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Jul 23, 2025
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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Psychology, B.S.
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Major Requirements
- Students who complete PSYC 100 at UMBC may complete the major in 64-65 credits. Students who transfer 3-credit introductory psychology courses may complete the major in 63-64 credits.
- Completion of one of three possible tracks: Biopsychology, Developmental or Clinical
- Minimum grade of ‘C’ in courses applied to the major
- Track coursework cannot be used to fulfill any core requirements, including domain and upper-level elective requirements
General Requirements (15 credits)
Complete the following: Statistics Requirement (4 credits)
Complete one of the following: Domain Requirements (18 credits)
Complete one course in each of the following six domains, including a maximum of three courses at the 200-level: Learning and Cognition
Complete one course from the following: Biological Bases of Behavior
Complete one course from the following: Social, Personality, and Abnormal Psychology
Complete one course from the following: Development
Complete one course from the following: Culture, Diversity and Context
Complete one course from the following: Applied Psychology
Complete one course from the following: Track Coursework (21-22 credits)
Biopsychology Track Requirements
In addition to completing the core requirements, students must complete an additional 22 credits for a total of 65 credits. Complete the following courses. Biopsychology Electives
Complete six credits from the following list. Students may only complete PSYC 397 or PSYC 398 as part of their biopsychology electives. PSYC 397 /PSYC 398 experience must have a biopsychology focus if used for this elective. Science/Technology Electives
Complete 10 credits from the following list. The courses do not need to come from the same department. Note: Electives cannot also be used to fulfill the Statistics Requirement. Clinical Psychology Track Requirements
In addition to completing the core requirements, students must complete an additional 21 credits for a total of 64 credits. Complete the following courses. Clinical Psychology Electives
Complete two courses from the following list. Students may only complete PSYC 397 or PSYC 398 as part of their clinical psychology electives; PSYC 397 , PSYC 398 , PSYC 393 , and PSYC 493 must be clinically-focused. Developmental Psychology Track Requirements
In addition to completing the core requirements, students must complete an additional 21 credits for a total of 64 credits. Complete the following courses. Special Populations Elective
Complete one course from the following list. Applied Elective
Complete one course from the following list. Additional Developmental Elective
Complete one additional Developmental elective from the Special Populations or Applied Developmental courses, or a developmental-focused PSYC 393 , PSYC 397 , PSYC 398 , or PSYC 493 . Psychology Specialty
Students may complete a specialty, which provides depth and breadth of knowledge in a particular area of psychology. These specialized curricula are designed to prepare students interested in bachelor-level careers with skills that can enhance their occupational opportunities and to provide training for advanced studies in these and allied areas. Coursework in the specialty integrates with and builds on psychology major requirements. Students pursuing specialties are encouraged to complete research or internship opportunities with PSYC 397 , PSYC 398 , or PSYC 490 . Completion of the specialty is recognized with a certificate from the Psychology Department. Four-Year Academic Pathways
The Four-Year Academic Pathways webpage offers helpful sample pathways for students eager to explore their academic options and stay on track for a four-year graduation. These pathways provide a starting point for students to plan how to complete their degree in four years. However, it’s important to remember that these are just samples. In consultation with their academic advisor, each student will create an individualized degree plan that reflects their unique academic background, interests, and career goals. Students must develop their personalized degree plan by the time they’ve earned 45 credits and regularly update it with their advisor as their goals and academic journey evolve. This approach ensures that students make thoughtful, strategic choices that set them up for success throughout their time at UMBC. Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs
Qualified students may apply to an accelerated program, which allows them to take graduate courses as undergraduate students and later apply those courses to master’s degrees. A student may apply to participate in an accelerated program even if the desired graduate program is in a department other than the one in which they are majoring. More information is available from the Accelerated Program page of the Graduate School website. |
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