Academic Advising

Psychology (BA) Major Guide

The objective of psychology, as a science, is to understand, explain, and predict the behavior of organisms. The Department of Psychology has developed and organized its course offerings to meet three major goals. Click the heading above to learn more about this exciting profession.

Click here for a one page guide on required and recommended classes for a major or minor in psychology

Peer Advising

Peer advising is your FIRST STOP in the Psychology Advising Process. The Peer Advisor will orient you to the Department, its requirements, and help you build your schedule.

Peer advising is conducted by Hannah Santos (B.A.) who is a graduate student in psychology.  

Peer advising will take place through Zoom or In-person in UCOM 1106 inside the Psychology Department. You may schedule an advising appointment with Hannah through Navigate South using this link: Peer Advising Link. When you make an appointment through Navigate, please indicate whether you want IN PERSON or ZOOM in the LOCATION field. You may also email Hannah directly for an advising appointment; her email is psychology_advising@southalabama.edu

When you select a time slot, please indicate whether you want IN PERSON or ZOOM in the LOCATION field.

Faculty Academic Advisor

Appointments with your academic advisor are made through Navigate South or by emailing them directly. 

After Freshman year, all psychology majors are assigned to a faculty member who will serve as their academic advisor. Students may request a specific faculty member if they have a preference. To request a specific advisor or to change advisors, students should see the department secretary.

A student should consult with his or her academic advisor in planning courses schedules and making other academic decisions. The academic advisor is the person to whom a student should take any questions concerning degree requirements or other academic policies and procedures. The advisor will make recommendations to students concerning degree requirements and other academic matters, but it is ultimately the student's responsibility to see that all requirements are met. It is recommended that students meet with their academic advisor at least once a year.

Required Courses

Students must complete general education requirements and must also complete requirements for both a major and a minor. The Psychology Department is a part of the College of Arts and Sciences. The student must, therefore, meet general education courses specified by the College of Arts and Sciences. These can be found on the Academic Programs Page of the College of Arts and Sciences website. Course requirements for a psychology major are listed below. Students should discuss the choice of a minor with the academic advisor. Requirements for a minor are specified by the department of the chosen minor. 

Requirements for a Psychology Major

A minimum of 38 semester hours in psychology including 32 hours from the undergraduate core and six hours of electives.

Majors in Arts and Sciences may be completed with a minimum of 120 semester hours unless designated otherwise. At least 30 hours of course work, which represents 25% of the required 120 hours, must be at the upper division level in order to fulfill the University’s residency requirement. At least 15 of the 30 upper-division hours must be in the major or concentration area. An overall grade-point-average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for graduation. In addition, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in the student’s major or concentration area. 

Undergraduate Couse Requirements 

*You can take either PSY 420 or PSY 317, but not both 

The six hours of Psychology electives needed for a major may be taken from any courses not taken previously (excluding PSY 250). Students who are preparing to enter a PhD program or an Experimental Psychology Master’s program should take PSY 450. Students are encouraged to consult with their faculty advisor about recommended electives.  Student research is encouraged and students may obtain course credit for student research in PSY 494.

Requirements for a Psychology Minor

A minimum of 21 semester hours in Psychology, including PSY 120 or 121, 220 and 15 semester hours of electives (twelve of those must be in courses numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for Honors in Psychology

If you are interested in receiving Honors in Psychology, you may complete a senior honors thesis (PSY 499). You do not need to be a member of the University Honors program to receive honors in psychology. (Click here for guidelines for students working toward Honors in Psychology.)

JagSpot Scholarship

For more information concerning scholarships, please go to JagSpot.

More Information About Academic Advising

More information about academic advising can be found on the College of Arts & Sciences Advising and in the Undergraduate/Graduate Bulletin.

Freshmen can find advising information here.

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