Psychology Major BA
It is expected that all students receiving a BA degree with a psychology major will:
- demonstrate mastery of a basic core of psychological knowledge and theory;
- demonstrate an understanding of scientific methodology;
- enhance their development of interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity;
- demonstrate their ability to appropriately apply knowledge;
- understand the ethical issues and standards of psychology; and
- be able to integrate learning in psychology with the needs of a pluralistic urban society.
Acceptance to the Program
To be eligible for acceptance to the Psychology major, students must submit a College of Health, Community and Professional Studies Undergraduate Program Declaration Form. Consult with an advisor before enrolling in courses toward the major.
Requirements (40 total credits)
All students are expected to have at least 40 credits in psychology during the course of their BA studies. This includes transfer credits as well as academic work completed at Metropolitan State. At least 24 credits in the major must be taken at Metropolitan State; and at least 30 credits must be 300-level or above.
Pre- or co-requisites
- PSYC 100 General Psychology
- PSYC 212 Introduction to Diversity and Ethics in Psychology
- PSYC 250 Academic and Career Pathways in Psychology
In addition to psychology major requirements, students must complete the university's general education and liberal studies requirements.
Required Courses
PSYC 405 is an integrative capstone course; students are encouraged to delay this course until near the completion of their degree plan.
Core Content Areas
Select one course from each of three of the four areas below.
Area I
Area II
- PSYC 309 Cognitive Psychology
- PSYC 317 Human Factors
- PSYC 330 Psychology of Learning: Contemporary Theories and Applications
- PSYC 345 Biopsychology
Area III
Area IV
- PSYC 301 Adolescent Psychology
- PSYC 302 Adult Development and Lifelong Learning
- PSYC 308 Child Psychology
- PSYC 311 Life Span Developmental Psychology
- PSYC 339 Working with Children in the Middle Years
Psychology Electives (10 credits minimum)
Additional learning in psychology should be selected to form a coherent pattern appropriate to the student's goals and interests. Learning opportunities may include approved psychology-related courses, internships, faculty- or student-designed independent studies, prior learning assessments or theory seminars. With advisors' approval, students may select elective courses from among the following non-Psychology Department offerings.
- HSFS 338 Family: Racial, Gender and Class Dimensions
- HSER 344 Counseling Theories and Techniques
- HSER 351 Crisis Intervention Skills and Strategies
- MGMT 320 Organizational Behavior
- MKTG 310 Consumer and Professional Buyer Behavior
- SOC 305 Race and Ethnicity: Sociological Perspectives
- SOC 306 Deviance and Social Control
- ANTH 309 New Neighbors: The U.S. Hmong Community
Application of Knowledge (3 credits minimum)
All students are expected to demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge in their chosen area of psychology through an internship and its accompanying seminar, or through past work or community involvement.
Internships are expected for students entering psychology as a new field of study, and for students exploring a new area of psychology. Examples of possible internship settings include research laboratories, child care agencies, group homes, mental health agencies, and community centers working with children, teens and families, or the elderly. This requirement can also be met through departmental teaching assistantships or through research assistantships associated with the psychology laboratory. Students with experience in psychology-related areas may elect to apply for credit through the assessment of prior learning or theory seminars, or incorporate this learning into a student-designed independent study.
