
B.S. in General Psychology
Harrisonburg, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
General Psychology is the major to consider if studying the area of science that explores how people and animals think, feel and act is of interest.
General Psychology majors complete coursework that explores behavior, emotions, cognitive processes, and the factors that influence them from a variety of perspectives. Psychologists study behavior at both a cellular (e.g. examining the role of the brain and the nervous system) and at a more global level (e.g. examining the influences of culture). As general psychology majors, students will enhance their problem-solving, critical thinking, writing, and oral expression skills as they learn to use the tools available to behavioral scientists.
Students choose to major in general psychology for many reasons. General Psychology can be students' primary area of interest within a liberal arts education that will lead to many professional opportunities that require a bachelor's degree, or it can be a pre-professional program leading to advanced study in graduate school. Popular types of graduate programs pursued by graduates of our program have been counseling, school psychology, education, clinical psychology, psychological science, social work, forensic psychology/criminal justice, industrial/organizational psychology, behavior analysis, law school and college administration.
Each year hundreds of psychology general students participate in research and service learning projects. Each year approximately 40 complete field placements and five complete honors thesis projects. Many of our students take their scholarship to a high level, participating as co-authors with faculty on professional conference presentations.
Why Choose JMU Psychology?
Psychology is the major to consider if you want to study the area of science that explores how people and animals think, feel, and act. Psychology majors complete coursework that explores behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes, and the factors that influence them. Psychologists study behavior at both a cellular level (e.g. examining the role of the brain and the nervous system) and at a more global level (e.g. examining the influences of culture). As a psychology major, you will enhance your problem-solving, critical thinking, writing and oral expression skills as you learn to use the tools available to behavioral scientists.
Whether you plan to seek employment with your bachelor's degree or go on to graduate school, you should be thinking about developing knowledge and skills through all of your college experiences. By the time you graduate, you should have developed a résumé that is rich with listings of your accomplishments both inside and outside of the classroom.
Gallery
Program Outcome
The Department of Psychology has adopted the learning objectives recommended by the American Psychological Association. Students who complete the JMU psychology major program and other coursework required for their bachelor’s degree program will meet the following 10 learning objectives:
- Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology. Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
- Goal 2: Research Methods in Psychology. Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
- Goal 3: Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology. Students will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
- Goal 4: Application of Psychology. Students will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
- Goal 5: Values in Psychology. Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
- Goal 6: Information and Technological Literacy. Students will demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes.
- Goal 7: Communication Skills. Students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
- Goal 8: Sociocultural and International Awareness. Students will recognize, understand, and respect the complexity. of sociocultural and international diversity.
- Goal 9: Personal Development. Students will develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
- Goal 10: Career Planning and Development. Students will emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.
Admissions
Curriculum
Degree Requirements
A student must complete a minimum of 44 PSYC credits and at least 60 non-PSYC credits.
Required Courses
- General Education 41 Credit Hours1
- Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education) 3 Credit Hours
- Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education) 3-4 Credit Hours
- Major requirements including cognate (listed below) 47 Credit Hours
- University electives 25-26 Credit Hours
Footnote
1The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Courses required for the major may also fulfill some General Education requirements. MATH 220, MATH 205, MATH 231, MATH 235 or another acceptable math course with a grade of “C-” or better is required for full admission to the major.
Major Requirements
The courses described below are required of all students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree.
- PSYC 101. General Psychology [C5SD] Credits: 3.00
Choose one of the following sequences: 8 Credit Hours
- PSYC 210. Psychological Measurement and Statistics Credits: 4.00 and
- PSYC 211. Psychological Research Methods Credits: 4.00
or - PSYC 212. Psychological Research Design and Data Analysis I Credits: 4.00 and
- PSYC 213. Psychological Research Design and Data Analysis II Credits: 4.00
SS Content Core – Psychology as a Social Science: 9 Credit Hours
Choose at least three of the following:
- PSYC 330. Psychology of Personality Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 335. Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 345. Social Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 365. Developmental Psychology Credits: 3.00
NS Content Core – Psychology as a Natural Science: 6 Credit Hours
Choose at least two of the following:
- PSYC 375. Sensation and Perception Credits: 3.00
or - BIO 375. Sensation and Perception Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 380. Cognitive Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 390. Psychology of Learning Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 395. Comparative Animal Behavior Credits: 3.00
or - BIO 395. Comparative Animal Behavior Credits: 3.00
Biopsychology: 3 Credit Hours
- PSYC 385. Biopsychology Credits: 3.00
or - BIO 385. Biopsychology Credits: 3.00
Upper-Level Specialty Content Courses: 3 Credit Hours
Choose at least one of the following:
- PSYC 400. Advanced Topics in Psychology Credits: 1.00 - 3.00 2
- PSYC 410. Psychology of the Workplace Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 415. Forensic Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 420. Advanced Psychological Statistics Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 425. School Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 427. Tests and Measurements Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 428. Educational Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 430. Clinical Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 435. Community Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 450. Psychology of Child Abuse and Neglect Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 452. Child Psychopathology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 460. Community Psychology Within Developing Societies Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 461. Advanced Study Abroad in Psychology Credits: 1.00-4.00
- PSYC 475. Psychology of Adulthood Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 480. Applied Behavior Analysis Credits: 3.00
Psychology electives: 9 Credit Hours
At least three hours must be at the 400 level
Capstone course: 3 Credit Hours
Departmental approval is required for students to enroll in more than one capstone course.
