Psychology Major

Requirements for the Major in Psychology

1. Introduction to the major. Provides a broad introduction to methods and perspectives of psychological science: PSYC051 PO - Introduction to Psychological Science ; A score of 4 or 5 on the AP or 6 or 7 on the IB exam in psychology may be substituted for PSYC 051 PO .
2. Research design and statistical methods in psychology (two course sequence):
   1. PSYC157 PO - Research Design and Methodology in Psychology with Lab  
   2. PSYC158 PO - Introductory Statistics for Psychology with Lab  
3. Two laboratory courses from PSYC143 PO - Neuropsychology with Lab , PSYC160 PO - Cognitive Psychology with Lab  , PSYC162 PO - Memory and Language with Lab  or PSYC163 PO - Emotion with Lab  . With prior approval of Psychology advisor PSYC 133 PO  or CSCI 030 PO  can be used as a substitute for one of the laboratory courses.
4. Culture, ethnicity and psychology requirement. One course from among the following: PSYC084 CH - Psychology of the Chicano/a ; PSYC150 AF - Psychology of the Black Experience ; PSYC153 AA - Asian American Psychology  
5. Electives. Three courses,  PSYC176 PO - The Psychology of Health and Medicine ; PSYC108 PO - Child Development ; PSYC123 PO - Language Development ; PSYC140 PO - The Social Brain ; PSYC131 PO - Abnormal Psychology ; PSYC154 PO - Social Psychology ; PSYC156 PO - Industrial/Organizational Psychology . With the approval of the department chair, appropriate courses from other psychology departments in The Claremont Colleges may be used to meet elective requirements. The electives are intended to ensure a breadth of knowledge and prevent premature specialization. Some courses in the 189 Z series will also fulfill this requirement; such courses will not have “Seminar” in the title. Consult with your advisor.
6. Advanced Seminar. One advanced seminar from the 180 series. (PSYC 180A PO , PSYC 180B PO , PSYC 180C PO , PSYC 180D PO , PSYC 180G PO , PSYC 180H PO , PSYC 180J PO , PSYC 180M CH , PSYC 180P PO ,PSYC 180W PO , PSYC 180X AF ).The advanced seminar is designed to provide depth in theory and methodology. Students are encouraged to take a seminar by the end of the junior year. Some courses in the 189A-Z series will also fulfill this requirement; such courses will have “Seminar” in the title. Consult with your advisor.
7. Senior Exercise:
   1. In the fall of the senior year, students take PSYC 190 PO  (an integrative course) and PSYC 190R PO  (senior research leading to the senior thesis).
   2. PSYC191 PO - Senior Thesis , taken in the spring of the senior year.
8. Further recommendations for majors:
   1. develop a program of research and conduct independent or collaborative research
   2. seek out field placements and work experience in clinical and applied settings
   3. plan your schedule so that you can take advantage of study abroad opportunities
   4. take core courses as early as possible
   5. take more than three electives
   6. sample psychology courses elsewhere at The Claremont Colleges
   7. take the advanced seminar in the junior year in the planned area of the senior thesis
   8. take more than one advanced seminar
   9. take additional courses in mathematics, biology and other scientific fields. Students should consult with their advisor for the most appropriate course selection.

All courses for the major must be taken for a letter grade.