Paths Within the Major
Those majors who plan to pursue graduate work in Ph.D. Programs in Psychology should seek significant research experience(s) beyond those experiences that are part of the minimum requirements for the major. Several opportunities for these kinds of extended research experiences are available to majors by way of advanced lab courses (e.g., PS 304, PS 320), advanced statistics (PS 318H), independent research experiences (PS 371B), directed studies (PS 371A), summer collaborative research experiences, and thesis capstone projects. Students interested in the application of scientific knowledge in psychology or neuroscience may consider graduate programs in public policy issues related to human development, justice, or health care.
Students' choices of electives (both within and beyond the requirements specified by the Psychology major) may be guided by their interests as well as their professional goals. Examples of projected paths provided below are intended as illustrations of possible groupings of electives informed by different kinds of interests and goals. For additional guidance about electives, students are encouraged to contact their faculty advisors.
Projected paths through the major
Path 1: A Clinical Focus
Within Major: Consider the following electives that emphasize research, applied work, theoretical analysis, and writing skill development: Personality (PS210), Abnormal Psychology (PS308), Psychological Testing (PS317), Child Clinical (PS312), Clinical Psychology (PS315), Advanced Seminar in Clinical Psychology: Anxiety and Its Disorders (PS328). Independent research and Internship experiences are strongly recommended.
Beyond Major: Consider additional electives from the following disciplines that also emphasize research, applied work, theoretical analysis, and writing skill development: Neuroscience, Social Work, Sociology, and Anthropology.
Path 2: A Developmental Focus
Within Major: Consider the following electives that emphasize developmental processes including: Educational Psychology (PS 205), Cognitive Development (PS 305, Adult Development (PS 302), and Special Topics seminars focused on developmental issues (theoretical or applied) Depending on a student's professional goals, direct experience with children in research, educational, and clinical settings is strongly encouraged.
Beyond Major: Consider additional electives from the following disciplines that also address developmental issues and policies: Government, Education, and International Affairs.
Path 3: A Neuropsychology/Cognitive Neuroscience Focus
Within Major: Consider the following electives in Psychology: Clinical Psychopharmacology (PS 212), Neuropsychology, (PS 231), Cognition (PS 324), Perception (PS 325), Clinical Psychology (PS 315), Computational Neuroscience (PS327), Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience: Left Brain/Right Brain (PS 341), and other special topics seminars. Independent research experience is strongly recommended.
Beyond Major: Consider electives from the following disciplines Anthropology, Biology, Philosophy, Mathematics and Computer Science as well as Interdisciplinary Seminars.
Within Major: Consider the following electives from PS offerings: Social Psychology (PS205), Personality (PS210), Applied Psychology (PS211), Evolutionary Psychology (PS223), Statistical Methods in Psychology II (PS318H), Social Psychology Research Experience (PS320H), Motivation and Emotion (PS321), Cognition (PS 324), Health Psychology (PS326), Seminar in Cross-Cultural Psychology (PS332), and Independent Research.
Beyond Major: Consider additional electives from the following areas according to student's specific interests: Neuroscience, Sociology, Environmental Science, Government, and Anthropology.