Program of Study for Majors and Minors

Students administer a development test to a child on its mother's lap as Lauren Myers looks on.
Lisa Gabel, Yih-Choung Yu, and students pose beside a computer with images of a brain. One student wears a recording apparatus on his head.
A students reads in an alcove as the sun sets through the windows of Oechsle Hall
Luis Schettino leads a remote course on brain dissection.
Four students stand around a table with children. Brain posters hang on the wall behind them.

Psychology majors and minors complete a curriculum that emphasizes a strong foundation in empirical methods and broad exposure to different areas of study in the field.

A list of frequently asked questions during advising within psychology is available here. This FAQ may be especially helpful for pre-declaration students and advisors.

The department offers two major tracks (AB and BS) and a minor in psychology.  In PSYC 110: Introduction to Psychological Science, students survey primary topics in the field during lecture and the required lab introduces basic psychological research methods. Core courses in quantitative methods (PSYC 120) and research design (PSYC 203) offer a rigorous background in empirical methods and are required of majors and minors. Courses at the 200-level in the department introduce specialized topic areas in the field, and 300-level lab courses provide depth and the opportunity to apply advanced methods in those areas.  A senior capstone (PSYC 490) provides a seminar-style, discussion-based integrative conclusion to the major.

REQUIREMENTS for the Psychology Major (Class of 2025 or EARLIER)

All A.B. (Bachelor of Arts) psychology majors are required to take 10 courses in psychology including Psychology 110, 120, 203, and 490 plus two laboratory courses in psychology from the set 304-349, and four other courses of their choice. Courses are to be distributed among at least four of the five major subdivisions of psychology  (i.e., Applied, Biological, Cognition & Learning, Developmental & Educational, and Social & Personality) to achieve a broad foundation in the major. PSYC 099 credit (e.g., from AP or transfer) can be applied toward the electives requirement.

All B.S. (Bachelor of Science) psychology majors are required to complete 12 courses in psychology including 110, 120, 203, and 490 plus three other laboratory courses in psychology from the set 304-349, and five other courses. Courses are to be distributed among at least four of the five major subdivisions of psychology (i.e., Applied, Biological, Cognition & Learning, Developmental & Educational, and Social & Personality) to achieve a broad foundation in the major. PSYC 099 credit (e.g., from AP or transfer) can be applied toward the electives requirement. B.S. students must also complete 5 natural science courses outside of the Psychology Department (for Mathematics must be calculus or 200-level or above).

The five subdivisions are: Applied (211, 232, 237, 329, 331, 334,  339, 342/343); Biological (223, 225, 322, 323, 324); Cognitive/Learning (210, 236, 256, 321, 330); Developmental & Educational (230, 242, 328); and Social & Personality (231, 235, 240, 248, 327, 349). The subdivision assignment for PSYC 219 varies on a semester-by-semester basis depending on the particular emphasis.

It is strongly recommended that A.B. and B.S. students interested in graduate education in Psychology consider taking Psychology 304: Design & Analysis II, Psychology 395/396: Advanced Research, and/or Psychology 495/496: Thesis.

Students in both programs must also study humanities and social science courses as part of the Common Course of Study of Lafayette College.  Choice of major program should always be made in close consultation with the student’s major adviser.

REQUIREMENTS for the Psychology Major (Class of 2026 or later)

All A.B. (Bachelor of Arts) psychology majors are required to take 10 courses in psychology including Psychology 110, 120, 203, and 490 plus two laboratory courses in psychology from the set 304-349, and four other courses of their choice. Courses are to be distributed among at least four of the five major subdivisions of psychology (i.e., Applied Experimental, Clinical, Developmental, Physiological, and Social) to achieve a broad foundation in the major. PSYC 099 credit (e.g., from AP or transfer) can be applied toward the electives requirement.

All B.S. (Bachelor of Science) psychology majors are required to complete 12 courses in psychology including 110, 120, 203, and 490 plus three other laboratory courses in psychology from the set 304-349, and five other courses. Courses are to be distributed among at least four of the five major subdivisions of psychology (i.e., Applied Experimental, Clinical, Developmental, Physiological, and Social) to achieve a broad foundation in the major. PSYC 099 credit (e.g., from AP or transfer) can be applied toward the electives requirement. B.S. students must also complete 5 natural science courses outside of the Psychology Department (for Mathematics must be calculus or 200-level or above).

The five subdivisions are: Applied Experimental (210, 211, 256, 330, 331), Clinical (231, 232, 237, 229, 334, 337), Developmental (230, 242, 261, 328), Physiological (223, 225, 321, 323), and Social (235, 240, 248, 270, 327, 349). The subdivision assignment for PSYC 219 varies on a semester-by-semester basis depending on the particular emphasis. PSYC 304 may count towards any subdivision.

It is strongly recommended that A.B. and B.S. students interested in graduate education in Psychology consider taking Psychology 304: Design & Analysis II, Psychology 395/396: Advanced Research, and/or Psychology 495/496: Thesis.

Students in both programs must also study humanities and social science courses as part of the Common Course of Study of Lafayette College.  Choice of major program should always be made in close consultation with the student’s major adviser.

NOTE: A student from the Class of 2024 or 2025 may petition to graduate with the new curriculum requirements above. Petition forms are available from the Registrar’s Office [link: https://registrar.lafayette.edu/forms/] and must be approved by the students academic advisor and department head.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PSYCHOLOGY MINOR

A minor in psychology consists of a minimum of six courses in psychology including 110, 120, and 203 plus three other courses to be selected in consultation with a faculty member in the Psychology Department.  PSYC 099 credit (e.g., from AP or transfer) cannot be applied toward the courses required for a minor.

NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Beginning with the Class of 2023, the Psychology Major is classified as a STEM discipline (CIP Code: 42.2799) by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and therefore certain international F-1 students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) may apply for a 24-month extension. See https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-extension-for-stem-students-stem-opt for more details