Undergraduate Program

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.

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.

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).

Logo for Psi Chi

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:

  1. Recognize and explain the fundamental concepts, theories, and applications of psychology. 
  2. Develop an understanding of the methods used to examine psychological processes 
  3. Exhibit discipline specific skills in reading, writing and analysis. 
  4. Demonstrate communication, critical thinking, and professional skills.
  5. Promote multicultural awareness and social justice.

Undergraduate Program Coordinator

Dr. Andrew Abeyta
andrew.abeyta@rutgers.edu