Majoring in Psychology Online
Effective beginning Fall 2007
We are now accepting applications for Fall 2008 - application deadline: July 1, 2008.
This online major is designed for students with an associate of arts (A.A.) degree or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MTC) at an Iron Range Community College listed under 'Our Partners' below, or students who are concurrently enrolled at University of Minnesota Crookston. Students with an associate of arts (A.A.) degree from a non-partner Minnesota institution or students who have completed the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MTC), or other students in special situations,** may be admitted on a space available basis. All applicants must meet UMD and Psychology Department undergraduate admission and graduation criteria. Credits will transfer according to the transfer agreements with UMD.
**special situations: This opportunity is designed primarily for former UMD students who cannot return to campus to complete their psychology degree.
Our Partners
- Arrowhead University Consortium
- Hibbing Community College
- Itasca Community College
- Mesabi Range Community & Technical College
- Rainy River Community College
- Vermilion Community College
- University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC)
Program Format
This online major is designed to be completed in two (2) years following the completion of an A.A. degree. Students entering with the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MTC) only will require additional credits to complete a B.A.S. in Psychology. Students can complete the major at their own pace if desired. All of the required psychology courses are delivered completely online with WebVista (formerly WebCT), our course management system. You can learn more about our online psychology courses along with the other requirements for a B.A.S. in Psychology below.
Important Health Insurance Requirements note: All degree seeking students registered for 6 or more credits are required to have health insurance. If you plan on registering for online courses only (6 or more credits), you will not be charged the Student Service Fee (SSF) for that semester. Since you are not paying the student service fee, you cannot enroll in the University of Minnesota Health Benefit Plan. You will need to have coverage by family health insurance policies or other private insurance. If you have questions, contact Amy Kimmes: email: akimmes@d.umn.edu or call (218) 726-8462.
Getting Started
- Read through all of the information contained within this web page
- Then, click on the 'getting started link' within the box below if you meet the admission and transfer requirements.
- Note: The online psychology major starts every Fall semester (September) and is capped at 30 students. We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2008, with an application deadline of July 1, 2008
After reading through the information and requirements listed above and below: UMD Office of Admissions |
Admission To UMD
Students will apply to UMD as an advanced standing student after completing the A.A. or the MTC, or with verification from the transfer institution that you are registered in all remaining credits for the degree or the MTC. Students are admitted to UMD as pre-psychology majors if they have: a) a high school rank at or above the 50th percentile, b) a GPA of at least 2.0 in their previous college work, and c) successfully completed at least 75 percent of all college work attempted. Because students entering with the A.A. or MTC are immediately eligible to apply for admission to the major (requires 2.5 cumulative GPA), students considering this program should consider current GPA before applying to UMD. Transfer students must submit high school transcripts that show completion of all high school preparation requirements.
High School Preparation Requirements
1. FOUR YEARS OF ENGLISH, with emphasis on writing, including instruction in reading and speaking skills and in literary understanding and appreciation;
2. THREE YEARS OF MATHEMATICS, including one year each of elementary algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra;
3. THREE YEARS OF SCIENCE, including one year each of biological and physical science;
4. TWO YEARS OF A SINGLE SECOND LANGUAGE;
5. TWO YEARS OF SOCIAL STUDIES, including U.S history.
Transfer Manual:http://www.d.umn.edu/registrar/transfer_Sem/
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Any deficiencies in high school preparation requirements can be met with college credits. Applicants should take appropriate courses at the community college to resolve any deficiencies prior to applying to UMD. Contact the UMD transfer specialist (218-726-8800) to confirm whether if a specific course at your community college will fulfill high school preparation requirements.
Admission to the Online Psychology Major
Once you are admitted to UMD, students must then apply to the Psychology Department for admission to the online psychology major. Requirements for admission to the major include: a cumulative 2.50 G.P.A., a minimum of 24 credits; and completion of a General Psychology course. Students will receive academic advisement and a link to the psychology major application form as part of the online transfer orientation and registration process.
Degree Completion
The B.A.S. degree in Psychology requires 120 credits with a minimum 2.5 grade point average in the psychology major. The degree includes liberal education requirements (met by an associate of arts (A.A.) degree or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, the psychology major requirements, a minor or 18 Upper Division Elective Credits Outside of Psychology (3xxx or higher), and general elective credits to meet the 120 credit minimum requirement. Gene Grossman, the online psychology faculty advisor will assist students in identifying online opportunities for the minor or upper division credits for transfer from other institutions, especially from online course opportunities at University of Minnesota Crookston. The number of transfer credits applied toward the degree by the A.A. or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MTC) will vary depending on course articulation agreements between UMD and the community colleges, which affects the number of general elective credits required.
