The B.S. in Psychological Science program requires 42 credit hours in psychology. The B.S. degree is designed for students interested in a more traditional path in psychology that is geared towards research-focused careers and graduate study. As a result, B.S. students are required to engage in an extra 3 credits in either research or internship-based courses. We also offer an Honors B.S. Degree for those students who qualify.
All in the Psychology BS Program are required to take FIVE core courses (PSY 101 Intro, 350 Statistics, 450 Research Methods, 471 History and Systems, 472 Senior Seminar). Introduction to Psychology (PSY 101) is the prerequisite for all other psychology courses. This introductory course examines research methods, principles of learning, sensation and perception, normal and abnormal personality, motivation, emotion, frustration, conflict, development, the biological bases of behavior, testing and social behavior.
YOU MUST PASS PSY 101 WITH A GRADE OF “C” OR BETTER TO BE A PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR AND YOU MUST GET A GRADE OF B- OR HIGHER IN STATISTICS (PSY 350) TO BE IN THE BS PROGRAM.
Although not required, it is highly recommended that students take Psychological Science Fundamentals (PSY 250) in their first or second year in order to better prepare for taking PSY 350 Statistics and PSY 450 Research Methods. PSY 250 is an overview of the science of psychology and includes topics such as how to be successful as a psychology major, language and structure of research as a process of scientific inquiry, analysis and evaluation of research articles, fundamentals of writing in the discipline, careers in psychology and ethical principles. PSY 101 (with at least a grade of C) is the prerequisite for PSY 250. Transfer students may take PSY 250 and PSY 350 or PSY 450 concurrently with instructor permission.
All BS students are required to complete at least one PSY course that is focused on individualized research or internship experiences. These include PSY 458 Advanced Research Methods, PSY 495 Special Project, PSY 499 Independent Study, or PSY 488 Internship.
Our required PSY 450 and PSY 472 courses are infused to meet the university’s writing, information management and critical thinking emphasis. Students also take 300/400 level PSY elective courses in psychology. They are selected by advisement according to the curriculum outlined below. Other than PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology and PSY 350 Statistics, there is no minimum grade requirement for our required or elective psychology courses, other than passing the course. But remember to graduate as a Psychology Major you need at least an overall 2.0 average in the major.
A. Required Courses (15 credits)
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (Note: majors must receive a grade of C or higher)
PSY 350 Statistics in Psychological Research (prerequisites: PSY101 with at least a grade of C, at least sophomore status and completion of university Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning requirement – Note: this includes MAT options only and at the MAT114 level or higher)
PSY 450 Research Methods (Prerequisite: PSY 350 with a grade of B- or higher)
PSY 471 History and Systems of Psychology (Prerequisite: PSY 101 with a grade of C and 6 additional hours of Psychology)
PSY 472 Seminar on Psychology (Prerequisite: PSY 450)
* SPECIAL NOTE: Although not required, it is recommended that students take PSY 250 Psychological Science Fundamentals prior to taking PSY 350 Statistics as preparation for that course. Transfer students may take PSY 250 and PSY 350 concurrently with instructor permission.
B. Content Courses (15 credits)
Students must choose 1 course each from groups a, b, c, d and e. The prerequisite for all 300-level courses is PSY 101 with grade of C or better, unless otherwise noted.
a. Biological and Cognitive Psychology
PSY 304 Learning: Theory and Research
PSY 308 Sensation and Perception
PSY 321 Comparative Animal Behavior
PSY 330 Psychological Power of Language
PSY 333 Brain and Behavior
PSY 340 Cognitive Psychology
b. Social/Personality Psychology
PSY 311 Personality: Theory and Research
PSY 325 Social Behavior
c. Developmental Psychology
PSY 301 Perspectives on Child Abuse and Advocacy
PSY 327 Adult Development and Aging I
PSY 355 Life-Span Developmental Psychology
PSY 356 Child Development
PSY 357 Adolescent and Young Adult Development
d. Clinical Psychology
PSY 392 Abnormal Psychology (Prerequisite: PSY 101 with a grade of C or better and 3 additional hours of psychology)
PSY 393 Abnormal Child Psychology (Prerequisite: PSY 101 with a grade of C or better and 3 additional hours of psychology)
e. Applied Psychology and Diversity
PSY 365 Psychology in the Workplace
PSY 367 Organizational Psychology
PSY 370 Environmental Psychology I
PSY 375 Forensic Psychology
PSY 376 Health Psychology
PSY 381 Psychology of Culture
PSY 382 Psychology of the Consumer
PSY 383 Psychology of Human Sexual Behavior
PSY 384 Psychology of Human Aggression
PSY 387 Psychology of Gender
PSY 388 Death and Dying
C. Advanced and Elective Courses by Advisement (9 credits)
Three additional courses (9 credits) are required. At least two courses must be at the 400-level. One course from the following list may count toward the major: PSY 488, PSY 495, PSY 496, PSY 498, PSY 499.
D. Research Electives (3 credits)
All B.S. students must complete one of the following in addition to their Content Courses or Advanced Elective Courses:
PSY488 Internship
PSY 495 Special Project
PSY 499 Independent Study
PSY458 Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
• Students wishing to complete Honors in Psychology may substitute PSY 496 Honors Thesis I and PSY 498 Honors Thesis II (as an added 3 credit requirement) to satisfy the Research Electives category
TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS 42
Internships & Research
PSY 488 Internship Program
Students with a more applied focus can approach faculty members for sponsorship of an internship. Internships and internship sites are varied and reflect faculty breadth and student interests. Internship sites include community and clinical agencies, schools, and businesses. The internship is designed to provide a blend of practical experience and academic rigor.
Teaching Internships
The department provides interested students with a "teaching" internship aimed at helping students acquire teaching skills and learn more effective ways of organizing, preparing and presenting material. This internship is linked to a specific course being taught and is especially relevant to students planning to attend graduate school.
Faculty Supervised "Research Teams"
Students with an interest in a particular topic area of psychology have historically gravitated toward faculty members for independent studies/projects. The "research team" idea takes this one step further. Under the tutelage of the faculty member, students with similar interests form a team to study a research area in a systematic and ongoing basis.
PSY 295/495 Independent Project
Students can also work with faculty on their research projects for credit. The Independent Project allows students to gain valuable experience individually or in groups, while assisting in an ongoing research project on a number of levels – particularly data collection, analysis, and presentation. Independent Projects range from 1-3 credits depending on the level of student involvement.
PSY 499 Independent Study
The research experiences are designed to be flexible and to optimize the match between faculty and student interests. These research experiences have spanned the continuum of basic and applied research. Student research is conducted either in the laboratory or within the Buffalo Niagara Region.
Service-Learning Courses
The Psychology Department offers several designated service-learning courses, including the Psychology of Culture, Learning: Theory and Research, Behavior Modification, The Competent Infant, and The Atypical Infant, among others.
Student Clubs
Psychology Club
The Psychology Club is open to all students with an interest in psychology. It provides a primary vehicle for students to get involved in the social and academic life of the Psychology Department. Activities of the Club include sponsorship of Speakers Series, field trips, "get acquainted” meetings, and fundraising activities.
Psi Chi Honorary Society
This is the international honorary society in psychology. The chapter is actively involved in the department and coordinates its activities with the Psychology Club. Psi Chi members are invited to provide feedback on faculty recruitment and promotion. Members of Psi Chi informally sponsor a Psychology Tutoring program.
Child Advocacy Club
A student club that is open to all majors/disciplines, and is focused on promoting events and connecting those interested in child advocacy issues.
Psychology Students Interested in Community Outreach (PSICO)
A charity drive run by the club members that helps disadvantaged families in the surrounding Buffalo State University neighborhood.