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, HSDC]
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, HSDC]
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 departmental 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, HSDC]

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.