Course Planning

Psychology - Where to Start?

Course planning advice here is limited to majors. For a full description of degree requirements, please see this overview of the Academic Program and refer to the Catalog for details and official rules. Any discrepancy between the Course Planning Pages and the Catalog will be resolved in favor of the Catalog.

Where should I start if I am just sampling this subject as a non-major?

  • A first-semester, first-year student with no previous experience should start in Introductory Psychology (PSYC 110).  
  • After the first year, any student new to Psychology could start in Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 110) or any 200-level psychology course (PSYC below  290).

      Where should I start if I might use this as part of a major or as a potential major?

      • A first-semester, first-year student with no previous experience should start in Introductory Psychology (PSYC 110).
      •  After the first year, any student new to Psychology could start in Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 110) or any 200-level psychology course (PSYC below  290).

          Where should I start if I have some experience in this discipline before college?

          • A student with experience in psychology should start in any 200-level psychology course (PSYC below 290). 
          • Regardless of background:
            • first-semester students should not enroll in Developmental Psychology (PSYC 210)
            • first-year students should not enroll in Statistics (PSYC 290)
          • For AP or IB credits – please refer to Advanced Placement Credits or International Baccalaureate Credits in the College Catalog.

          When should I declare a major?

          • All students must declare a major by March 1st of their sophomore year.