Program Overview

Psychological Sciences BA

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychological Sciences is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of mental processes, the brain, and behavior in humans and other animals. Students will learn to think critically, understand and conduct scientific research, communicate clearly, take ethical and social responsibility, and plan their careers.

Requirements

• PSYCH 1000: Choosing a Career in Psychology (1 hour)
• PSYCH 1003: General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100) (3 hours)
• PSYCH 2201: Psychological Statistics (4 hours)
• PSYCH 2211: Introduction to Biological Psychology (3 hours)
• PSYCH 2219: Research Methods in Psychological Science (3 hours)
• PSYCH 2245: Psychological Disorders (3 hours)
• PSYCH 4999: Integrated Psychology (2 hours)
• PSYCH 2268: Lifespan Developmental Psychology (MOTR PSYC 200) (3 hours) or PSYCH 2270: Developmental Psychology: Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence
• Select four Psychology courses numbered 3000 to 4998 (12 hours)
• Total Hours: 34

Additional Notes

• Psychology majors must not take courses in excess of 50 hours in Psychology. Credits completed in Psychology in excess of 50 will not count toward graduation.
• The three-course sequence of Math, Psychological Statistics (PSYCH 2201), and Research Methods (PSYCH 2219) requires a minimum of three semesters to complete.
• Students must satisfy the current University mathematical skills requirement before taking PSYCH 2201, Psychological Statistics.
• PSYCH 2201 and PSYCH 2219 cannot be taken concurrently.
• Candidates for the B.A. must complete at least 34, but no more than 50, hours of courses taught by or cross-listed with the Department of Psychological Sciences.
• Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in the major overall, and must earn a C- or above in each of the courses comprising the 34 credits applied to the B.A. degree in Psychology.
• In addition, candidates for the B.A. are required to satisfactorily complete 13 credit hours in one foreign language.

Graduate School Preparation

In addition to the required courses listed above, students interested in applying to graduate school in Psychology are strongly encouraged to become involved in a research project with a Psychology faculty member by securing enrollment in PSYCH 3390, Directed Studies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the degree, graduates of the BA in Psychology program at UM-St. Louis will be able to:

• Demonstrate an integrative understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research, and historical trends in psychology and the prediction of behavior across the scientific subdisciplines.
• Summarize and explain the use of the scientific approach to solve behavioral problems and articulate how behavioral explanations rely on critical thinking, scientific reasoning, weighing evidence, and tolerating ambiguity.
• Identify and evaluate appropriate research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation.
• Communicate using a variety of formats in a clear, concise way.
• Demonstrate respect for members of diverse groups with sensitivity to issues of power, privilege, and discrimination, while adopting social and ethical values that build community at local, national, and global levels.
• Display professionalism and ownership of professional growth and learning through an evolving career development plan tailored to one’s accurate self-assessment of abilities, achievements, motivations, and work habits.

Sample Four Year Plan

First Year

• Fall: INTDSC 1003, PSYCH 1000, PSYCH 1003, ENGL 1100, CORE - Mathematics Proficiency, EXPLORE - Humanities and Fine Arts
• Spring: PSYCH 2268 or 2270, PSYCH 2245, BIOL 1012, EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences, Foreign Language 1001 Second Year
• Fall: PSYCH 2201, CORE - US History and Government, Foreign Language 1002, Global Perspectives Requirement, Elective or minor
• Spring: PSYCH 2219, Foreign Language 2101, CORE - Communication Proficiency, EXPLORE - Humanities and Fine Arts Third Year
• Fall: ENGL 3100, PSYCH 2211, PSYCH 3XXX/4XXX Upper-Level Requirement, EXPLORE - Humanities and Fine Arts, EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences
• Spring: PSYCH 3XXX/4XXX Psychology Upper-Level Requirement, PSYCH 3XXX/4XXX Psychology Upper-Level Requirement, EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences, Elective or minor, Elective or minor Fourth Year
• Fall: PSYCH 3XXX/4XXX Psychology Upper-Level Requirement, Elective or minor
• Spring: PSYCH 4999, Elective or minor Total Hours: 120

Academic Affairs

For more information, please contact the Academic Affairs office.