May 12, 2024  
2023-2024 SUNY Potsdam Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 SUNY Potsdam Academic Catalog

Psychology, B.A.


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The objective of the Psychology major is to provide students with a variety of courses and experiences that reflect the diversity of the discipline. The courses in psychology aim to provide students with an understanding of the causes and patterns of behaviors, thoughts and emotions, with an emphasis on the formation of a scientific attitude and an appreciation for the complexity of the individual’s role in society. Students will receive a general introduction to all major areas of psychology, exposure to the research methodology that is used in the collection of data, exposure to courses that address the experimental and laboratory aspects of the field and exposure to courses that focus on the social, developmental and applied aspects of the field.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Psychology B.A. students will be able to:

   • describe key psychological concepts, theories, principles, content areas, and their historical context within the field.
   • communicate effectively about psychological concepts using APA format, content, and style.
   • evaluate psychological research e.g., sources, methods, results.
   • apply psychological concepts to experiences in and out of the classroom.

Program Requirements


Elective Courses: 12 Credits


Excluding tutorials, independent studies, and internships

Note(s)


  • Except for tutorial study, independent study and internships, any psychology course, including courses from Groups I and II, may be used as electives.
  • No course may be counted twice.
  • Grade requirement: all above courses must be passed with a minimum grade of 2.0 to count toward the major. Students considering opting to S/U a psychology course should consult their advisers.
  • Independent studies and internships do not satisfy psychology major requirements.
  • 15 upper-division credits are required to complete the major. PSYC 300  and non-psychology cognate or non-cognate courses cannot be used to meet upper division requirements.
  • Residence requirement: a minimum of 15 upper-division psychology credits must be completed at this college.
  • Transfer of credits - the following three requirements must be met:
    • Courses transferred into the major must be approved by the Psychology Department Chair. Courses that are repeated will only count once for credit.
    • The Department will accept transfer credits for Introduction to Psychology and Statistics if they are at least 3 credit hours and students have earned a minimum of 2.0 or its equivalent (e.g., C). All other transferred courses MAY be accepted as Psychology electives.
      • For new, incoming students: the two Group II courses in the SUNY Transfer Pathway (Social Psychology and Abnormal Psychology) will count for Group II credit as long as they are equivalent to those courses at Potsdam.
      • Any other transferred course that is equivalent to a Group I or Group II course may count as a Psychology elective but not for Group I or II credit. Instead, the student must take another course from that group to fulfill this requirement.
      • PSYC 300  is required to be completed at SUNY Potsdam.
      • Students may petition the Chair to have a transferred course accepted for transfer credit toward the major.
    • All courses transferred from two-year colleges/programs carry lower division credit only.

Total Credit Hours Required: 34


Honors Program


 

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