Undergraduate Program in Psychology (B.A.)
Perhaps the greatest appeal of studying psychology as an undergraduate is the knowledge you receive through coursework and readings that can be directly related to student life.
Gaining an understanding of cognition, personality, social interactions, health behaviors, and other psychological phenomena allows students to apply scientific principles to their own educational and career goals, as well as provides the knowledge base to promote their overall well-being.
Psychology Major
The major in psychology requires a minimum of 40 credits. To declare a major in Psychology, contact the Office of the Registrar.
There are 8 psychology required courses (see below) and 5 psychology electives. Graduating with a major in psychology requires at least a 2.5 grade-point average in the major and no more than two grades lower than a C in those psychology courses taken at Rutgers and presented to satisfy the major. Students may petition the department to request an exception to these requirements if they feel it is warranted.
Major requirements in psychology can be completed through either daytime or evening attendance. For more about Rutgers requirements, visit the Office of Academic Advising.
Not sure when to take what class? View the Psychology 8-semester Plan (PDF).
Core Requirements (13 credits)
- Core Requirement #1: Introduction to Psychology
- Core Requirement #2: Statistics for Social Sciences, or Elementary Applied Statistics
- Core Requirement #3: Method & Theory in Psychology or Research Methods
- Core Requirement #4: Take 1 Psychology Capstone course
Area Requirements (12 credits)
- Area Requirement #1: Take 1 Brain, Mind and Biological Perspectives course
- Area Requirement #2: Take 1 Developmental and Life Course Perspectives course
- Area Requirement #3: Take 1 Society, Health, & Clinical course
- Area Requirement #4 Take 1 Diversity Perspectives course
Electives (15 credits)
Electives can be any psychology (830) courses of the student’s choosing. Electives may include additional area requirement courses. However, one class cannot count for an Area Requirement AND an elective.
Grade Requirements
Graduating with a major in psychology requires at least a 2.5 grade-point average in the major and no more than two grades lower than a C in those psychology courses taken at Rutgers and presented to satisfy the major. Students may petition the department to request an exception to these requirements if they feel it is warranted.
NOTE: After students take Method and Theory in Psychology, they may take Advanced Independent Study ( 50:830:494 or 50:830:495) to get supervised research experience. Students may earn 1 to 3 credits per semester in these courses, depending on the arrangement with the supervising faculty. Students interested in Advanced Independent Study should visit the Faculty Page to learn about faculty research and should contact faculty they are interested in working for directly via email.
Advanced students may also take Applied Experience in Psychology (830:493) to get supervised experience working an internship in an applied setting. Students are encouraged to develop their own internship placements, but prearranged placements are also available. Interested students should contact the instructor of Applied Experience in Psychology. Students may earn 1 to 3 credits, depending on the arrangement with the instructor.
These courses (Advanced Independent Study & Applied Experience in Psychology) may be repeated for up to 9 credits each, but no more than nine credits from either or both may be used for psychology electives.
Students with more than nine credits in the two courses may use the balance for general electives.
Important Documents and Helpful Links for Psychology Majors
Minor in Psychology
Students who wish to minor in psychology must fulfill the following general requirements:
- At least 18 credits in psychology courses, including six credits or more at or above the 300 level
- Have at least a C+ (2.5) grade-point average for courses applied to the psychology minor; no more than one grade may be lower than a C.
To declare a minor in Psychology, contact the Office of the Registrar.
Teacher Certification
For details regarding admission to the Teacher Preparation Program and its requirements, students should consult both their department adviser and the Teacher Preparation Program.
Preparing for Graduate Study
Students interested in pursuing graduate study in psychology should meet with a faculty member early to plan their course of study. Those who wish to specialize in particular areas of study should discuss their plans with faculty members whose expertise is most appropriate for those areas.
Although a number of courses may satisfy the major’s laboratory requirement, students planning to pursue graduate work in psychology are strongly advised to take Experimental Psychology. Such students should also include courses that provide training in research and/or theory, particularly in their tentative areas of specialization. In addition, they should include research activity in their programs of study by enrolling in Research in Psychology (50:830:495) and by taking other courses that include research projects. Students who wish to pursue clinical work should also enroll in Individual Supervision of Fieldwork in Psychology (50:830:493).
Join our Psychology Community
The Rutgers–Camden chapter of Psi Chi functions as an honors society and a student group. The group is led by student leaders with the support of faculty advisers.
The Rutgers–Camden Psychology Club is a student run organization at Rutgers University Camden that meets once a month. The Psychology Club’s goal is to give students the opportunity to build understanding and knowledge of the multiplicity of activities within the fields of psychology.
Learning Goals of the Undergraduate Program in Psychology
The goal of the Department of Psychology is to provide undergraduate students with:
- Recognize and explain the fundamental concepts, theories, and applications of psychology.
- Develop an understanding of the methods used to examine psychological processes
- Exhibit discipline specific skills in reading, writing and analysis.
- Demonstrate communication, critical thinking, and professional skills.
- Promote multicultural awareness and social justice.