Psychology, BA

Compass

All programs

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Catalog page

Typical path

+ First Year Seminar

+ SOC or ANT or POL course

+ SBC

+ LANG Part

+ First Year Seminar

+ PSY Group A or PSY Group B

+ MAT course

+ LANG Part

+ Unlabeled slot

+ PSY Group A or PSY Group B

+ Course for outside concentration (#1)

+ Statistics course

+ SBC ×2

+ PSY Group A or PSY Group B course

+ PSY 200 and above elective

+ BIO Course

+ SBC ×2

+ PSY Upper-division elective (PSY 301 to PSY 382) ×2

+ Course for outside concentration (#2)

+ Upper-division elective

+ SBC

+ PSY Upper-division elective (PSY 301 to PSY 382) ×2

+ Upper-division course outside concentration (#3)

+ Upper-division elective

+ SBC

+ Upper-division outside concentration (#4)

+ Upper-division elective ×2

+ SBC

+ Upper-division elective ×2

+ Elective ×2

+ SBC

All options

Hide courses not offered in

Survey Courses in Psychology

Pick 3 courses · 5 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

300s

None

400s

None

Five PSY courses (B.A. student) (1)

Pick 1 course · 32 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

300s

400s

Five PSY courses (B.A. student) (2)

Pick 4 courses · 26 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

None

Outside courses: Mathematics

Pick 1 course · 144 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

Outside courses: Biology

Pick 1 course · 82 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

Outside courses: Philosophy

Pick 1 course · 82 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

Outside courses: Social Sciences

Pick 1 course · 337 courses to choose from

Too many to list: ANT/HIS/POL/SOC courses

ConcentrationAfricana Studies1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

51 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationAnthropology1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

81 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationApplied Mathematics and Statistics1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

41 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationBiology1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

76 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationComputer Science1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

74 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationEconomics1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

40 courses to choose from

100s

200s

None

300s

400s

ConcentrationHistory1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

135 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationLinguistics1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

58 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationMathematics1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

49 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationPhilosophy1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

82 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationPolitical Science1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

72 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationSociology1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

52 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationWomen's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

56 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationMarketing2 groups of options

Pick 1 course

3 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

None

Pick 1 course

3 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

ConcentrationWriting2 groups of options

Pick 1 course

2 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

None

Pick 3 courses

25 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

Core Program

PSY 103Introduction to Psychology3 cr
- PSY 201Statistical Methods in Psychology3 cr
- or
  AMS 102Elements of Statistics3 cr
- or
  AMS 110Probability and Statistics in the Life Sciences3 cr
- or
  AMS 310Survey of Probability and Statistics3 cr
- or
  BUS 215Introduction to Business Statistics3 cr
- or
  ECO 320Mathematical Statistics4 cr
- or
  POL 201Introduction to Statistical Methods in Political Science3 cr
- or
  SOC 202Statistical Methods in Sociology3 cr
PSY 310Research and Writing in Psychology4 cr

Catalog text

PSY 103 - Introduction to Psychology 3 credits; One of the following statistics courses: PSY 201; AMS 102; AMS 110; AMS 310; BUS 215; ECO 320; POL 201; SOC 202; Another statistics course approved by the department; PSY 310 - Research and Writing in Psychology 4 credits

Survey Courses in Psychology

Choose 3 courses

PSY 220Survey in Developmental Psychology3 cr
PSY 230Survey in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology3 cr
PSY 240Survey in Social Psychology3 cr
PSY 250Survey in Biopsychology3 cr
PSY 260Survey in Cognition and Perception3 cr

At least 1 from PSY 220, PSY 230, PSY 240.

At least 1 from PSY 250, PSY 260.

