Paths within the Major
Those majors who plan to pursue graduate work in Ph.D. programs in psychology should seek significant research experience(s) beyond those experiences that are part of the minimum requirements for the major. Several opportunities for these kinds of statistics and research methods 2 courses, advanced lab courses (e.g., PS 304, PS 320), advanced statistics (PS 318H), independent research experiences (PS 373), summer collaborative research experiences, and thesis capstone projects (PS 375 and PS 376). Students interested in the application of scientific knowledge in psychology or neuroscience may consider graduate programs in public policy issues related to human development, justice, or health care.
Students' choices of electives (both within and beyond the requirements specified by the psychology major) may be guided by their interests as well as their professional goals. Examples of projected paths provided below are intended as illustrations of possible groupings of electives informed by different kinds of interests and goals. For additional guidance about electives, students are encouraged to contact their faculty advisors.
Projected paths through the major
Path 1: A Clinical Focus
Within major: Consider the following electives that emphasize research, applied work, theoretical analysis, and writing skill development: Personality (PS 210), Psychological Disorder (PS 214), Developmental Disabilities & Autism (PS 234), Psychological Testing (PS 317), Child Clinical (PS 312), Clinical Psychology (PS 315), Anxiety and Its Disorders (PS 328), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PS 312), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (PS 312). Independent research and Internship experiences are strongly recommended as is PS 329 Clinical Psychology Field Experience.
Beyond Major: Consider additional electives from the following disciplines that also emphasize research, applied work, theoretical analysis, and writing skill development: neuroscience, social work, sociology, and anthropology.
Path 2: A Developmental Focus
Within major: Consider the following electives that emphasize developmental processes including: Developmental Psychology (PS 206), Intro to Child Development (PS 207), Cognitive Development (PS 305), Adolescent Development (PS 208), Cross Cultural Development (PS 337), and Special Topics seminars focused on developmental issues (theoretical or applied). Depending on a student's professional goals, direct experience with children in research, educational, and clinical settings is strongly encouraged.
Beyond Major: Consider additional electives from the following disciplines that also address developmental issues and policies: government, education, and international affairs.
Path 3: A Neuropsychology/Cognitive Neuroscience Focus
Within major: Consider the following electives in psychology: Clinical Psychopharmacology (PS 221), Neuropsychology, (PS 231), Cognition (PS 218), Perception (PS 235), Cognitive Neurscience (PS 233), Computational Methods (PS 327), Left Brain/Right Brain (PS 341), Psycholinguistics (PS 323), Research Methods in Memory (PS 333), Psychology of Reading (PS 314), and other special-topics seminars. Independent research experience is strongly recommended.
Beyond major: Consider electives from the following disciplines: anthropology, biology, philosophy, mathematics, neuroscience and computer science, as well as interdisciplinary seminars.
Path 4. A Social/Personality Psychology Focus
Within major: Consider the following electives from PS offerings: Social Psychology (PS 205), Personality (PS 210), Applied Psychology (PS 211), Evolutionary Psychology (PS 223), Research Methods in Social Psychology (PS 320), Motivation and Emotion (PS 321), Health Psychology (PS 219), Seminar in Cross-Cultural Psychology (PS 332), Psychology of Gender (PS 313), Psychology of Race (PS 335) and Independent Research.
Beyond Major: Consider additional electives from the following areas according to student's specific interests: neuroscience, sociology, environmental science, government, and anthropology.