Undergraduate

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Understand what motivates people and why people behave the way that they do.

Diverse group of students talk outside of class.

"With every course, research lab, presentation, etc., faculty and peers cheer you on, offering words of encouragement and advice. It is really comforting to know you have so many people in your corner as you take on those endeavors."

Rebecca Tse ('25)

B.A. in Psychology

About this Program

The Department of Psychology in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.A. in Psychology. Psychology is the study of the basic laws and principles of human and animal behavior; it seeks to understand what motivates people and why people behave the way they do.

Psychology majors take courses in a variety of subfields, such as social, cognitive, personality, abnormal, developmental, and behavioral neuroscience. They also learn the research process: experimental design, data collection, analysis, and communication.

Students gain experience in the field through service-learning, internships, and experiential courses. They can work with faculty on research or as teaching assistants. Faculty specializations include clinical, cognitive, developmental, experimental, health, neuroscience, and social psychology.

The Value of a Psychology Degree

Psychology is an excellent major for a wide variety of potential career paths where an understanding of human behavior and motivation is valuable. Psychology majors gain skills in statistical analysis, research, testing, writing, observation, record keeping, surveying, scientific reasoning, and scientific methodology.

Related careers in psychology include:

  • Health care
  • Behavior analysis
  • Education
  • Counseling and therapy
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Business management
  • Social work
  • Drug/alcohol education
  • Human resources
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Law
  • Systems analysis
  • Sales
  • Urban planning
  • Public relations

On this Page…

    Program Information

    Program Type

    Major

    Minor

    Area of Study

    Social Sciences, Law, and Policy

    Duration

    4 Years

    Degree

    B.A. in Psychology

    Program Location

    Oxford

    Emphases

    N/A

    Required Credit Hours

    120

    Degree Requirements

    See information below on the psychology major and minor. For a full description, visit the online catalog.

    Students in the B.A. in Psychology complete 30 credit hours of psychology courses, including

    • Psy 201: Introduction to Psychology
    • Psy 202: Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
    • Psy 205: Research Methods in Psychology

    Three core courses from: 

    • Psy 301: Developmental Psychology
    • Psy 309: Learning
    • Psy 311: Psychopathology: Integrative Approaches
    • Psy 319: Brain and Behavior
    • Psy 320: Cognitive Psychology
    • Psy 321: Social Psychology

    One capstone course from:

    • Psy 340: Multicultural Psychology
    • Psy 360: Psychology of Human Sexuality
    • Psy 365: Environmental Psychology
    • Psy 390: Lab in Psy: Behavioral Neuroscience
    • Psy 392: Lab in Psy: Experimental Social Psy
    • Psy 394: Lab in Psy: Cognition and Perception
    • Psy 396: Laboratory in Psychology
    • Psy 410: Health Psychology
    • Psy 415: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
    • Psy 417: Disasters and Mental Health
    • Psy 419: Psychology of Parenting
    • Psy 430: Positive Psychology
    • Psy 451: History and Systems of Psychology
    • Psy 456: Integrative Special Topics
    • Psy 457: Integrative Special Topics
    • Psy 470: Children and Families: Community Work
    • Psy 475: Topics in Psychology Abroad
    • Psy 565: Psychology of Gender

    Three elective courses from:

