Psychology (BS)

Summary

Psychology is the scientific study of the effects of individual, social, physiological, developmental, and environmental factors on thoughts, feelings, and behavior.  Psychology courses cover the methods of psychological inquiry and the findings of psychological research.

Students study psychology because they wish to prepare for a professional career as a psychologist or social scientist, because they are planning a career in which the understanding of human behavior is important, or simply because they wish to develop a greater understanding of themselves and others. The practice of psychology at the professional level requires a graduate degree beyond the bachelor's degree. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

47

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

People and Cultures

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Prerequisites to the Major

This course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the broad spectrum of theories and applications that make up the field of psychology

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Choose One Course

Concepts of algebra (real numbers, exponents, polynomials, rational expressions), equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices and determinants, conic sections, sequences and series, probability, and binomial theorem.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.

Goal Areas: GE-04

An introduction to statistical concepts and methods that is applicable to all disciplines. Topics include descriptive measures of data, probability and probability distributions, statistical inference, tests of hypotheses, confidence intervals, correlation, linear regression, and analysis of variance. The use of statistical software will be emphasized. Prereq: ACT Math sub-score of 19 or higher, successful completion of MATH 098 or appropriate placement scores (see Placement Information under Statistics) Fall, Spring, Summer GE-4

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04

Major Common Core

This course emphasizes understanding the conceptual basis of common statistical procedures and applying those procedures to the problems of organizing information and making inferences from data. Topics include: summarizing data, the logic of inference, estimation, analysis of variance, and correlation.

Prerequisites: Complete one course: MATH 112, MATH 113, MATH 115, MATH 121, MATH 130, or STAT 154

An introduction to the major components of research methodology in psychology. This is a writing intensive course and involves the processing, interpretation, and exposition of behavioral data.

Prerequisites: Must have a minimum total cumulative GPA of 2.70 or instructor permission to enroll; PSYC 201

Major Restricted Electives

Choose one course from each of the areas.

Biological - Choose One Course

This course will introduce students to the relationship between the structure and function of the nervous system to the underlying biological processes of behavior.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201

How the senses respond to environmental stimuli and how the information they provide is organized into meaningful patterns that make up our experience of the physical world. The effects of maturation and learning in altering those patterns as also considered.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201

Biological foundations of the actions of psychoactive drugs. Neuroanatomy structure and function, neurophysiology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will be covered in detail. Relevant classes of drugs will be highlighted with an eye toward their history, mechanisms of action, effects, and treatments.

Prerequisites: PSYC 211W

Biological basis of psychological processes and behavior. Neuroanatomy, neural function, and laboratory methods of investigation will be explored in relation to topics such as sleep, memory, language, intelligence and psychological disorders.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201, PSYC 211W

Cognition - Choose One Course

Explores the scientific study of human cognition and provides students with broad coverage of the mental processes used to acquire, process, and retain knowledge. Students will examine basic concepts and research findings in topics of human cognition such as perception, attention, memory, reading, and problem solving. Concepts in Cognitive Psychology will be related to everyday behaviors and experiences.

Prerequisites: either Psy 101 OR Psy 206, not both

This course provides a broad overview and analysis of the major theories of human and animal learning.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101

This course covers experimental and behavioral studies of human memory including long-and short-term memory, memory for text, pictures, spatial information, and autobiographical events. Emphasis on real-world situations, including education, in which memory and learning play a role.

Prerequisites: PSYC 211W

Developmental - Choose One Course

This course examines changes in human behavior over the entire lifespan from conception to death. Topics cover developmental changes in physical, cognitive, and social domains. Traditional theories are integrated with current findings of developmental researchers.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101

Physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and personality development from conception to preadolescence. Focus on interplay between maturation and experience.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101

This class covers the development of the individual from the age of 11 to 19 years of age. Discussion will include aspects of both normal and abnormal development.

