Psychology Major

The major in psychology encourages students to explore a wide range of perspectives from the discipline in order to select areas for in-depth study. The department has identified a selection of different perspectives that are included in the introductory psychology course required of all majors. Students will also take a course in statistical methods, take at least one course in research methodology, and sample from clusters of courses with related perspectives. A total of 42 credits is required for a psychology major.

Required courses:

• PSY 111 (lecture; LER-NS w/ 112)
• PSY 112 (laboratory; LER-NS w/ 111)
• PSY 200 (LER-MR)
• PSY 252 (Quantitative Resarch Methods in Psychology) or 255 (Qualitative Research Methods)

Three 300-level courses, at least two of which must be seminars (nine credits).

Note: PSY 346 does not fulfill the 300-level course requirement. PSY 329 and PSY 398 can fulfill the 300-level course requirement only if taken for 3 or 4 credits.

Students may repeat seminars for credit provided that the topic is different. However, at least two seminars with different course numbers must be taken in order to satisfy the seminar requirement. Also, the seminars, as well as PSY 252 or 255, must be taken at Goucher rather than in study-abroad programs or at other institutions.

Cluster courses: Four courses selected from the following clusters, as indicated:

Cluster I (two courses)

• PSY 202 Human Learning and Memory
• PSY 233 Sensation and Perception
• PSY 235 Cognitive Psychology
• PSY 237 Physiological Psychology

Cluster II (one course)

• PSY 203 Human Motivation
• PSY 228 Positive Psychology
• PSY 230 Social Psychology
• PSY 244 Lifespan Development

Cluster III (one course)

• PSY 212 Existential and Humanistic Psychology
• PSY 219 Cultural Psychology (LER-DIV)
• PSY 226 Relational Psychology
• PSY 227 Psychology of Women

Three elective courses:

Additional courses from the clusters or seminars may serve as electives, as well as any other courses in psychology. Students will select additional course work and experiences that support their individual development goals in collaboration with their advisors. Students are encouraged to both broaden and deepen their study by taking advantage of opportunities for independent study and research, internships, study abroad, interdisciplinary and interinstitutional course work, and senior level capstone experiences, such as seminars and theses.

To meet the minimum requirements for consideration to receive honors in the psychology major, a student must have at least a 3.5 GPA in psychology and have taken PSY 329, PSY 395, PSY 398, or completed a senior thesis in psychology. Honors recipients are selected from among those eligible by the Psychology Department faculty, based on relative strength of GPA in psychology and quality of independent study or thesis work.

Honors in the Major

Departmental honors are awarded on the basis of outstanding course work and independent research. To be eligible for consideration, students must have at least a 3.5 GPA in psychology and have taken PSY 395, PSY 398 or completed a senior thesis. Honors recipients are selected from among those eligible by the psychology department faculty, based on relative strength of GPA in psychology and quality of independent study or thesis work.