Requirements for the Major in Psychology (PSYC)

1. Core Courses, five courses designed to provide a common foundation in basic knowledge, methods and theory:
   1. The introductory course to the discipline: 51, Psychological Approaches to the Study of People; 158, Statistics; and 159, Research Design and Methodology.
   2. Two laboratory courses from: 160, Perception and Cognition; 162, Memory; or 143, The Human Brain.
2. Culture, Ethnicity and Psychology requirement. One course from among the following: 84 CH, Psychology of the Chicano; 150 BK, Psychology of the Black Experience; 151 CH, The Psychology of Multicultural Education; 153 AA, Asian American Psychology.
3. Electives. Three courses, each from a different one of the following areas: Social Issues, 78 or 176; Child Psychology, 108 or 123; Abnormal Psychology, 131; Social Psychology, 154; Industrial/Organizational Psychology, 156. With the approval of the department chair, appropriate courses from other psychology departments in The Claremont Colleges may be used to meet elective requirements. The electives are intended to ensure a breadth of knowledge and prevent premature specialization.
4. Advanced Seminar. One advanced seminar from the 180 series. The advanced seminar is designed to provide depth in theorizing and methodology. Students are encouraged to take a seminar by the end of the junior year.
5. 185, Psychology: History, Science and Applications, an integrative course taken in the senior year.
6. 191, Senior Thesis. It is further recommended that majors:
   1. develop a program of research and conduct independent or collaborative research;
   2. seek out field placements and work experience in clinical settings, or take field work in Clinical Psychology (180D) if interested in a career in clinical psychology or a related area;
   3. take core courses as early as possible;
   4. take more than three electives;
   5. sample psychology courses elsewhere at The Claremont Colleges;
   6. take the advanced seminar in the junior year in the planned area of the senior thesis;
   7. take more than one advanced seminar; and
   8. take additional courses in mathematics, biology and other scientific fields. Students should consult with their adviser for the most appropriate course selection.

Requirements for a Minor in Psychology

Six courses are required: 51 and 158; one laboratory course (selected from 143, 160 and 162), two electives and a seminar (selected from the 180 series).

Normally, up to two psychology courses that count toward a student’s major can be used for the Psychology minor. In order to ensure multiple areas of intellectual inquiry, a minor in Psychology cannot be combined with a major in Psych/Public Policy, Psych/Gender & Women’s Studies or STS with an emphasis in Psychology. Ms. Burke is the advisor for the minors.

All courses for the minor must be taken for a letter grade. A score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam in psychology may be substituted for the PSYC 51 requirement.