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College of Arts and Sciences

Psychology

119A Guthrie Hall
206-543-2640
Website
Faculty Website
psyofc@uw.edu

Psychology is a broad and diverse discipline that integrates research at the interface of social and biological influences on behavior. Our faculty contribute to knowledge of human and animal behavior and have made major contributions to the scientific understanding of learning, perception, social influence, prejudice, human development, and mental disorders.

 Undergraduate Program


Psychology

119A Guthrie Hall
206-543-2698
psyadvis@uw.edu

 Program of Study: Major: Psychology


Program Overview

The undergraduate Psychology major at the University of Washington offers students a broadly based introduction to human and animal behavior based on a curriculum that emphasizes current research and theory. The UW Psychology program for undergraduate majors stresses scientific and statistical reasoning skills that help students evaluate data, claims, and theories in both the academic and popular literatures. We provide undergraduates research participation, applied fieldwork and supervised teaching opportunities. Students make use of what they learn in various career paths including areas such as counseling, education, and basic research. We also provide opportunities for a wide range of UW majors to include psychology as part of their general education.

This program of study leads to the following credentials:
  • Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology
  • Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology
Recommended Preparation

Suggested First-Year College Courses: MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 120, or MATH 124. PSYCH 101. Any sociology or anthropology course. Students are encouraged to begin completion of general education requirements.

Suggested Second-Year College Courses: PSYCH 202 and 209 should be completed as soon as possible during this year. BIOL 118, BIOL 161-BIOL 162, BIOL 180, BIOL 200, or BIOL 220. Students intending to take animal behavior courses in the Psychology Department should plan to fulfill the biology requirement with either BIOL 161-BIOL 162, BIOL 180, or BIOL 200 Continue working toward completion of general education requirements, including foreign language. The foreign language requirement should, ideally, be completed within the first two years of college.

Admission Requirements
  1. Minimum 2.00 cumulative UW GPA
  2. Completion of one of the following math courses with a minimum 2.0 grade: MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 120, or MATH 124.
  3. Completion of the following psychology courses with a minimum 2.0 grade in each course and a cumulative 2.50 GPA in the three courses: PSYCH 101, PSYCH 202, and PSYCH 209.
  4. Admission is competitive based on the following criteria:
    1. Preparation for a major in psychology as indicated by the grades earned in courses required for admission
    2. GPA, with an emphasis on grades earned in psychology courses
    3. Other evidence of a commitment to becoming a psychology major
    4. Personal statement reflecting an interest in and commitment to becoming a psychology major
    5. Copies of unofficial transcripts from all schools attended (UW and transfer).
    Meeting the above criteria does not guarantee admission to the department.
  5. The application deadline is the first Friday of autumn, winter, and spring quarters; no applications are accepted summer quarter. Applications and additional information are available in 119A Guthrie.

 Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology


Credential Overview

The BA program offers a strong foundation in general psychology and is appropriate for many of our students.

Completion Requirements

66 to 68 credits

  1. PSYCH 101, PSYCH 202, PSYCH 209, PSYCH 315 (or PSYCH 317 and PSYCH 318)
  2. One course from PSYCH 300, PSYCH 302, PSYCH 333, or PSYCH 355
  3. One course from PSYCH 303, PSYCH 305, PSYCH 306, PSYCH 345, or PSYCH 357
  4. One additional course from PSYCH 300, PSYCH 302, PSYCH 303, PSYCH 305, PSYCH 306, PSYCH 333, PSYCH 345, PSYCH 355, or PSYCH 357
  5. Three additional upper division PSYCH courses (9 - 15 credits) with at least two at the 400-level (excluding PSYCH 491 through PSYCH 499).
  6. 3 credits from the following list: PSYCH 494, PSYCH 496, PSYCH 497, PSYCH 498, PSYCH 499; or credit from an approved Study Abroad program
  7. Up to 6 credits of PSYCH 200- to 400-level electives to make a minimum total of 53 psychology credits
  8. (Students may not use PSYCH 200 as an elective if PSYCH 300 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 203 as an elective if PSYCH 303 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 206 as an elective if PSYCH 306 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 245 as an elective if PSYCH 345 is used to fulfill major requirements.)
  9. Courses in related fields (13-15 credits):
    1. One MATH course from MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 120, or MATH 124.
    2. One biological science course from BIOL 118, BIOL 161, BIOL 162, BIOL 180, BIOL 200, or BIOL 220
    3. One social science course (3 to 5 credits) from anthropology or sociology
  10. Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA in all psychology courses applied toward the degree (UW and transfer), with a minimum 2.0 grade in each course presented for the major
  11. Transfer students must meet all the above requirements and must to complete at least 15 graded credits in psychology at the 300 and 400 level through the UW.

 Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology


Credential Overview

The BS program emphasizes current research and theory and stresses scientific and statistical reasoning skills through coursework and active participation in research.

Completion Requirements

84-86 credits

  1. PSYCH 101, PSYCH 202, PSYCH 209 (minimum grade of 2.5), PSYCH 317 and PSYCH 318
  2. One laboratory course from PSYCH 330, PSYCH 331, PSYCH 332, PSYCH 334, PSYCH 335, or PSYCH 419
  3. One course from PSYCH 300, PSYCH 302, PSYCH 333, or PSYCH 355
  4. One course from PSYCH 303, PSYCH 305, PSYCH 306, PSYCH 345, or PSYCH 357/GWSS 357
  5. One additional course from PSYCH 300, PSYCH 302, PSYCH 303, PSYCH 305, PSYCH 306, PSYCH 333, PSYCH 345, PSYCH 355, or PSYCH 357/GWSS 357
  6. Three additional graded upper-division PSYCH courses with at least two courses at the 400-level (cannot include PSYCH 491 through PSYCH 499) (9 to 15 credits)
  7. PSYCH 499 (3 credits)
  8. PSYCH 496, PSYCH 497, or PSYCH 498 (3 credits) or 3 additional credits of PSYCH 499
  9. Up to 6 credits in 200- to 400-level PSYCH elective courses to reach a minimum 66 psychology credits
  10. Students may not use PSYCH 200 as an elective if PSYCH 300 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 203 as an elective if PSYCH 303 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 206 as an elective if PSYCH 306 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 245 as an elective if PSYCH 345 is used to fulfill major requirements.
  11. Courses in related fields (18-20 credits):
    1. MATH 124. While not a major requirement, some students may choose to take MATH 120 first in order to feel prepared for MATH 124.
    2. One 5 credit biological science course from BIOL 118, BIOL 161, BIOL 162, BIOL 180, BIOL 200, or BIOL 220
    3. One of the following philosophy courses: PHIL 120, PHIL 160
    4. One social science course (3 to 5 credits) from anthropology or sociology
  12. Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA in all PSYCH courses applied toward the degree (UW and transfer), with a minimum 2.0 grade in each course presented for the major. Note that a grade of 2.5 or higher is required in PSYCH 209 in order for students to progress to the PSYCH 317/PSYCH 318 statistics series.
  13. Transfer students must meet all of the above requirements and are required to complete at least 15 graded credits in psychology at the 300- and 400-level through the UW.
Additional Information

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

  • Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: Students understand and apply scientific methods and principles, receive an excellent preparation in the theoretical explanations of human and animal behavior, and understand the introductory concepts underlying the biological basis of behavior.
  • Instructional and Research Facilities: The psychology faculty have extensive research facilities and research laboratories on the UW campus and in nearby buildings. The Psychology Department offers academic credit for research experience that takes place under the supervision of our faculty.
  • Honors Options Available: With College Honors (Completion of Honors Core Curriculum and Departmental Honors); With Honors (Completion of Departmental Honors requirements in the major). Refer to department website for more information.
  • Research, Internships, and Service Learning: The Department of Psychology offers academic credit for approved fieldwork experience.
  • Department Scholarships: (1) Aric Chandler Scholarship offered each autumn quarter - eligible students must be current UW Seattle Psychology majors who transferred to UW from a Washington State community college; (2) Ruth Hagenstein Research Travel Awards offered each winter quarter - eligible students must be current UW Seattle Psychology majors who plan to attend a psychology-related professional conference.

Of Special Note: A student may earn either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, but not both.

 Graduate Programs


Psychology

206-543-8687
psygrad@uw.edu

 Program of Study: Doctor Of Philosophy (Psychology)


This program of study leads to the following credentials:
  • Doctor Of Philosophy (Psychology)
  • Doctor Of Philosophy (Psychology: Advanced Data Science)
  • Doctor Of Philosophy (Psychology: Clinical Psychology)
  • Doctor Of Philosophy (Psychology: Data Science)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology: Psychology and Astrobiology)
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Doctor Of Philosophy (Psychology)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Doctor Of Philosophy (Psychology: Advanced Data Science)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Doctor Of Philosophy (Psychology: Clinical Psychology)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Doctor Of Philosophy (Psychology: Data Science)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology: Psychology and Astrobiology)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Program of Study: Master Of Arts In Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology: Prevention and Treatment


This program of study leads to the following credential:
  • Master Of Arts In Applied Child And Adolescent Psychology: Prevention And Treatment (fee-based)
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Master Of Arts In Applied Child And Adolescent Psychology: Prevention And Treatment (fee-based)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Program of Study: Master Of Science (Psychology)


This program of study leads to the following credential:
  • Master Of Science (Psychology)
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Master Of Science (Psychology)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.