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.

Banner Code: LA-BA-PSYC

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.

Introductory Course
PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core)3
Foundational Courses
PSYC 231Social Psychology (Mason Core)3
PSYC 317Cognitive Psychology3
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 300Statistics in Psychology4
PSYC 301Research Methods in Psychology (Mason Core)4
Biopsychology 2
Select one from the following: 33-6
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 Credits26-32
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
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 Credits6-7
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.

PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core)3
PSYC 380Introduction to Forensic Psychology3
PSYC 381Mental Illness and Criminal Justice3
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 Credits15
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.

PSYC 317Cognitive Psychology3
PSYC 340Human Factors Psychology3
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 Credits12-13
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.

PSYC 333Psychology 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 Credits12-13
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)

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.

PSYC 321Clinical Psychology3
PSYC 325Psychopathology3
Select at least two psychology electives from the following6
Lifespan Development (Mason Core)
Child Development
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.

PSYC 373Biopsychology Laboratory2
PSYC 304Principles 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 Credits15
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.

PSYC 211Lifespan Development (Mason Core)3
PSYC 313Child Development3
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 Credits12
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.

PSYC 312Educational Psychology3
PSYC 320Psychological Tests and Measurements4
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 Credits13
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.

PSYC 417Science of Well Being3
Select three courses from the following:9
Lifespan Development (Mason Core)
Clinical Psychology
Psychopathology
Psychological Fitness
Special Topics 1
Total Credits12
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
Select 3 credits from the following:3
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 253RELI 235RELI 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
Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement) 13
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
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)

