Some of you who are browsing this page may be interested in majoring in psychology. Students have many reasons for wanting to major in psychology. Some are simply fond of observing the behavior of others around them, fascinated with the results of their observations and curious to learn why people behave as they do. Some plan to become psychologists themselves or to enter one of the many professions where a background in psychology can be useful -- such as, business, teaching, medicine, nursing, law, social work, the ministry, counseling, student services, child development, administration, or human resources.
Psychology is a very popular major at the University of Kansas; in fact, it is the largest major within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. We believe we have a strong undergraduate program offering an abundant and diverse array of behavioral science courses. Our faculty and staff are here to help you acquire a broad knowledge of psychology as you approach your personal and professional goals. All faculty members in the Department are expected to teach undergraduate as well as graduate courses on a regular basis. Supplementing this teaching effort is a cadre of graduate teaching assistants who also teach undergraduate classes. All graduate teaching assistants have masters degrees in psychology and are currently working toward their doctorate degree in one of the four graduate programs within the Department: Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Quantitative Psychology and Social Psychology.
Most students who major in psychology will work toward either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree. The major requirements for these degree programs are the same. The only difference is the general education degree requirements, which are set by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. For example, the BA degree requires 16 hours of a foreign language; the BGS degree requires 9 hours of upper division course work in a field outside the student's major. A few students may be interested in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cognitive Psychology. The BS in Cognitive Psychology degree requires a heavier emphasis in mathematics, natural science, and computer science. See Professor Ruth Ann Atchley, Chair of the BS in Cognitive Psychology, 785-864-9816 or ratchley@ku.edu or Tricia Zerger, 864-9834 or triciaz@ku.edu. Click here to access the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cognitive Psychology website.
The Psychology Major has both admission requirements (the criteria you must meet to become a psychology major) and graduation requirement (the criteria you must meet to obtain a BA, BGS or BS degree in psychology). Select "Admission to the Major" or "Major Requirements" above for more information.
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