Psychology Major

1. Introduction to Psychology (1 course)

It is recommended to complete this course first, or very early in the major.

• PSYC030 CM - Introduction to Psychology

2. Lower-Division Core (3 courses)

Select one course from each of the following 3 clusters:

3. Statistics (1 course)

This course should be taken before Research Methods.

• PSYC109 CM - Introduction to Statistics for Psychologists

4. Research Methods (2 courses)

These courses must be taken concurrently, and should be completed prior to the senior year.

• PSYC110 CM - Research Methods
• PSYC111L CM - Research Methods Practicum

5. Electives (3 courses)

Three upper-division elective courses in psychology (numbered above 100 at CMC; excluding PSYC 198 CM )

Notes:

• At least 7 of the courses in the major must be completed at CMC.
• PSYC 110 CM  / PSYC 111L CM  should be taken before the senior year.
• PSYC 109 CM  should be taken before PSYC 110 CM  / PSYC 111L CM . 
• With approval from the department chair, at most one Independent Study in Psychology (PSYC 199 CM ) may be counted toward the psychology major.
• In unusual circumstances, exceptions to these rules may be approved by the department chair.
• Students who do not complete PSYC 110 CM  / PSYC 111L CM  before the senior year are not eligible for honors in the major.
• PSYC 197A CM  / PSYC 197B CM  may not be applied toward psychology major requirements.
• Allowable substitute courses for PSYC 109 CM  include ECON 120 CM , BIOL 174L KS , and BIOL 175 KS .

Dual Major

The dual major in psychology requires a minimum of 8 courses, distributed as follows:

Honors in Psychology

To qualify for honors in psychology, students must:

• Complete a full psychology major
• Complete PSYC 109 CM  (or approved equivalent) and PSYC 110 CM  / PSYC 111L CM  before their senior year, have a GPA in all three classes combined of at least B+ (10.0), and must have earned a grade of B (9.0) or better in all three courses,
• Have a GPA in psychology courses of at least B+ (10.0) at time of graduation,
• Complete PSYC198 CM - Psychology Senior Research Seminar ,
• Complete a 2-semester, 2-unit empirical research thesis project in psychology with a final grade of A- (11.0) or better on the written thesis, and
• Give an oral presentation on the completed research project to psychology faculty and students around the time theses are turned in. 

With course approval of the department chair, students who take advanced psychological statistics or research methods courses may choose to replace the grades for PSYC 109 CM  and/or PSYC 110 CM  / PSYC 111L CM , respectively, with the grades for one or more of these approved advanced courses in the average GPA calculation for the three courses. For the one psychological statistics class and two research methods classes that enter into this average GPA calculation, the combined GPA for the three classes must be at least B+ (10.0), and students must have earned a grade of B (9.0) or better in all three classes in order to qualify for honors in psychology.

Study Abroad

Psychology majors are encouraged to take advantage of CMC’s study abroad programs but need to consider the following:

1. Options for students planning to study abroad during the entire junior year:
   • Complete Statistics (PSYC 109 CM  or the equivalent) in the fall of the sophomore year; and Research Methods (PSYC 110 CM  / PSYC 111L CM ) courses in the spring of the sophomore year.
   • With special permission of the department chair, in unusual circumstances students may take the Research Methods courses and Statistics in the same semester of the sophomore year.
2. Options for students planning to study abroad for one semester during the junior year
   • Students planning to do a 1-semester senior thesis, rather than a 2-semester empirical thesis may, with the permission of the department chair, complete the Research Methods courses in the fall semester of the senior year. This option allows students to study abroad for one semester during the junior year and complete Statistics in the other semester. However, it is still strongly recommended that all students complete the Research Methods courses before the senior year. Students with a 1-semester thesis are not eligible for honors in psychology.
   • Take Statistics in the summer or during the sophomore year, and the Research Methods courses during the semester they are on campus in the junior year.
   • With permission of the department chair, students may complete Statistics while abroad. This option is only available at selected programs.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the national honor society for psychology majors. To be eligible, students must satisfy the following conditions:

• Have completed at least 3 semesters of college work
• Have completed at least 3 psychology courses
• Rank in the top 35% of their class at CMC
• Have a minimum GPA of 9.0 in both psychology classes and in cumulative grades.

Each year the psychology faculty and current members of Psi Chi elect new members from among those who are eligible. For further information, contact the Psychology Department.

Accelerated MA Program in Psychology

CMC and Claremont Graduate University (CGU) offer qualified students the opportunity to obtain an accelerated MA degree in psychology from CGU one year after receiving the Bachelor of Arts from CMC. For further information, see MA Program in Psychology .

Learning Goals

Students who devote themselves to the study of psychology will achieve a variety of learning goals. These goals flow directly from an understanding of psychological science and its applications. In accordance with the American Psychological Association’s Report on the Undergraduate Psychology Major (APA 2008), we specify the following goals for psychology majors:

1. Knowledge of major concepts, theories, and empirical findings in psychology;
2. Understanding of research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis and interpretation;
3. Development of critical thinking skills and use of the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes;
4. Application of psychological principles to areas such as education, law, business, politics, and medicine;
5. Awareness of ethical behavior in research and applied settings;
6. Technological literacy;
7. Oral and written communication skills; and
8. Understanding of sociocultural and international diversity and complexity.