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Psychology

The nationally recognized psychology department grounds you in human behavior research to prepare you for graduate school and professional opportunities.

Preparing You for Success

The psychology department, honored by the American Psychological Association and International Honor Society in Psychology, engages you in the scientific study of behavior. You can apply what you learn in the classroom through practicum and research opportunities. Classes sizes are small so you get to know professors who are scholars in their fields. Because psychology is broad, you can study areas such as developmental, educational or social psychology. Courses also are available in behavioral and social neuroscience.

By the time you graduate, your experiences may include:

  • Opportunities to conduct year-round research mentored by faculty
  • A chance to study cutting-edge research in neuroscience
  • Networking and career development through national and international research conferences, Bradley’s Psychology Club and Psi Chi honor society
  • Practicum and internship experiences in schools, hospitals, business and social service agencies

Making Your Mark

Psychology majors pursue careers in business, counseling, education, nonprofits and social service agencies. Recent Bradley graduates are working for behavioral health centers and nonprofits. Others have pursued doctoral degrees at the University of Indiana, University of Minnesota and University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.

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Major Requirements

Required Courses - 13 hrs.

  • PSY 101: Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 201: Brain and Behavior - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 205: Quantitative Methods - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 206: Experimental Psychology - 4 hrs. (pre-requisite- PSY 205)

Core Distribution Elective Courses - 9 hrs.

  • Category A
    • PSY 350: Developmental Psychology - 3 hrs.
    • PSY 352: Personality Psychology - 3 hrs.
    • PSY 354: Social Psychology - 3 hrs.
    • PSY 356: Abnormal Psychology - 3 hrs.

  • Category B
    • PSY 360: Psychology of Learning - 3 hrs.
    • PSY 362: Cognitive Psychology - 3 hrs.
    • PSY 364: Behavioral Neuroscience - 3 hrs.
    • PSY 366: Sensation and Perception - 3 hrs.

Note: Pre-requisite is PSY 206 for all core distribution elective courses.

Note: Must take at least one course in each category.

Advanced Elective Courses (choose one) - 3 hrs.

  • PSY 400: Honors Research - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 405: Social Affective Neuroscience - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 411: Tests and Measurement - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 414: Cognitive Development - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 417: Clinical Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 420: Psychology of Addiction - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 424: Intermediate Statistics for Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 439: History of Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 452: Personality Theories and Theorists - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 474: Cross-Cultural Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 499: Advanced Special Topics - 1-3 hrs.

Elective Courses - 9 hrs.

  • PSY 207: Analysis of Behavior - 4 hrs.
  • PSY 223: Evolutionary Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 245: Stress and Resilience - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 250: Environmental Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 280: Psychology of Religion - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 299: Special Topics - 1-3 hrs.
  • PSY 300: Psychology of Women - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 303: Lifespan Developmental Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 309: Human Sexuality - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 311: Principles of Abnormal Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 313: Health Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 314: Adult Development and Aging - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 315: Child Psychopathology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 320: Human Factors Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 321: Industrial and Organizational Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 341: Undergraduate Practicum: Child Study Center - 1-3 hrs.
  • PSY 342: Undergraduate Practicum: Community Agency - 1-3 hrs.
  • PSY 350: Developmental Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 352: Personality Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 354: Social Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 356: Abnormal Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 360: Psychology of Learning - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 362: Cognitive Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 364: Behavioral Neuroscience - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 365: Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory - 1 hr.
  • PSY 366: Sensation and Perception - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 400: Honors Research - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 405: Social Affective Neuroscience - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 411: Tests and Measurement - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 414: Cognitive Development - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 420: Psychology of Addiction - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 424: Intermediate Statistics for Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 439: History of Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 452: Personality Theories and Theorists - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 474: Cross-Cultural Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 481: Reading - 1-3 hrs.
  • PSY 491: Research - 1-3 hrs.
  • PSY 499: Advanced Special Topics - 1-3 hrs.

A course satisfying the Elective requirement cannot also count toward satisfying another requirement (Core Distribution, and/or Advanced).

Only three hours of individual study courses (PSY 341, PSY 342, PSY 481, PSY 491) will count toward satisfying the Elective category.

Other Requirement

  • Completion of Psychology Department senior exit exam within the final semester at Bradley as an undergraduate.