Psychology is the science of human and animal behavior. Psychology majors receive a broad science-based liberal arts education. As a result, those with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology are widely sought in business, education and certain mental health fields. For a professional career in psychology, a graduate degree is needed.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
The psychology curriculum provides a strong background to pursue careers in psychology, business, education or health-related fields. The curriculum emphasizes the principles and applications of psychological knowledge, both as a natural science and as a social science. The B.A. in psychology requires courses in four core areas within the discipline as well as elective psychology courses.
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Coursework for the Major
A B.A. in psychology consists of a minimum of 30 credits in psychology plus related coursework in biological science, mathematics and statistics. At least 18 of the 30 credits must be taken at UF, and at least 24 of the 30 credits must be at the 3000-level or above. Courses used toward the major must be earned with minimum grades of C.
Required Coursework
- 3 credits, introductory level: PSY 2012 General Psychology (or equivalent, such as a general psychology course taken elsewhere or credit by exam for PSY 2012 via AP, IB or AICE).
- 12 credits, foundation level core: each of the four foundation areas is an introduction to a substantive area of psychology: biological bases of behavior and mental processes; developmental changes across the lifespan; learning and cognition; and sociocultural (individual differences) approaches and influences. Students must choose at least one course from each area:
- Biological Bases: CBH 3003 Comparative Psychology or PSB 3002 Physiological Psychology
- Developmental Changes: DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology
- Learning and Cognition: EAB 3002 Principles of Behavior Analysis or EXP 3604 Cognitive Psychology
- Sociocultural / Individual Differences Approaches: CLP 3144 Abnormal Psychology or SOP 3004 Social Psychology
- Laboratory course, 3 credits: PSY 3213L Laboratory Methods in Psychology
- Additional psychology courses, 12 credits: Students must choose 3000/4000-level psychology courses to meet the 30-hour minimum requirement (with the exception that three credits of 2000-level courses may count toward this requirement). In addition, up to six credits of individual work courses will count toward the 30-hour minimum requirement.
Students who wish to transfer courses in psychology toward the major must see an advisor in the department for approval.
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Related Coursework
Statistics: STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 is required. STA 2023 is a prerequisite for some 4000-level psychology courses.
Mathematics: Proficiency through precalculus is required.
MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (or higher course) will meet this requirement. The combination of MAC 1114 Trigonometry and MAC 1140 Precalculus Algebra may be substituted for MAC 1147.
Biological Science: BSC 2005 Biological Sciences is required.
Recommended Coursework
In addition to regularly scheduled courses, the department offers four individual work courses, three involving research (PSY 4911 Introduction to Research in Psychology, PSY 4905 Individual Work, and PSY 4970 Senior Thesis), and one involving community work (PSY 4949 Community Work in Psychology). Students may enroll in these courses by permission of relevant faculty supervisors. A maximum of six credits of individual work courses (CLP 3911, PSY 4911, PSY 4905, PSY 4949, PSY 4970) can count toward the major.
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Critical Tracking
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
The following critical-tracking courses are required:
- BSC 2005 Biological Sciences
- MAC 1147 or MAC 1140 and MAC 1114 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry
- PSY 2012 General Psychology
- PSY 3213L Laboratory Methods in Psychology
- STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1
Semester 1
- Complete MAC 1140 or MAC 1147
- 2.2 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete PSY 2012; if MAC 1140 is taken in semester 1, MAC 1114 must be taken semester 2
- 2.3 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- 2.4 UF GPA required
- Complete 2 critical-tracking courses from BSC 2005, STA 2023 or
PSY 3213L with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
Students should take PSY 3213L in semester 3 or 4 before taking any additional 3000-level or above psychology courses.
Semester 4
- Complete BSC 2005 and STA 2023 (if not previously taken) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.5 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete PSY 3213L (if not previously taken) with 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.5 UF GPA required
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Model Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
GE-H |
3 |
MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry
State Core GE-M |
4 |
Physical Science
GE-P |
3 |
| Foreign language |
5 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
BSC 2005 Biological Sciences
State Core GE-B |
3 |
| PSY 3213L Laboratory Methods in Psychology |
3 |
Humanities
GE-H |
3 |
| Electives |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1
GE-M |
3 |
| Foundation-level psychology course |
3 |
Foundation-level psychology course
GE-S |
3 |
Physical Science
GE-P |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
Composition
GE-C; WR |
3 |
Foundation-level psychology course
GE-B |
3 |
Foundation-level psychology course
GE-S |
3 |
Elective
3000 level or above, not in major |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
Psychology courses
3000 level or above |
6 |
Electives
3000 level or above, not in major |
9 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
Psychology course
3000 level or above |
3 |
Elective
3000 level or above, not in major |
3 |
| Electives |
9 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
Psychology course
3000 level or above |
3 |
Elective
3000 level or above, not in major |
3 |
| Electives |
10 |
| Total |
16 |
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Related Psychology Programs
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