Psychology

Professors: Coolidge, Davis, Greene, Pyszczynski, Qualls and Wurtele
Associate Professors: Benight, Durham (Chair), and Klebe
Assistant Professors: James, Segal, Widner, and Wood.

Bachelor of Arts — Psychology

The major program consists of at least 36 hours and not more than 54 hours of psychology courses, of which at least 18 must be in upper-division courses (300/400 level). Students should begin their studies with the three required courses: PSY 100 (General Psychology), PSY 210 (Introduction to Psychological Statistics), and PSY 211 (Introduction to Psychological Research and Measurement). Beyond the introduction and methodology courses, students are required to take four of the seven core content courses. The core content courses are PSY 328 (Abnormal), PSY 324 (Personality), PSY 362 (Developmental), PSY 340 (Social), PSY 314 or 320 (Cognition and Learning), and PSY 327 (Biopsychology). Students are also required to take one Advanced Seminar. Psychology majors must earn a grade of at least C- in the three required courses, the four core content courses, and the one Advanced Seminar. Other psychology courses taken by the students should be planned with the student’s advisor.

Accountability Examination: All graduating psychology majors will take an "Accountability Examination." The examination samples the student’s understanding of the core content areas. Students can sign up to take the exam in the department office during their senior year. The exam is given several times during each semester.

Minor in Psychology

The minor in Psychology consists of at least 20 hours of psychology courses, of which nine must be upper-division courses (300/400 level). Students should begin their studies with two required courses, PSY 100 (General Psychology), and PSY 210 (Introduction to Psychological Statistics). Minor students may substitute an equivalent statistics course taken from another major area for PSY 210. Students are also required to take two of the seven core content courses (Abnormal, Personality, Developmental, Social, Cognitive, Learning, and Biopsychology). Psychology minors must earn a grade of at least C- in the two required and core content courses. In addition to these guidelines, students should follow the general guidelines for minors in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Honors Program

In addition to the normal undergraduate curriculum in psychology, the department offers interested and qualified undergraduates an opportunity to further increase the breadth and depth of their psychological training through the Departmental Honors Program. Prior to or during the first semester of the junior year, interested students should contact any psychology faculty member regarding the prospect of departmental honors work.

Master of Arts — Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers coursework and thesis supervision for a Master of Arts degree. The program offers two tracks: clinical, and general experimental Psychology with various subspecialties such as neuropsychology, social psychology, program evaluation, psychology and the law, psychometric theory, memory and aging, and cognitive development. Both tracks are designed to prepare students for doctoral programs. A majority of students are subsequently accepted into doctoral programs. The program is designed to be completed in two academic years and includes a thesis requirement. Formal application should be postmarked no later than February 1. Applicants should have the following credentials:

1. A B.S. or B.A. degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.

2. An overall average of B or above in all undergraduate courses.

3. Graduate Record Exam scores of at least 1100 cumulative on the verbal and quantitative sections. The advanced psychology test is strongly recommended.

4. An adequate undergraduate program in psychology including college-level mathematics, statistics, experimental psychology, and some background in the biological, physical, and social sciences.

5. Applicants to the clinical track should also have coursework and community experience in applied psychology.

Promising students who do not meet all the requirements may be considered as applicants. Admission to the program is competitive.

For outstanding candidates, graduate stipends, teaching assistantships and research assistantships are available.

For information and/or application for the master’s program, write:

Department of Psychology University of Colorado P. O. Box 7150 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80933-7150.