Choose one of the following:
- PSYC 492. History of Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 493. Laboratory in Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 495. Field Placement in Psychology Credits: 4.00
- PSYC 497. Senior Seminar Credits: 3.00 2
- PSYC 499A. Honors Credits: 2.00 2 and
- PSYC 499B. Honors Credits: 2.00 2 and
- PSYC 499C. Honors Credits: 2.00 2
Sociocultural Competency: 0 Credit Hours
Choose one of the following:3
- PSYC 220. Psychology and Culture Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 308. Health Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 310. The Psychology of Women and Gender Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 320. Diversity Issues in Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 325. Counseling Psychology Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 410. Psychology of the Workplace Credits: 3.00
- PSYC 460. Community Psychology Within Developing Societies Credits: 3.00
Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 Some sections of this course may meet the sociocultural awareness requirement depending on the content; when this course does meet the requirement, it will be listed in the notes section of the course listing in MyMadison.
3 One sociocultural competency course is required. Credit for this course may be counted under one of the other major categories.
Cognate Requirement
Additional Scientific Literacy: 3 Credit Hours
This course must be taken in addition to the General Education and the B.S. degree scientific literacy requirements. This may count toward a second major and/or minor requirements. In total, students take two scientific literacy courses beyond the General Education requirement, one to fulfill the B.S. degree scientific literacy requirements and one to fulfill the General Psychology B.S. degree requirements.
Choose a course from the list of courses meeting B.S. degree scientific literacy requirements.
Recommended Schedule for General Psychology Majors
The following program sample is intended as a guide. Courses must be taken in the sequence outlined; however, the semester during which a particular course is taken depends on a number of factors, including readiness to take 200-level math, the semester the psychology major is started and other majors or minors the student is completing.
Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their psychology academic adviser to plan their personal course schedules. Because of course sequencing requirements, even with the most compressed program, a minimum of five semesters (or four semesters and summer school) is required to complete the psychology major.
First Year
First Semester
- MATH 220. Elementary Statistics [C3QR] Credits: 3.00 1
- General Education courses Credits / Units: 9.00
- PSYC 101. General Psychology [C5SD] Credits: 3.00
Second Semester
- General Education, B.S. degree requirement, B.S. Psychology Cognate and/or minor program courses 15 Credit Hours
Second Year
First Semester
- PSYC 210. Psychological Measurement and Statistics Credits: 4.00 2, 3
or - General Education, B.S. degree requirement, B.S. Psychology Cognate, minor program and/or Psychology elective courses
- PSYC 212. Psychological Research Design and Data Analysis I Credits: 4.00 2
Second Semester
- PSYC 211. Psychological Research Methods Credits: 4.00 3
- or
General Education, B.S. degree requirement, B.S. Psychology Cognate, minor program and/or Psychology elective courses - PSYC 213. Psychological Research Design and Data Analysis II Credits: 4.00 4
Third Year
Courses
- SS content core courses 9 Credit Hours
- NS content core courses 9 Credit Hours
- Minor program courses or electives 12 Credit Hours
Fourth Year
Courses
- Psychology Upper-level Specialty Content Course 3 Credit Hours
- Psychology 400 level elective 3 Credit Hours
- Psychology capstone course 3 Credit Hours
- Psychology, minor program, or elective courses 21 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 A preliminary math course may be suggested after placement examinations. If suggested, the preliminary course should be taken first semester and MATH 220 second semester. Other 200-level mathematics courses may be substituted for MATH 220. Any MATH course numbered 205 or above is an acceptable prerequisite for the psychology major.
2 Any MATH course numbered 205 or above is a prerequisite for PSYC 210 and PSYC 212. MATH 220 is recommended.
3 PSYC 210 is a prerequisite for PSYC 211.
4 PSYC 212 is a prerequisite for PSYC 213.
Recommended General Psychology Courses
The following courses are recommended for all psychology majors especially those who plan to pursue advanced study at the graduate level after earning their bachelor’s degrees.
Participate in experiential learning, such as:
- PSYC 202. Directed Studies in Psychology Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- PSYC 203. Directed Research in Psychology Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- PSYC 402. Independent Study in Psychology Credits: 1.00 - 4.00
- PSYC 403. Independent Research in Psychology Credits: 1.00 - 4.00
- PSYC 495. Field Placement in Psychology Credits: 4.00
- PSYC 499A. Honors Credits: 2.00 and
- PSYC 499B. Honors Credits: 2.00 and
- PSYC 499C. Honors Credits: 2.00
Additional Information
A minor or a selection of courses from other departments that complements the psychology major for the professional field you are pursuing might be helpful. Discuss your professional goals with your faculty adviser and ask for recommendations. Consider taking courses that emphasize writing skills, quantitative skills, critical thinking and analysis, and/or oral communication.
Students should discuss their career aspirations with their academic adviser throughout their academic program. Students interested in applying to graduate school should discuss the necessary preparation with their adviser early in their academic program. Students are encouraged to visit the department’s Peer Advising Office in Miller Hall where materials are available about career and graduate school opportunities.
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.
English Language Requirements
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