Major Requirements

Students pursuing a degree in Psychology must satisfy the following requirements:

Major Requirements

There are four major concentrations in the Department of Psychology.  A student may elect to follow any one of the following psychology programs for a Bachelor of Science degree: 
     1. General Psychology
     2. Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration
     3. Child/Adolescent Development Concentration
     4. Social Psychology Concentration
     5. Personality Psychology Concentration 

Core Curriculum 

Intended to give breadth and scope of the discipline, all psychology majors are required to fulfill the following five courses: Psychology 1, 2, 3, 103, and 110

Lower Division

Psychology 1, 2, and 3 are required for all psychology majors. A minimum grade of C- is required for all lower division courses. 

Upper Division

General Psychology

For the student who wants a general education in psychology, a sequence of upper-division courses in addition to the psychology core curriculum is offered which must include

  • One of Psychology 126, 127, or 128
  • Two of Psychology 140, 140, or 160
  • One of Psychology 100, 106, or 195
  • Five upper-division Psychology electives

Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration

For the student with an interest in the biological bases of behavior, a sequence of upper-division courses in addition to the psychology core curriculum which must include

  • Psychology 106, 126, and 127
  • Two of Psychology 140, 150, or 160
  • Three upper-division Psychology electives

Child/Adolescent Development Concentration

For the student interested in working with individuals in educational or social service settings, a sequence of upper-division course in addition to the psychology core curriculum is offered which must include

  • Psychology 140 and 142
  • One of Psychology 126, 127, or 128
  • One of Psychology 150 or 160
  • One of Psychology 100, 106, or 195
  • Three courses from Psychology 008, 141, 143, 144, 147, 148, 165, or 174, at least one of which must be Psychology 141 or 144
  • One additional psychology elective

Social Psychology Concentration

For the student interested in community or organizational psychology, a sequence of upper-division courses in addition to the psychology core curriculum is offered which must include

  • Psychology 160
  • One of Psychology 126, 127, or 128
  • One of Psychology 100, 106, or 195
  • Three courses from Psychology 115, 147, 157, 165, 169, 172, or 180, at least two of which must be Psychology 165, 169, 172, or 180
  • Two additional upper-division electives

Personality Psychology Concentration

For the student interested in social work or counseling/clinical psychology, a sequence of upper-division courses in addition to the psychology core curriculum is offered which must include

  • Psychology 150
  • One of Psychology 140 or 160
  • One of Psychology 126, 127 or 128
  • One of Psychology 100, 106, or 195
  • Three courses from Psychology 147, 148, 152, 157, 170, or 174, at least two of which must be Psychology 152, 170, or 174
  • Two upper-division electives

Course Prerequisites

A minimum grade of C- in all prerequisites is required for admission to all courses. Prerequisites may be waved at the discretion of the instructor.  

Transfer Credit in Psychology

Students already enrolled at Saint Mary's College who wish to transfer credit for an off-campus psychology course other than Psychology 1, 2, or 10 must submit a formal petition to do so to the chair of the Psychology Department before enrolling in the course. Online courses are generally not accepted for credit in this department.