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.