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The Undergraduate Program


 

Declaration of Major

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

Catalog

BNC

 

The Undergraduate Psychology Major at Hunter College is a quantitative, research oriented program that prepares students to be consumers of research. The program affords many career possibilities in the fields of psychology, education, social & welfare services, health services, and industry. It also fulfills the course requirements for psychology graduate programs. A background in psychology, combined with special training in other disciplines, may be useful for careers in human resources, nursing, medical doctors, law, speech pathology, social work, special education, and counseling to name a few.

 

I. Major Declaration

Declaring the major in Psychology requires completion of PSYCH 100 in addition to any other 100-level psychology course (both passed with a minimum grade of 'B'); a required mathematics course with a minimum grade of 'C' and have a minimum GPA of 2.00. 
The mathematics requirement may be satisfied by STAT 11300 or MATH 12400 (STEM), or by earning exemption from the mathematics requirement. Based on placement exams or transferred courses, students may place into advanced Mathematics or Statistics courses without taking Hunter College pre-requisites. See the Mathematics and Statistics department for details.

To declare the Major in Psychology visit: hunter.cuny.edu/declare.

The Dept. of Psychology offers both virtual and in-person advising: (click here for the most up-to-date advising schedule).

 

II. Major Requirements

 

The Psychology Major offers the option of seven different tracks (in addition to the general requirements) grouped within three broad content areas.

Content AreasTracks
Biopsychology Animal Behavior
Physiological Psychology
Cognitive/Developmental Cognitive Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Social/Clinical/Health Social Psychology
Clinical Psychology 
Health Psychology

 

Below is the full curriculum for the Psychology Major (43-50 credits)

Level I: 100-level Classes [17+ credits]
PSYCH 10000 - Introduction to Psychology
Minimum Grade 'B'
3 credits
An Additional PSYCH Course on the 100-level:
PSYCH 14000 or PSYCH 15000 or PSYCH 16000 or PSYCH 17000 or PSYCH 17100 or PSYCH 18000 or PSYCH 19000

[Pre-req: PSYCH 10000]
Minimum Grade 'B'
3 credits
MATH or STATS Requirement:
STAT 11300 or STAT 21300 or
MATH 12400 or MATH 12500 or MATH 12550 or MATH 15000 or MATH 15500

Minimum Grade 'C'
3-4 credits
Two (2) Laboratory Science Courses: (Examples)

  • ANTHP 10100 (4 cr.)
  • ASTRO 10000 (3 cr.) + ASTRO 10200 (3 cr.)*
  • BIOL 12500 (4.5 cr.) [spring only]
  • BIOL 15000 (4.5 cr.) [fall only]
  • GEOL 10000 (3 cr.) + GEOL 10100 (3 cr.)*
  • PGEOG 13000 (4 cr.)

  • * Please note a plus sign indicates both classes must be completed to fulfill one instance of the lab science requirement. 
    Minimum 4 credits each
    Level II: 200-Level Classes [9 credits]
    One (1) Course in the Biopsychology Content Area
    [Pre-reqs: 6 cr. in psychology]
    PSYCH 22400 or PSYCH 22500
    3 credits
    One (1) Course in the Cognitive / Developmental Content Area
    [Pre-reqs: 6 cr. in psychology]
    PSYCH 21000 or PSYCH 24300
    3 credits
    One (1) Course in the Social / Clinical / Health Content Area
    [Pre-reqs: 6 cr. in psychology]
    PSYCH 22000 or PSYCH 22300 or PSYCH 23000 or PSYCH 23500 or PSYCH 24200
    3 credits
    Level II: Statistical Methods & Experimental Psychology [8 credits]
    PSYCH 24800 - Statistical Methods in Psychology*
    [Pre-reqs: 6 cr. in psychology + MATH pre-req (e.g., either STAT 113 or MATH 124 passed with a 'C' or better)] 
    Minimum Grade 'C'
    4 credits
    PSYCH 25000 - Experimental Psychology**
    [Pre-reqs: PSYCH 24800 passed with a 'C' or better + one laboratory science class] 
    4 credits
    Level III: 300-Level Classes [6 credits]
    Two (2) courses on the 300-level
    [Pre-req: PSYCH 25000] 
    3 credits each
    Psychology Electives [6 credits]
    Two (2) Elective Psychology Courses*** 200-level or Higher
    3 credits each

    The Undergraduate Program is designed to provide the student with training in both the evaluation and generation of research data. The core sequence of Statistical Methods in Psychology (PSYCH 24800) and Experimental Psychology (PSYCH 24900 or 25000) is central to the program and is a prerequisite for all upper-level psychology courses. Performance in both the Psychological Statistics and Experimental Psychology sequence will prepare the student through extensive preparation in mathematics, laboratory sciences and the development of excellent writing skills.

