Majors Links

Psychology Major Requirements

The major currently requires a minimum of 43 semester hours and includes the following:

1. Five core courses (12 semester hours):
   1. PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
   2. STA 205 Introduction to Statistical Methods
   3. PSY 210 Research Methods
   4. PSY 210L Research Tools
   5. PSY 210R Career Planning
      
2. Three courses (9 semester hours) in each of the following course groupings:
   1. PSY 309 Psychology of Perception
      PSY 311 Biopsychology
      PSY 337 Animal Learning
      PSY 338 Cognitive Processes
      PSY 340 Social Psychology
      
   2. PSY 300 Personality Psychology
      PSY 305 Psychological Testing
      PSY 319 Child Psychology
      PSY 333 Abnormal Psychology
      PSY 344 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
      
3. Five elective courses in psychology (which must total at least 13 semester hours) with at least three of these courses at the 300 or 400 level.  These courses may include two 200 level classes that also count toward the general studies requirements (PSY 200, PSY 201, PSY 205, PSY 220).  Optional 2-hour lab classes that accompany PSY 309, PSY 311, PSY 338 and PSY 340 also can be included in this category.
   
4. Psychology majors are required to participate in a standardized assessment  (ACAT) given by the department prior to graduating.  This is in addition to whatever the university requires for graduation.
   
5. All courses required for the major must be completed with a "C" or better.
   
6. Transfer students must complete at least half of their required coursework in psychology at NKU.

BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.) - ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Students who wish to complete the requirements for the B.A. in psychology must complete one of the following options:

Option A
A minimum of six semester hours in the same foreign language or its equivalent.  Sign language is an acceptable alternative, but it is not offered at NKU.  With approval, students may take this course at another university and transfer the credit. This requirement is in addition to current general studies requirements, so students cannot use these foreign language courses to also meet the general studies humanities requirement.

Option B
Successful completion of 3 semester hours credit in a Study Abroad program approved by NKU Office of Education Abroad.  The course does not have to be in psychology. If the study abroad course is in psychology, then it may also count as an elective for the major.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) - ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Students who wish to complete the requirements for the B.S. in psychology must complete one of the following options:

Option A
Successful completion (C or better) in a college level math course (in addition to STA 205) and two of the following laboratory courses in psychology: PSY 309L, PSY 311L, PSY 338L, or PSY 340L.  These lab courses count as psychology electives in the major as well.

Option B
Successful completion (C or better) of two statistics courses beyond STA 205 (i.e., STA 312, STA 314, STA 315) and one of the following laboratory courses in  psychology: PSY 309L, PSY 311L, PSY 338L, and PSY 340L. NOTE: Lab classes may be taken at the same time as the core class or at a later time, but students must complete PSY 210 to take a lab.  PSY 210L does not count as one of the required labs in this category.  However, the other lab classes also count as elective classes toward the major requirements.