Undergraduate

Psychology, B.S.

A research-focused and quantitative approach to studying human behavior.

four students are seated together around a table in a psychology lab around a table looking at a laptop computer

About the Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The B.S. in Psychology offers students a focused curriculum on the scientific and statistical aspects of psychology. This degree emphasizes the scientific approach to studying human and animal behavior, equipping students with the skills to design, conduct, and analyze research.

B.S. students explore subfields like social, cognitive, developmental, and behavioral neuroscience, gaining a strong foundation in data analysis and methodology.

Students are encouraged to engage in experiential learning, work closely with faculty on research projects, and explore various career paths through internships and service-learning.  

B.S. vs B.A. Degree in Psychology

  • The Bachelor of Science in Psychology provides a curriculum tailored to those students wishing to conduct psychological research, , including additional coursework in research methods and statistical analysis. It offers students the opportunity to engage deeply with data-driven approaches to understanding behavior. This pathway is ideal for those with a strong interest in utilizing psychology as a basis for future professions focused on scientific inquiry and quantitative analysis.
  • The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology offers a broad and flexible curriculum, allowing students to combine psychology with other fields of study. This pathway encourages exploration across disciplines and the development of a well-rounded academic experience, making it an excellent choice for students interested in diverse career paths or interdisciplinary applications of 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.

On this Page…

    Program Information

    Degree

    Required Credit Hours

    120

    Program Type

    Major

    Program Location

    Oxford

    Duration

    4 years

    Academic Requirements

    See below for the requirements for the psychology major to earn the B.S. degree.

    Students in the College of Liberal Arts earning the B.S. degree have a common set of 36-38 hours of general education. The specific courses taken to complete the categories of general education may differ between majors. 

    Categories of General Education:

    • First Year Writing I, II
    • English Literature Survey
    • Fine or Performing Arts Appreciation
    • Social Sciences and Humanities
    • Mathematics
    • Natural Sciences


    To see the details for these general education requirements, visit the UM online catalog or the degree sheet attached at the top of this webpage. 

    Students in the B.S. in Psychology complete 39 credit hours of psychology courses, including

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

    One advanced statistical courses from:

    • Psy 303: Intermediate Statistical Methods for Psychology
    • Psy 503: Adv. Topics in Statistics for Psychology
    • Psy 530: Single Subject & Small Group Research Design

    Five 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 Cultural Perspectives course from:

    • Psy 340: Multicultural Psychology
    • Psy 350: Ecopsychology and International Youth
    • Psy 353: Black Psychology
    • Psy 365: Environmental Psychology
    • Psy 425: Depictions of Psychopathology in Culture
    • Psy 565: Psychology of Gender

    One Experiential Learning Research course from:

    • Psy 390: Lab in Psychology: Behavioral Neuroscience
    • Psy 392: Lab in Psychology: Experimental Social Psychology
    • Psy 394: Lab in Psychology: Cognition and Perception
    • Psy 405: Research Problems I
    • Psy 406: Research Problems II
    • Psy 420: Readings and Research in Psychology I
    • Psy 421: Readings and Research in Psychology II
    • Psy 422: Research Experience
    • Psy 506: Clinical Internship in Applied Behavior

    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 Psychology
    • Psy 394: Lab in Psy: Cognition and Perception
    • Psy 396: Laboratory in Psychology
    • Psy 410: Health Psychology
    • Psy 411: Memory
    • Psy 412: Sports Psychology
    • Psy 415: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
    • Psy 417: Disasters and Mental Health
    • Psy 419: Psychology of Parenting
    • Psy 423: Behaviorism: History & Theory
    • 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

    One psychology elective course. See all psychology courses in the online catalog. 

    Students pursuing this optional emphasis in Behavioral Analysis complete the following 7 courses as part of the requirements. 

    • Psy 309: Learning
    • Psy 313: Experimental Analysis of Behavior
    • Psy 323: Applied Behavior Analysis
    • Psy 328: Ethics of Behavioral Practice & Research
    • Psy 423: Behaviorism: History & Theory
    • Psy 408 or 506: Research Internship or Clinical Internship
    • Psy 530: Single Subject & Small Group Research Design

    Video: Get to Know the Department of Psychology

    Learn more about the Psychology program from our faculty and students.

    Annabelle Harris

    Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts

    As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi! 

    Annabelle Harris

    Admissions Counselor

    Future CLA Students

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    College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Students

    We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet. 

    Future CLA Students

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