Requirements

The psychology major at Notre Dame requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of psychology courses. Psychology majors are encouraged to complete more than the minimum 30 course credit hours required for graduation, especially if they are considering graduate school. The department also offers an honors track for advanced students. 

Introductory Psychology is not a direct requirement for the major, but it is a prerequisite for the 300-level content area courses.

Special studies or directed readings credits do not fulfill any graduation requirements.

Required courses for psychology majors

9 credit hours of required courses:

• PSY 20010: Psychology: Science, Practice, & Policy Seminar (1 credit)
• PSY 30100: Statistics for Behavioral Sciences (4 credits)
• PSY 30160: Methods for Behavioral Sciences (4 credits)

The remaining 21 credit hours come from 30000-level content area courses and 40000-level senior seminar courses: 

30000-Level Elective Courses

These content area courses provide students with a more in-depth experience in the main substantive areas of the field. These courses are divided into two categories:  one covers the social, developmental, and clinical perspectives (Class A); the second (Class B) covers  biological, cognitive,  and learning processes. 

Students are required to take a minimum of 2 courses (6 credits) from each of the groups.

Please note that the following are examples of courses from each category, not an exhaustive list. To determine if a course meets a requirement, please look for the appropriate attribute.

Class A Courses (identified by the PSDP attribute)

• PSY 30200: Developmental Psychology
• PSY 30220: Adolescent Development
• PSY 30300: Personality Psychology
• PSY 30310: Psychopathology 
• PSY 30312: Child & Adolescent Psychopathology
• PSY 30314: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
• PSY 30600: Social Psychology
• PSY 30634: Psychology of Peace

Class B Courses (identified by the PBLP attribute)

• PSY 30400: Cognitive Psychology
• PSY 30430: Learning & Memory
• PSY 30440: Sensation & Perception
• PSY 30510: Behavioral Genetics
• PSY 30520: Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSY 33360: Health Psychology

40000-Level Elective Courses

Senior-level reading, writing, and discussion intensive seminars are typically taken in the senior year. These are typically taught in the faculty member's particular areas of research expertise, and course offerings may change from semester to semester.

Students are required to take a minimum of 2 courses (6 credits) at the 40000-level.

30000/40000-Level Additional Elective Course

Students need to complete either an additional 300-level course (i.e., a fifth course out of the Class A or Class B section) or a third 400-level seminar. Note: Research labs or directed readings credits do not fulfill this requirement.