Prerequisites: none

Aging process and development during the adult years; psychology and psychological concerns of the aging individual; dealing with death.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101

Social / Cultural - Choose One Course

An exploration of theories and research related to the ways that the social environment affects people's behavior.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101

Cultural psychology is an interdisciplinary field that unites psychologists, anthropologists, linguists and philosophers to study how cultural meanings, practices and institutions influence and reflect individual human psychologys. Cultural influences on cognition, perception, emotion, motivation, moral reasoning, and well-being will be discussed with a view towards understanding divergent mentalities by drawing primarily from studies comparing Eastern and Western cultures, as well as some ethnic group companions within the United States. Students should come out of this course with an appreciation for the capacity for humans to create psychological diversity.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course provides an overview of the diagnostic criteria, etiology, and interventions for sexuality-related concerns, including sexual dysfunctions, paraphilic disorders, and compulsive sexual behavior. Cultural diversity within the context of sexuality is emphasized.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to increase the student's awareness and understanding of abnormal psychology. Students will become familiar with clinical descriptions, course of onset, and treatment regimens specific to various disorders.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101

A critical examination of current psychological approaches to the study of women's behavior and experience. The course will emphasize empirical ways of knowing and address psychological questions of central concern to women. Development of gender differences also will be explored.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Capstone - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Examination of the historical origins of the principal contemporary psychological theories.

Prerequisites: PYSC 211w

This course will provide students with knowledge and strategies to describe, identify, and write about Psychological Science. This course will reinforce the science of Psychology through the teaching of successful communication strategies of psychological concepts. Students will complete the course demonstrating how to successfully communicate the discipline to the public.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201, PSYC 211W

Individualized research experience with a faculty mentor in the psychology department. You will gain specific research experience as designed by a faculty mentor. To register for this course, you must first apply and be accepted to join a psychology faculty members' research team.

Prerequisites: PYSC 211W

A learning experience integrated with the student's course of study, to be developed with an advisor and the field experience coordinator. May be retaken for credit up to an 8 credit total for all enrollments. Available for P/N grading only. Prereq: 9 credits of PSYC

Prerequisites: PYSC 211W

Major Unrestricted Electives

Choose enough unrestricted electives to reach 40 credits between core and elective areas. Courses used elsewhere in the major may not be used in this area.

Prerequisites: none

Minor

Required Minor: Yes. Any.

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 14 Credits

This course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the broad spectrum of theories and applications that make up the field of psychology

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Spring - 14 Credits

Second Year

Fall - 15 Credits

This course emphasizes understanding the conceptual basis of common statistical procedures and applying those procedures to the problems of organizing information and making inferences from data. Topics include: summarizing data, the logic of inference, estimation, analysis of variance, and correlation.

Prerequisites: Complete one course: MATH 112, MATH 113, MATH 115, MATH 121, MATH 130, or STAT 154

Spring - 15 Credits

An introduction to the major components of research methodology in psychology. This is a writing intensive course and involves the processing, interpretation, and exposition of behavioral data.

Prerequisites: Must have a minimum total cumulative GPA of 2.70 or instructor permission to enroll; PSYC 201

Third Year

Fall - 14 Credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Transfer Pathways

A Transfer Pathway is a partnership between the Minnesota community colleges and Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Pathway suggests a plan for students with a specific associate degree to complete the last two years for a designated bachelor’s degree.

Students who are transferring to Minnesota State Mankato from a Minnesota community college should meet with an advisor in your college advising office to ensure the Pathway is an appropriate option for completing your degree.

More information on Transfer Pathways is available at https://mnsu.edu/pathways/about/

Third Year

Fall - 14 Credits

An introduction to the major components of research methodology in psychology. This is a writing intensive course and involves the processing, interpretation, and exposition of behavioral data.

Prerequisites: Must have a minimum total cumulative GPA of 2.70 or instructor permission to enroll; PSYC 201

Spring - 16 Credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 14 Credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Policies

Admission to Major is granted by the department.

Department admissions requirements are:

  • a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7
  • completion of PSYC 101 (Intro to Psych Science) with a grade of "C-" or better.
  • Contact the department for application procedures.


Transfer Courses: The department will not accept transfer courses at the 200-level for our major restricted electives, except in a case by case basis.

GPA Policy: Any Psychology course in which a grade of less than "C-" (or P) is earned will not be counted toward a major or minor in psychology.

Teaching Psychology: Students who intend to gain initial licensure to teach psychology in Minnesota schools need to meet the requirements of the social studies BS (teaching) program as described in the Social Studies section of this catalog.

Experimental Psychology Certificate: Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all certificate courses for that course to count towards the certificate. No more than 4 credits in the certificate may be taken for P/N credit. Students must meet requirements of admission to the psychology major in order to complete this certificate.