Catalog text

One course from Group A, one from Group B, and a third course from Group A or B: Group A: PSY 220 - Survey in Developmental Psychology 3 credits; PSY 230 - Survey in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology 3 credits; PSY 240 - Survey in Social Psychology 3 credits. Group B: PSY 250 - Survey in Biopsychology 3 credits; PSY 260 - Survey in Cognition and Perception 3 credits

Five PSY courses (B.A. student)

Choose 1 course
- PSY courses numbered 200 and above
Excluding PSY 201, PSY 273, PSY 283, PSY 300, PSY 310, PSY 399, PSY 447, PSY 475, PSY 476, PSY 487, PSY 488, PSY 495, PSY 496, PSY 459; courses already counted toward “Survey Courses in Psychology”.
Choose 4 courses
- PSY 301–383
Excluding PSY 310, PSY 459.

Catalog text

For the B.A. student: One course numbered 200 or higher, excluding PSY 201, PSY 273, PSY 283, PSY 310, PSY 399, PSY 447, PSY 475, PSY 476, PSY 487, PSY 488, PSY 495-PSY 496, the discontinued PSY 300, and 200-level survey courses used to satisfy requirement #2. Four more courses from among advanced courses numbered PSY 301 to PSY 383, excluding PSY 310.

Outside courses: Mathematics

Choose 1 course

AMS, CSE, MAT courses numbered 200 and above

Or:

MAT 118Mathematical Thinking3 cr
MAT 122Overview of Calculus with Applications3 cr
MAT 123Precalculus3 cr
MAT 125Calculus A3 cr
MAT 126Calculus B3 cr
MAT 131Calculus I4 cr
MAT 132Calculus II4 cr
AMS 103Applied Mathematics in Modern Technology3 cr
AMS 104Spreadsheet Technology and Applications3 cr

Catalog text

1. Mathematics: Choose one from the following: MAT 118 - Mathematical Thinking 3 credits; MAT 122 - Overview of Calculus with Applications 3 credits; MAT 123 - Precalculus 3 credits (or MAT 119 /MAT 123); MAT 125 - Calculus A 3 credits (or MAT 130 /MAT 125); MAT 126 - Calculus B 3 credits; MAT 131 - Calculus I 4 credits; MAT 132 - Calculus II 4 credits; AMS 103 - Applied Mathematics in Modern Technology 3 credits; AMS 104 - Spreadsheet Technology and Applications 3 credits; Any higher AMS, CSE, or MAT course approved by the department. Note: PSY 201 (or equivalent introductory statistics course) does not satisfy this requirement. Students who pass the Mathematics Placement Exam at Level 4 or above are not required to complete a course in this category.

Outside courses: Biology

Choose 1 course

BIO courses

Or:

ANT 101Human Biology3 cr
ANT 120Introduction to Biological Anthropology3 cr
ANT 201Human Evolution3 cr
ANT 220Controversies in Human Biology and Behavior3 cr
HAN 200Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Science I4 cr
HAN 202Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Science II4 cr

Catalog text

2. Biology: Any one-semester BIO course. Note: ANT 101, ANT 120, ANT 201, ANT 220, HAN 200, or HAN 202 may be used as a substitute to fulfill this requirement.

Outside courses: Philosophy

Choose 1 course

PHI courses

Catalog text

3. Philosophy: Any one-semester PHI course

Outside concentration (12 credits, minimum four courses)

