Jul 18, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Psychology, B.A.


Offered by Psychology .

University Requirements


Completion of Minimum University Requirements for an Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree .

  • Minimum 120 credits and minimum GPA of 2.0
  • Completion of 45 upper-level credits, the residence requirement, the Writing Intensive requirement, and the General Education requirement

Major Requirements


  • Students who complete PSYC 100  at UMBC may complete the major in 35 credits. Students who transfer 3-credit introductory psychology courses may complete the major in 34 credits.
  • Minimum grade of ‘C’ in courses applied to the major
  • Minimum 18 credits completed in residence at UMBC

Course Requirements


Distribution Requirements (18 credits)


Complete one course in each of the following six domains, including a maximum of 3 courses at the 200-level:

Approved Psychology Electives (6 credits)


Complete two upper-level courses in psychology, including a minimum of one 400-level course, excluding PSYC 397 , PSYC 398 , PSYC 399 , PSYC 490 , PSYC 498 , and PSYC 499H . Students pursuing the Psychology, B.A. and Social Work, B.A.  may apply one approved 300-level social work course. Students pursuing the Psychology, B.A. and Sociology, B.A.  may apply one approved 300-level sociology course.

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.