Introduction
What should students know about the Psychology major?
First, requirements are quite hierarchical. You must first take a 100-level course before you are eligible for Psychology 210. You must earn a passing grade in Psychology 210 before you can declare the major and before you are eligible for Psychology 211. Psychology 210 and 211 cannot be taken concurrently. You must complete Psychology 210 and Psychology 211 before you are eligible for any Psychology 300- or 400-level course.
If you're considering a full year abroad, then it is essential to complete Psychology 210 and Psychology 211 by the end of the sophomore year. If you’re considering a semester abroad, then you should complete Psychology 211 by the fall of your junior year; otherwise, it will be difficult to study overseas.
Second, students are required to take at least four courses with labs (Psychology 210/211, plus at least two 300 level courses). Prerequisites for each 300-level course are listed in the course catalogue. Careful planning is important so that students can ensure they have the requirements for the 300-level courses offered during their junior and senior years.
Also, Psychology majors need to complete a 100-level course in each of 3 groups:
Group 1 (Psychology 110; 120; 125; 130),
Group 2 (Psychology 155, 160, 165, 175),
Group 3 (Psychology 135, 140, 145, 150),
and an additional course from one of the groups, or Psychology 180 or Psychology 185.
Two 400-level courses are required, and a third 400-level course may be taken to fulfill the "additional" upper-level course requirement. Psychology 210 and 211 are the prerequisites for these upper-level courses.
The department chair can help in advising students who are not yet majors.
For course descriptions and requirements for the major, refer to the Academic Bulletin: Psychology.
Courses appropriate for prospective majors
What should students know about the Psychology major?
First, requirements are quite hierarchical. You must first take a 100-level course before you are eligible for Psychology 210. You must earn a passing grade in Psychology 210 before you can declare the major and before you are eligible for Psychology 211. Psychology 210 and 211 cannot be taken concurrently. You must complete Psychology 210 and Psychology 211 before you are eligible for any Psychology 300- or 400-level course.
If you're considering a full year abroad, then it is essential to complete Psychology 210 and Psychology 211 by the end of the sophomore year. If you’re considering a semester abroad, then you should complete Psychology 211 by the fall of your junior year; otherwise, it will be difficult to study overseas.
Second, students are required to take at least four courses with labs (Psychology 210/211, plus at least two 300 level courses). Prerequisites for each 300-level course are listed in the course catalogue. Careful planning is important so that students can ensure they have the requirements for the 300-level courses offered during their junior and senior years.
Also, Psychology majors need to complete a 100-level course in each of 3 groups:
Group 1 (Psychology 110; 120; 125; 130),
Group 2 (Psychology 155, 160, 165, 175),
Group 3 (Psychology 135, 140, 145, 150),
and an additional course from one of the groups, or Psychology 180 or Psychology 185.
Two 400-level courses are required, and a third 400-level course may be taken to fulfill the "additional" upper-level course requirement. Psychology 210 and 211.
The department chair can help in advising students who are not yet majors.
For course descriptions and requirements for the major, refer to the Academic Bulletin: Psychology.
Courses that fulfill distribution requirements
Social Sciences (Division II): Any 100-level course in Psychology (except PSYC 125) fulfills this distribution requirement.
Lab Sciences (Division III): PSYC 125
Writing in the Discipline (WID): Two courses are required for completion of the WID requirement for Psychology majors. These are PSYC 210 and PSYC 211.
Quantitative Reasoning: PSYC 210
US Diversity: PSYC 135
Global Diversity: PSYC 150
Suggested curricular flow through the major
First-Year students are encouraged to take at least one 100-level Psychology course during their first year. Once a student completes at least one 100-level Psychology course, then the student is eligible for entrance into Psychology 210 (Analysis of Psychological Data), a “gateway” course for the major. It is strongly advised that students who have decided to major in psychology register for Psychology 210 after passing a Psychology 100 level course. Ideally in the spring of their first year or fall of their sophomore year. Students who register for Psychology 210 but do not get a seat will be given priority when they register the followig semester. Generally speaking, Psychology 210 is taken during a student’s second year and the student can declare the major after the successful completion of Psychology 210. Next, the student should complete Psychology 211 (Design of Psychological Research). Thus, students interested in majoring in Psychology should focus on taking 100- and 200-level Psychology courses during their first and second years.
Students must complete PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 before they will be eligible to take any upper-level courses in psychology.
Generally speaking, students complete 300- and 400-level Psychology courses during their third and fourth years. Below is an example of Psychology courses taken during a student’s four years at Dickinson College:
First Year
At least one 100-level courses
PSYC 210 (if possible)
Sophomore Year
At least two 100-level courses
PSYC 210 and PSYC 211
Junior Year
At least one 100-level and one 300-level course
400-level seminar (if appropriate)
Semester abroad
Senior Year
Complete all remaining requirements
For specific information regarding requirements for majoring in Psychology, please consult the Psychology Department’s website. Students also are encouraged to speak with the Department Chair or any faculty member within the department to discuss navigating the major.
Honors
Honors are granted to graduating seniors who write a paper which psychology faculty believe fit the criteria for excellence. The paper is based on a long-term empirical research project in psychology. To be awarded honors, the student must have, at graduation, a GPA of at least 3.7 in all of the Psychology courses taken (including courses taken abroad), an overall GPA of 3.5, and a majority faculty vote. Students interested in honors should consult the document "Advanced Psychological Research Projects," which is available from the department and at the department's web site.
Independent study and independent research
Exceptional students may participate in traditional internships, independent study, and independent research projects (see Bulletin section entitled Special Approaches to Study).
Co-curricular activities/programs
The Psychology Club and Psi Chi (the national honor society for psychology undergraduates) collaborate to sponsor events throughout the academic session. We host guest speakers, regular meetings, social events, and advising panels on careers, internships, and graduate school opportunities. Any student is eligible to join the Psychology Club.
Check out the Psychology Club Facebook page for additional details: https://www.facebook.com/DsonPsychClub
Opportunities for off-campus study
Students who are interested in study abroad are urged to plan their programs carefully and begin the major early. An advising session is offered each semester that addresses this topic.
Additional Remarks
Off-campus study additional information: Many students majoring in Psychology study abroad during their third year at one of the College’s sponsored programs (e.g., University of East Anglia in Norwich, England; Danish Institute for Study Abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark; University of Otago in New Zealand).
The minor in psychology: Some students declare majors both in psychology and another discipline. Because of unanticipated schedule conflicts, such students must sometimes choose to complete requirements for one of the two majors and forego completing the second major. The psychology minor enables such students to receive recognition for their achievements. Course admission priority is not accorded to minors.