Psychology - Bachelor of Arts

General Requirements

Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements,Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.

Students must receive a C- or better in courses.

Prefix Title Credits
General Education
Area I: Communications9-10
English Composition - Level 1
Select one from the following4
Composition I4
Composition I Honors4
English Composition - Level 2
Select one from the following 3
Professional and Technical Communication Honors (Recommended)3
Writing in the Humanities and Social Science3
Oral Communication
Select one from the following
Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture3
Introduction to Communication3
Public Speaking3
Introduction to Communication Honors3
Area II: Mathematics3
Select one from the following (students may need to complete prerequisites) 1
Introduction to Statistics3
Statistical Methods3
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences10-11
Select one of the following from Area III: Laboratory Sciences (4 credits)
Human Biology
and Human Biology Laboratory
4
Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution
and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory
4
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course
Introduction to Psychology3
Either an Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences Course or Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (4 or 3 credits) 2
Area V: Humanities3
Select any Area V: Humanites course, but one of the following PHIL courses is recommended: 2
Philosophy, Law, and Ethics3
Introduction to Philosophy3
Philosophy and World Religions3
Philosophical Thought3
Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking3
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 23
General Education Elective 23-4
Viewing A Wider World 36
Departmental/College Requirements (additional credits beyond Gen Ed)21
Introduction to Psychology (this course will count towards the Area IV requirement above)3
Core Content
Social Psychology3
Developmental Psychology3
Cognitive Psychology3
Brain and Behavior3
Research Methods
Psychological Measurement 43
Experimental Methods0,4
Capstone
Senior Capstone Seminar in Psychology1
PSYC upper division electives to bring total PSYC upper division credits to 24 513
Non-Departmental Requirements (some overlap with Gen.Ed/VWW)
Philosophy course 300-level or above 63
Statistics Course requirement, can be completed with one of the following (all but A ST 311 will count towards Gen.Ed requirements) 1, 7
Statistical Applications3
Introduction to Statistics3
Statistical Methods3
Introductory Biology requirement, can be completed with one of the following (all will count towards Gen.Ed requirements) 8
Human Biology
and Human Biology Laboratory
4
Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution
and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory
4
Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
Second Language: (required- see below) 913-15
Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 1022
Total Credits120-125
1

Either MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics, MATH 2350G Statistical Methods is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1350G or MATH 2350G first.

2

See the General Education of the catalog for a full list of courses

3

See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses

4

PSYC 3120 Psychological Measurement : prerequisite of PSYC 1110G Introduction to PsychologyPSYC 2110 Social Psychology,PSYC 2220 Cognitive Psychology, and either MATH 1350G,MATH 2350G, or A ST 311. PSYC 3110 Experimental Methods: prerequisite of PSYC 3120 Psychological Measurement .

5

Additional electives to bring total credits in psychology to at least 34, with at least 24 of those 34 credits being upper division.

6

PHIL 346 Philosophy of Mind or PHIL 351 Philosophy of Science recommended

7

Students who are considering graduate study are strongly encouraged to take math classes beyond the minimum statistics course requirement.

8

 A course that includes a laboratory is highly recommended, and is required if intended to satisfy Gen Ed Area III

9

The number of credits needed to complete the Second Language requirement depends on which option the student uses and whether the student is able to begin study at a level beyond the introductory course

10

Elective credit may vary based on General Education course selection, second language requirements, prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.

Second Language Requirement

For the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology there is a two year second language requirement, the options to complete this requirement are listed below. The number of credits that a student needs to take may vary depending on what level they come in with. Please speak with an advisor for more information as to which courses you will need to take to fulfill the second language requirement for this degree.

