Psychology, BA
Studies in psychology introduce students to contemporary understandings of how organisms perceive, learn, think and interact with one another, how they develop, how they are motivated and how, individually and as members of species, they may be compared with one another. Psychology at Penn is a diverse discipline, with topics ranging from neuroscience to psychopathology.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 33. Double majors may entail more course units.
A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required.
6 course units of Psychology courses must be taken at the University of Pennsylvania.
For more information: https://psychology.sas.upenn.edu/penn-undergraduate-psychology
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | 20 | |
| Major Requirements 2 | ||
| Introductory Psychology | ||
| PSYC 0001 | Introduction to Experimental Psychology (or Replacement PSYC course) 3 | 1 |
| Distribution | ||
| Biological Basis of Behavior: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Brain and Behavior | ||
| Introduction to Brain and Behavior | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Memory | ||
| Select 1 credit unit of a Biological Psychology Elective with the following Attribute: | 1 | |
| Cognitive Basis of Behavior: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Language and Thought | ||
| Perception | ||
| Memory | ||
| Introduction to Developmental Psychology | ||
| Select 1 credit unit of a Cognitive Psychology Elective with the following Attribute: | 1 | |
| Social Science Bases of Behavior: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Social Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Developmental Psychology | ||
| Select 1 credit unit of a Social Psychology Elective with the following Attribute: | 1 | |
| Research Experience | ||
| Select 1 credit unit of any Psychology course at the 4000 level | 1 | |
| Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following approved courses: | 1 | |
| Quantitative Analysis of Anthropological Data | ||
| Statistics for Biologists | ||
| Statistics for the Social Sciences I | ||
| Statistics for Economists | ||
| Statistics for Research and Measurement | ||
| Social Statistics | ||
| Introductory Business Statistics | ||
| Introductory Business Statistics | ||
| Introductory Statistics (day or summer only) | ||
| Introductory Statistics | ||
| Statistical Inference | ||
| Elective Psychology Courses | ||
| Select 2 course units in Psychology between the 1000 and 4000 level | 2 | |
| Select 2 additional course units in Psychology or Approved Psychology Cognate Electives with: Attribute APMR | 2 | |
Approved Psychology Cognate Electives: | ||
| Sex and Human Nature | ||
| Psychology of Asian Americans | ||
| Strategic Reasoning | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Educational Psychology | ||
| Mindfulness and Human Development (SNF Paideia Program Course) | ||
| Psychology of Personal Growth | ||
| Psychology of Personal Growth | ||
| Language and Thought | ||
| Language Acquisition | ||
| Neuroethology | ||
| Chronobiology and Sleep | ||
| Functional Neuroanatomy | ||
| The Cognitive Neuroscience of Autism | ||
| Stress Neuroscience | ||
| Animal Models of Neuropsychiatric Disorders | ||
| Biological Basis of Psychiatric Disorders | ||
| Clinical Psychopharmacology | ||
| Decision Processes | ||
| Philosophy of Psychology | ||
| Philosophy and Visual Perception | ||
| Strategic Reasoning | ||
| Behavioral Economics and Psychology | ||
| Behavioral Economics and Psychology | ||
| Introductory Business Statistics | ||
| Introductory Statistics | ||
| Total Course Units | 33 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
- 2
A maximum of two study abroad courses can count in the major. The study abroad courses are PSYC 2982, 2983, 2984, 3985, 3986, 3987.
- 3
Replacement PSYC course if PSYC 0001 Introduction to Experimental Psychology waived by an AP score of 5.
Honors
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| STAT 1120 | Introductory Statistics | 1 |
| PSYC 4997 | 0.5 | |
| PSYC 4997 | Senior Honors Seminar in Psychology | 0.5 |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.