Majors
The psychological sciences major at UConn is designed to help students explore the many exciting subfields within psychology and dive into specific topics that interest them most. Students who major in psychological sciences take courses on topics like human development; memory, perception, and cognition; organizational structures; therapy techniques; neuroscience; and the connections of the mind to behavior.
About the Major
Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in psychological sciences and pair their degree with additional research courses or an honors track.
Students must complete a total of 120 credits to graduate. Credits are divided among courses that fulfill general education requirements, courses that count toward the psychological sciences major, and courses that allow students to explore other disciplines and expand their worldview. Find the full major requirements on the Undergraduate Catalog website.
Psychological sciences majors put their studies into practice through hands-on lab courses, research experiences, and internships. Many students also pair their majors with another major or a minor in another field of study. Students can meet with an advisor or a peer advisor in the Psychological Sciences Undergraduate Advising Office to explore their options and identify opportunities that are best for them.
Common Double Majors
- Biological Sciences
- Communication
- Human Development and Family Sciences
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Popular Minors
- Cognitive Science
- Crime and Justice
- Human Development and Family Sciences
- Neuroscience
- Sociology
- Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Degree Options, Tracks, & Plans of Study
Bachelor of Arts
The BA degree is the most flexible of the two degrees options. Since the science and math sequences are not required, students have the opportunity to double major, minor, study abroad, participate in research, and complete internships with greater ease than with the BS degree. Students can also view the 8 semester plans to track their progress and future classes.
| Catalog Year Summer 2019+ | Catalog Year Until Spring 2019 |
| BA Plan of Study | BA Plan of Study |
Bachelor of Arts Major Requirements
The Psychological Sciences Bachelor of Arts, Standard track requires the following:
- PSYC 1100
- PSYC 1101 or 1103
- PSYC 1100 is a pre-requisite
- PSYC 2100WQ
- PSYC 1100 and 1101/1103 are pre-requisites
- This course is recommended for students after taking 2000+ level Psych courses here at UConn
- 2 courses from Psych Area I
- PSYC 1100 and 1101/1103 are pre-requisites
- 2 courses from Psych Area II
- PSYC 1100 and 1101/1103 are pre-requisites
- 1 course from Psych Area III
- PSYC 1100 and 1101/1103 are pre-requisites
- 2 additional Psych courses from any area (not yet taken)
- PSYC 1100 and 1101/1103 are pre-requisites
- 12 credits (4 courses) of related courses
- **Please note:
- These requirements will vary for Bachelor of Arts, Research and Honors tracks (see major plan of study)
- Psych Area courses are listed below in the FAQs section
Bachelor of Science
The BS degree was originally designed for students interested in a medical career. It comprises many of the prerequisite courses needed for medical school. These math and science courses are extremely rigorous, so students who pursue the BS should be very strong in math and science. Students pursuing a BS degree can also pursue a double major, minor, and study abroad opportunities, but it requires more intentional planning. Students can also view the 8 semester plans to track their progress and future classes.
| Catalog Year Summer 2019+ | Catalog Year Until Spring 2019 |
| BS Plan of Study | BS Plan of Study |
Bachelor of Science Major Requirements
The Psychological Sciences Bachelor of Science, Standard track requires the following:
- PSYC 1100
- PSYC 1101 or 1103
- PSYC 1100 is a pre-requisite
- PSYC 2100WQ
- PSYC 1100 and 1101/1103 are pre-requisites
- This course is recommended for students after taking 2000+ level Psych courses here at UConn
- 2 courses from Psych Area I
- PSYC 1100 and 1101/1103 are pre-requisites
- 2 courses from Psych Area II
- PSYC 1100 and 1101/1103 are pre-requisites
- 1 course from Psych Area III
- PSYC 1100 and 1101/1103 are pre-requisites
- 2 Area IV lab Psych courses
- PSYC 1100 and 1101/1103, PSYC 2100WQ, and other courses are pre-requisites
- These courses are generally taken in the senior year and require intentional planning with an advisor in order to enroll
- 12 credits (4 courses) of related courses
- **Please note:
- These requirements will vary for Bachelor of Science, Research and Honors tracks (see major plan of study)
- Psych Area courses are listed below in the FAQs section
Major Tracks
Standard Track
The standard track is the most common track that students complete in both the BA and the BS degrees. It offers the most flexibility, since it has fewer requirements. As a result, students have more room to complete a double major, minor, research, and/or an internship.
About 90% of psychological science majors (BS and BA) complete the standard track.
Research Track
The research track was designed for students who are interested in completing research, as research (PSYC 3889) is a required part of this track. However, we do find that students interested in research tend to complete more credits of it in the standard track.
About 5% of psychological science majors (BS and BA) complete the research track.
Honors Track
The honors track is only for students who are accepted into the Honors Program at UConn. This track does have additional requirements, including multiple semesters of research and a senior thesis. About 5% of psychological science majors (BS and BA) complete the honors track.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the degree requirements?
The difference between the two degrees lies within the general education requirements:
Psychological Sciences BA
- General education courses: only requires one 4-credit lab science course
- Psychological Sciences major courses: more flexibility with psych courses and electives
Psychological Sciences BS
- General education courses: multiple rigorous lab science and math courses - one BIO course, two CHEM courses, two PHYS courses, and two CALC courses.
- Psychological Sciences major courses: more specific Psych course options that require intentional planning
Do the BS and BA degrees lead to different career paths?
There is little to no difference in career paths between the two degrees. Neither degree will help or hurt you toward your career goals, with limited exceptions (for example, careers in engineering).
