Department of Psychology and Counseling

[1] Purposes

The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Science program in psychology is to prepare undergraduates: (1) to think scientifically about behavior and (2) for advanced studies in psychology and other professional areas where an understanding of the principles of behavior is required.

[2] Honors in Psychology

[Jump to Recognition of Academic Achievement for general information about Honors in the Majors.]

The Honors in Psychology program allows majors to complete an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty advisor in the department. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and a major grade average of 3.00, have completed a minimum of 72 hours of total coursework, and have completed a minimum of 12 hours of psychology coursework. Applicants will notify the Chair of the Honors Committee in the Department of Psychology and Counseling about their intent to participate by submitting a description of their research plan. To graduate with honors a student must complete and defend the project before graduation and give an oral presentation of both an initial proposal and a subsequent defense of his/her project to the department’s Honors Committee.

[3] Curricula

Note: The BA in Psychology is being phased out and is no longer accepting new students. For details, please contact the Department of Psychology and Counseling.

[3.1] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Science

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The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements through major courses, including PSYC 3332: Research Methods (I), PSYC 3340: Research Methods Lab (Z), PSYC 4340: History & Systems (D) and a Responsible Living course to include PSYC 3305: Health Psychology (R), PSYC 3306: Positive Psychology (R) or a (R) designated course from the minor (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements; and (3) 36 hours in the department as indicated below. A minor (or second major) is required and must be worked out with the student’s advisor in the other department.

[3.1.1] BS, Major in Psychology (36 hours)

Category I: Psychology Core (15 hours)

Category II: Choose 6 hours

Category III: Choose 6 hours

Category IV: Choose 9 hours

Courses not used to complete category II or III requirements may be used in category IV.

[3.2] Minors

[3.2.1] Minor in Psychology (21 hours)

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Twenty-one hours including General Psychology, and 18 additional PSYC hours selected in consultation with departmental advisor (excluding PSYC 4340: History and Systems of Psychology).

[3.2.2] Minor in Sports Psychology (21 hours)

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The minor in Sports Psychology requires 21 hours (3 hours of prerequisites that may also count towards the lower-division core and 18 hours of course work from the PSYC, NUTR, BIOL, and EXSS).

Required Prerequisite

Other Required Courses

Elective Courses

Students who complete a BS degree in Psychology can minor in Sports Psychology, but PSYC courses used for the major will not also count for the minor.

[3.2.3] Minor in Cognitive Neuroscience (22 hours)

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The minor in Cognitive Neuroscience requires 22 hours as detailed here:

Required Prerequisites

Note: Psychology majors must take one additional 3-credit psychology course to substitute for the PSYC 1300 prerequisite because PSYC 1300 must be used for the psychology major. Note also that the prerequisites may fulfill UCA Core lower-division requirements in addition to minor requirements.

Elective Courses

Students who complete a BS degree in Psychology can minor in Cognitive Neuroscience, but PSYC courses used for the major will not also count for the minor.

[3.2.4] Minor in Health Psychology (21 hours)

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The minor in Health Psychology requires 21 hours as detailed here:

Required Courses

Note: Prerequisites may fulfill UCA Core lower-division requirements in addition to minor requirements.

Elective courses

Students who complete the BS in Psychology can minor in Health Psychology, but PSYC courses used for the major will not also count for the minor.
¹ Health Coaching Certificate: Students completing the health coaching certificate must complete HLTH 2201, 3325, 4398, and 4399.

[3.2.5] Minor in Multicultural Psychology, Diversity, and Inclusion (21 hours)

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The minor in Multicultural Psychology, Diversity, and Inclusion requires 21 hours as detailed here:

Required Prerequisite

Note: Psychology majors must take one additional 3-credit psychology course to substitute for the PSYC 1300 prerequisite, because PSYC 1300 must be used for the psychology major. Note also that prerequisites may fulfill UCA Core lower-division requirements in addition to minor requirements.

Required courses

Elective courses

12 Hours of course work selected from the following (Students must take no more than two elective courses from the same department: PHIL, PSYC, RELG, ENGL, HLTH, AFAM.)

[3.3] Graduate Degrees

The Department of Psychology and Counseling offers master’s degrees in Mental Health Counseling and School Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Psychology (School Psychology and Counseling Psychology). See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

[4] Courses in Psychology (PSYC)

Follow this link to PSYC course descriptions: course link.