Undergraduate training offered by the Department of Psychology serves several related purposes. For the science major and the liberal arts major, the study of psychology provides an opportunity to learn the scientific approach to the study of behavior which will include material helpful in increasing self-understanding and insight into the behavior of others. For students preparing for medicine, law, education, nursing, business, and other professions, psychology provides important basic knowledge useful in these vocations. For those planning to pursue graduate study in psychology, the undergraduate program establishes a sound foundation. Psychology-related employment for graduates with a bachelor’s degree has increased in recent years. Such employment, of course, depends on the personal characteristics of the individual, on the special qualifications and training of the individual, and particularly on job opportunity.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for this program are satisfied by the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University.

Psychology Mass Advising / Information Meeting

Attendance at one of the meetings is mandatory for all psychology majors. Students are expected to attend prior to their first advising appointment.

Prospective and current WSU students who are considering majoring or minoring in psychology should attend to learn about the major and opportunities within the field.  It is also helpful for individuals who are considering pursuing psychology as a second career and/or graduate studies. Meetings will cover psychology major requirements, information about graduate school, research experience, volunteer experience, career development, tips for success and much more. Attendance at one of the meetings is mandatory for all psychology majors. Students are encouraged to attend as soon as possible and should feel free to bring parents and/or interested friends. View the current schedule.

 

Program Requirements

Candidates must complete minimum of 120 credits in course work including satisfaction of the University General Education Requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements, as well as the Departmental major requirements cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.

Major Requirements 

• To graduate with a major in psychology, a student must complete satisfactorily at least thirty-four credits in PSY courses BEYOND the credits for PSY 1010 or PSY 1020+PSY 1030 (Introductory Requirement).
• Students must also attend the Psychology Mass Advising Meeting. This two-hour meeting is offered approximately every two-three weeks at various days/times. Students need to attend only once, but must be present for the full meeting. Students are expected to attend either prior to or upon declaring major in psychology. View the current schedule.
• Transfer students must complete at least twenty credits in the Psychology Department at Wayne State University.

Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Introductory Requirement (Select one of the following):
For psychology majors, a minimum grade of C in the Introductory Psychology Requirement is a pre-requisite for all other PSY courses. Students must have at least a 2.0 overall grade point average in their psychology coursework to graduate. PSY 1010 is recommended over PSY 1020 for students who intend to major in psychology.
Option 1
PSY 1010	Introductory Psychology (preferred option)
Option 2
PSY 1020	Elements of Psychology (or earned AP Psych credit)
PSY 1030	Introductory Psychology Laboratory
Mathematics
Students can satisfy the Mathematics requirement through one of the course or test options below. Courses require a minimum grade of a C.
BA 2300	Quantitative Methods I: Probability and Statistical Inference
STA 1020	Elementary Statistics
MAT 1000-6999
ACT Math score of 25 or better
SAT Math score of 600 or better
Michigan Transfer Agreement score of 100 or better
Math Placement Score of 3 or 4
Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 2020	Research Methods In Psychology 1
Statistical Methods
PSY 2030	Statistical Methods in Psychology 2
Experimental Lecture (select one of the following):
PSY 3040	Psychology of Perception: Fundamental Processes
PSY 3060	Psychology of Learning and Memory: Fundamental Processes
PSY 3080	Cognitive Psychology: Fundamental Processes
PSY 3120	Brain and Behavior
Experimental Laboratory
PSY 3993	Laboratory in Experimental Psychology ( PSY 3993 must be completed with a grade of C or better.)
Intermediate Composition (IC) course must be completed prior to PSY 3993.
Additional Core Courses
Select two of the following:
PSY 2100	Psychology and the Workplace
PSY 2400	Developmental Psychology
PSY 2600	Psychology of Social Behavior
PSY 3310	Introduction to Psychopathology
PSY 5020	Honors Research in Psychology
Elective Courses
As needed to satisfy the minimum credit requirement (thirty-four PSY credits BEYOND the Introductory Psychology Requirement). Students usually need three to five elective PSY courses.

¹

PSY 2020 is a mandatory prerequisite for other courses, such as PSY 2030, PSY 3993 and PSY 5020. Students are strongly encouraged to take PSY 2020 within one year after completion of the Introductory Psychology requirement. A minimum grade of C is required for Psychology majors. PSY 2020 can only be repeated one time.

²

PSY 2030 is a mandatory prerequisite for other courses, such as PSY 3993 and PSY 5020. Students are strongly encouraged to take PSY 2030 within one year after completion of the Introductory Psychology requirement. A minimum grade of C is required for Psychology majors. PSY 2030 can only be repeated one time.

Preparation for Psychology Graduate Work

While individual graduate programs in psychology have different requirements for admission, students who intend to do graduate work are advised to earn the B.A. or B.S. degree and select courses that are consistent with their intended area of study. Students are also encouraged to obtain research experience. A psychology advisor will help tailor a plan-of-work that is based on academic and career goals. Additional courses in mathematics, computer science, biology, and sociology are strongly recommended for students pursuing graduate work in psychology and for students who plan to apply for professional programs.