The Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Sciences, earned as either a Bachelors of Arts or a Bachelor of Science provides students with opportunities for focused study in this quintessential behavioral science and builds research skills necessary for scientific inquiry within this discipline. Both the Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Sciences degrees have proven useful for careers in many areas including law, entertainment, writing, journalism, government, education, business, and the arts. Additionally the language requirement of the Bachelors of Arts builds further understanding of the ways in which the mind works and learns.
The Department of Psychological Sciences enables students to develop understanding and knowledge about human behavior from several perspectives in psychological science, the ability to apply and synthesize that knowledge within specific psychological domains (research and statistics, developmental processes, social and personality, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, learning theory and behavioral health), and research method skills in order to become critical evaluators and producers of knowledge of human behavior.
The department’s learning goals for the undergraduate major in Psychology reflect the American Psychological Association’s Learning Goals (2013) and NAU’s Thematic Global Learning Outcomes. To accomplish these goals, the course of study in psychology focuses on understanding the methods, ethics, and sociocultural context of research in psychological science through coursework, associated laboratory experience, and opportunities for application. Students develop the ability to critically evaluate existing psychological knowledge, assumptions, and application in order to demonstrate literacy, proficiency, and efficacy in informational, technological, and communication (written and oral presentation) skills. The ability to engage in critical analyses of psychological ideas and scientific evidence constitutes a valuable personal asset, and is a key to success in many professions, including academic and clinical psychology, business, education, law, medicine, behavioral health, and human services. Further, our Department strives to tie our departmental goals explicitly to learning outcomes in such a way that students are aware of the skills they have developed and how these skills are relevant to their professional success. To accomplish these goals, the Department engages in timely and relevant assessment of student learning outcomes at all levels of the curriculum and uses those data for program refinement.
If you find yourself fascinated about why we think, feel, and behave the way we do, consider pursuing a degree in psychological sciences. Psychologists take a scientific approach to studying behavior and mental processes, researching the ways in which life experiences, environment, culture, and biology all work together to shape mind and brain. Our psychological sciences majors explore a wide range of subjects such as autism, child development, psychological disorders and treatments, neuroscience, and sexuality, and master the major research techniques that professional psychologists use. As an undergraduate, you will even be offered the opportunity to perform research and fieldwork with faculty and graduate students.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
Major GPA | C |
Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 125 |
Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
University Honors Program | Optional |
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychological Sciences enables students to develop an understanding of and knowledge about human behavior from several perspectives in psychological science, the ability to apply and synthesize that knowledge within specific psychological domains, and the research methods skills necessary to become critical evaluators and producers of knowledge of human behavior. The BS in Psychological Sciences is distinct from the BS in Psychology because it provides students with the opportunity for focused study in behavioral science through four emphases and one certificate program, and trains students in the more advanced research skills necessary for scientific inquiry within this discipline and for entry into a Ph.D. program in Psychology, if student choose to continue in an academic track. Both Psychological Sciences and Psychology majors complete a core sequence of courses including introductory psychology, a set of lower division breadth courses, introduction to statistics, research methods in psychology, a set of upper division depth courses, and a capstone course. However, Psychological Sciences majors receive additional research training through completion of an advanced research methods course and a minimum of 6 units of research experience. Additionally, Psychological Science majors have the opportunity for in depth study in a specific are of psychology through completion of a certificate in human resource management, or an emphasis in social/personality, neuroscience, clinical/health, or developmental psychology.
The degree program in Psychological Sciences has four distinct emphasis areas and one certificate program. Students completing the Social/Personality Psychology emphasis complete advanced coursework and engage in research that facilitates investigation of how individuals affect and are affected by other people and by their social and physical environments. Students completing the Neuroscience emphasis complete advanced coursework and engage in research at the intersection of neuroscience and psychology, including the relationships between brain and human cognition, emotion, and behavior. Students completing the Clinical/Health Psychology emphasis complete advanced coursework and engage in research that applies scientific knowledge of the interrelationships among behavioral, emotional, cognitive, social and biological components in health and disease to the understanding, promotion and maintenance of health. Students completing the Developmental Psychology emphasis complete advanced coursework and engage in research on human growth and lifespan changes, including the intersection of physical, cognitive, social, intellectual, perceptual, personality and emotional changes across time and context. Students completing the Human Resource Management Certificate will complete advanced coursework from both the business and psychology sciences departments and an internship in order to prepare them for a career in human resources or the area of industrial-organizational psychology. Students completing an emphasis or certificate will work closely with a faculty mentor to tailor their intensive, hands-on research or internship experiences to their specific interests.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Psychological Sciences, students will be prepared in content related to the eight learning goals described below.
Take the following 55 - 59 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
Please note that of the 55-59 units required for this major, 15 units must be upper-division courses. In addition, individualized courses (PSY 485 and PSY 497) will not meet this 15-unit upper-division requirement. Three units of PSY 408C will count toward the 15-unit upper-division requirement. Finally, you can only count up to 6 units of individualized courses within the 55-59 unit major.
In addition, at least 15 of the 55-59 units required for this major must be from courses offered by Northern Arizona University. These 15 units may not include individualized courses.
You must complete a minor of at least 18 units from those described in this catalog. In consultation with your advisor, you should select a minor that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs. Your minor advisor will advise you about this part of your academic plan.
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.