One concentration

Africana Studies
Choose 12 credits
- AFS courses
At least 2 from AFS courses numbered 300–499.
Anthropology
Choose 12 credits
- ANT courses
At least 2 from ANT courses numbered 300–499.
Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Choose 12 credits
- AMS courses
At least 2 from AMS courses numbered 300–499.
Biology
Choose 12 credits
- BIO courses
At least 2 from BIO courses numbered 300–499.
Computer Science
Choose 12 credits
- CSE courses
At least 2 from CSE courses numbered 300–499.
Economics
Choose 12 credits
- ECO courses
At least 2 from ECO courses numbered 300–499.
History
Choose 12 credits
- HIS courses
At least 2 from HIS courses numbered 300–499.
Linguistics
Choose 12 credits
- LIN courses
At least 2 from LIN courses numbered 300–499.
Mathematics
Choose 12 credits
- MAT courses
At least 2 from MAT courses numbered 300–499.
Philosophy
Choose 12 credits
- PHI courses
At least 2 from PHI courses numbered 300–499.
Political Science
Choose 12 credits
- POL courses
At least 2 from POL courses numbered 300–499.
Sociology
Choose 12 credits
- SOC courses
At least 2 from SOC courses numbered 300–499.
Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Choose 12 credits
- WST courses
At least 2 from WST courses numbered 300–499.
Marketing
All of
- BUS 348Principles of Marketing3 cr
- BUS 448Marketing Strategy3 cr
- Choose 1 course
  BUS 334Integrated Marketing Communications3 cr
  BUS 302Social Media Marketing Strategy3 cr
  BUS 378Marketing Ethics, Public Policy, and Social Change3 cr
- Choose 1 course
  BUS 359Consumer Behavior3 cr
  BUS 358Marketing Research3 cr
  BUS 487Independent Research0–3 cr
Writing
All of
- Choose 1 course
  WRT 305Writing for the Health Professions3 cr
  WRT 380Advanced Research Writing: Theories, Methods, Practices3 cr
- Choose 3 courses
  WRT courses numbered 300–499

Catalog text

5. A 12-credit (minimum four courses) concentration in one of the course subjects listed below. At least two courses must be upper-division (numbered between 300 and 499). Practica, research, and internship courses do not satisfy this requirement. The concentration requirement may also be satisfied by an approved minor or a second major in any department or program.

Sample schedule

Year 1 · Fall16 cr

First Year Seminar 1011
WRT 101Introductory Writing Workshop3
PSY 103Introduction to Psychology3
SOC or ANT or POL course3
SBC3
LANG Part 13

Year 1 · Spring16 cr

First Year Seminar 1021
WRT 102Intermediate Writing Workshop3
PSY Group A or PSY Group B3
MAT course3
LANG Part 23
Unlabeled slot3

Year 2 · Fall15 cr

PSY Group A or PSY Group B3
Course for outside concentration (#1)3
Statistics course3
SBC3
SBC3

Year 2 · Spring15 cr

PSY Group A or PSY Group B course3
PSY 200 and above elective3
BIO Course3
SBC3
SBC3

Year 3 · Fall15 cr

PSY Upper-division elective (PSY 301 to PSY 382)3
Course for outside concentration (#2)3
PSY Upper-division elective (PSY 301 to PSY 382)3
Upper-division elective3
SBC3

Year 3 · Spring15 cr

PSY Upper-division elective (PSY 301 to PSY 382)3
Upper-division course outside concentration (#3)3
PSY Upper-division elective (PSY 301 to PSY 382)3
Upper-division elective3
SBC3

Year 4 · Fall16 cr

PSY 310Research and Writing in Psychology4
Upper-division outside concentration (#4)3
Upper-division elective3
Upper-division elective3
SBC3

Year 4 · Spring15 cr

Upper-division elective3
Upper-division elective3
Elective3
Elective3
SBC3

Program rules

Letter grades
Courses in “Core Program”, “Survey Courses in Psychology”, “Five PSY courses (B.A. student)”, “Outside courses: Mathematics”, “Outside courses: Biology”, “Outside courses: Philosophy”, “Outside courses: Social Sciences”, “Outside concentration (12 credits, minimum four courses)” must be taken for a letter grade.
Minimum grade
C or higher in “Core Program”, “Survey Courses in Psychology”, “Five PSY courses (B.A. student)”, “Outside courses: Mathematics”, “Outside courses: Biology”, “Outside courses: Philosophy”, “Outside courses: Social Sciences”, “Outside concentration (12 credits, minimum four courses)”.
Credits at Stony Brook
At least 12 credits in “Core Program”, “Survey Courses in Psychology”, “Five PSY courses (B.A. student)” must be taken at Stony Brook.

Stony Brook Curriculum

WRTD satisfied by

One of

PSY 310Research and Writing in Psychology4 cr
or
PSY 459Write Effectively in Psychology0 cr

Catalog text

For students pursuing the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC), a course that satisfies the 'Write Effectively within One's Discipline' (WRTD) learning objective must be completed in order to graduate. This WRTD requirement will routinely be satisfied by completing PSY 310. However, in special cases, co-registration for the 0-credit PSY 459 while completing a substantial paper or writing sample in another Psychology course will satisfy the WRTD requirement. A student must obtain the permission of the course instructor prior to registering for PSY 459.

