Overview of the Psychology Major
The St. Olaf Department of Psychology, in accord with the American Psychological Association’s curricular guidelines, encourages students to experience the breadth of the discipline, learning about both natural science and social science aspects of psychology. The Department’s faculty reflects this breadth; faculty areas include clinical, cognitive, cultural, developmental, neuroscience, personality, and social psychology. At the same time, our major provides flexibility so that students may pursue their interests in more depth and craft a major to fit their specific goals. Students often do research with faculty, and many complete internships.
Psychology Major Worksheet
The Fall 2023 Major Worksheet explains the requirements for the major, which are listed in an easy to follow format. These requirements are explained below:
Requirements for the Major
Psychology majors are required to take a minimum of 10.00 courses to complete the major. The major consists of 9 courses in the Department of Psychology and 1 course in statistics. The requirements fall into five categories: Introductory Course in the major, Methodology Courses, Psychology Core Content Courses, Level III advanced courses, and elective courses in the department.
1. One Introductory Course
Psychology 125, Principles of Psychology
2. Two Methodology Courses
Statistics (Stats 172/212, or Stats 110, or Econ 260/263, or AP Statistics credit of 4 or 5)
Psychology 230, Research Methods
3. Three Psychology Core Content Courses
To help ensure breadth of knowledge within psychology, three additional 200-level courses are required. Students choose at least 1 from each of the 3 of the 4 core areas below:
Core Area A
Psychology 235, Sensation and Perception
Psychology 238, Biopsychology
Core Area B
Psychology 236, Conditioning and Learning
Psychology 237, Cognitive Psychology
Core Area C
Psychology 241, Developmental Psychology
Psychology 249, Social Psychology
Core Area D
Psychology 244, Personality Psychology
Psychology 247, Psychopathology
4. Two advanced (Level III) Psychology Courses
Students must take two Level III courses. Psychology 394, Internship, does NOT count toward the Level III requirement but will count as an elective course, and only one Psychology 395, 396 or 398 may fulfill the Level III requirement.
5. Two additional Psychology Courses
Students are required to take two additional psychology courses.
Courses
For a full list of courses and descriptions consult the Academic Catalog. The current courses offered each semester are available to students via the Class & Lab link in Student Information Services. Note that courses are subject to change.
Advising FAQs
This page contains a list of frequently asked psychology major advising questions and answers.