Student Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends relevant to the foundational domains of psychology, including cognitive, social, clinical, and developmental bases of behavior

2. Understand and apply basic principles related to research design, data analysis, and interpretation.  This would include the ability to formulate testable research hypotheses, design a simple study to test the hypothesis, and apply appropriate statistical tests to answer basic research questions relevant to the field of psychology

3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the American Psychological Association (APA) ethical guidelines and their applications in the context of conducting psychological research

4. Employ the effective use of written communication in the psychological sciences.  Employ the effective use of oral communication in the psychological sciences

5. Demonstrate the ability to effectively work in the field of psychology through involvement in faculty-mentored research, community-based internships, and independent study

6. Investigate natural phenomena, including the development of predictive explanatory systems, including the study of numerical and other abstract structures and relations

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Degree

Program Requirements

The B.S. requires a minimum of 30 credits in psychology (PSY) courses numbered 300 or above.  Only PSY courses count toward the 30 required credits. Students must earn a grade point average of at least a 2.0 in all upper-division Psychology (PSY) courses taken at Syracuse University and counted towards the completion of the major (see MySlice for the GPA calculator).  No more than three credits of PSY 270 or PSY 470 (Experience Credit) may be counted toward the major.  A course may be used to satisfy only one requirement. 

Petitions

Students interested in taking a psychology class at another institution and transferring it to Syracuse University to count toward either the major or minor should discuss the process with his/her academic advisor.  An electronic petition form must be completed.  Be sure to include all identifying information, such as your name and SU ID number, in the appropriate fields.

Prior to enrolling in the course, email the form and a copy of the course syllabus to the psychology department’s inbox at psychology@.syr.edu. Petitions may take up to two weeks for review. Winter intersession classes are generally not accepted as transfer credit. Students should plan their program of study in consultation with their academic advisor in order to ensure timely completion of degree requirements.

Additional Mathematics and Natural Science Requirements

Distinction Program

Program faculty will invite majors who meet the eligibility requirements to participate in the Distinction Program. The Distinction Program offers an enhanced research and mentoring experience. Distinction candidates must, at the time of graduation, have a GPA of at least 3.6 in Psychology courses and 3.4 overall. They must also complete two required psychology distinction courses (PSY 497 and PSY 498). In addition, they will conduct faculty-sponsored empirical or theoretical research using real or simulated data on a topic that is appropriate for psychology journals. Distinction candidates must write a research paper in a style appropriate for psychology journals and receive approval of their final document from their faculty sponsor and one faculty reader. The Distinction Program provides scholars the skills and support needed to produce a project suitable for presentation at an academic conference or for publication in a psychology journal.