It is not difficult to complete the requirements of the psychology major.  Many students successfully pair the psychology major with completing a second major, studying away, meeting premed requirements, and/or writing an honors thesis. 

Below, we outline a few possible scenarios for the plan of study for a psychology major. We hope that they will give you a general idea of how the psychology major might look so you can make the best possible plan for your own situation.

Some guiding principles you might like to keep in mind in designing your schedule:

  • Take both the introductory psychology class and a statistics class (in psychology or another department) in the first two years
  • Complete the research methods class or a lab class by the end of junior year
  • Avoid taking more than two psychology classes in any one semester
  • Finish distribution requirements for preferred seminars by end of junior year

Taking Introduction to Psychology in the First Year:

Students who take the Introduction to Psychology course in the first year (either fall or spring semester) are able to evenly spread the remaining 8 courses over the next four years. Students should complete a statistics class (in psychology or another department) and at least one distribution class in their sophomore year. This pathway allows students to take their remaining 6 courses during their junior and senior years. Students are not required to take more than 2 psychology courses in a given semester, and have plenty of space in their schedule to study away, complete premed requirements, double major, and/or pursue honors work.

Taking Introduction to Psychology in the Fall of Sophomore Year:

Students who take the Introduction to Psychology course in the fall of their sophomore year should complete a statistics class (in psychology or another department) and at least one distribution class in the spring of their sophomore year. This pathway allows students to take their remaining 6 courses during their junior and senior years. Students are not required to take more than 2 psychology courses in a given semester, and have plenty of space in their schedule to study away, complete premed requirements, double major, and/or pursue honors work.