Beginning in Fall, 2019, this minor will be called the Psychology Minor.
This minor provides students with an arena to explore the scientific study of behavior and the mind, beginning with foundational knowledge of major areas within psychology and following with other specialized topics such as child development, neuroscience, and sexuality. This minor can be an excellent companion to many majors and can build understanding of interpersonal and social interactions in various facets of life.
If you find yourself fascinated with why we think, feel, and behave the way we do, consider adding a minor in psychological sciences to your major. 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 minors gain an understanding of the foundations of psychology and go on to explore special topics such as child development, neuroscience, and sexuality. As an undergraduate, you will even be offered the opportunity to perform research and fieldwork with faculty and graduate students.
A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.
To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 18 |
| Major GPA | 2.0 |
Purpose Statement
Students who satisfy the requirements for the minor in Psychological Sciences are expected to have developed an understanding and knowledge of psychological concepts and perspectives and to be able to synthesize information within various domains (e.g., cognitive psychology, neuroscience, abnormal psychology, personality and social psychology, developmental psychology, and cross-cultural psychology). Students completing the minor learn skills that equip them to evaluate knowledge claims and demonstrate literacy across multiple intellectual and behavioral skill sets, including informational, technological, and interpersonal communication (i.e., written and oral presentation) skills. Students who complete the minor will be acquainted with statistical principles, and either cognitive psychology or neuroscience. Students will have the opportunity to learn about theoretical and research developments in either abnormal psychology, personality and social psychology, developmental psychology, and/or cross-cultural psychology. These academic experiences, in addition to the practiced ability to critically evaluate scholarship, enrich a student’s chosen major and post baccalaureate plans. Students who complete the minor will gain more knowledge about different career options, and become more competitive and versatile within their majors and chosen careers. In addition, a minor in psychological sciences effectively complements jobs in other fields, such as human resources, public health, social work, criminology, politics, and business as well as prepare students for entry into graduate school in a variety of disciplines.
Student Learning Outcomes
Take the following 18 - 19 units, with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
Select one course from (3-4 units):Select two courses from (6 units):In addition, at least 12 of the 18-19 units required for this minor must be from courses offered by Northern Arizona University. These 12 units may not include individualized courses.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.