Undergraduate Curriculum in Psychology

Admission Requirements Declaration of the major in psychology must be made by application to the Department. Application forms can be obtained from the Psychology Advisement Office (SS 370). Application to the major must be made before the student has accumulated 60 credits at the University at Albany. Following the link to Advisement Forms for additional information, forms, and handouts that you will find helpful too. To be admitted to the major in psychology, students must meet the following criteria: C- or better in PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology), PSY 210 (Statistical Methods in Psychology), and PSY 211 (Experimental Psychology) 2.50 GPA in psychology courses taken at the University at Albany 2.00 overall GPA at the University at Albany
Graduation Requirements for Psychology Majors I. Graduation Requirements for the Major in Psychology for students who matriculated (entered the university) prior to Fall 2008 General Program B.A.: A minimum of 36 credits in psychology: including A Psy 101 or 102, A Psy 210, and A Psy 211; 15 credits in psychology from the following list: A Psy 203, 214, 270, 314, 327, 338, 380, 381, 382, 384, 385, 387; 12 credits of electives with an A Psy prefix. (E Cpy and E Psy courses do not count toward the major) Courses not taken from the previous list may be used as electives. NOTE: within the 36 credits required for the major a student must complete at least 12 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. For psychology majors who satisfy the major requirements as outlined in this bulletin, A Psy 210 and 211 are restricted to A–E grading after matriculation at Albany. A maximum of 3 credits in independent study courses (A Psy 297, 297Z, 397, 397Z and 497Z) may be applied to major credit but may not be used to satisfy the 300-or-above requirement. No more than 6 additional credits in these independent study courses may be used for graduation credit. II. Graduation Requirements for the Major in Psychology for students who matriculated (entered the university) in Fall 2008 and thereafter General Program B.A.: A minimum of 36 credits in psychology: including A Psy 101 or 102, A Psy 210, and A Psy 211; 3 credits in each of the following four categories: Category 1: Cognitive Behavioral Approaches: at least 3 credits from A Psy 380 or 381 Category 2: Clinical Developmental Approaches: at least 3 credits from A Psy 203 or 338 Category 3: Social Basis: at least 3 credits from A Psy 270 or 327 Category 4: Biological Basis: at least 3 credits from A Psy 214 or 382 or 387 15 credits of electives: any courses offered with an A Psy prefix (E Cpy and E Psy courses do not count toward the major). Any courses not used to complete the previous categories may be used as electives. NOTE: Of the 36 credits required for the major, a student must complete at least 12 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. For psychology majors who satisfy the major requirements as outlined in this bulletin, A Psy 210 and 211 are restricted to A-E grading after matriculation at Albany. A maximum of 3 credits in independent study courses (A Psy 297, 297Z, 397, 397Z, and 497Z) may be applied to major credit but may not be used to satisfy the 300 or above requirement. No more than 6 additional credits in independent study courses may be used for graduation credit.
Frequently Asked Questions Answers to common questions that undergraduates have about admission to the major, course substitutions, graduation requirements, registration procedures, etc. To find out answers to common questions, click here.
Course Descriptions The general undergraduate bulletin includes full descriptions for all courses as the University at Albany, and all A PSY undergraduate courses in psychology.
Psi Chi's Guide to the Psychology Major A great resource for the undergraduate major in psychology, prepared by our local Albany Chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology. This guide includes information on choosing courses, research opportunities, faculty research interests, and careers in psychology. A related guide for psychology majors is also available here.
The Advisement Center in Psychology Social Science 370 Phone: 442-4865; email: psyadvof@albany.edu Academic advisement for declared psychology majors is handled through the Psychology Undergraduate Advisement Office, located in Social Sciences 370. The Advisement Office is directed by Distinguished Teaching Professor Dr. Robert Rosellini and is staffed by doctoral students who have been trained as advisors. Students receive advice and information regarding the curriculum required for a bachelor's degree in psychology. Advisors meet with students and go over their audits and offer suggestions for courses to complete requirements in the major. Students can also find information on graduate programs in psychology and career possibilities. Spring 2007 Office Hours (SS370): Monday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm   1:00 pm - 5:00 pm     Tuesday 9 am – 5 pm     Wednesday 9 am – 5 pm     Thursday 9 am – 5 pm