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Undergraduate Program

Program Details

The UNCW Psychology Department supports an outstanding undergraduate program with a shared set of program goals and student learning outcomes and a solid commitment to involving students in the research process.

Students work closely with our outstanding faculty as junior colleagues to investigate a wide variety of topics including basic brain processes, drug effects, memory-improvement techniques, social cognitive factors underlying prejudice, ways to reduce school violence, and the evaluation of psychological treatments - to name but a few.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Due to the academic rigor and popularity of its program, the Department of Psychology has established certain minimal qualifications for entrance into the program.
  1. Completion of PSY 105 or equivalent with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better.
  2. Completion of a Biology course selected from BIO 105, BIO 140 (with laboratory BIO 140L), BIO 201 (or BIO 204 or BIO 110), BIO 202 (or BIO 206) or BIO 240.
  3. Completion of a Mathematics course selected from MAT 111, MAT 112, MAT 115, MAT 151, or a more advanced mathematics course.
  4. An average grade of C (2.0) or better is required in the three courses required for admission to the major (i.e., PSY 105 and the required Biology & Math courses).
  5. Students who have completed more than one psychology course must have an average of "C" (2.0) or better on all psychology courses attempted.

You will be listed as a “Pre-Psychology” major initially. Once you complete the requirements, you must manually change your major from Pre-Psychology to Psychology.

REVIEW INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHANGING YOUR MAJOR

All students who are unable to declare Psychology as a Major but who wish to do so in the future are assigned to the Center for Academic Advising. If you have any questions about academic advising, please contact the Center for Academic Advising at 910.962.3245 or your assigned academic advisor.

Course Credit Requirements

In order to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology a student must have completed 120 or 124 (depending on catalogue year) semester hours of credit including University studies, major requirements and unspecified electives. Graduation may be delayed if students change majors, fail to begin the required sequence of courses when they enter the major, or take less than 15-16 hours per semester.

Program Outcomes

PO 1: Students will receive a high quality education in the diverse discipline of Psychology, and learn communication and critical thinking skills expected of an individual with scientific training.

American Psychological Association (APA) curriculum standards and guidelines are closely followed. Comparison with benchmark institutions are conducted through the Committee on Graduate Departments of Psychology (COGDOP).

PO 2: Majors are exposed to applied, active learning experiences in psychology involving research and service.

Annual reviews are conducted of the number of students enrolled in Counseling Practicum, Directed Independent Study, and Honors Projects. We also determine the number of student authorships in refereed journals and conference presentations via Faculty Annual Reports and Digital Measures.

PO 3: Majors are prepared to take their place as working citizens and to pursue further education in psychology and other professions and academic disciplines.

Data are collected informally from Faculty Annual Reports and student self reports regarding graduate, professional school, and career placement.

Student Learning Outcomes

SLO 1: Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically about and analyze psychology concepts and literature.

Student papers and presentations in senior capstone courses are evaluated using an internal assessment instrument. Items 1, 2 & 6 of the instrument are used to assess SLO1.

SLO 2: Students will be able to effectively communicate psychological concepts and research in the style of the American Psychological Association.

Student papers and presentations in senior capstone courses are evaluated using an internal assessment instrument. Items 3 & 4 of the instrument are used to assess SLO2.

SLO 3: Students will be able to present and interpret quantitative data in psychological research.

Student papers and presentations in senior capstone courses are evaluated using an internal assessment instrument. Items 5 & 6 of the instrument are used to assess SL)3.

Service Learning Opportunities

The department also actively involves students in service learning in a variety of ways. Undergraduate students have opportunities to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom in practicum experiences or community research projects. Psychology faculty and students are found in community settings which range from preschools to prisons.

The UNCW Department of Psychology also supports a number of Undergraduate Research & Service Awards for students.

Learn more about Research & Service Awards