Program Overview
Psychology, BA
The Psychology major focuses on several areas in the field of psychological science: biological, clinical, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, perception, developmental, and social and personality.
How to Get in
Students who successfully complete PSYCH 202 (or equivalent) with a grade of C or better are eligible to declare the major. Equivalents include a score of 4 or higher on the IB Psychology exam or a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology exam.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. The requirements include:
- BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
- BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits
- BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
- Communication Part A & Part B
- Ethnic Studies
- Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Students pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The requirements include:
- Mathematics: Complete the University General Education Requirements for Quantitative Reasoning A (QR-A) and Quantitative Reasoning B (QR-B) coursework
- Language: Complete the fourth unit of a language other than English; OR complete the third unit of a language and the second unit of an additional language other than English
- L&S Breadth: 12 credits of Humanities, 12 credits of Social Science, and 12 credits of Natural Science
- Liberal Arts and Science Coursework: Complete at least 108 credits
- Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work: Complete at least 60 credits at the intermediate or advanced level
- Major: Declare and complete at least one major
- Total Credits: Complete at least 120 credits
- UW-Madison Experience: 30 credits in residence, overall; and 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit
- Quality of Work: 2.000 in all coursework at UWMadison, 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UWMadison
Requirements for the Major
The major requires the completion of the six categories below (Foundation, Biology, Breadth, Depth, Capstone, and Electives) and a minimum of 30 credits in PSYCH coursework.
Foundation
Foundation courses provide a grounding in basic psychological facts and an understanding of the methodologies used to produce those facts. The required foundation courses are:
- Introductory Psychology: PSYCH 202
- Statistics: PSYCH 210, STAT 324, or STAT 371
- Research Methods: PSYCH 225
Biology
Foundational knowledge in biology is critical to the study of psychological science and the understanding of human and animal behavior, as well as the brain sciences. The required biology courses are:
- Introductory Biology: BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 101, BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151, or BIOCORE 381 & BIOCORE 383
Breadth
Breadth courses familiarize students with the breadth of psychology in the following area groups: Biological, Clinical, Cognitive & Perceptual Science, Development, and Social & Personality. Students must complete one course from three different area groups for a total of three courses.
Biological
- PSYCH 449: Animal Behavior
- PSYCH 450: Primate Psychology: Insights into Human Behavior
- PSYCH 454: Behavioral Neuroscience
- PSYCH/ZOOLOGY 523: Neurobiology
Clinical
- PSYCH 401: Psychology, Law, and Social Policy
- PSYCH 405: Adult Psychopathology
Cognitive and Perceptual Sciences
- PSYCH 406: Psychology of Perception
- PSYCH 414: Cognitive Psychology
Developmental
- PSYCH/SOC 453: Human Sexuality
- PSYCH 460: Child Development
- PSYCH 462: Adolescent Development
- PSYCH 464: Adult Development and Aging
Social and Personality
- PSYCH 403: Psychology of Personality
- PSYCH 456: Social Psychology
- PSYCH/GEN&WS 522: Psychology of Women and Gender
Depth
Depth courses allow students to engage in depth with material in specific content areas in psychology. Students must complete two depth courses.
Capstone
Capstone courses allow students to explore current research in psychology in a seminar setting. Students must complete one capstone course.
Electives
In addition to completion of the courses required above, students must complete at least 3 additional credits in PSYCH in courses numbered 300 and above.
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all PSYCH and major courses
- 2.000 GPA on 15 upper-level major credits, taken in residence
- 15 credits in PSYCH, taken on the UWMadison campus
Honors in the Major
Students who are declared psychology majors may opt to pursue Honors in the Major. To earn Honors in the Major in Psychology, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.300 GPA in all PSYCH and major courses
- Complete the following courses with Honors and a grade of B or higher:
- PSYCH 380 (Junior year) or two semesters of PSYCH 686 Senior Thesis Seminar in Psychology
- Three Psychology Breadth and/or Depth courses OR Two Psychology Breadth and/or Depth courses and one of the following: PSYCH 210 Basic Statistics for Psychology or PSYCH 225 Research Methods
- A two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in PSYCH 681 and PSYCH 682 for a total of 6 credits
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes for the Psychology major include:
- Gain an appreciation for the contributions that psychology is making to our understanding of human and animal behavior.
- Learn to analyze and construct arguments, define and solve problems, and understand and apply scientific reasoning.
- Learn to communicate their ideas in a clear, organized, and compelling way.
- Gain a specific understanding of how to use data and research methodology in their critical thinking.
- Acquire an appreciation of and respect for individual differences and diversity of experiences and background.
- Acquire the statistical and research skills used in the behavioral sciences.
- Have the opportunity to evaluate the diverse professional opportunities in psychology.
Four-Year Plan
A sample four-year plan for the Psychology major is provided, but students should consult with their academic advisors to create a personalized plan.
Advising and Careers
The Department of Psychology offers academic advising and career support for students. Students can schedule an appointment with a Psychology academic advisor using Starfish. The SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science also provides career advising, resume writing, interviewing techniques, internships, graduate school, and more.