Mission Statement
The discipline of psychology is dedicated to increasing the scientific understanding of behavior and mental processes at the intrapersonal, interpersonal and group level, and to the application of that understanding to enhance the functioning of individuals, groups, and society. In line with this mission, the Undergraduate Program in Psychology has a threefold mission: to advance and transmit knowledge related to the nature of psychological processes and functioning, to provide a strong foundation in the basic knowledge and skills necessary for research in psychology, and to sensitize students to the applications of psychology in the wider community. This mission embodies the main elements of AUB’s mission which are to foster freedom of thought, respect for diversity, critical thinking, personal integrity, and civic engagement.
Requirements for a BA degree in Psychology
Admission to the psychology program requires a grade of 70 or more in PSYC 101 or PSYC 201, minimum grade of 70 in ENGL 203 and ENGL 204, and a cumulative average above 70 for transfers. For purposes of meeting departmental admission requirements, students are not permitted to take PSYC 101 or PSYC 201 more than twice. While completing PSYC 101 qualifies a student to meet one of the admission requirements to the major, 100 level courses will not be counted towards a major requirement. Prospective majors who obtain a grade below 60 in PSYC 101 or PSYC 201 will not be permitted to take the course a second time for the purpose of meeting the departmental admission requirements. Requirements for majors include PSYC 101 or PSYC 201, PSYC 280, PSYC 282, PSYC 284, and PSYC 288. In addition to these required courses, the student must select eight courses from the following categories:
- Category 1 (3 out of 4 are required, but all can be taken for credit)(9): PSYC 210(3), PSYC 212(3) PSYC 214(3) or PSYC 215(3), and PSYC 216(3);
- Category 2 (3 out of 4 are required, but all can be taken for credit) (9): PSYC 220(3), PSYC 222(3), PSYC 224(3), and PSYC 226(3) or PSYC 228(3);
- Category 3 (the remainder are electives)(6): PSYC 230(3), PSYC 232(3), PSYC 234(3), PSYC 236(3), PSYC 240(3), and PSYC 290(3) and courses in Category 1 and 2 not already chosen.
In addition to these required courses, the student must complete CMPS 206. If exempted from CMPS 206, students should take 3 credits in Quantitative Thought numbered 200 or above. Also required are 6 credits in natural sciences. A biology course is recommended.
The requirements for a BA degree in Psychology are 90 credits for students entering the department at the sophomore level, including 39 credits in the major. The distribution of university requirements is as follows.
University Requirements
University Language requirements: English (6cr) and Arabic (3cr).
University General Education requirements: Humanities (12cr) including 6 credits from CVSP, Natural Sciences (3cr), Social Sciences (3), and Quantitative Thought (3cr). Also note that the Social Science must be an approved General Education course from outside the major.
A minor in psychology requires 15 credits: PSYC 101 or PSYC 201, PSYC 280, plus three electives from PSYC 210–236 .
A cognitive science minor requires 15 credits. PSYC 228 is required. PSYC 228 cannot be counted as a psycholog y course for the purpose of this requirement. The remaining 12 credits must be chosen from the following courses: PSYC 220, PSYC 224, PSYC 226, PSYC 280, and PSYC 290; PHIL 221, 222, 223, 257, 258; ENGL 227, 230, 232, 246; EDUC 215, 221, 225, 290, 290F; CMPS 287; and BIOL 243, 290F, 290AF-1, 290T-1, on condition that the 12 credits chosen span three of the five disciplines. Only 3 credits of the 15 credits taken for the minor may count toward the student’s major.
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