002 | Lab-Introduction to Psychology | 1.0 |
| Select two of the following courses: | 6.0 | |
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Personality | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| PSY 2000 | Abnormal Psychology | 3.0 |
| PSY 2001 | Lab-Abnormal Psychology | 1.0 |
| PSY 2030 | Physiological Psychology | 3.0 |
| PSY 2140 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | 3.0 |
| PSY 2141 | Lab-Applied Statistical Methods | 1.0 |
| PSY 2150 | Research Methods in Psychology I | 3.0 |
| PSY 3000 | Research Methods in Psychology II | 3.0 |
| PSY 3001 | Lab-Research Methods in Psychology | 1.0 |
| Science Requirement | ||
| Select courses in the following subjects at the 1000-4999 level: BIO, CHEM, ESCI, ESS, HSCI, NFS, PHYS, | 8.0 | |
| Specializations in Psychology Focus Area | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Industrial Psychology | ||
| History and Systems of Psychology | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Educational Psychology | ||
| Pediatric Psychology | ||
| Counseling Psychology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Forensic Psychology | ||
| Neuropsychology | ||
| Biological and Cognitive Focus Area | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Sensation and Perception | ||
| Drugs and Human Behavior | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Psychology of Learning | ||
| Psychology of Language | ||
| Methods in Human Neuroscience | ||
| Memory | ||
| Applied Focus Area | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Child Psychopathology | ||
| Psychology of Adolescence | ||
| Sports Psychology | ||
| Writing in Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Sustainability | ||
| Psychology of Eating Disorders and Obesity | ||
| Psychology of Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury | ||
| Psychology & Society Focus Area | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Psychology of Disability | ||
| Cross-Cultural Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Hate | ||
| Death and Dying | ||
| Psychology of Sexual Behaviors | ||
| Multicultural Issues in Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Inequity and Injustices | ||
| Law and Psychology | ||
| Select one of the following options: 2 | 9.0 | |
Option A: | ||
Any three Mastery level PSY courses 3 | ||
Option B: | ||
| Senior Thesis I and Senior Thesis II | ||
| Free Electives | 21.0 | |
| Optional Co-op Experience | ||
| Co-op is an option for this degree for full-time on-campus students. Co-op cycles may vary. Students choosing this option will be required to complete COOP 1001 as preparation for their co-op experience. COOP 1001 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned. | 0.0 | |
| Total Credits | 120.0 | |
- 1
A complete list of eligible Introductory Core Competency courses can be found here.
- 2
A student must seek approval first from the Program Director before they can enroll in the senior thesis sequence.
- 3
Mastery level PSY courses completed as electives for the required focus areas will not count towards meeting this requirement. Students must take additional mastery level PSY courses.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a working knowledge base of psychological themes and application to solve practical problems.
- Execute proficiency in scientific reasoning and critical thinking.
- Apply ethical standards and social responsibility to strengthen community in a diverse world.
- Build and maintain effective communication skills and expressing information.
- Develop personal life goals and professional skills appropriate for future workforce.