Academic Advising: 320/321 Life Science Bldg. · 817-272-0858

Overview

The Department of Psychology offers two programs of study leading to the bachelor's degree. It also offers courses of interest to the general public.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology is for those who wish to obtain a broad liberal arts education with a concentration in psychology. It is also a preparation for graduate studies in psychology and many other fields.

The Bachelor of Science degree in psychology is intended for those students preparing for work and study in fields requiring more mathematics and sciences. It is also suitable for pre-medical and pre-dental students. Students preparing for study in the health professions including medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, optometry, occupational therapy, and veterinary medicine should also be advised by the Health Professions Advisor in, Room 107 A, Life Science Building in order to meet the requirements of the corresponding professional schools.

Courses of general interest to the academic community include the following, which have no prerequisites:

PSYC 1315	INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY	3
PSYC 2317	BASIC CONCEPTS IN HUMAN SEXUALITY	3
PSYC 3301	PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS	3
PSYC 3302	BUSINESS PSYCHOLOGY	3
PSYC 3303	DRUGS AND BEHAVIOR	3
PSYC 3305	PSYCHOLOGY OF EMPLOYEE TRAINING	3
PSYC 4350	SPORT PSYCHOLOGY	3

UNIV 1101 Career Preparation and Student Success

All transfer students are required to enroll in a 1-credit hour career preparation course, UNIV 1101 or UNIV-SC 1101. Transfer students need to take this course before the end of the first year at UTA unless they meet any of the following criteria:

• Non-degree seeking status
• Post-baccalaureate status
• Have an equivalent Transfer course

UNIV 1131 Issues in College Adjustment

All entering freshman are required to enroll in a 1-credit hour college adjustment course, UNIV 1131.

Acceptance Requirements for a Major in Psychology

Students who wish to apply for major status in psychology must first meet the University and College of Science requirements for admission to major status and the specific requirements of the Department of Psychology listed below.

Overall and Psychology GPA of at least 2.25.  To be changed to full major you must first complete PSYC 2300, PSYC 3200 and PSYC 3300 with a C or better in each course. 

Academic Probation (College of Science): Majors whose overall GPA or GPA in major courses falls below 2.25 will be placed on probation and must consult with the Department Advisor prior to enrolling in additional courses.

Admission to Upper-Level Laboratory Courses:

To enroll in the Advanced Topic courses¹ the student must make a C or better in both PSYC 2300,PSYC 3200 and PSYC 3300 or equivalent courses and must have completed the associated upper-division lecture course.

¹

Advanced Topic courses: PSYC 4410, PSYC 4411,  PSYC 4412, PSYC 4415, PSYC 4420, PSYC 4421,PSYC 4430, PSYC 4431.

Distinguished Scholars in Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers a Distinguished Scholars program in psychology. This program is intended to provide students with the opportunity for intellectual and professional development that will take them beyond the requirements of the basic B.A. or B.S. degrees. Thus, the program serves to promote and acknowledge the special achievements of participating students.

To qualify, the student must have completed 30 hours with a grade point average of 3.0 or better in residence at UT Arlington, including 10 hours in psychology, with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 or better. The student does background reading and designs a study with a faculty sponsor in PSYC 4361, then performs the research project and writes an honors thesis in PSYC 4398. In most cases, the six hours of Distinguished Scholar credit will not increase the total hours necessary to complete the B.A. or B.S. degree.

Qualified students or students who believe they may qualify should contact the undergraduate advisor as soon as possible after completing PSYC 3300.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology

The requirements to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology can be achieved through a degree plan under any one of the two options (i.e., Option 1-BS in Psychology with a minor from a different discipline,  Option 2- BS in Psychology  with an Emphasis in Psychology). Before choosing a degree program under one of these options, please consult with the psychology undergraduate advisor. Click here for a sample degree plan: Unofficial_BS_Degree_Plan.pdf

