Psychology Major

Requirements for the Major in Psychology

1. Five core courses designed to provide a common foundation in basic knowledge, methods and theory:
   
   1. PSYC 051 PO - Psychological Approaches to the Study of People ; PSYC 158 PO - Introductory Statistics for Psychology ; and PSYC 159 PO - Research Design and Methodology with Lab 
   2. Two laboratory courses from PSYC 143 PO - Neuropsychology, with Laboratory ; PSYC 160 PO - Perception and Cognition with Lab ; PSYC 162 PO - Memory and Language with Lab 
2. Culture, Ethnicity and Psychology requirement. One course from among the following: PSYC 084 CH - Psychology of the Chicano/a ; PSYC 125 AF -Culture/Hum Dev:African Diaspora ; PSYC 150 AF - Psychology of the Black Experience ; PSYC 151 CH - The Psychology of Multicultural Education ; PSYC 153 AA - Asian American Psychology 
3. Electives. Three courses, each from a different one of the following areas: Social Issues, PSYC 078 PO  or PSYC 176 PO ; Child Psychology, PSYC 108 PO  or PSYC 123 PO ; Abnormal Psychology, PSYC 131 PO ; Social Psychology, PSYC 154 PO ; Industrial/Organizational Psychology, PSYC 156 PO . 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.
4. Advanced Seminar. One advanced seminar from the 180 series. 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.
5. PSYC 185 PO - Psychology: History, Science and Applications , an integrative course taken in the senior year
6. PSYC 191 PO - Senior Thesis 
7. 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 settings
   3. take core courses as early as possible
   4. take more than three electives
   5. sample psychology courses elsewhere at The Claremont Colleges
   6. take the advanced seminar in the junior year in the planned area of the senior thesis
   7. take more than one advanced seminar
   8. 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. A score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam in psychology may be substituted for the PSYC 051 PO  requirement.