UMass Boston

Psychology BA

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The Psychology major is a 12 course major. The requirements of these 12 courses provide students with a foundation in each of five core areas of the discipline of psychology, upper level coursework in one or more areas and basic information about the research practices used in the field. The basic structure of the major is represented by four parts.

The phrase “major requirements” refers to the minimum number and distribution of psychology courses a student must complete successfully in order to graduate as a psychology major. We encourage students to take more than the minimum number of courses in psychology and allied disciplines. Only one of the 12 required classes may be taken pass/fail; the other 11 classes must be taken for a grade.  Eight of the 12 courses for the major must be taken in residence at UMass Boston.

Plan Your Education

How to Apply

Apply for Admission

Please review the first-year and transfer apply pages for important information about application requirements, deadlines, and application status check.

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Financing Your Education

Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. Click below to learn more about financial aid opportunities and deadlines.

Financial Aid Deadlines & Application Process

Scholarships for First-Year & Transfer Students

Deadlines & Cost

Early action deadline: November 1; Regular Decision Deadline: June 15

Financing Your Education

Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. Click below to learn more about financial aid opportunities and deadlines.

Financial Aid Deadlines & Application Process 

Scholarships for First-Year & Transfer Students

For additional information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s Office or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu.

Curriculum

Course Requirements

Introductory Courses (6 to 7 Credits)

Take two courses from the list below.

  • PSYCH 100 - Introductory Psychology 3 Credit(s)
    or
  • PSYCH 101 - Introductory Psychology 4 Credit(s)
  • PSYCH 201 - Introduction to Behavioral Research 3 Credit(s)

Intermediate Courses (15 Credits)

Take one course from each category below.

Personality/Clinical

  • PSYCH 210 - Personality 3 Credit(s)
    or
  • PSYCH 215 - Mental Health and Psychological Distress 3 Credit(s)

Social Psychology

  • PSYCH 230 - Social Psychology 3 Credit(s)

Developmental

  • PSYCH 241 - Infancy and Childhood Development 3 Credit(s)
  • PSYCH 242 - Adolescence 3 Credit(s)
  • PSYCH 250 - Learning and Memory 3 Credit(s)
    or
  • PSYCH 255 - Perception 3 Credit(s)

Psychobiology

  • PSYCH 260 - Introduction to Neuroscience 3 Credit(s)

Advanced Courses (9 Credits)

Take three psychology courses at the 300-level or higher except for PSYCH 444, 487, 488, and 489. At least two courses must be at the 400-level.

One 400-level course will be used as the psychology capstone and must have a grade of C- or higher. No more than one psychology research apprenticeship may be applied toward this requirement.

Electives (6 Credits)

Take any two additional psychology courses except for first year seminar courses and PSYCH 230.

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Graduation Criteria

If this is the student’s only or primary major, the degree requirements below must be completed for graduation. See graduation requirements for more information.

University Requirements

College of Liberal Arts Requirements for Bachelor of Arts

Major Requirements

Complete at least 36 credits from twelve courses including two introductory courses, five intermediate courses, three advanced courses, and two electives

Pass/fail: No more than one course taken pass/fail may be applied toward the major.

Residency: At least seven courses for the major must be completed at UMass Boston.

Contact

Location: McCormack Hall, Floor: 04, Room: 00206

Phone:  617-287-6350

Department Manager and Advising Coordinator: Michelle Browning 
Phone:  617-287-6351

Assistant to the Chair: Sangya Dhungana
Phone: 617-287-6352

Grants & Contracts Administrator: Annie McCluskey
Phone: 617-287-3276

Director of Labs: Eric Berry
Phone: 617-287-6399

Lab Technician:
Phone: 617-287-7917

Assistant Director, Clinical Psychology PhD Program: Brooke Craveiro
Phone: 617-287-6340

Graduate Program Coordinator, Developmental and Brain Sciences PhD Program: Rouzan Khachatourian
Phone: 617-287-6350

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Psychology

Learn more about UMass Boston's Psychology department, our research, and our faculty.

Explore the Department of Psychology
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College of Liberal Arts

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