    Notes:
    *PSYCH 24800 and PSYCH 25000 cannot be taken simultaneously. PSYCH 24800 is a pre-requisite of PSYCH 25000. They cannot be taken as co-requisites, no exceptions.

    **PSYCH 25000 is a pre-requisite for all upper-division, 300-level classes. Therefore, these levels cannot be taken simultaneously, no exceptions. 

    ***PSYCH 
    Electives can be fulfilled by completing any PSYCH class 200-level or higher. Independent study courses as well as an honors project (i.e., Departmental Honors) can only fulfill the psych electives requirement. 

     



     

    Track/Focus & Elective Coursework Explained

    1. 200-level classes in each content area: 9 cr. 

    Students take three (3) 200-level classes, one (1) in each of the three (3) content areas
    • Students selecting an area of focus take one (1) of the three (3) classes within that chosen track. 
      (e.g., Animal Behavior, Physiological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or Health Psychology). 
    • Students selecting General Psychology take one (1) 200-level class in each of the content areas. 

     

    2. Two (2) 300-level classes within the chosen focus area: 6 cr. 

    Note: Students selecting General Psychology take two (2) 300-level classes in any (content) area in psychology.

    3. Two (2) electives at the 200 or 300-level: 6 cr. 

    Note: Electives can be fulfilled by completing more than one (1) class on the 200-level from the content areas or more than two (2) classes on the 300-level. Additionally, independent study courses as well as an honors project can fulfill the psych electives requirement.
    Below is a list of electives offered through the Department of Psychology, courses numbered 295 and above are only available to PSYCH Majors:

     

    Elective Psychology Courses
    PSYCH 20100 - Independent Study [3 cr.]
    Internship (fieldwork):  [pre-reqs: 6 cr. in Psychology]
    PSYCH 29500 - Topics in Neuroscience [3 cr.] (Only available for students in the BPEndure or RISE programs):  [pre-req: PSYCH 25000]
    PSYCH 34800 - Statistics Practicum in Psychology [3 cr.] Tutoring and teaching assistance for PSYCH 24800:  [pre-req: PSYCH 24800 passed with min 'A-']
    PSYCH 39500 - Independent Research in Psychology [3 cr.]
    Internship (research):  [pre-req: PSYCH 25000]
    PSYCH 39600 - Honors in Psychology [3 cr.]
    Departmental Honors - Semester I:  [pre-req: PSYCH 25000 + 3.0 Overall GPA & 3.5 Major GPA]
    PSYCH 39800 - Honors in Psychology [3 cr.] Departmental Honors - Semester II:  [pre-req: PSYCH 39600 passed with an 'A']
    Honors in Psychology PSYCH 396/398 is designed as a capstone experience for Psychology Majors. It involves a full year commitment of intensive research under the supervision of a faculty member and a written thesis in APA style. In addition, students completing the Honors in Psychology present their research projects at one of three conferences held over the course of the year where awards are given for both the best poster and oral presentation.
    For more information on the Honors Thesis click here.
    For more information on how to create a Poster for the Honors presentation click here.

     

    III. Policies for PSYCH Majors

    Grading
    Classes cannot be completed with P/NC (Pass/No Credit).

    Residence Requirement and Classes Taken on Permit
    1. Psychology classes 200-level and above taken on Permit will only transfer to Hunter as a General Elective. 200 and 300-level Psychology classes must be taken in residence (at Hunter College) to apply towards the major. 
    2. Transfer students can apply equivalent classes toward the major. Students are required to complete a minimum of 19 credits in residence to satisfy the major requirements.