Select 3 credits (additional to Mason Core Global Understanding requirement) 1
ANTH 114Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Mason Core)3
ANTH 300Civilizations3
ANTH 302Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (Mason Core)3
ANTH 307Ancient Mesoamerica (Mason Core)3
ANTH 308Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core)3
ANTH 309Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core)3
ANTH 313Myth, Magic, and Mind (Mason Core)3
ANTH 314Zombies3
ANTH 317East Asian Cultures3
ANTH 330Peoples and Cultures of Selected Regions: Non-Western3
ANTH 332Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Globalization (Mason Core)3
ANTH 381Medical Anthropology3
ANTH 396Issues in Anthropology: Social Sciences (Mason Core)3
ARAB 360Topics in Arabic Cultural Production3
ARAB 365Black and Minority Cultures in Arabic Literature (Mason Core)3
ARAB 420Survey of Arabic Literature3
ARAB 440Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core)3
ARTH 203Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core)3
ARTH 204Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core)3
ARTH 206Survey of African Art (Mason Core)3
ARTH 317The Black Pharaohs: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Nubia (Mason Core)3
ARTH 318Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt3
ARTH 319Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core)3
ARTH 320Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core)3
ARTH 382Arts of India (Mason Core)3
ARTH 383Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core)3
ARTH 384Arts of China (Mason Core)3
ARTH 385Arts of Japan (Mason Core)3
ARTH 482RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art (Mason Core)3
CHIN 318Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core)3
CHIN 320Contemporary Chinese Film3
CHIN 325Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core)3
CHIN 470Special Topics in Chinese Studies3
DANC 118Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core)3
ECON 361Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core)3
ECON 362African Economic Development (Mason Core)3
FREN 454Topics in Caribbean Francophone Literature and Culture3
GGS 101Major World Regions (Mason Core)3
GGS 316Geography of Latin America3
GGS 317Geography of China (Mason Core)3
GGS 325Geography of North Africa and the Middle East3
GGS 399Select Topics in GGS3
GOVT 332Politics of the Middle East and North Africa3
GOVT 333Politics of East Asia3
GOVT 338Politics of Eurasia3
GOVT 340Central Asian Politics3
GOVT 341Chinese Foreign Policy3
GOVT 345Islam and Politics3
GOVT 433Political Economy of East Asia3
HIST 251Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core)3
HIST 252Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core)3
HIST 261Survey of African History (Mason Core)3
HIST 262Survey of African History (Mason Core)3
HIST 271Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core)3
HIST 272Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core)3
HIST 281Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core)3
HIST 282Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core)3
HIST 326Stalinism3
HIST 327The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II3
HIST 328Rise of Russia (Mason Core)3
HIST 329Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core)3
HIST 353History of Traditional China3
HIST 354Modern China (Mason Core)3
HIST 356Modern Japan (Mason Core)3
HIST 357Postwar Japan (Mason Core)3
HIST 358Post-1949 China (Mason Core)3
HIST 360History of South Africa (Mason Core)3
HIST 364Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core)3
HIST 365Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core)3
HIST 366Comparative Slavery3
HIST 377The Vietnam War (Mason Core)3
HIST 384Global History of Christianity (Mason Core)3
HIST 387Topics in Global History (Mason Core)3-6
HIST 461Arab-Israeli Conflict3
HIST 462Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core)3
HIST 465The Middle East in the 20th Century3
JAPA 310Japanese Culture in a Global World (Mason Core)3
JAPA 340Topics in Japanese Literature (Mason Core)3
JAPA 380Japan in Motion3
KORE 300Korean Culture and Society3
KORE 320Korean Popular Culture in a Global World3
KORE 385Introduction to Korean Linguistics3
MUSI 103Musics of the World (Mason Core)3
RELI 211Introduction to Religions of the "West" (Mason Core)3
RELI 212Introduction to Religions of Asia (Mason Core)3
RELI 312Islam (Mason Core)3
RELI 313Hinduism (Mason Core)3
RELI 314Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions3
RELI 315Buddhism (Mason Core)3
RELI 317Daoism3
RELI 318Korean Philosophy and Religions3
RELI 338Qur'an and Hadith3
RELI 342Comparative Study of Mysticism3
RELI 344Muhammad: Life and Legacy3
RELI 358Islamic Thought (Mason Core)3
RELI 367Islamic Law, Society, and Ethics3
RELI 368Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights (Mason Core)3
RELI 384Global History of Christianity (Mason Core)3
RELI 490Comparative Study of Religions (Mason Core)3
RUSS 353Russian Civilization (Mason Core)3
RUSS 354Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core)3
WMST 407Transnational Sexualities3
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.)
Foundation Requirements
Written Communication (lower-level)3
Oral Communication3
Quantitative Reasoning3
Information Technology and Computing3
Exploration Requirements
Arts3
Global Contexts3
Global History3
Literature3
Natural Science7
Social and Behavioral Sciences3
Just Societies (optional) 1
Integration Requirements
Written Communication (upper-level)3
Writing Intensive 23
Mason Apex 33
Total Credits40
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.

PSYC 490Psychology Honors I 13
or PSYC 460 Independent Study in Psychology
PSYC 491Psychology Honors II3
PSYC 492RS: 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

  1. Knowledge Base in Psychology 
    1. Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology 
    2. Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s content domains 
    3. Describe application of psychology  
  2. Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking  
    1. Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena 
    2. Demonstrate psychology information literacy 
    3. Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving 
    4. Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research 
    5. Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry 
  3. Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World 
    1. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice 
    2. Build and enhance interpersonal relationships 
    3. Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels 
  4. Communication 
    1. Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes  
    2. Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes 
    3. Interact effectively with others
  5. Professional Development  
    1. Apply psychological content and skills to career goals 
    2. Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation 
    3. Refine project-management skills 
    4. Enhance teamwork capacity 
    5. 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:

Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)
PSYC 531Mammalian Neurobiology3
or NEUR 603 Mammalian Neuroanatomy
PSYC 558Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory3
or PSYC 685 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 555Neuroimaging3
PSYC 559Behavioral Chemistry3
PSYC 592Special Topics 11-6
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
PSYC 531Mammalian Neurobiology3
or NEUR 603 Mammalian Neuroanatomy
PSYC 558Neuronal Bases of Learning and Memory3
or PSYC 685 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 555Neuroimaging3
PSYC 559Behavioral Chemistry3
PSYC 592Special Topics 11-6
PSYC 642General Linear Modeling I4
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.