For Classes up to and including 2028, the psychology department requires 9 courses for the major. For classes 2029 and beyond, the department requires 10 courses for the major. The Psychology major allows for the 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 research seminar/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 - FOR GRADUATING CLASSES UP TO AND INCLUDING 2028
Requirements for a major include Psychology 101, 205, 305; 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, 230, 232; two 400-level capstone courses (advanced laboratories taken in separate semesters), one from each of the following groups: A) 415, 416, 436, 438 and B) 410, 414, 421, 427, 428. Psychology 101 is a prerequisite for all psychology courses. Psychology 205 and 305 are prerequisites for all advanced laboratories. Psychology 205 may not be repeated for the major. Majors not receiving a grade of C of better in Psych 305 should consider retaking the class. The Department also has a special Honors Research Program. Refer to the catalog for more information.
Psychology Major Requirements - FOR CLASS OF 2029 and later
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, 230, 232; two 400-level capstone courses, at least one of which must be an advanced laboratory course , one from each of the following groups: A) 415, 416, 436, 438 and B) 410, 414, 421, 427, 428. Psychology 101 is a prerequisite for all psychology courses. Psychology 205 and 305 are prerequisites for Psych 341 and for all capstone courses. Psychology 205 may not be repeated for the major. Majors not receiving a grade of C of better in Psych 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):
- Psych 215 - Human Cognition
- Psych 216 - Sensation and Perception
- Psych 236 - Intro to Brain and Behavior
- Psych 237 - Psychopharmacology
- Psych 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):
- Psych 210 - Cultural Psychchology
- Psych 214 - Social Psychology
- Psych 221 - Personality Psychology
- Psych 222 - Abnormal Psychology
- Psych 223 - Child & Adolescent Psychopathology
- Psych 225 - Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood
- Psych 226 - Developmental Psychology: Adolescence
- Psych 230 - Health Psychology
- Psych 232- Clinical and Counseling Psychology
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.
FOR CLASSES UP TO AND INCLUDING CLASS OF 2028
- Two 400-level Capstone Courses (advanced laboratories taken in separate semesters)
Group A (must take 1; Psych 305 is required):
- Psych 415 - Laboratory in Thinking and Cognition (prereq: 215)
- Psych 416 - Laboratory in Perception (prereq: 215, 216, 238)
- Psych 436 - Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience (prereq: 236 or 237)
- Psych 438 - Laboratory in Cognitive Neuroscience (prereq: 238)
Group B (must take 1; Psych 305 is required):
- Psych 410 - Laboratory in Cultural Psychology (prereq: 210)
- Psych 414 - Laboratory in Social Psychology (prereq: 214 or 230)
- Psych 421 - Laboratory in Personality and Psychopathology (prereq: 221, or 222, 223, 232)
- Psych 427 - Laboratory in Cognitive and Perceptual Development (prereq: 223, 225 or 226)
- Psych 428 - Laboratory in Social and Emotional Development (prereq: 225 or 226)
FOR CLASSES UP TO AND INCLUDING CLASS OF 2029 AND BEYOND
- Two 400-level Capstone Courses (one of them must be an advanced laboratory)
Group A (must take 1; Psych 305 is required):
- Psych 415 - Seminar/Laboratory in Thinking and Cognition (prereq: 215)
- Psych 416 - Seminar/Laboratory in Perception (prereq: 215, 216, 238)
- Psych 436 - Seminar/Laboratory in Behavioral Neuroscience (prereq: 236 or 237)
- Psych 438 - Seminar/Laboratory in Cognitive Neuroscience (prereq: 238)
Group B (must take 1; Psych 305 is required):
- Psych 410 - Seminar/Laboratory in Cultural Psychology (prereq: 210)
- Psych 414 - Seminar/Laboratory in Social Psychology (prereq: 214 or 230)
- Psych 421 - Seminar/Laboratory in Personality and Psychopathology (prereq: 221, or 222, 223, 232)
- Psych 427 - Seminar/Laboratory in Cognitive and Perceptual Development (prereq: 223, 225 or 226)
- Psych 428 - Seminar/Laboratory in Social and Emotional Development (prereq: 225 or 226)
Additional Courses (optional)
- Psych 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)