Psychology Major Requirements

The psychology major is offered within the College of Arts and Sciences.  The undergraduate degree consists of 34 credit hours of coursework.  While there is only one set of requirements, students can choose electives toward the major that fit their individual interests.   All coursework within the major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.   In addition, no self-instructional courses can be used toward the major.  Only 3 credits of 355, 398, or a second practicum can count as elective credits.

Many psychology majors choose a minor that complements their interests within psychology and/or will help them excel in graduate work.  Such minors include:  sociology, criminal justice, practical writing, biology or social psychology.  You can find a list of approved minors in your undergraduate catalog.  If you are thinking of a minor outside of this list, please consult the undergraduate advisor.

As psychology courses are offered at schools around the world, we welcome transfer courses.  However, no more than 25 credit hours can be transferred into the psychology degree.  In addition, courses not previously approved for transfer (for example, through a MACRO agreement) must be reviewed by the undergraduate advisor.  To gain credit for such courses, it is helpful if you have a syllabus from the course, the title of the text used and/or a course description.

The undergraduate degree begins with enrolling for the following:

Introductory Core
3 classed (9 credits)

Number Title Prerequisites Hours
PSY 100 General Psychology None 3
PSY 160 Child Psychology PSY 100 3
PSY 250 Abnormal Psychology PSY 100 3

Upon completion of these three courses, you must declare your major. Simply send the Undergraduate Advisor an email at psy-advising@wmich.edu.  Include the following information:

Name
WIN Number
Mailing Address
Local Phone
Email Address
Whether you are declaring the major or minor. Please indicate whether you are a double major or double minor.

Note that prior to declaring your major, you will be listed as PPY, or pre-psychology, on records from the University.

Method and Theory Core
4 classes (13 credits)

The next sequence of classes is the Method and Theory Core.  It consists of 4 classes (13 credits) that serve as the foundation of our natural science approach to psychology.  It is not necessary to complete these four classes prior to enrolling in electives or the practicum.  However, please note the prerequisites for each course.

Number Title Prerequisites Hours
PSY 3000 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences PSY 1000, 1600, 2500 3
PSY 3600 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis PSY 1000, 1600, 2500 4
PSY 3300** Behavioral Research Methods PSY 3000* 3
PSY 4600** Survey of Behavior Analytic Research PSY 3300, 3600 3

*You can sign up for PSY 3300 concurrent with PSY 3000

**Successful completion of PSY 3300 and PSY 4600 meets the baccalaureate writing requirement.

Practicum or Laboratory Experience
1 class (3 credits)

One of the unique aspects of Western's psychology degree is our emphasis on applying the concepts and principles you learn in the classroom to a practical setting.  Due to the importance of this skill in the "real world" practice of psychology, all psychology majors must complete three hours of a practicum or a laboratory.  Several options exist including:

Number Title Prerequisites Hours
PSY 3570 Practicum with Special Populations (Croyden Avenue School) PSY 1000, 1600, 2500 3
PSY 3780 Physiological Psychology:  Lab* PSY 3720* 3
PSY 3970 Student Designed Practicum PSY 1000, 1600, 250 3
PSY 5470 Industrial/Organizational Practicum PSY 1000, 1600, 2500 3
PSY 5990 Advanced Practicum in Psychology Instructor permission 2-4

*Requires class as a prerequisite or concurrent enrollment
**Based on the semester, certain practicum opportunities may be available that are not listed above, please see your psychology advisor for an updated psychology practicum handout!           

Due to the nature of practica and lab experiences, it is crucial that you plan to enroll in these well ahead of the time that you would normally.  To learn more about practica, click here.

Approved Electives
3 classes (9 credits)

The final component of a psychology degree at WMU is enrolling in 9 credit hours of electives.  The offerings in this category illustrate the wide range of sub-fields within psychology and allow you to enroll in courses that meet your specific interests. Only 3 credits of 355, 398, or a second practicum can count as elective credits.

Number Title Prerequisites Hours
PSY 3240 Abnormal Child Psychology PSY 1000, 1600 3
PSY 3260 Forensic Psychology PSY 1000, 1600 & 2500
PSY 3550* TA:  Psychology Instructor permission 3
PSY 3720 Physiological Psychology PSY 3600 3
PSY 3980* Independent Study Instructor permission varies
PSY 4280 Aging PSY 1000, 1600 & 2500 3
PSY 4440 Industrial/Organizational Behavior Analysis PSY 3600 3
PSY 4630 Management of Health Related Behaviors PSY 1000, 1600 3
PSY 4700 ABA Dev Disabilities PSY 3300, 3600 3
PSY 5170 Psychology in the Schools **PSY 3300, PSY 3600 3
PSY 5240 Human Sexuality **PSY 3300, PSY 3600 3
PSY 5260 Human Drug Use and Abuse **PSY 3300, PSY 3600 3
PSY 5400 Psychology of Safety **Declared psychology major 3
PSY 5600 Behavioral Medicine **PSY 3300, PSY 3600 3
PSY 5610 Introduction to Clinical Psychology **Declared psychology major 3
PSY 5740 Cross Cultural Psychology **Declared psychology major 3
PSY 5950 History of Psychology **PSY 3300, PSY 3600 3
PSY 3960 Some PSY 3960 courses may count as major electives – ask your advisor.   3
* Only 3 credits of 355, 398, or a second practicum can count as elective credits.  
**Need to have junior status or above to take 500-level courses
***All course work in Psychology must be completed with a grade of C or better to count towards the Psychology Major requirements.