Option 1:

Prefix Title Credits
Complete one of the following sequences:
FREN 1110
FREN 1120
FREN 2110
FREN 2120
French I
and French II
and French III
and French IV
3-14
GRMN 1110
GRMN 1120
GRMN 2110
GRMN 2120
German I
and German II
and German III
and German IV
3-14
JAPN 1110
JAPN 1120
JAPN 2110
JAPN 2120
Japanese I
and Japanese II
and Japanese III
and Japanese IV
3-14
SPAN 1110
SPAN 1120
SPAN 2110
SPAN 2120
Spanish I
and Spanish II
and Spanish III
and Spanish IV
3-14
PORT 1110
PORT 1120
Portuguese I
and Portuguese II
3-6
For Heritage Speakers:
SPAN 1210
SPAN 1220
SPAN 2210
Elementary Spanish for Heritage Learners I
and Spanish for Heritage Learners II
and Spanish for Heritage Learners III
3-9

Option 2:

Prefix Title Credits
Complete the following sequence for American Sign Language (with a C- or better):
SIGN 1110American Sign Language I3
SIGN 1120American Sign Language II3
SIGN 2110American Sign Language III3

Option 3:

Prefix Title Credits
Challenge the 1120/2210 level for the following courses:
PORT 1120Portuguese II3
or SPAN 2210 Spanish for Heritage Learners III

Option 4: Computer Science Track

Prefix Title Credits
C S 153Python Programming I3
C S 154Python Programming II3
C S 158R Programming I3
Under special circumstances, alternative combinations of CS courses may be approved by the Department Head
Total Credits9
  

Option 5: Math Track

Prefix Title Credits
MATH 1220GCollege Algebra3
MATH 1250GTrigonometry & Pre-Calculus4
MATH 1511GCalculus and Analytic Geometry I4
MATH 1521GCalculus and Analytic Geometry II4
Total Credits15

Option 6:

Pass a three-credit, upper-division course (numbered 300 or above) taught in a second language by the department of Languages and Linguistics.

Option 7:

Obtain college certification of completion of three years of a second language at the high school level with a grade of C- or higher in the second-year level.

Option 8:

By obtaining certification of a working knowledge of a Native American language from the American Indian program director.

Option 9:

By obtaining, from the head of the Department of Languages and Linguistics, certification of a working knowledge of a second language if such language is not taught at NMSU.

Option 10:

In the case of a foreign student who is required to take the TOEFL exam admission, the dean will automatically waive the second language requirement.

A Suggested Plan of Study for Students

This roadmap assumes student  placement in MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics and ENGL 1110G Composition I. The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.

Plan of Study Grid
FreshmanCredits
ENGL 1110G Composition I 1 4
Choose from one of the following: 3
Introduction to Statistics 1
Statistical Methods 1
Statistical Applications 1
PSYC 1110G Introduction to Psychology 3
Area V: Humanities Course (recommend one of the following) 2 3
Introduction to Philosophy
Philosophical Thought
FYEX 1112 The Freshman Year Experience 2 3
COMM 1115G Introduction to Communication 3
Choose from one of the following: 4
Human Biology
and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution
and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory
First Course in Second Language Series 3-4
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts Course 2 3
 Credits29-30
Sophomore
Choose from one of the following: 3
Professional and Technical Communication Honors 1
Writing in the Humanities and Social Science 1
Area III: Laboratory Science Course OR Area IV: Social and Behavioral Science Course 2 3-4
General Education Elective Course 2 3-4
Next Course in Second Language Series 1 3-4
PSYC Core Content (refer to degree requirements list) 1 12
Social Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Brain and Behavior
Next Course in Second Language Series (OR Elective Course if Second Language Requirement Fulfilled) 1 3-4
Minor (or Elective) Course 3-4
 Credits30-35
Junior
PSYC 3120 Psychological Measurement 3
PSYC 3110 Experimental Methods 0-4
PSYC upper-division elective course 3
Final Course in Second Language Series (OR Elective Course if Second Language Requirement Fulfilled) 3-4
VWW: Viewing a Wider World Course 3 3
Upper division minor or elective courses 15
 Credits27-32
Senior
PSYC 4999 Senior Capstone Seminar in Psychology 1
PSYC Upper-Division Elective Courses 1 9
PHIL Upper-Division Elective Course 1 3
Viewing a Wider World Course 3 3
Upper-Division Minor (or Elective) Courses 1 12
PHED (or other) elective course 6
 Credits34
 Total Credits120-131
1

These courses may have prerequisites and/or co-requisites, and it is the students responsibility for checking and fulfilling all those requirements.

2

See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

3

See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.