Psychology

Psychology
Academic Bulletin

Area of Study: Social and Behavioral Science
Programs: Major (BA & BS) and Minor
Major/Minor Exclusion: A student minoring in Psychology may not major in Neuroscience. 

Getting Started in Psychology

PSYCH 110 (Foundations of Psychology) is required for both the psychology major and minor and may be taken at any point during a student’s college career. That said, it is strongly recommended that students who are considering a major or minor in psychology complete PSYCH 110 as early as possible. The course introduces a broad range of topics across the major areas of psychology, which can help students identify their interests and make more informed decisions about future coursework.

For students planning to attend medical school (in or out of the major or minor), it may be beneficial to take PSYCH 110 in the semester prior to sitting for the MCAT, as the course provides useful preparation for the behavioral science section of the exam.

Psychology majors must complete at least one course in each of the three introductory content areas: the 150s, 160s, and 170s. Psychology minors must complete at least one course in two of these three areas.

Students entering Allegheny may begin with any 100-level psychology course, as none have prerequisites. This flexibility allows students to start exploring the field right away, regardless of prior experience. However, first-semester first-year students are generally encouraged to avoid PSYCH 152 (Learning & Behavior) unless they have a particularly strong interest in psychology and/or neuroscience. Students should also be aware that the course involves hands-on work with live animals.

For students planning to attend medical school (in or out of the major or minor), it may be beneficial to take PSYCH 110 in the semester prior to sitting for the MCAT, as the course provides useful preparation for the behavioral science section of the exam.

Research Methods and Statistics

PSYCH 206 (Research Methods in Psychology) is required for both majors and minors and must be completed prior to enrolling in PSYCH 207 (Statistical Methods in Psychology), which is only required for majors. Because these courses provide essential methodological and analytical skills, it is strongly recommended that majors complete this sequence before the start of their junior year, when they will enroll in Junior Seminar.

In most cases, students take PSYCH 206 during the fall semester of their sophomore year and PSYCH 207 in the spring semester of that same year or in the fall of their junior year. It is generally advisable for students to complete these courses in consecutive semesters to maintain continuity in skill development. Highly motivated students may choose to begin this sequence earlier, such as taking PSYCH 206 in the spring of their first year and PSYCH 207 in the fall of their sophomore year.

Upper-Level Coursework 

Psychology majors are required to complete three upper-level courses at the 300 or 400 level. 

At least one of these courses must be designated as a Structures of Power and Privilege (SPP) course. The following courses currently fulfill the SPP requirement:

PSYCH 350: Clinical Psychology 
PSYCH 375: Community Psychology 
PSYCH 404: Child Clinical Psychology 
PSYCH 423: Gender and Families 
PSYCH 450: Contemporary Social Issues 
PSYCH 452: Psychology of Prejudice 
PSYCH 464: Psychology of Intergroup Conflict and Violence 
PSYCH 469: Legal Psychology 
PSYCH 482: Intercultural Mental Health 

Students typically begin enrolling in upper-level courses during their junior year, though this may vary depending on individual course sequencing and preparation.

Independent Study

Students may begin independent study (PSYCH 590) as early as the second semester of their first year, although many students become involved in research during their sophomore or junior years. Students interested in joining a research lab are encouraged to review faculty research areas on the Psychology Department website and to contact faculty members whose work aligns with their interests.

Because research placements require planning and coordination, students should initiate these conversations during the semester prior to when they hope to join a lab and before registering for courses. Early communication helps ensure that both the student and faculty member can align expectations and availability.

Internships

Psychology internships are most commonly completed during the junior or senior year. All internships require concurrent enrollment in PSYCH 540, which serves as a co-requisite. Students who are interested in pursuing an internship should plan the semester before they wish to do an internship and are encouraged to contact Dr. Lauren Paulson to begin the process and discuss available opportunities. The Internship Seminar “counts” as an upper-level course.

Advisor Assignment Process

Students seeking a psychology advisor may either contact a faculty member directly (most recommended) or reach out to the department chair. To support an equitable advising process, the department collects faculty availability through a standardized form. Based on this information, advisees are distributed across faculty to balance advising responsibilities. As a result, some faculty members may not be available to accept new advisees at a given time.

Junior Seminar 

The Junior Seminar is a key milestone in the psychology curriculum. Each March, the department holds a Junior Seminar information event, which is widely advertised. Students are expected to make every effort to attend. Following the event, students complete a Junior Seminar preference form, and the department chair assigns students to seminar sections based on their preferences. Seminar instructors then reach out to students and provide signature consent for enrollment.

Senior Comprehensive Project

The Senior Comprehensive Project (Senior Comp) serves as the capstone experience for psychology majors. Students may complete this requirement in one or two semesters, typically during their senior year. In most cases, students either enroll in a two-semester sequence spanning fall and spring or complete a one-semester project in either semester of their senior year. In rare circumstances, students may pursue an “off-cycle” option—for example, beginning the project in the spring of their junior year and completing it in the fall—such as when planning to graduate early.

As with Junior Seminar, the department hosts a Senior Comprehensive Project information session each March. Students are expected to attend and subsequently complete a preference form. The department chair assigns students to faculty advisors based on these preferences while also ensuring an equitable distribution of advising responsibilities. Assigned faculty members then contact students to provide signature consent and begin the project planning process.

Sample Four-Year Pathway for the Major

Although individual paths through the major may vary, students are encouraged to work with their major advisers to create a sample four-year plan to better understand how these recommendations and requirements can be organized across their time at Allegheny. Below is an example:

Example Four-Year Pathway in Psychology

Psychology Minor Requirements (20 credits total)

To complete the Psychology minor, students must earn 20 total credits in Psychology, including:

• PSYCH 110; Foundations of Psychology
• Two introductory content courses, with one course in each of two different core area categories:
  • 150s
  • 160s
  • 170s
• PSYCH 206: Research Methods
• One upper-level elective in Psychology (300- or 400-level)

Transfer Credit Note:

Students who transfer in Psychology courses should be aware that some institutions award 3 credits per course rather than Allegheny’s 4 credits. Even if transferred courses fulfill specific requirements, students must still complete a total of 20 Psychology credits to earn the minor.

updated : April 2026