    • Psy 301: Developmental Psychology
    • Psy 303: Intermed. Statistical Methods for Psy
    • Psy 308: Industrial Psychology
    • Psy 309: Learning
    • Psy 311: Psychopathology: Integrative Approaches
    • Psy 313: Experimental Analysis of Behavior
    • Psy 315: Personality
    • Psy 317: Tests and Measurements
    • Psy 319: Brain and Behavior
    • Psy 320: Cognitive Psychology
    • Psy 321: Social Psychology
    • Psy 322: Drugs and Behavior
    • Psy 323: Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Psy 324: Science of Emotion
    • Psy 326: Sensation and Perception
    • Psy 327: Psychology and Law
    • Psy 340: Multicultural Psychology
    • Psy 344: Moral Psychology
    • Psy 350: Ecopsychology and International Youth
    • Psy 365: Environmental Psychology
    • Psy 390: Lab in Psy: Behavioral Neuroscience
    • Psy 392: Lab in Psy: Experimental Social Psy
    • Psy 394: Lab in Psy: Cognition and Perception
    • Psy 396: Laboratory in Psychology
    • Psy 399: Topics in Psychology Abroad III
    • Psy 401: Undergraduate Internship in Psychology
    • Psy 402: Psychology Teaching Internship I
    • Psy 403: Psychology Teaching Internship II
    • Psy 404: Teaching Experience
    • Psy 405: Research Problems I
    • Psy 406: Research Problems II
    • Psy 410: Health Psychology
    • Psy 415: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
    • Psy 417: Disasters and Mental Health
    • Psy 419: Psychology of Parenting
    • Psy 420: Readings and Research in Psychology
    • Psy 421: Readings and Research in Psychology II
    • Psy 422: Research Experience
    • Psy 425: Depictions of Psychopathology in Culture
    • Psy 430: Positive Psychology
    • Psy 451: History and Systems of Psychology
    • Psy 455: Special Topics in Psychology
    • Psy 456: Integrative Special Topics
    • Psy 460: Psychology of Human Sexuality
    • Psy 470: Children and Families: Community Work
    • Psy 475: Topics in Psychology Abroad
    • Psy 499: Topics in Psychology Abroad IV
    • Psy 505: Conditioning and Learning
    • Psy 511: The Neural Basis of Learning & Memory
    • Psy 519: Group Dynamics
    • Psy 530: Single Subject & Small Group Research Design
    • Psy 531: Sensation and Perception
    • Psy 532: Attention and Consciousness
    • Psy 541: Intellectual Disability & Dev. Disorders
    • Psy 553: Theories of Learning
    • Psy 561: Cross-Cultural Training
    • Psy 565: Psychology of Gender
    • Psy 575: Psychosocial Aspects of Aging

    Many educational and career paths are enhanced by a knowledge of social science, particularly in the human behavioral questions explored in the field of psychology.

    A minor in psychology consists of 18 credit hours of psychology courses including Psy 201: Introduction to Psychology, allowing maximum flexibility to pursue the areas of psychology that interest you the most.

     

    What can I do with a psychology degree?

    • Business Analyst, JP Morgan Chase
    • Division Manager, Nordstrom
    • Research Analyst, Google
    • Human Resources Consultant, Nestle
    • Addiction Therapist, Oxford Treatment Center
    • Agent, US Department of Justice
    • Pediatric Genetic Counselor, Texas Children's Hospital
    • Ophthalmologist, Florida Eye Care
    • Area Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
    • Assistant Attorney General, State of Tennessee
    • Professor, Emory University
    • Clinical Social Worker, Delta Community Mental Services
    • Pastor, First Baptist Church
    • Legislative Liaison, Office of the MS Lieutenant Governor
    • Psychologist, Federal Bureau of Prisons
    • Psychologist, Self-employed

    Get to Know our Student Ambassadors

    Racheal Embry

    Racheal Embry

    • Service and Community Engagement

    What has been one of your most memorable moments at UM?

    See Racheal’s Answer
    Lynnzie Williams

    Lynnzie Williams

    • Service and Community Engagement

    What would you tell a high school student about your major?

    See Lynnzie’s Answer
    Philip Beloate

    Philip Beloate

    • Service and Community Engagement

    Why did you choose to attend UM?

    See Philip’s Answer
    Rebecca Tse

    Rebecca Tse

    • Service and Community Engagement

    When and how did you choose your major?

    See Rebecca’s Answer

    Choosing Your Minor or Double Major

    Bachelor of Arts students must choose a minor (or double major). Combine your study of psychology with many other subjects based on your interests and career goals. Here are a few popular ones for psychology majors.

    Next Steps

    Explore Affordability

    We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.

    Apply to the University of Mississippi

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