Psychology, B.A.

School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences

Program Overview

If you are fascinated by human behavior and the human mind, a psychology degree may be right for you. Studying psychology will help you understand cognitive processes, such as thinking, language, and memory, and how they are linked to brain functions; social behavior, including how we interact with others individually and in groups; how people change from birth through aging; and how to increase well-being in the community.

Psychology, B.A.

Where You'll Go

A degree in psychology helps prepare you for a wide variety of careers across corporate, nonprofit, and educational sectors. Many of these careers are accessible with a bachelor’s degree. Other careers, such as in therapy, require a specialized postbaccalaureate degree, for which your undergraduate degree in psychology will prepare you.

Major Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2024–25 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Major Requirements (32.5 Credits)

The department chair, with the approval of the chair of the department’s undergraduate curriculum committee, may allow substitutions for one or more of these requirements consistent with the educational goals of the program.

All of the following:

  • Psychology 1000, 3400, and 3450W
  • Three of the following courses, one from each set:
  • Four additional advanced electives in psychology. No more than one of the following courses may be used to satisfy this requirement: Psychology 5001, 5002, 5003, 5004, 5011, 5012, 5013, 5014. Advanced courses are any courses numbered 3000 and above.

Additional Requirements for a B.A. Degree

Of the advanced courses required for the B.A. degree in psychology, a minimum of 15 credits must be completed in the Psychology Department at Brooklyn College with a grade of C- or higher in each course.

Department Recommendations

Prospective psychology majors should consult a department counselor as early as possible. Majors and prospective majors should consult department counselors before each registration to plan individual programs. Psychology majors are strongly advised to complete the Psychology 3450W requirement as early as possible, preferably by completion of the junior year. For courses requiring permission of the chair as a prerequisite, permission should be obtained before registration.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Psychology Department adopts these five learning outcomes from the APA Guidelines (PDF) for the undergraduate psychology major:

Knowledge Base in Psychology

Students should demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems. Students completing foundation courses should demonstrate breadth of their knowledge and application of psychological ideas to simple problems; students completing a baccalaureate degree should show depth in their knowledge and application of psychological concepts and frameworks to problems of greater complexity.

Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking

The skills in this domain involve the development of scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods. Students completing foundation-level courses should learn basic skills and concepts in interpreting behavior, studying research, and applying research design principles to drawing conclusions about psychological phenomena; students completing a baccalaureate degree should focus on theory use as well as designing and executing research plans.

Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World

The skills in this domain involve the development of ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity. Students completing foundation-level courses should become familiar with the formal regulations that govern professional ethics in psychology and begin to embrace the values that will contribute to positive outcomes in work settings and in building a society responsive to multicultural and global concerns. Students completing a baccalaureate degree should have more direct opportunities to demonstrate adherence to professional values that will help them optimize their contributions and work effectively, even with those who do not share their heritage and traditions. This domain also promotes the adoption of personal and professional values that can strengthen community relationships and contributions.

Communication

Students should demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills. Students completing foundation-level courses should write a cogent scientific argument, present information using a scientific approach, engage in discussion of psychological concepts, explain the ideas of others, and express their own ideas with clarity. Students completing a baccalaureate degree should produce a research study or other psychological project, explain scientific results, and present information to a professional audience. They should also develop flexible interpersonal approaches that optimize information exchange and relationship development.

Professional Development

The emphasis in this goal is on application of psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation. Foundation-level outcomes concentrate on the development of work habits and ethics to succeed in academic settings. The skills in this goal at the baccalaureate level refer to abilities that sharpen student readiness for postbaccalaureate employment, graduate school, or professional school. These skills can be developed and refined both in traditional academic settings and in extracurricular involvement. In addition, career professionals can be enlisted to support occupational planning and pursuit. This emerging emphasis should not be construed as obligating psychology programs to obtain employment for their graduates but instead as encouraging programs to optimize the competitiveness of their graduates for securing places in the workforce.

Degree Maps

To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, Brooklyn College has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.

View degree maps for this major and others.

Contact

Psychology Department Adviser

5401 James Hall
E: psychadvisor@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5601

Or contact:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: adminqry@brooklyn.cuny.edu

To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:

Virtual Admissions Counselor Appointments

Internships and Employers

Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the psychology B.A. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:

  • AHRC New York City
  • Hunter College (CUNY)
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services
  • New York City Department of Education
  • New York University
  • Northwell Health
  • NYU Langone Health
  • Queens College (CUNY)
  • Touro University

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.