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Updated 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog | 20275

PDF of Psychology, B.A.

Psychology

Programs

Psychology, B.A. major


The Psychology major at BSU provides students with unique opportunities to prepare for work in applied psychology and the human services at the Bachelor’s level. The major also offers unique opportunities for students to prepare for graduate programs leading to Master’s and Doctoral degrees in various fields of psychological practice and science. Many students choose the major to complete a general liberal arts degree or to prepare for work in fields other than psychology.

A total of 120 semester credits are needed for the Psychology B.A. degree and include the following:

  • Completion of a minimum of 40 upper division credits (level 3000/4000)
  • Completion of all required major credits 
  • Completion of Core Curriculum credits (Minnesota Transfer Curriculum [MnTC] Goal Areas 1-10 with a minimum of 40 credits) required for all baccalaureate degrees
  • Completion of BSU Focus and Nisidotaading Course Requirements
Dual Degrees
Students wishing to complete two degrees concurrently, (example: Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts) must complete a minimum of an additional 30 credits above the required 120 credits. 

Multiple Credentials
Any additional major, minor or certificate in a degree must have at least 6 credits of course work not used to meet the requirements of another major, minor or certificate in the degree.

Required Credits: 48
Required GPA: 2.25

I REQUIRED COURSES

Complete the following courses:

II REQUIRED ELECTIVES

Students should select 32 credits of elective courses in the following six categories that best match their interests and career goals, in consultation with their advisor. Note: Groups 1-6 must include 8 credits of 4000 level courses. This excludes the following courses: PSY 4910, PSY 4917, PSY 4588, PSY 4970. PSY 4447 may count for a maximum of 4 of the 8 credits.

Group 1: Sociocultural Electives

Select two courses from the following list.

Group 2: Helping Professions Electives

Select one course from the following list:

Group 3: Applied Electives

Select one course from the following list:

Group 4: Developmental Electives

Select one course from the following list:

Group 5: Cognitive Electives

Select one course from the following list:

Group 6: General Electives

Select a minimum of 8 additional credits of psychology
courses.

 

Program Learning Outcomes | Psychology, B.A. 

1. Knowledge Base in Psychology: Psychology majors will:

    1.1. describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology

    1.2. develop a working knowledge of psychology's content domains

    1.3 Describe applications of psychology.

2. Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: Psychology majors will:

    2.1 Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena.

    2.2. Demonstrate psychology information literacy.

    2.3 Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem-solving.

    2.4 Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research.

    2.5. Incorporate socio-cultural factors in scientific inquiry.

3. Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World: Psychology majors will:

    3.1 Apply ethical standards to evaluation psychological science and practice.

    3.2 Build and enhance interpersonal relationships 

    3.3 Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels.

4. Communication: Psychology majors will:

    4.1 Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes

    4.2 Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes

    4.3 Interact effectively with others.

5. Professional Development: Psychology majors will:

    5.1 Apply psychological content and skills to career goals.

    5.2 Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation

    5.3 Refine project-management skills.

    5.4 Enhance teamwork capacity

    5.5. Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.