Programs Offered

Major in Psychology

Minor in Psychology

MA in College Student Development and Administration

Advising Forms

Catalogs prior to 2011

Psychology Department Degree Assessment Form

Sample Four Year Schedule

2011 Catalog

Coming soon!

Curriculum for a Major in Psychology
Shepherd University offers a program in psychology leading to the bachelor of arts degree.

The purpose of the psychology program includes the following:

  1. To expose the student to the nature of scientific explanation and scientific research within psychology as well as to provide a conceptual framework for understanding human behavior.
  2. To provide, for the qualified student, actual experience in career settings involving teaching, research, or service work within psychology, or a combination of these (this is accomplished through the practicum and cooperative education programs).
  3. To contribute to the preparation of the student for admission to graduate school and to schools offering advanced professional certification.
In addition to a major in psychology, students must also complete the Core Curriculum program, complete a minor field of study, meet the 12-hour BA Foreign Language Requirement , and include at least 42 hours of courses numbered 300 and above in their program in order to meet graduation requirements for the bachelor of arts degree. ENGL 103 Writing for the Social Sciences is also recommended.

With permission of the Department of Psychology, the six hours of free electives may be career-track electives. Career-track electives are courses from outside the student’s major and minor that clearly relate to the student’s career plans.

Total Hours Required 40
Required Courses 25
Electives 15

Required courses:

PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
PSYC 250* Statistics for the Social Sciences 4
PSYC 251 Research Methods in Psychology 3
PSYC 340 Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3
PSYC 361 Biopsychology 3
PSYC 420 History and Systems of Psychology 3
PSYC 484 Directed Readings 3
PSYC 485 Senior Thesis 3

Restricted Electives, Group 1 (choose 1 course)

PSYC 370 Sensation and Perception 3
PSYC 371 Memory and Cognition 3
PSYC 372 Psychology of Learning 3

Restricted Electives, Group 2 (choose 2 courses)

PSYC 309 Abnormal Psychology 3
PSYC 305 Social Psychology 3
PSYC 310 Psychology of Personality 3

Free Electives

At least 6 additional credits of any 300-400 PSYC, excluding PSYC 323 and 324 Conversational Sign Language I and II**.

*MATH 314 Statistics or BADM 224 Business Statistics may be substituted for PSYC 250.

**PSYC 315 Psychological Tests and Measurements is strongly recommended for those students interested in pursuing a career in clinical or counseling psychology.


Curriculum for a Minor in Psychology
Total Hours Required 18
Required Courses 6
Electives 12

Required courses:

PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
PSYC 340 Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3

Restricted Electives (choose 2 courses)

PSYC 309 Abnormal Psychology 3
PSYC 305 Social Psychology 3
PSYC 310 Psychology of Personality 3

Free Electives

At least 6 additional credits of any 300-400 PSYC, excluding PSYC 323 and 324 Conversational Sign Language I and II**.

*MATH 314 Statistics or BADM 224 Business Statistics may be substituted for PSYC 250. Where statistics is required in the student’s major, an extra upper-level PSYC course may be substituted for those hours in the minor.

**PSYC 315 Psychological Tests and Measurements is strongly recommended for those students interested in pursuing a career in clinical or counseling psychology.

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