Major
The major consists of twelve 4-unit courses (48 units). Students may apply to the major and receive credit for upper-division coursework after having successfully completed Introduction to Psychology and Methods in Psychological Science. Majors select an academic advisor from among the department’s full-time faculty for consultation regarding their course programs. Though not strictly sequenced, the major is structured to provide both breadth and depth.
Students must receive a grade of C- or better.
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 units |
| PSYC 200 | Methods in Psychological Science | 4 units |
| PSYC 201 | Statistics in Psychological Science | 4 units |
Fundamental Domain
Students must survey psychology’s diverse subdisciplines by taking at least six courses (24 units) listed within our four Domains: Biologically Based Analyses, Information Processing, Interpersonal and Intergroup, and Application-Oriented. Students must take at least one course in each of the four Domains to fulfill this requirement. Students must also complete two courses at the 400 level. At least one 400-level course must be within a Domain.
Biologically Based Analyses Domain
Information Processing Domain
Interpersonal and Intergroup Relations Domain
Application-Oriented Domain
| PSYC 223 | Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations and Dialogue | 4 units |
| PSYC 330 | Abnormal Psychology | 4 units |
| PSYC 334 | Health Psychology | 4 units |
| PSYC 340 | Organizational Psychology | 4 units |
| PSYC 420 | Psychology of Addiction | 4 units |
| PSYC 431 | Clinical Psychology | 4 units |
| PSYC 460 | Assessment of Individual Differences | 4 units |
Additional Electives
Choose three additional Psychology courses.
Second-Stage Writing
Students will satisfy the Second-Stage Writing Requirement by earning a Pass on the research paper assigned in PSYC 201: Statistics in Psychological Science, as determined by a departmental writing rubric. Students who do not meet this standard will revise their paper, subsequent to the course, until it does.
Comprehensive
Senior majors must take and pass a comprehensive examination early in the semester that precedes graduation (i.e., spring of senior year for most students).
Honors in the Major
Honors in Psychology may be awarded to qualified students. Eligible students are those who have earned an overall college grade point average of 3.25 or better and a grade point average in Psychology of 3.5 or better, and completed an empirical project that demonstrates the student's psychological sophistication, intellectual creativity, and research skills, culminating in an APA-style manuscript. Only courses completed at Occidental are used to calculate grade point average. Consult the Psychology Department Moodle website for information pertaining to the honors proposal, thesis readers, enrollment expectations, and the evaluation process including critical dates.