Psychology BA Major Requirements

This page provides information about the Psychology BA Major requirements, including bulletin descriptions and supplemental notes.

NOTE: Information guides available on BC Knowledge do not substitute for requirements outlined in the relevant Bulletins available here.

Effective for Bulletin Years: 2018-2019 – 2024-2025

Department requirements

All of the following from A, B, and C; and, the Psychology BA Residency requirement.

1. All three courses below:
   • PSYC 1000 Intro Psychology,  
   • PSYC 3400 Statistical Methods in Psychological Research, and  
     • Department Suggestion:
       • PSYC 3400 is strongly recommended to be completed early on, preferably by the beginning of junior year.
   • PSYC 3450W Experimental Psychology
     • Department Suggestion:
       • PSYC 3450W is strongly recommended to be completed early on, preferably by the end of junior year.
2. Three of the following courses, one from each set: 
   1. One of: PSYC 2100 Social Psychology, PSYC 2200 Lifespan Development, OR PSYC 2210 Intro Child Psychology
   2. One of: PSYC 2300 Intro Personality OR 2810 Psychological Disorders I
   3. One of: PSYC 2530 Intro Cognitive Psychology OR PSYC 2600 Mind, Brain, and Behavior
      • Clarifications and additional information:
        • 2000-level courses usually act as prerequisites for the advanced elective course options below in C.
        • More than the minimum of one course can be completed in each subset; and, the additional course will apply as an elective towards the minimum 120 credits, if needed. 
3. Four additional advanced electives in Psychology  
   • Advanced courses are numbered 3000 and above.  
     • Limitations:
       • No more than one of the following courses may be used to satisfy this requirement: Psychology 5001, 5002, 5003, 5004, 5011, 5012, 5013, 5014.
     • Clarifications and additional information:
       • No 5000 series courses are required.  
       • The current standard for Graduating with Departmental Honors in Psychology eligibility criteria asks students to take TWO 5000 series courses.

Psychology BA Residency Requirement:  A minimum of 15 Advanced Psychology credits must be completed at Brooklyn College with grades of “C-” or better. 

• Clarifications and additional information:
  • By completing requirements A and C, students accrue a minimum of 20.5 advanced Psychology credits:
    • For example, PSYC 3400 (4 credits) + PSYC 3450W (4.5 credits)+ Requirement C Four additional advanced electives in Psychology (Min 12 credits) = 20.5+ credits.
  • If grades of “C-” or better are completed in a minimum of 15 of these advanced Psychology credits at Brooklyn College, no additional advanced Psychology courses will be needed to complete the Psychology BA Residency Requirement. 

Department Recommendations

When to take PSYC 3400?

PSYC 3400 Statistical Methods in Psychological Research is strongly recommended to be completed early on, preferably by the beginning of junior year. Note that PSYC 3400 is a pre-requisite for PSYC 3450W Experimental Psychology which is also recommended to be completed early on.

When to take PSYC 3450W?

PSYC 3450W Experimental Psychology is strongly recommended to be completed early on, preferably by the end of junior year.

Clarifications and additional information

Grades of D- or better

Grades of “D-” or better and equivalent transfer/ E-Permit courses are applicable for Major Requirements A through C.