Notes

Note: Completion of the major for either a B.S. or a B.A. in Psychology requires 58 to 67 credits, including 34 to 35 credits in psychology and 24 to 32 credits of courses outside the Department. This total is not audited separately; it follows from the requirements below.
Advising: Students interested in a Psychology major should meet with a Psychology Department Undergraduate Advisor (Room B-109). Additional meetings should be scheduled periodically to review progress toward Department requirements. Students are also strongly encouraged to become research assistants (PSY 273) if planning graduate school.
Grading: Psychology courses may be repeated only ONE time. No more than six credits from among PSY 273, PSY 283, PSY 447, and PSY 487 may be taken in one semester.
Note: The concentration in Anthropology, Biology, Mathematics, Philosophy, Political Science, or Sociology automatically satisfies the matching outside-course requirement among items 1 to 4 for the B.A. student (for example, the Biology concentration also satisfies item 2). This cross-satisfaction is not modeled.
Note: The Psychology Honors Program (not modeled): requires a 3.50 GPA in psychology courses and a 3.20 cumulative GPA to apply at the end of the junior year, a faculty mentor, and a senior thesis via PSY 495 and PSY 496. Conferral requires a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and a 3.50 psychology GPA.
Note: Minors of particular interest to Psychology majors: Africana Studies (AFS) and Women's and Gender Studies (WST).

Typical path

+ First Year Seminar

+ SOC or ANT or POL course

+ SBC

+ LANG Part

+ First Year Seminar

+ PSY Group A or PSY Group B

+ MAT course

+ LANG Part

+ Unlabeled slot

+ PSY Group A or PSY Group B

+ Course for outside concentration (#1)

+ Statistics course

+ SBC ×2

+ PSY Group A or PSY Group B course

+ PSY 200 and above elective

+ BIO Course

+ SBC ×2

+ PSY Upper-division elective (PSY 301 to PSY 382) ×2

+ Course for outside concentration (#2)

+ Upper-division elective

+ SBC

+ PSY Upper-division elective (PSY 301 to PSY 382) ×2

+ Upper-division course outside concentration (#3)

+ Upper-division elective

+ SBC

+ Upper-division outside concentration (#4)

+ Upper-division elective ×2

+ SBC

+ Upper-division elective ×2

+ Elective ×2

+ SBC

All options

Hide courses not offered in

Survey Courses in Psychology

Pick 3 courses · 5 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

300s

None

400s

None

Five PSY courses (B.A. student) (1)

Pick 1 course · 32 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

300s

400s

Five PSY courses (B.A. student) (2)

Pick 4 courses · 26 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

None

Outside courses: Mathematics

Pick 1 course · 144 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

Outside courses: Biology

Pick 1 course · 82 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

Outside courses: Philosophy

Pick 1 course · 82 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

Outside courses: Social Sciences

Pick 1 course · 337 courses to choose from

Too many to list: ANT/HIS/POL/SOC courses

ConcentrationAfricana Studies1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

51 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationAnthropology1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

81 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationApplied Mathematics and Statistics1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

41 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationBiology1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

76 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationComputer Science1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

74 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationEconomics1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

40 courses to choose from

100s

200s

None

300s

400s

ConcentrationHistory1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

135 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationLinguistics1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

58 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationMathematics1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

49 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationPhilosophy1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

82 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationPolitical Science1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

72 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationSociology1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

52 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationWomen's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies1 group of options

Pick 12 credits

56 courses to choose from

100s

200s

300s

400s

ConcentrationMarketing2 groups of options

Pick 1 course

3 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

None

Pick 1 course

3 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

ConcentrationWriting2 groups of options

Pick 1 course

2 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s

None

Pick 3 courses

25 courses to choose from

100s

None

200s

None

300s

400s