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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. You will find our Psychology Department to be an environment that will stimulate your interest and provide you with the basis for pursuing careers in many fields.
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. A Bachelor of Science degree in psychology requires enrollment in more advanced courses and more math/science courses than the Bachelor of Arts degree, and students who choose the B.S. often intend to pursue further graduate study that requires an additional math/science background.
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
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:
Candidates for a B.S. degree with a major in psychology must complete at least 60 credits in science and mathematics, 24 of which must be completed in advanced courses in the Psychology Department. These 24 credits must be completed at Brooklyn College with a grade of C- or higher in each course. Specific course requirements for a B.S. degree are described above.
The following courses may be applied toward the 60 credits in science and mathematics:
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.
The Psychology Department adopts these five learning outcomes from the APA Guidelines (PDF) for the undergraduate psychology major:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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5401 James Hall E: psychadvisor@brooklyn.cuny.edu P: 718.951.5601
Or contact:
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:
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Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in Psychology offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the psychology B.S. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:
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