Major in Psychology

The Psychology major requires 3-4 units in prerequisite coursework and 44 units in psychology (47-48 units total) with a grade equivalent of 2.00 in all courses. No “Pass” grades are accepted for the 44 units in psychology. All students must satisfy the relevant prerequisites for individual psychology courses taken.

All Psychology majors must complete a minimum of 25 units in Psychology (PSYC) courses toward the major at Towson University. In addition, transferred lower (100-200) level Psychology courses do not fulfill any upper (300-400) level requirements of the Psychology major.

Required Prerequisite Course
Any Core 3 (Mathematics) 13-4
Required Courses
PSYC 101INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY3
or PSYC 102 HONORS INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Select one of the following sets of courses:8
PSYC 212
& PSYC 314
BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS
and RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY
or PSYC 213
& PSYC 313
 RESEARCH DESIGN AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS IN PSYCHOLOGY I
and RESEARCH DESIGN AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS IN PSYCHOLOGY II
Foundation Courses 3
PSYC 203HUMAN DEVELOPMENT3
PSYC 225INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY3
PSYC 261INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY3
PSYC 285BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY3
Sociocultural Awareness Requirement 43
Select one of the following:
PSYC 432
CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 441
PSYCHOLOGY OF THE BLACK EXPERIENCE
PSYC 447
PSYCHOLOGY OF GENDER
PSYC 494
TRAVEL AND STUDY ABROAD / AWAY IN PSYCHOLOGY 5
Electives 618
Select minimum 18 units of any other psychology (PSYC) courses (excluding PSYC 325, PSYC 361, PSYC 383 and PSYC 465). At least 15 of the 18 units must be upper (300-400) level. A maximum of 6 of the 18 units can be experiential classes which include PSYC 381, PSYC 391, PSYC 433, PSYC 435, PSYC 454, PSYC 491, PSYC 494, and PSYC 499.
Total Units47-48
1

Core 3 (Mathematics) course must be completed with a minimum C grade. 

2

PSYC 213 (offered only in the fall) and PSYC 313 (offered only in the spring) represent a two-course sequence that must be taken with the same faculty member in the same academic year. In order to receive credit for PSYC 213, students must complete PSYC 313.

3

PSYC 101 is a prerequisite for all Foundation Courses.

4

PSYC 313 or PSYC 314 is a prerequisite for all Sociocultural Awareness courses, except PSYC 494.

5

Only the 3-unit offering of PSYC 494 will fulfill the Sociocultural Awareness requirement.

6

PSYC 313 or PSYC 314 is a prerequisite for all upper (300-400) level elective courses except PSYC 381, PSYC 391, PSYC 435, PSYC 454, and PSYC 491.

Additional Options in Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers undergraduates two options beyond the completion of the general undergraduate concentration: a Clinical Psychology Area of Focus and an Honors Thesis in Psychology option. More specific information about each option is provided below. Admission to each of these options is competitive; for full consideration, applications must be made to the appropriate program director by the third week in October of the student’s junior year. Application packets may be obtained in the Psychology department office.

In addition to the requirements of these options, students must also complete the Core Curriculum requirements of the university and any additional requirements of the Psychology major.

Clinical Psychology Area of Focus

The Clinical Psychology Area of Focus offers more extensive training in Clinical Psychology beyond that gained by completion of the Psychology major. The area of focus provides a three-term course sequence (14 units), beginning in the spring term of the junior year. Courses are organized around practicum experience with extensive supervision so that there is continuity between theory and practice of clinical skills.

Following are the Clinical Psychology Area of Focus:

Term 1 (spring of junior year)
PSYC 431GROUP DYNAMICS3
PSYC 439THE INITIAL INTERVIEW3
Term 2 (fall of senior year)
PSYC 454INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOTHERAPY4
Term 3 (spring of senior year)
PSYC 454INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOTHERAPY4

For a student to be admitted to the Clinical Psychology Area of Focus, the following criteria must be met by the spring term of the junior year:

  1. Completion of PSYC 205 and PSYC 261 with a grade of “B” (3.00) or better in both courses
  2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.40 and a Psychology GPA of 3.60
  3. Submission of a writing sample, a letter of recommendation from a TU faculty member (preferably from Psychology) or employer who has observed the applicant’s interpersonal skills, maturity and professionalism, and an interview with the program director to determine the student’s suitability to complete the Clinical Psychology Area of Focus

Honors Thesis in Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers an undergraduate honors thesis option that provides students an opportunity to learn in-depth about the research process in psychology. Students complete an independent thesis in close collaboration with a faculty mentor, while taking a series of advanced courses on research methods, data analysis, thesis preparation and professional presentation. The three-term program (11 units) culminates in the student’s senior year with the completion of the thesis and presentation of the findings in a symposium format.

The honors thesis option begins during the spring term of the student’s junior year and continues throughout the student’s senior year. The option is open to both native Towson students and transfer students entering the Psychology major in the beginning of their junior year.

Following are the specific courses that all honors thesis students must take:

Term 1 (spring of junior year)
PSYC 486ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN3
Term 2 (fall of senior year)
PSYC 497HONORS SEMINAR IN PSYCHOLOGY3
Term 3 (spring of senior year)
PSYC 498HONORS CAPSTONE PSYCHOLOGY3
PSYC 499HONORS SENIOR THESIS IN PSYCHOLOGY3

For a student to be admitted to the Honors Thesis in Psychology option, the following criteria must be met by the spring term of the junior year:

  1. Completion of PSYC 212/PSYC 213 and PSYC 313/PSYC 314 with a “B” grade or better
  2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.40 and a Psychology GPA of 3.60
  3. Identification of a Psychology faculty member who will supervise the thesis
  4. Submission of a personal statement and writing sample and interview with the program director

Departmental honors will be posted to the transcript shortly after the bachelor’s degree is conferred.

Suggested Four-Year Plan

Based on course availability and student needs and preferences, the selected sequences will probably vary from those presented below. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
PSYC 101 or 102 (Core 6)3PSYC 2033
Core 1 (or Core 2)3PSYC 2253
Core 33Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Core 43Core 53
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
PSYC 212 or 2134PSYC 313 or 314 (Core 9)4
PSYC 2613Core 84
PSYC 2853Core 103
Core 74Elective3
Core 113Elective3
 17 17
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
Select one of the following: (Sociocultural Awareness Course)3Psychology Elective3
Upper-Level Psychology Elective3
Core 133
Upper-Level Elective3
Core 143Elective3
Elective3 
Elective3 
Elective3 
 15 15
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
Upper-Level Psychology Elective3Upper-Level Psychology Elective3
Upper-Level Psychology Elective3Upper-Level Psychology Elective3
Core 123Upper-Level Elective3
Upper-Level Elective3Upper-Level Elective3
Elective2 
 14 12
Total Units 120

American Psychological Association Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major (version 2.0)

  1. Knowledge Base in Psychology
    1. Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology
    2. Develop a working knowledge of psychology's content domain
    3. Describe applications of psychology
  2. Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking
    1. Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena
    2. Demonstrate psychology information literacy
    3. Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving
    4. Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research
    5. Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry
  3. Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World
    1. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice
    2. Build and enhance interpersonal relationships
    3. Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels
  4. Communication
    1. Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes
    2. Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes
    3. Interact effectively with others
  5. Professional Development
    1. Apply psychological content and skills to career goals
    2. Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation
    3. Refine project-management skills
    4. Enhance teamwork capacity
    5. Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation