Students study behavior as it relates to health and well-being, child and adolescent development, education, social situations, the workplace, and the use of technology. Due to Mason’s proximity to Washington, D.C. the department is especially active in research that informs public policy and national defense. Students who graduate from this program go on to work in a wide range of fields and positions, including human resources, data analysis, user interface design, and social media and marketing.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology focuses on liberal arts and general education courses, including a foreign language requirement, within the psychology field.
Policies
Students pursuing this degree must complete 37 credits within the major, with 24 credits at the 300 and 400 level.
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Students may choose to complete a concentration in forensic psychology, human factors and applied cognition, work and organizational psychology, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, or health psychology. Courses required for a concentration may simultaneously satisfy other degree requirements. The concentrations in forensic psychology, human factors and applied cognition, and work and organizational psychology meet the applied psychology requirement.
Students who have limited technology skills are encouraged to take IT 104 Introduction to Computing (Mason Core).
Core Courses in the Major
Basic Courses in Psychology
Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.00 in these courses with a minimum grade of 1.67 (C-) in each one. Courses taken to fulfill these requirements may simultaneously satisfy a concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Course | ||
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Foundational Courses | ||
| PSYC 231 | Social Psychology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| PSYC 317 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| Select one option from the following: | 3-6 | |
Option 1: | ||
| Lifespan Development (Mason Core) | ||
Option 2: | ||
Select two from the following: | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Psychological Factors in Aging | ||
| Research Methods Courses 1 | ||
| PSYC 300 | Statistics in Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 301 | Research Methods in Psychology (Mason Core) | 4 |
| Biopsychology 2 | ||
| Select one from the following: 3 | 3-6 | |
| Biopsychology | ||
| Brain and Sensory Processes and Brain and Behavior | ||
| Professional Development | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Psychology: College to Career | ||
| Psychology in the Community | ||
| Community Engagement for Social Change (Mason Core) 4 | ||
| Clinical Practicum in Psychology 4 | ||
| Psychology Honors II | ||
| RS: Psychology Honors III (Mason Core) | ||
| Special Topics (with Undergraduate Associate Chair Approval) | ||
| Total Credits | 26-32 | |
- 1
Students are strongly encouraged to complete PSYC 300 Statistics in Psychology and PSYC 301 Research Methods in Psychology (Mason Core) by their junior year. PSYC 300 Statistics in Psychology is a prerequisite to several courses, and a background in research methods facilitates understanding empirical research discussed in all psychology courses.
- 2
It is strongly recommended that students fulfill the Mason Core natural science requirement by completing BIOL 103 Introductory Biology II-Survey of Cell and Molecular Biology (Mason Core) and BIOL 107 Intro Biology II Lecture (Mason Core)/BIOL 106 Introductory Biology I Laboratory (Mason Core) because these courses are prerequisites to the requirement of PSYC 372 Biopsychology or PSYC 375 Brain and Sensory Processes and PSYC 376 Brain and Behavior.
- 3
Only students who receive transfer credit for PSYC 372 Biopsychology may use it in place of PSYC 375 Brain and Sensory Processes as the prerequisite for PSYC 376 Brain and Behavior. Students taking PSYC 372 Biopsychology at Mason may not use it in place of PSYC 375 Brain and Sensory Processes.
- 4
PSYC 427 Community Engagement for Social Change (Mason Core) and PSYC 430 Clinical Practicum in Psychology may count for both the Professional Development and the Applied Psychology requirements.
Applied Psychology Courses or Optional Concentration
Alternatively, students may earn a concentration in forensic psychology, human factors and applied cognition, or work and organizational psychology to satisfy this requirement.
Applied Psychology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students pursuing the BA without concentration complete two courses from the following with a minimum grade of C- in each: | 6-7 | |
| Psychological Tests and Measurements | ||
| Psychopathology | ||
| Therapeutic Communication Skills | ||
| Psychology in the Workplace (Mason Core) | ||
| Human Factors Psychology | ||
| Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Mental Illness and Criminal Justice | ||
| Community Engagement for Social Change (Mason Core) 1 | ||
| Clinical Practicum in Psychology 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 6-7 | |
- 1
PSYC 427 may count for both the Applied Psychology and the Professional Development requirements.
Concentrations Meeting Applied Psychology Requirement
Concentration in Forensic Psychology (FPSY)
Students pursuing the BA with concentration in forensic psychology take 15 credits. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all coursework applied to the concentration.
Students who successfully complete the Psychology Department Honors Program (PSYC 490 Psychology Honors I, PSYC 491 Psychology Honors II, and PSYC 492 RS: Psychology Honors III (Mason Core)) with an honors thesis/project focused on forensic psychology may, with approval of their thesis committees and the associate chair for undergraduate studies, substitute their honors work for one course in the concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| PSYC 380 | Introduction to Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 381 | Mental Illness and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Psychology of Crime Victims | ||
| Forensic Psychology: Science and Pseudoscience | ||
| Criminal Behavior: Psychological and Neurological Aspects | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice (Mason Core) | ||
| Special Topics 1 | ||
| Selected Topics in Forensic Psychology 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
Only with Undergraduate Associate Chair approval.
Concentration in Human Factors and Applied Cognition (HF)
Students pursuing the BA with concentration in human factors and applied cognition take 12-13 credits. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all coursework applied to the concentration.
Students who successfully complete the Psychology Department Honors Program (PSYC 490 Psychology Honors I, PSYC 491 Psychology Honors II, and PSYC 492 RS: Psychology Honors III (Mason Core)) with an honors thesis/project focused on human factors or applied cognition may, with approval of their thesis committees and the associate chair for undergraduate studies, substitute their honors work for one course in the concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 317 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 340 | Human Factors Psychology | 3 |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6-7 | |
| Sensation, Perception, and Information Processing (Mason Core) | ||
| Psychology in the Workplace (Mason Core) | ||
| Biopsychology | ||
| Independent Study in Psychology 1 | ||
| Special Topics 3 | ||
| Cognitive Engineering: Cognitive Science Applied to Human Factors 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 12-13 | |
- 1
Must be taken with human factors and applied cognition faculty member.
- 2
Note course prerequisite of PSYC 317 Cognitive Psychology.
- 3
Only with Undergraduate Associate Chair approval.
Concentration in Work and Organizational Psychology (WKOP)
Students pursuing the BS with concentration take 12-13 credits. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all coursework applied to the concentration.
Students who successfully complete the Psychology Department Honors Program (PSYC 490 Psychology Honors I, PSYC 491 Psychology Honors II, and PSYC 492 RS: Psychology Honors III (Mason Core)) with an honors thesis/project focused on I/O psychology may, with approval of their thesis committees and the associate chair for undergraduate studies, substitute the honors work for one course in the concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 333 | Psychology in the Workplace (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Select three courses from the following: | 9-10 | |
| Psychological Tests and Measurements | ||
| Personality Theory | ||
| Personnel Training and Development: A Psychological Perspective | ||
| The Psychology of Working in Groups and Teams | ||
| Special Topics 1 | ||
| Principles of Management | ||
| Total Credits | 12-13 | |
- 1
Only when topic is Occupational Health Psychology or Work and Family with prior written approval.
Other Concentrations Available to Majors
Students may choose to complete a concentration in clinical psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, or health psychology.
Available Concentrations
- Concentration in Clinical Psychology (CLPY)
- Concentration in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBNR)
- Concentration in Developmental Psychology (DVLP)
- Concentration in Educational Psychology (EPSY)
- Concentration in Health Psychology (HPSY)
Concentration in Clinical Psychology (CLPY)
Students pursuing the BA with this concentration take 12 credits. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all coursework applied to the concentration.
Students who successfully complete the Psychology Department Honors Program Psychology Honors I, PSYC 491 Psychology Honors II, and PSYC 492 RS: Psychology Honors III (Mason Core)) with an honors thesis/project focused on clinical psychology may, with approval of their thesis committees and the associate chair for undergraduate studies, substitute their honors work for one course in the concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 321 | Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 325 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| Select at least two psychology electives from the following | 6 | |
| Lifespan Development (Mason Core) | ||
or PSYC 313 | Child Development | |
or PSYC 314 | Adolescent Development | |
| Social Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Behavior Modification | ||
| Personality Theory | ||
| Therapeutic Communication Skills | ||
| Behavior Disorders of Childhood | ||
| Science of Well Being | ||
| Group Psychotherapy Techniques | ||
| Clinical Practicum in Psychology | ||
| Independent Study in Psychology | ||
| Special Topics 1 | ||
| Pioneering Ideas in Psychology | ||
- 1
Only when topic is related to clinical psychology approved by the psychology department.
Concentration in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (CBNR)
This concentration focuses on laboratory experience in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and more in-depth courses of interest that will broaden the students' knowledge in understanding brain and behavior.
Students pursuing the BA with this concentration take 15 credits. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all coursework applied to the concentration.
Students who successfully complete the Psychology Department Honors Program (PSYC 490 Psychology Honors I, PSYC 491 Psychology Honors II, and PSYC 492 RS: Psychology Honors III (Mason Core)) with an honors thesis/project focused on cognitive and behavioral neuroscience may, with approval of their thesis committees and the associate chair for undergraduate studies, substitute their honors work for one course in the concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 373 | Biopsychology Laboratory | 2 |
| PSYC 304 | Principles of Learning (Mason Core) | 4 |
| Select a minimum of 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Sensation, Perception, and Information Processing (Mason Core) | ||
| Independent Study in Psychology 1 | ||
| Biological Bases of Alzheimer's Disease | ||
| Current Topics in Brain and Behavior 2 | ||
| Special Topics 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
With permission of a CBN faculty member.
- 2
When approved by the undergraduate associate chair and topic is Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory, Drugs and the Brain, or Brain in Books and Film.
- 3
When approved by undergraduate associate chair and topic is Music and the Brain, Neuronal Aspects of Cognitive Development, Animal Cognition, or Psychology of Stress and Health.
Concentration in Developmental Psychology (DVLP)
The concentration in developmental psychology may be of interest to students who are planning to attend graduate school in developmental psychology or a related field, such as human development and family studies, school psychology, or clinical child psychology. Students who are considering a career in school psychology or education may also find this concentration advantageous.
Students pursuing the BA with this concentration take 12 credits. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all coursework applied to the concentration.
Students who successfully complete the Psychology Department Honors Program (PSYC 490 Psychology Honors I, PSYC 491 Psychology Honors II, and PSYC 492 RS: Psychology Honors III (Mason Core)) with an honors thesis/project focused on developmental psychology may, with approval of their thesis committees and the associate chair for undergraduate studies, substitute their honors work for one course in the concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 211 | Lifespan Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| PSYC 313 | Child Development | 3 |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Behavior Disorders of Childhood | ||
| Psychological Factors in Aging | ||
| Independent Study in Psychology 1 | ||
| Special Topics 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Only when content is developmental, with prior written approval.
Concentration in Educational Psychology (EPSY)
Students pursuing the BA with concentration in educational psychology take 12 credits. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all coursework applied to the concentration.
Students who successfully complete the Psychology Department Honors Program (PSYC 490 Psychology Honors I, PSYC 491 Psychology Honors II, and PSYC 492 RS: Psychology Honors III (Mason Core)) with an honors thesis/project focused on educational psychology may, with approval of their thesis committees and the associate chair for undergraduate studies, substitute their honors work for one course in the concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 312 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 320 | Psychological Tests and Measurements | 4 |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Principles of Learning (Mason Core) | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Behavior Modification | ||
| Independent Study in Psychology 1 | ||
| Special Topics 1 | ||
| Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory | ||
| Total Credits | 13 | |
- 1
Educational content only, with department approval.
Concentration in Health Psychology (HPSY)
Students pursuing the BA with concentration in health psychology take 12 credits. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all course workapplied to the concentration.
Students who successfully complete the Psychology Department Honors Program (PSYC 490 Psychology Honors I PSYC 491 Psychology Honors II, and PSYC 492 RS: Psychology Honors III (Mason Core)) with an honors thesis/project focused on health or well-being may, with approval of their thesis committees and the associate chair for undergraduate studies, substitute their honors work for one course in the concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 417 | Science of Well Being | 3 |
| Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Lifespan Development (Mason Core) | ||
| Clinical Psychology | ||
| Psychopathology | ||
| Psychological Fitness | ||
| Special Topics 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Only when topic is related to health and well-being and approved by the psychology department.
Electives in the Major
Students complete the 37 required credits with electives in psychology (PSYC) with the following restrictions.
- A maximum of 6 credits of PSYC 327 Psychology in the Community and PSYC 328 Psychology in the Community Laboratory may be applied to required psychology credits.
- A maximum of 6 credits of PSYC 260 Basic Research Methods in Psychology, PSYC 350 Directed Reading and Research in Psychology, and PSYC 460 Independent Study in Psychology may be applied to required psychology credits.
- No more than 9 credits of PSYC 327 Psychology in the Community, PSYC 328 Psychology in the Community Laboratory, PSYC 260 Basic Research Methods in Psychology, PSYC 350 Directed Reading and Research in Psychology, and PSYC 460 Independent Study in Psychology can be taken without written permission of the department chair.
- No more than 6 credits of D may be applied toward this requirement.
PSYC 465 Pioneering Ideas in Psychology is strongly recommended for all students who plan to attend graduate school in psychology.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in psychology may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing PSYC 301 Research Methods in Psychology (Mason Core), PSYC 304 Principles of Learning (Mason Core), or PSYC 309 Sensation, Perception, and Information Processing (Mason Core). Students who receive transfer credit for a research methods course must take PSYC 304 Principles of Learning (Mason Core) or PSYC 309 Sensation, Perception, and Information Processing (Mason Core) unless the transfer course has been approved as writing intensive.
Additional Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
Upper Level Requirement
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
College Level Requirements for the BA Degree
In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).
Philosophy or Religious Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
PHIL 1 | ||
- 1
Note that the following courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement:
- PHIL 323 Classical Western Political Theory
- PHIL 324 Modern Western Political Theory
- PHIL 327 Contemporary Western Political Theory
- PHIL 393 Humanities College to Career
- PHIL 460 Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Additionally, PHIL 253, RELI 235, RELI 333, and RELI 339 cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement) 1 | 3 | |
| ANTH | ||
| CRIM | ||
| ECON | ||
| GOVT | ||
| HIST 2 | ||
| LING | ||
| PSYC | ||
| SOCI | ||
| Or choose from the following GGS courses: | ||
| Major World Regions (Mason Core) | ||
| Human Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Geoinformation Technologies | ||
| Political Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Population Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Geography of the United States | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Geography of Virginia | ||
- 1
The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and Mason Core requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences.
- 2
HIST 100 and HIST 125 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
Foreign Language
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, fulfilled by: 1 | ||
Or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test | ||
Or completing the following ASL three course sequence: | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) I | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) II | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) III | ||
- 1
Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Non-Western Culture
Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global understanding)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits (additional to Mason Core Global Understanding requirement) 1 | ||
| ANTH 114 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 300 | Civilizations | 3 |
| ANTH 302 | Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 307 | Ancient Mesoamerica (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 308 | Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 309 | Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 313 | Myth, Magic, and Mind (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 314 | Zombies | 3 |
| ANTH 317 | East Asian Cultures | 3 |
| ANTH 330 | Peoples and Cultures of Selected Regions: Non-Western | 3 |
| ANTH 332 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Globalization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 381 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 396 | Issues in Anthropology: Social Sciences (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARAB 360 | Topics in Arabic Cultural Production | 3 |
| ARAB 365 | Black and Minority Cultures in Arabic Literature (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARAB 420 | Survey of Arabic Literature | 3 |
| ARAB 440 | Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 203 | Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 204 | Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 206 | Survey of African Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 317 | The Black Pharaohs: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Nubia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 318 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ARTH 319 | Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 320 | Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 382 | Arts of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 383 | Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 384 | Arts of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 385 | Arts of Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 482 | RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 318 | Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 320 | Contemporary Chinese Film | 3 |
| CHIN 325 | Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 470 | Special Topics in Chinese Studies | 3 |
| DANC 118 | Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 361 | Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 362 | African Economic Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FREN 454 | Topics in Caribbean Francophone Literature and Culture | 3 |
| GGS 101 | Major World Regions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 316 | Geography of Latin America | 3 |
| GGS 317 | Geography of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 325 | Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | 3 |
| GGS 399 | Select Topics in GGS | 3 |
| GOVT 332 | Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| GOVT 333 | Politics of East Asia | 3 |
| GOVT 338 | Politics of Eurasia | 3 |
| GOVT 340 | Central Asian Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 341 | Chinese Foreign Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 345 | Islam and Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 433 | Political Economy of East Asia | 3 |
| HIST 251 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 252 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 261 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 262 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 271 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 272 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 281 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 282 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 326 | Stalinism | 3 |
| HIST 327 | The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | 3 |
| HIST 328 | Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 329 | Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 353 | History of Traditional China | 3 |
| HIST 354 | Modern China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 356 | Modern Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 357 | Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 358 | Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 360 | History of South Africa (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 364 | Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 365 | Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 366 | Comparative Slavery | 3 |
| HIST 377 | The Vietnam War (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 384 | Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 387 | Topics in Global History (Mason Core) | 3-6 |
| HIST 461 | Arab-Israeli Conflict | 3 |
| HIST 462 | Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 465 | The Middle East in the 20th Century | 3 |
| JAPA 310 | Japanese Culture in a Global World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| JAPA 340 | Topics in Japanese Literature (Mason Core) | 3 |
| JAPA 380 | Japan in Motion | 3 |
| KORE 300 | Korean Culture and Society | 3 |
| KORE 320 | Korean Popular Culture in a Global World | 3 |
| KORE 385 | Introduction to Korean Linguistics | 3 |
| MUSI 103 | Musics of the World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 211 | Introduction to Religions of the "West" (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 212 | Introduction to Religions of Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 312 | Islam (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 313 | Hinduism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 314 | Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions | 3 |
| RELI 315 | Buddhism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 317 | Daoism | 3 |
| RELI 318 | Korean Philosophy and Religions | 3 |
| RELI 338 | Qur'an and Hadith | 3 |
| RELI 342 | Comparative Study of Mysticism | 3 |
| RELI 344 | Muhammad: Life and Legacy | 3 |
| RELI 358 | Islamic Thought (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 367 | Islamic Law, Society, and Ethics | 3 |
| RELI 368 | Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 384 | Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 490 | Comparative Study of Religions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 353 | Russian Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 354 | Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core) | 3 |
| WMST 407 | Transnational Sexualities | 3 |
- 1
A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information.
- VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
- VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (lower-level) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Just Societies (optional) 1 | ||
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (upper-level) | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Mason Apex 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Courses marked with the Just Societies flag are available for students starting in Fall 2024. Students admitted prior to the Fall of 2025 are not required to take courses with a Just Societies flag but may wish to do so to increase their knowledge and skills in this important area. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely wiht their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.
- 2
Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.
- 3
Minimum 3 credits required.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Sample Plan of Study
A sample four year graduation plan and degree planning worksheet can be found at https://academicaffairs.chss.gmu.edu/undergraduate-students/advising/advising-sheets. The plan is a recommended sequencing of courses based on prerequisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor each semester and with their PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.
Honors in the Major
Highly-qualified students may apply to graduate with honors in the major. To be eligible for admission, psychology majors must have completed at least 50 credits and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a minimum GPA of 3.40 in psychology courses.
If accepted, students must take a sequence of three courses, which culminates in the successful completion and presentation of an independent honors thesis.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 490 | Psychology Honors I 1 | 3 |
| or PSYC 460 | Independent Study in Psychology | |
| PSYC 491 | Psychology Honors II | 3 |
| PSYC 492 | RS: Psychology Honors III (Mason Core) | 3 |
- 1
PSYC 460 can be substituted for PSYC 490 with permission of the Honors Program Director.
To graduate with honors, students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.50 in their honors courses and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a minimum GPA of 3.40 in psychology courses.
Program Outcomes
- Knowledge Base in Psychology
- Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology
- Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s content domains
- Describe application of psychology
- Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking
- Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena
- Demonstrate psychology information literacy
- Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving
- Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research
- Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry
- Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World
- Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice
- Build and enhance interpersonal relationships
- Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels
- Communication
- Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes
- Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes
- Interact effectively with others
- Professional Development
- Apply psychological content and skills to career goals
- Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation
- Refine project-management skills
- Enhance teamwork capacity
- Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation
The accelerated master's program in the list below specifies the BA in psychology as a feeder degree for its program. Many other accelerated master's programs are also available for any bachelor's degree at Mason. See the full list of degrees with accelerated programs at George Mason.
Psychology, BA or BS/Psychology, Accelerated MA (Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Concentration)
Overview
Highly qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in Psychology and an MA in Psychology, with a concentration in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6. Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, and completion of 12 hours of psychology coursework including one of the following combinations of courses:
PSYC 300 Statistics in Psychology
PSYC 372 Biopsychology
OR
PSYC 300 Statistics in Psychology
PSYC 375 Brain and Sensory Processes and PSYC 376 Brain and Behavior
Students are strongly encouraged to have obtained previous research lab experience and to have one reference letter from the faculty member who will serve as their advisor.
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
- Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits) | ||
| PSYC 531 | Mammalian Neurobiology | 3 |
| or NEUR 603 | Mammalian Neuroanatomy | |
| PSYC 558 | Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory | 3 |
| or PSYC 685 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| PSYC 555 | Neuroimaging | 3 |
| PSYC 559 | Behavioral Chemistry | 3 |
| PSYC 592 | Special Topics 1 | 1-6 |
| Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program | ||
| PSYC 531 | Mammalian Neurobiology | 3 |
| or NEUR 603 | Mammalian Neuroanatomy | |
| PSYC 558 | Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory | 3 |
| or PSYC 685 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| PSYC 555 | Neuroimaging | 3 |
| PSYC 559 | Behavioral Chemistry | 3 |
| PSYC 592 | Special Topics 1 | 1-6 |
| PSYC 642 | General Linear Modeling I | 4 |
- 1
When topic is Animal Behavior, Biological Bases of Alzheimer's Disease, Human Brain Stimulation, Cognitive Electrophysiology or Comparative Cognition. Can be repeated if topic differs.
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7.Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies.