Psychology Major

Psychology requires only 10 courses for a major. This provides students with maximum flexibility to explore other disciplines and integrate that new knowledge into their ongoing study of psychology.

  • A hallmark of the Gettysburg psychology major is its focus on research.
  • In fact, all majors take two advanced research laboratory courses, and many conduct independent research, working one-on-one with a faculty mentor.

Double Major/Minor: With early planning, many psychology majors double major in psychology and one of the other disciplines, or minor in neuroscience, education, or another field.

Departmental Honors are awarded to graduating majors who have:

  • Demonstrated academic excellence in course work in the major (in the combined judgment of the faculty), and
  • Completed an individualized empirical research project, honors research, or an honors thesis.

Psychology Major Requirements

Requirements for a major include Psychology 101, 205, 305, 341; four additional 200-level courses in psychology, two from each of the following groups: a) 215, 216, 236, 237, 238 and b) 210, 214, 221, 222, 223, 225, 226; two advanced laboratories (taken in separate semesters), one from each of the following groups:  a) 315, 316, 317, 336, 338 and b) 310, 314, 321, 327, 328; and two laboratory courses in the Division of Natural Sciences from among those that will satisfy the natural science requirement.  Psychology 101 is a prerequisite for all psychology courses.  Psychology 205 and 305 are prerequisites for all lab courses.  Psychology 205 may not be repeated for the major.  Majors not receiving a grade of C of better in Psy 305 should consider retaking the class. The Department also has a special Honors Research Program.  Refer to the catalog for more information.

200 – Level Courses

Group A (must take 2):

  • Psy 215 - Human Cognition
  • Psy 216 - Sensation and Perception
  • Psy 236 - Intro to Brain and Behavior
  • Psy 237 - Psychopharmacology
  • Psy 238 - Cognitive Neuroscience

Please Note: students are strongly encouraged to take a broad range of 200-level courses that serve as prerequisites for multiple advanced labs within Group A.

Group B (must take 2):

  • Psy 210 - Cultural Psychology
  • Psy 214 - Social Psychology
  • Psy 221 - Personality Psychology
  • Psy 222 - Abnormal Psychology
  • Psy 223 - Child & Adolescent Psychopathology
  • Psy 225 - Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood
  • Psy 226 - Developmental Psychology: Adolescence

Please Note: students are strongly encouraged to take a broad range of 200-level courses that serve as prerequisites for multiple advanced labs within Group B.

Advanced Laboratory Courses (taken in separate semesters)

Group A (must take 1; Psy 305 is required):

  • Psy 315 - Laboratory in Thinking and Cognition (prereq: 215)
  • Psy 316 - Laboratory in Perception (prereq: 216)
  • Psy 317 - Laboratory in Memory and Social Cognition (prereq: 215)
  • Psy 336 - Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience (prereq: 236 or 237)
  • Psy 338 - Laboratory in Cognitive Neuroscience (prereq: 238)

Group B (must take 1; Psy 305 is required): 

  • Psy 310 - Laboratory in Cultural Psychology (prereq: 210)
  • Psy 314 - Laboratory in Social Psychology (prereq: 214 or 230)
  • Psy 321 - Laboratory in Personality and Psychopathology (prereq: 221, or 222, or 223)
  • Psy 327 - Laboratory in Cognitive and Perceptual Development (prereq: 216 or 225 or 226)
  • Psy 328 - Laboratory in Social and Emotional Development (prereq: 225 or 226)

Additional Courses (optional)

  • Psy 400 - Seminar (prereq: permission of instructor)
  • Psych 450-453 - Individualized Study Tutorial (prereq: permission of instructor)
  • Psych 460-463 - Individualized Study Empirical Research (prereq: permission of instructor)
  • Psych 464 - Honors Research (by invitation of Department only)
  • Psych 470-473 - Individualized Study Internship (see Internship Coordinator)
  • Psych 474-475 - Individualized Study Summer Internship (see Internship Coordinator)
  • Psych 466 - Honors Thesis (by invitation of Department only)