School of Education & Social Sciences · Bachelor’s degree
Psychology (BA or BS)
Understand why people think and act the way they do.
Curious about what drives human behavior? MVU’s psychology major teaches you the major theories and research methods of psychology, then lets you choose electives and finish with your own original research study.
120
credit hours to graduate
49
credit hours in the major
On campus or online
choose what fits
4 years
at a full-time pace
Why psychology at MVU
Theory, research, and real life
Learn how psychologists study behavior, then use those tools yourself.
Core ideas
Study development, personality, the history of psychology, psychopathology, and multicultural psychology.
Do real research
Learn research and experimental methods and statistics, then design and run an original study.
Choose your electives
Take 21 hours of electives, including up to 6 hours in criminology, victimology, family, or social deviance.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Understand people and help them change.
- Work in human services, counseling, or research.
- Prepare for graduate school in psychology or a related field.
- Build skills in writing, research, and data.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Explain major concepts and theories in psychology.
- Design, run, and interpret an original research study.
- Write research papers in APA style.
- Apply the values of diversity and ethics to real issues.
- Understand your own behavior and others’.
- Prepare for careers and graduate study.
How the degree works
How your 120 credit hours add up
Here’s how the degree is built. Your advisor helps you choose courses each term.
01
General education core
At least 42 credit hours across writing, speaking, math, science, social science, and the humanities.
02
Psychology core
28 credit hours, including research methods, statistics, experimental psychology, and a senior thesis.
03
Psychology electives
21 credit hours, with at least 12 upper-division. Up to 6 can come from approved criminal justice or sociology courses.
04
Electives or a minor
Use the rest of your 120 hours for electives, a minor, or even a second major.
Good to know: Your senior thesis is an original research paper on a psychological concept. Psychology majors also take a set of in-house exams.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
Here are the courses in the major. Your advisor helps you plan the order.
Psychology core (28 credit hours)
- PSYC 100 Principles of Psychology
- PSYC 215 Careers in Psychology (1 credit)
- PSYC 220 Research in Psychology
- PSYC 230 History of Psychology
- PSYC 250 Multi-Cultural Psychology (2 credits)
- PSYC 310 Experimental Psychology (4 credits)
- PSYC 345 Psychopathology
- PSYC 485 Senior Thesis in Psychology
- MATH 200 Introduction to Statistics
- SOCL 316 Research Methods/Statistics
Electives (21 credit hours)
Choose 21 credit hours of electives. At least 12 must be upper-division (300- or 400-level). Courses are 3 credits unless noted.
Psychology electives
- PSYC 225 Developmental Psychology
- PSYC 235 Adult Psychology
- PSYC 245 Theories of Personality
- PSYC 270 Child and Adolescent Psychology
- PSYC 322 Physiological Psychology (4 credits)
- PSYC 331 Social Psychology
- PSYC 336 Learning and Motivation
- PSYC 337 Cognitive Science
- PSYC 341 Human Sexuality
- PSYC 342 Health Psychology
- PSYC 349/449 Special Topics in Psychology (1–6 credits)
- PSYC 350 Forensic Psychology
- PSYC 376/476 Independent Study (1–3 credits)
- PSYC 385 Ethics in Psychology
- PSYC 401 Internship in Psychology (1–6 credits)
- PSYC 460 Theory and Practice of Counseling
Up to 6 of your 21 hours can come from these criminal justice and sociology courses:
- CRMJ 330 Criminology
- CRMJ 380 Sexual Offenses and Sexual Offenders
- CRMJ 385 Victimology
- SOCL 232 Marriage and the Family
- SOCL 375 Social Deviance
General education core (at least 42 credit hours)
- Social and behavioral science (9 hours) from at least two subjects, including one constitution course: HIST 104, HIST 105, or POLS 100
- Written communication (6 hours): ENGL 130 Rhetoric and Composition, plus ENGL 160 or HONR 190
- Oral communication (3 hours), such as COMM 100 Public Speaking & Introduction to Communication
- Natural science: 7 hours from at least two subjects, including a lab (BS); 3 hours (BA and BFA)
- Mathematics (3 hours)
- Humanities and fine arts: 9 hours (BS) or 12 hours (BA and BFA) from at least three subjects, covering the arts and creativity, ethics, and culture and society
- Additional general education from any area, to reach at least 42 hours
- Plus one Writing Intensive (WI) course and one Service Learning (SL) course, which can overlap with other requirements
Graduation requirements
- Complete at least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Earn a major GPA of 2.0 or higher, with no grade below C and no pass/fail grades in the major.
- Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
- Complete your last 30 credit hours, and at least 12 hours of your major, at MVU.
- Complete the major assessment requirement.
- Apply for graduation and pay the $100 graduation fee.
Getting started
Three steps to begin
Applying to MVU is free, and most students finish the application in a few minutes.
02
Send your transcripts
Send your high school transcript, plus official transcripts from any college or dual credit courses. Transferring? See the transfer steps.
03
Plan how you’ll pay
Explore scholarships, grants, and loans on Tuition & Financial Aid, or request information for current tuition.
Is there a minor?
Yes. The psychology minor pairs well with majors like criminal justice, nursing, and business.
Can I take it online?
Yes. The program is offered on campus and online. Ask Admissions which courses are offered online each term.
Can I add a minor or a second major?
Yes. A minor is optional and appears on your transcript; it must be in a different subject than your major. You can also double major by completing all the requirements for both majors. You’ll receive one diploma.
What do I need to graduate?
- At least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- A C or higher in every major course.
- At least 36 upper-division credit hours.
- Your last 30 credit hours at MVU.
- An application for graduation and the $100 graduation fee.
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about courses, research, or how to plan your degree? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
Psychology (BA or BS)