Summary of G.P.A Requirements
- Admission to UMD as a pre-psychology major: 2.0 Cumulative GPA
- Admission to the Psychology Major: 2.5 Cumulative GPA (Includes all transfer work and UMD coursework)
- Exit/Graduation:
- 2.0 University GPA (Transfer grades and credits outside of the University of Minnesota are not calculated into University GPA
- 2.5 GPA across all psychology courses to graduate with a major in Psychology
Requirements for the B.A.S. (120 Credits) in Psychology include:
I. Liberal Education Requirements (35 credits minimum)
Met by an associate of arts (A.A.) degree or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MTC)
II. Biology Requirement
Required if not taken as part of the A.A. or Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MTC)
- Biol 1001 Biology and Society (4 cr.) -not available online at UMD
OR
- Biol 1011 General Biology I (5 cr.) -not available online at UMD
III. Advanced Writing Requirement
Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Writing course before or while taking Psy 4021 Research Methods I
- Comp 3140 - Advanced Writing: Human Services (3 cr.) -currently available as an individualized study course (INI) - note: will be available completely online with WebCT starting Spring 2008. Contact the instructor for more information regarding course format.
OR
- Comp 3160 - Advanced Writing: Social Sciences (3 cr.) -currently available as an individualized study course (INI). Contact the instructor for more information regarding course format.
IV. Psychology Major Requirements (48 credits) include:
- CORE A, B and C and Psychology Electives 2xxx or higher
Note: 20 credits of Psy 3xxx or higher applied to the B.A.S. must be taken in residence at UMD.
To find out if courses taken at another institution transfer to UMD, consult the transfer guides at: |
CORE A (22 credits)
PSY 1003 General Psychology (4 cr.)
PSY 3081 History and Systems (3 cr.)
PSY 3020 Statistical Methods (4 cr.)
PSY 4021 Research Methods I (4 cr.)
PSY 4022 Research Methods II (4 cr.)
PSY 4023 Research Methods III (3 cr.)
Note: All courses within CORE A are required. PSY 3020 is a pre-requisite for PSY 4021. PSY 4021, 4022, and 4023 must be taken in sequence.
CORE B (6-8 credits) Choose 2 courses
PSY 2021 Developmental Psychology (4 cr.)
PSY3111 Theories of Personality (3 cr.)
PSY 3121 Abnormal Psychology (4 cr.)
PSY 3201 Social Psychology (3 cr.)
PSY 3520 Industrial Organizational Psychology (4 cr.)
CORE C (8 credits) Choose 2 courses
PSY 3061 Physiological Psychology (4 cr.) -available starting Fall 2007
PSY 3611 Learning and Behavior (4 cr.)
Electives (12-14 credits) 2xxx or higher
The following courses are also offered online; courses not used to satisfy CORE A, B or C may be chosen as electives for the major. Faculty advisor will recommend electives based on students’ interests and career goals.
- PSY 3215 Human Sexuality (3 cr.)
- PSY 3371 Child and Adolescent Psychology (3 cr.)
- PSY 3381 Adult Development and Aging (3 cr.)
- Psy 3601: Psychology of Personal Development (3 cr.)
- PSY 4500 Health Psychology (3 cr.) - available starting Spring 2008
V. Additional Requirements (outside of Psychology):
Minor program OR 18 Upper Division Elective Credits Outside of Psychology (3xxx or higher)
Note: UMD does not currently offer an entire minor program online, but students can fulfill this requirement by enrolling in 18 Upper division elective credits outside of Psychology with UMD and/or UMC's courses delivered completely online. Students interested in completing a minor program have the option of enrolling in UMD's on-campus courses or by searching for options available through UMC or other accredited institutions (consult with the transfer manual to verify transfer of credit)
Personal Experience with Psychology
Along with the core requirements and electives, students are encouraged to select at least one personal experience that fosters engagement with psychology. This can include active membership in Psi Chi & Psychology Club, becoming a research and/or teaching assistant in cooperation with a psychology faculty member, applying for a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Project) or conducting research or a project through guided independent study (Psy 3994,3995, 3998, 3999). Students also can have a supervised internship experience in an organization (Internship Psy 3011, prereq 3010).
Honors Requirements
- Senior students who have a minimum of 3.80 G.P.A. in all psychology courses will graduate with psychology department honors.
- Senior students who have a G.P.A. of 3.25 through 3.79 in all psychology courses and also have a UMD G.P.A. minimum of 3.00 may earn department honors by doing one of the following:
- complete an honors research project (Psy 3998) or an application project (Psy 3997) under a psychology faculty’s supervision; or
- complete an Honors Seminar (Psy 3985); or
- apply for and successfully complete a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Project).
Note: Students eligible for honors are urged to consult with their advisers or a psychology department faculty member before the end of their junior year to discuss how they wish to pursue psychology department honors.
Study Abroad
Psychology students are encouraged to study abroad using the many opportunities UMD offers. Information is available at www.d.umn.edu/ieo.
Other information
Students may qualify for Departmental, College or University awards and scholarships. Please visit www.d.umn.edu/cehsp/scholarships/index.html. Students are encouraged to present their research findings at the Twin Ports Undergraduate Psychology Conference or the National Council for Undergraduate Research.
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