Psychology

Whether you’re interested in psychology as a helping profession or as the science of mind and behavior, the Department of Psychology at North Dakota State University is an exciting place to be. For the last several years, our programs have grown to build on our strengths in health psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Our expanded faculty and graduate programs mean that our undergraduate majors have ample opportunities for participating in cutting-edge research and course work.

Psychologists study a broad range of thought and behavior, from normal to abnormal, in both individuals and social groups. What distinguishes psychology from other fields is its strong research orientation. Because psychology is relevant to virtually all professions, students who plan to enter professions such as medicine, law, business management, social work, education or counseling often elect to major or minor in psychology.

Most professional positions for psychologists require a master's or doctoral degree. In addition to pursuing graduate work in psychology, recent graduates have entered professional programs in medicine, counseling and guidance, business, special education, social work, law, dentistry, ministry and optometry.

Many of our students seek employment immediately after completing their bachelor's degree. Employers seek out psychology majors for their combination of people and research skills. Some of our graduates have entered positions directly related to psychological services (e.g., mental health aide, psychological testing technician, behavior analyst, or medical research assistant). Others have taken positions not directly concerned with psychological services but related to psychology (e.g., sales, management, law enforcement, corrections, advertising, market research and statistical consulting).

Alumni surveys by the NDSU Career Center have consistently shown that our graduates are very successful in obtaining good jobs or going on to graduate or professional school.

Undergraduate students can either major or minor in psychology at NDSU. Students majoring in psychology may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.). The primary difference between the two degree programs is that the B.A. degree requires competency at the second-year level of a foreign language while the B.S. requires an approved minor or additional course work in either the natural sciences or the social sciences instead of a language. Both the major and minor requirements within psychology allow each student to select the courses most relevant to his or her own interests.

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 493 Undergraduate Research, PSYC 494 or PSYC 496 ). 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.

Plans of Study

Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum.  Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study.

Degree Notes:

• Students earning a Bachelor of Science degree must select one of the three tracks (Natural Science, Social Science or Minor Program of Study) in consultation with an adviser (14 credit minimum).

Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum.  Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study.

Degree Notes:

• Students earning a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the Modern Foreign Language proficiency (3-14 credits).