Major

Psychology Major

Department/Program

Total credits required for a Psychology major: A student who enters Whitman with no prior college-level work in any of these areas would need to complete at least 36 credits in Psychology, at least 2 credits in Biology, and at least 2 credits in Philosophy.

  • Required Courses
    • Psychology 110, 210, 210L, 220, 420, 495, and 496 or 498
    • One course each from three of the four foundation areas:
      • Clinical/Personality: Psychology 216, 260, or 270
      • Cognitive/Learning/Physiological: Psychology 215, 217, 225, 229, or 290
      • Developmental: Psychology 218, 219, or 240
      • Social: Psychology 230, 231, or 239
      • A special topics course may satisfy a foundational area requirement only if that has been specified in the course description.
    • One 300-level seminar course numbered between 300 and 349
    • At least 2 credits in Biology and 2 credits in Philosophy
      • Excluding independent study and Philosophy 200
  • Senior Requirements
    • Psychology 420, 495, and 496 or 498
    • Thesis paper
    • One-hour oral defense of the thesis
  • Honors
    • Students do not apply for admission to candidacy for honors.
    • Students must submit a proposal for their thesis or project within the first six weeks of the two-semester period in which the student is eligible.
    • Accumulated at least 87 credits
    • Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman
    • Major GPA of at least 3.500
    • Complete a written thesis or research project prepared exclusively for the satisfaction of this program.
    • Earn a grade of at least A- in Psychology 495 and 498.
    • Pass the senior assessment with distinction.
    • Chair of the department will notify the Registrar of students attaining honors no later than the beginning of week 12 of the student’s final semester of their thesis.
    • An acceptable digital copy of the honors thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.
  • Notes
    • Students must complete Psychology 210, 210L, and 220 by the end of their junior year.
    • No courses may be taken P-D-F.
Total Credits
40