This is an archived copy of the 2017-18 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.

Psychology

Psychology Major

A total of 120 credits is required for a major in Psychology leading toward a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree.

Psychology Minor

A minor in Psychology offers students electing majors in other disciplines the opportunity to complement their studies with a coherent set of psychology courses. Different courses are compatible with interests and career goals of students in major areas such as business, child development and family science, and computer science. Students planning a Psychology minor should consult with a faculty adviser from the Department of Psychology .

Students selecting a minor in Psychology must complete 18 credits in psychology (excluding PSYC 494 Individual Study or PSYC 496 Field Experience). These 18 semester credits may not be taken pass/fail and must include at least one 3-credit 300- or 400-level course. A minimum of eight credits must be taken at NDSU.

Major Requirements

Major: Psychology

Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 120

General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree

  • A list of approved general education courses is available here .
  • General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, should they apply.
Communication (C)12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Quantitative Reasoning (R) 3
Science and Technology (S) 10
Humanities and Fine Arts (A) 6
Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) 6
Wellness (W) 2
Cultural Diversity (D) *†
Global Perspectives (G) *†
Total Credits39
*

 May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category.

 May be satisfied with courses required in the major. Review major requirements to determine if a specific upper division writing course is required.

College Requirements

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree – An additional 12 credits Humanities and Social Sciences and proficiency at the second year level in a modern foreign language. *12
Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree – An additional 6 credits in Humanities or Social Sciences *6
*

 Humanities and Social Sciences may be fulfilled by any course having the following prefix: ADHM, ANTH, ARCH, ART, CJ, CLAS, COMM, ECON, ENGL, FREN, GEOG, GERM, HDFS, HIST, LA, LANG, MUSC, PHIL, POLS, PSYC, RELS, SOC, SPAN, THEA, WGS, or any course from the approved list of general education courses in humanities and social sciences (general education categories A and B). These credits must come from outside the department of the student’s major.

Major Requirements

Psychology Major Requirements
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology (Cannot be used to satisfy general education category B)3
PSYC 189Skills for Academic Success 11
PSYC 350Research Methods I3
PSYC 351Research Methods II3
PSYCElectives6
Psychology 400 Level Electives:9
Select one course from 3 of the following 4 groups (A-D)
Group A: Social/Personality:
Organizational Psychology
Personality
Experimental Social Psychology
Group B: Perception/Cognition:
Sensation & Perception
Memory And Knowledge
Attention & Thinking
Group C: Biological Bases of Behavior:
Psychobiology
Health Psychology
Neuropsychology
Group D: Individual Differences:
Experimental Developmental Psychology
The Psychology Of Aging
Advanced Psychopathology
Child Psychopathology and Therapy
Capstone Experience: Select one of the following:3
History & Systems
Honors Thesis
PSYC 400 LevelMay include PSYC 493 (Undergraduate Research) or PSYC 496 (Field Experience) courses taken for a grade.3
Other Required Courses
ENGL 324Writing in the Sciences (May satisfy general education category C)3
or ENGL 325 Writing in the Health Professions
or ENGL 459 Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal
MATH 103College Algebra (or higher level)3
Additional Degree Requirements3-14
Students earning a Bachelor of Science degree must select one of the three tracks listed below in consultation with an adviser (14 credit minimum).
Students earning a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the Modern Foreign Language proficiency (3-14 credits).
Total Credits40-51
Natural Science Track
14 additional credits in math/science. Prefixes accepted include: BIOL, BIOC, BOT, CHEM, ENT, GEOL, MATH, MICR, PHYS, PLSC, STAT, OR ZOO. Courses selected for this track cannot count for general education.
Social Science Track
14 additional credits in social sciences (excluding PSYC prefix courses). Prefixes accepted include: ANTH, CJ, ECON, POLS, SOC or HDFS general education courses or courses that include an HDFS general education prerequisite. Courses selected for this track cannot count for general education.
Other courses accepted include:
Human Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Intercultural Communication
Introduction to Web Design
Listening and Nonverbal Communication
Rhetorical Traditions
Contemporary Rhetoric
Critical Approaches to Popular Culture
Issues in Mass Communications
Issues in Communication
Health Communication II
Managerial Economics
Foundations of Management
Foundations of Organizational Behavior
Human Geography
World Regional Geography
Geography of North America
Minor Program of Study Track
A minor in an approved area of study.
1

 PSYC 189 is only required for first-time, first-year students--A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take PSYC 189.

Program Notes

  • Except for courses offered only as pass/fail grading, no course may be taken Pass/Fail.

Minor Requirements

Psychology Minor

Minor Requirements

Required Credits: 18

Required Courses
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC ElectivesAt least one course must be a 300-400 level course15
Total Credits18

Minor Requirements and Notes

  • A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.
  • Courses cannot be taken P/F.