Program Description

The BA in Psychology is designed for students with a broad range of career and graduate school interests such as, but not limited to, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, school counseling, and industrial and organizational psychology.

The Animal Behavior track is designed for students interested in training animals, working with owners and their pets, or seeking to become a certified applied animal behaviorist.

Entering and Completing the Major

In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.

Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.

• If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
• If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
• The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
• To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
• You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.

Psychology: Animal Behavior Track (BA)

92 Credits Minimum, Including 36 Upper Division (UD)

Suggested Course Sequence

This suggested course sequence is a potential plan for how to complete the major within four years. Please consult with your faculty advisor for guidance and regularly review your degree status check in Banner to make sure you are on track with all of your degree requirements.

First Year

• Begin or resume your elementary foreign language, if competency requirement is not complete.
• Unless you are exempt, take Math Placement Test at least three academic quarters before you intend to register for Statistics
• Transfer students should take PSY 1200 Psychology as Vocation the first quarter they are able to register.
• Choose a B.A. track: Animal Behavior, Clinical-Counseling Psychology, Cross-Cultural, Data Analytics, Developmental Psychology, Psychological Science, Social-Personality Psychology, Sports Psychology, or Community Psychology & Behavioral Health.
• Apply to major in Banner.
• Attend New Major Orientation upon admission to the major.

Second Year

• Create a three-year plan and meet with your faculty advisor for review.

Third Year

• Psychology majors apply to graduate after completing 105 credits.
• Majors must apply to graduate before registering for an Advanced Research Methods (ARM) course.

Fourth Year

• Create a final-year plan and meet with your faculty advisor for review.