Psychology (B.A., B.S.)

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34 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Students in this major must also complete requirements for a degree in the College of Arts & Sciences .

Departmental Requirements (25-26 hours)

PSYC 101 - General Psychology (C) [SGR #3]
PSYC 371 - Statistics in Psychological Research (C)
PSYC 275 - Introduction to Research Methods
Or
PSYC 373 - Research Methods in Experimental Psychology (C)
Foundations (Choose four courses from the following, one course must be with lab) 13-14 cr hrs:
PSYC 241 - Introduction to Social Psychology
PSYC 301 - Sensation and Perception (C) *
PSYC 301L - Sensation & Perception Laboratory (C)
PSYC 302 - Principles of Learning and Memory *
PSYC 302L - Principles of Learning and Memory Laboratory
PSYC 321 - Human Development: Lifespan (C)
PSYC 406 - Cognitive Psychology (C)
PSYC 411 - Physiological Psychology (C)
PSYC 461 - Theories of Personality (C)
Note: Must select at least one course including a lab as designated with an *
Diversity: Choose one (3 cr.):
PSYC 321 Human Development: Lifespan (C) 3cr
PSYC 366 - Understanding the Sexes
PSYC 423 - Research in Aging
PSYC 443 - Social Psychology of Prejudice
PSYC 446 - Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
PSYC 456 - Introduction to Disaster Psychology
PSYC 460 - Psychological Perspectives on Diversity
Note: PSYC 321 may count as either a foundation or diversity but not both

PSYC Electives for non-specialization (8-9 hours)

Any non-required USD psychology course (with a PSYC prefix) will count as a PSYC elective, except for the following. PSYC 359 does not count toward the Psychology Major.

B.A. and B.S. Distribution Requirements:

The following PSYC courses count toward the B.A. and B.S. distribution requirements:

Natural Sciences ONLY

These courses may be used only to satisfy distribution requirements in natural sciences:

Social Sciences ONLY

These courses may be used only to satisfy distribution requirements in social sciences:

Either Natural Sciences or Social Sciences:

These courses may be used to satisfy either natural sciences or social sciences distribution requirements, but the same course cannot be counted as both natural sciences and social sciences:

Note:

Depending upon the content of Special Topics and individual study courses, they may be designated as either natural sciences or social sciences.

Area of Specialization within the Psychology Major: Disaster Response

Departmental Requirements (22 hours)

PSYC 101 - General Psychology (C) [SGR #3]
PSYC 371 - Statistics in Psychological Research (C)
PSYC 275 - Introduction to Research Methods
OR
PSYC 373 - Research Methods in Experimental Psychology (C)
Foundations (Choose four courses from the following, one course must be with lab) 13-14 cr hrs:
PSYC 241 - Introduction to Social Psychology
PSYC 301 - Sensation and Perception (C) *
PSYC 301L - Sensation & Perception Laboratory (C)
PSYC 302 - Principles of Learning and Memory *
PSYC 302L - Principles of Learning and Memory Laboratory
PSYC 321 - Human Development: Lifespan (C)
PSYC 406 - Cognitive Psychology (C)
PSYC 411 - Physiological Psychology (C)
PSYC 461 - Theories of Personality (C)
Note: Must select at least one course including a lab as designated with an *

Disaster Response Specialization (15 hours)

Specialization Requirements (12 hours)

PSYC 255 - Introduction to Disaster Response
PSYC 256 - Psychological First Aid
PSYC 258 - Children and Trauma
PSYC 456 - Introduction to Disaster Psychology [meets deparmtental diversity requirement]

Electives (3 hours)

Select from the following list:
PSYC 241 - Introduction to Social Psychology
PSYC 439 - Psychology of Safety
PSYC 457 - Directed Readings in Disaster
PSYC 458 - Directed Research in Disaster
SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (C) [SGR #3]

Note:

Students completing the Psychology Major Specialization in Disaster Response will be required to also complete all the requirements of the Psychology Major. Since PSYC 359 Practicum in Disaster Response does not count toward the psychology requirements, psychology majors wishing to complete the specialization need to complete three hours beyond the 31 hours which is the minimum requirement for psychology majors at USD.

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.