The reason for this is because many institutions vary what degrees they offer for their majors and the requirements for the degrees they offer. Some schools offer both a BA and a BS in psychology, and others offer just one or the other.
For these reasons, most graduate school programs will require specific pre-requisite courses, rather than a specific degree. The best example of this is the students who pursue medical school. Med school programs do not require a specific degree, but rather several specific course pre-requisites.
Which degree is best for me?
The BA degree tends to be the best fit for most students, due to its flexibility and fewer requirements. This allows students more room to pursue other interests, including another major, minor, internships, or research. Neither degree is better than the other; the decision should be based on what is best for you and your goals. If you have questions and want to discuss your options, please meet with your advisor to discuss which degree best fits within your career goals and academic strengths.
Which track is best for me?
The standard track tends to be the best fit for most students, as it has fewer requirements, which allows students more room to pursue other interests. This can include another major, minor, research, or internships. Neither track is better than the other; the decision should be based on what is best for you and your goals. If you have questions and want to discuss your options, please meet with your advisor to discuss which track best fits within your career goals and academic strengths.
How do I change my degree or track?
Students can change their degree (BA to BS, or vice versa) or track (Standard, Research, Honors) using the Online Program Change site.
To do so: Log in, select New Major Change, and follow the prompts, selecting the following: Psychological Sciences, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Sciences, Standard/Research/Honors concentration. If you have a double major or minor, please add that in the notes section.
What are the different courses in the Psych Areas
Students can find full descriptions and pre-requisites on the catalog.
Psych Area I
- PSYC 2300 - Abnormal Psych
- PSYC 2301 - Study of Personality (not typically offered at Storrs)
- PSYC 2400 - Developmental Psych
- PSYC 2600 - Industrial/Organizational Psych
- PSYC 2700 - Social Psych
Psych Area II
- PSYC 2200 - Physiological Psych
- PSYC 2208 - Sensory Systems Neuroscience
- PSYC 2209 - Memory & Learning: From Brain to Behavior
- PSYC 2500 - Learning
- PSYC 2501 - Cognitive Psych
- PSYC 3500 - Psych of Language
- PSYC 3501 - Sensation & Perception
Psych Area III
- PSYC 2110 - Psych of Human Sexuality
- PSYC 2201 - Drugs & Behavior
- PSYC 3100 - History & Systems of Psych (no longer offered at Storrs)
- PSYC 3102 - Psych of Women (WGSS 3102)
- PSYC 3105 - Health Psych
- PSYC 3601 - Human Factors Design
Psych Area IV - Non lab courses - courses are offered irregularly
- PSYC 2101 - Intro to Multicultural Psych
- PSYC 2701 - Social Psych of Multiculturalism
- PSYC 3106 - Black Psych (AFRA 3106)
- PSYC 3241 - Motivation and Emotion (COMM 3241)
- PSYC 3270 - Current Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience
- PSYC 3300 - Abnormal Child Psych
- PSYC 3301 - Intro to Clinical Psych
- PSYC 3302W - Autism & Developmental Disorders
- PSYC 3440 - Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
- PSYC 3470 - Current Topics in Developmental Psych
- PSYC 3600 - Social Organizational Psych
- PSYC 3670 - Current Topics in I/O Psych
- PSYC 3770 - Current Topics in Social Psych
- PSYC 3883 - Foreign Study (Psych course taken in an abroad program)
- PSYC 3884 - Seminar in Psych
- PSYC 3885 - Special Topics
PSYC Area IV - Lab courses - enrollment info for Psych labs
- PSYC 3250W - Lab in Animal Behavior & Learning
- PSYC 3251 - Lab in Physiological Psych
- PSYC 3252 - Drugs & Behavior Lab
- PSYC 3253 - Sensory Neuroscience Lab
- PSYC 3450W - Lab in Developmental Psych
- PSYC 3550W - Lab in Cognition
- PSYC 3551W - Psycholinguistics Lab
- PSYC 3552 - Lab in Sensation and Perception
- PSYC 3750 - Lab in Social Psych
Psych Research & Independent Study Courses
- PSYC 3880 - Field Study - Info for Field Study
- PSYC 3889 - Undergraduate Research - Info for Research
- PSYC 3899 - Research/Independent Study Honors
- PSYC 4197W - Senior Honors Thesis
Can I complete the Psych major at the other campuses?
The Psychological Sciences BA can be completed at nearly every other regional campus (Hartford, Stamford, Waterbury), except for Avery Point. An Avery Point student may need a few Storrs Psych classes in order to complete the Psych major.
The Psychological Sciences BS can only be completed at Storrs.
90%
of psych majors earn a BA degree
Double Majors, Dual Degrees, and Minors
Students can enrich their college experience by adding a double major, dual degree, and/or a minor.
Current psychological sciences majors who wish to add another CLAS major, a major outside of CLAS (this would be a dual degree), or a minor can speak to their current advisor about which might be a good fit based on their career goals, interests, and graduation timeline.
Students interested in a major or minor outside of psychological sciences should also meet with that department to get a full understanding of that major, the requirements, and the timeline for graduation.
Students interested in adding psychological sciences as a double major or minor can stop by the Psychological Sciences Undergraduate Advising Office discuss the major, requirements, and timeline for graduation.
Ready to declare your major?
Students can declare a major in psychological sciences, change their major to psychological sciences, or change their degree and/or track using the Online Program Change site.
To do so: Log in, select New Major Change, and follow the prompts, selecting the following: Psychological Sciences, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Sciences, Standard/Research/Honors concentration. If you have a double major or minor, please add that in the notes section.