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

Academic Advisor

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.

Peer Advising

Peer advising will take place in UCOM 1106 during the following hours for the Fall semester of 2018:

Mondays: 9:45am to 11:45am

Tuesdays:  10am to noon

Wednesday: 10:45am to 12:45pm

Thursdays: 12:15pm to 2:15pm

Fridays: Noon to 2pm

Peer advising is conducted by D. Lee Knapp who is a graduate student in psychology.  

Appointments are walk-in. Otherwise contact usapsychologyadvising@gmail.com

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. (Degree Requirements Handout)

Requirements for a Psychology Major

A minimum of 36 semester hours in psychology including 30 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. 

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

The remaining six hours of electives needed for a major may be taken from any courses not taken previously (excluding PSY 250). Students who are preparing for graduate study are encouraged to take all courses listed in the undergraduate core and any additional courses recommended by their faculty advisor. Student research is encouraged by the faculty and students may obtain course credit for individual student research projects in PSY 494. (Degree Requirements Handout)

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.

http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/academicadvising/firstyear/advisingguides/psychology.html