Psychology – B.A.S.
For students who entered the program prior to Fall 2007
The bachelor of applied science (B.A.S.) in psychology provides students with a firm grounding in the methods, history, and content areas of the discipline. Graduates are prepared for graduate study leading to advanced degrees in psychology or for paraprofessional positions requiring some application of research or human service delivery skills. The core curriculum covers the research methods used in the scientific study of behavior, and surveys theories, findings, and historical applications in a variety of psychology subfields. All students are expected to complete a faculty-supervised independent research project during the design and methodology courses of the core curriculum, applying their methodology training to a topic of their choice. In addition, the core curriculum requires some exposure to the natural science, social science, and applied science aspects of the discipline. Students also have the opportunity to focus their study toward either graduate training or paraprofessional positions through their selection of elective courses, independent studies, or field placements in a variety of content areas. Students should consult with faculty advisers to select appropriate elective courses to meet their career goals.
Psychology Major
Degree Requirements
Admission Requirements
Students who wish to pursue the B.A.S. degree in psychology may declare the program as their major at any time providing their cumulative GPA is at least 2.00. Students may declare their intent to pursue the degree at the CEHSP´s Student Affairs Office. Progress toward completion of degree requirements is continuously tracked by the UMD Registrar´s APAS system.
For more information about admission to UMD, see Admission Procedures and Requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions Web site.
Honors Requirements
Senior psychology majors with a GPA of at least 3.25 in psychology and 3.00 overall are eligible for departmental honors. Honors work may be completed as an individual honors research project (Psy 3998), as an individual honors application project under the direction of an adviser selected by the student (Psy 3997), by completing an honors seminar (Psy 3985), by completing a successful UROP project, or by receiving a GPA of 3.80 or better in all psychology courses. Eligible students are urged to consult with their adviser or a psychology department faculty member on how they wish to pursue departmental honors before the end of their junior year.
Course Requirements
Requirements for the B.A.S. (120 credits) in psychology include:
- Liberal education requirements. Biol 1001 – Biology and Society (4) must be used to fulfill Category 4.
- Advanced writing requirement: Comp 3xxx (3 credits)
Major requirements (59 credits):
- Lower and upper division core (35–39 credits), electives in Psy 2xxx or higher (20–24 credits), 20 credits of Psy 3xxx or higher applied to the B.A.S. must be taken in residence at UMD.
- A minor program of the student´s choice or 18 additional upper division credits outside the major.
Online Courses
Many of the courses for this program are available online or through distance education for students who prefer an independent study format. All coursework for a psychology minor is now available online. Please visit our Online Courses page
Required Courses
- Psychology course descriptions
- UMD course search – use to search for a course
- UMD class schedule – use to check course availability
- Register for course
Foundation Core (19 credits)
- Psy 1003* – General Psychology (4)
- Psy 3020 – Statistical Methods (4)
- Psy 3021 – Experimental Design and Methodology (4)
- Psy 3022 – Applied Methods and Measurement (4)
- Psy 3081 – History and Systems of Psychology (3)
*Please note: Psy 3020, Psy 3021, Psy 3022 must be done in sequence over three semesters.
Psy3021 and Psy3022 are to be taken with the same instructor.
Natural Science Core – at least one course (3–4 credits)
- Psy 3061 – Physiological Psychology (4)
- Psy 3231 – Psychology of Drug Use (3)
- Psy 3611 – Learning and Behavior (4)
- Psy 3621 – Cognition (4)
- Psy 3631 – Cognitive Development (3)
- Psy 3661 – Psychology of Language (3)
- Psy 3691 – Sensation and Perception (4)
Social Science Core – at least three courses (9–12 credits)
- Psy 2021* – Developmental Psychology (4)
- Psy 2223* – Gender in Society (4)
- Psy 3111 – Theories of Personality (3)
- Psy 3121 – Abnormal Psychology (4)
- Psy 3201 – Social Psychology (3)
- Psy 3211 – Group Dynamics (3)
- Psy 3371 – Child and Adolescent Psychology (3)
- Psy 3381 – Adult Development and Aging (3)
Applied Science Core – at least one course (3–4 credits)
- Psy 3098 – Stress Management (3)
- Psy 3445 – Transpersonal Psychology (3)
- Psy 3520 – Industrial Organizational Psychology (4)
- Psy 3524 – Basic Helping Skills (4)
- Psy 3601 – Psychology of Personal Development (3)
- Psy 3613 – Behavior Modification (3)
- Psy 4500 – Health Psychology (3)
- Psychology electives – Psy 2000 or higher (20–24 credits)
* Courses that may be used to fulfill UMD liberal education program requirements.
↑ Top ↑