Psychology BA

Admission Criteria

Current UB students seeking admission to the Psychology BA will be added to the major upon request by completing the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Course Requirements

Academic Requirements

• A minimum combined GPA of 2.500 in the Psychology BA Core courses (see above) is required for graduation
• A minimum combined GPA of 2.000 across all psychology courses counting toward the major is required for good standing in the major and for graduation
• Majors whose GPA in psychology courses falls below 2.000 during any semester are automatically placed on probation
• Majors whose GPA remains below 2.000 in consecutive semesters are dismissed from the major
• 400-level courses are open only to psychology majors. 
• PSY 495  and PSY 496  augment the undergraduate experience but do not count toward the course requirements for majors.
• PSY 497 , PSY 498  and PSY 499  may be taken for degree credit, but only 3 credit hours from this group may count toward major requirements.

Transfer Credit Policy

A minimum of 3 upper-level (300- or 400-level) psychology courses must be taken at UB.

Program Honors and Program Distinction

The Psychology Honors Program is a year-long program designed to enable students to complete an individual research project (i.e., Honors Thesis) under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Seniors with a GPA of at least 3.000 overall and in psychology courses who have secured a faculty advisor to supervise their work are eligible. Prior or concurrent completion of PSY 450  is required. PSY 300  and PSY 498   are strongly recommended. Students take PSY 497  fall semester and write an Honors Thesis throughout the fall and spring semesters. Students defend their thesis in an oral examination at the end of the spring semester. Students must also meet the remaining Program Honors criteria outlined in the Academic Honors policy. 

Majors who do not pursue a thesis but have exceptional grades are eligible for Program Distinction upon degree conferral if the criteria are met.  These criteria are also found in the Academic Honors policy.

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

Learning Outcomes

The Psychology BA is designed to address the standards established by the American Psychological Association for an undergraduate psychology major. Five goals and learning outcomes represent departmental expectations for the undergraduate psychology major.

• Knowledge Base in Psychology: Students should demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems.
• Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: The skills in this domain involve the development of scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods.
• Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World: The skills in this domain involve the development of ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity.
• Communication: Students should demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Professional Development: The emphasis in this goal is on application of psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation.

(HEGIS: 20.01 PSYCHOLOGY- GENERAL, CIP: 42.0101 Psychology, General)