Pre-Professional Courses
General Core Requirements		42
RECOMMENDED CORE REQUIREMENTS
ENGL 1301	RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I	3
ENGL 1302	RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II	3
Creative Arts 1		3
POLS 2311	GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES (or any three hours meeting the legislative requirement)	3
POLS 2312	STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (or any three hours meeting the legislative requirement)	3
Language, Philosophy and Culture 1		3
MATH 1421	PREPARATION FOR CALCULUS 2	4
MATH 1426	CALCULUS I 2	4
Life and Physical Science
BIOL 1441	BIOLOGY I FOR SCIENCE MAJORS: CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY	4
BIOL 1442	BIOLOGY II FOR SCIENCE MAJORS: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION	4
Social/Behavioral Science 1		3
HIST 1301	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865	3
HIST 1302	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT	3
Foundational Component Area 1		3
Program Requirements
Select one of the following in computer literacy:		0-3
CSE 1310	INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS & PROGRAMMING
INSY 2303	INTRODUCTION TO M.I.S. AND DATA PROCESSING
Or any equivalent course
Or passing the university computer proficiency test 3
Select one of the following in oral communication competency:		3
COMS 1301	FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
COMS 2302	PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
COMS 2305	BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Or an equivalent three hour course approved by the Undergraduate Advisor
Modern Language Level III and IV or Courses from the Cultural Studies List (see psyc advisor for list)		6
Need a total of 15-16 hours in Life & Physical Sciences including the 8 hours from the biology sequence. Select from the following sciences, or seven additional hours in biology for science majors courses.		7-8
CHEM 1441 & CHEM 1442	GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
GEOL 1301 & GEOL 1302	EARTH SYSTEMS and EARTH HISTORY
PHYS 1441 & PHYS 1442	GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I and GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II
PHYS 1443 & PHYS 1444	GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS I and GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS II
Professional Programs
Major
PSYC 1315	INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY	3
UNIV 1131	STUDENT SUCCESS	1
or UNIV-SC 1101	CAREER PREPARATION AND STUDENT SUCCESS
PSYC 2300	STATISTICS IN PSYCHOLOGY	3
PSYC 3300	RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY	3
PSYC 3200	EXPERIENCING RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY	2
Required Core Lectures
PSYC 3315	SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY	3
PSYC 3322	BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR	3
PSYC 3334	COGNITIVE PROCESSES	3
Lecture Groups
Select one three-hour lecture course from each of the Groups I, II, and III; plus one three-hour course from either Group I, II, or III:		12
Group I
PSYC 3310	DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 3312	SOCIAL & PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
PSYC 3314	PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY
PSYC 3319	PSYCHOLOGY OF ADOLESCENCE
Group II
PSYC 3304	ANALYSIS & MANAGEMENT OF BEHAVIOR
PSYC 3320	BEHAVIOR AND MOTIVATION
PSYC 3326	ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
PSYC 3356	EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 4309	NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
PSYC 4327	BEHAVIORAL GENETICS
Group III
PSYC 3317	INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL AND COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 3318	ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 4332	THEORIES OF HUMAN LEARNING AND MEMORY
PSYC 4357	HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Advanced Topics Course
Select one four-hour advanced topics course from either Group I, II, or III:		4
Group I
PSYC 4410	ADVANCED TOPICS IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 4411	ADVANCED TOPICS IN PERSONALITY
PSYC 4412	ADVANCED TOPICS IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Group II
PSYC 4420	EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR
PSYC 4421	ADVANCED TOPICS IN NEUROSCIENCE
Group III
PSYC 4415	INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 4431	ADVANCED TOPICS IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE
Minor or Emphasis
Either a minor of 18 hours in a discipline other than Psychology or an Emphasis in Psychology(General, Clinical Health, Neuroscience or Organizational Science), which consists of 18 hours of Psychology course work, is required. (See Minor page on the Psychology website for details)		18
Electives
Sufficient hours to complete the total required for the degree.
Total
120 hours, of which at least 36 hours must be 3000/4000-level.

¹

See General Core Requirements for approved courses.

²

Prerequisites may add hours to the total required for the degree.

³

Computer Skills Placement Test Website link below:

https://www.uta.edu/studentsuccess/testing-services/proficiency-and-other-exams/csp.php

Suggested Course Distribution for Bachelor of Science Degree with Minor ¹

First Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
UNIV 1131 or UNIV-SC 1101	1	ENGL 1302	3
ENGL 1301	3	MATH 1426	4
MATH 1421	4	BIOL 1442	4
PSYC 1315	3	INSY 2303 or CSE 1310or take the CSP TEST	3
BIOL 1441	4	HIST 1301	3
		PSYC 3315 (take this course if you take the CSP test instead of a computer class)	3
	15		20
Second Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
Life & Physical Science2	4	Life & Physical Science2	3-4
PSYC 2300	3	POLS 2311	3
PSYC 3310 (or pick a different group I)	3	PSYC 3300	3
Creative Arts	3	Minor Course	3
HIST 1302	3	PSYC 3320 (or pick a different group II)	3
	16		15-16
Third Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
PSYC 3322	3	PSYC 3334	3
Minor Course	3	Minor Course	3
PSYC 3200	2	Minor Course	3
Modern Language Level III or substitution	3	Language/Philosophy/Culture	3
POLS 2312	3	COMS 1301, 2302, or 2305	3
	14		15
Fourth Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
Modern Language level IV or substitution	3	Advanced Topics in Psychology	4
PSYC 3318 (or a different group III)	3	Advanced Elective	3
Minor Course	3	Advanced Elective	3
Minor Course	3	Advanced Elective	3
PSYC 3317 (or a different class from either group I, II or III)	3
	15		13
Total Hours: 123-124

¹

These are suggestions only. See your academic advisor for an actual degree worksheet.

²

See catalog for acceptable courses.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology

The requirements to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology can be achieved through a degree plan under  one of the two options (i.e., Option 1-BA in Psychology with a minor from a different discipline, Option 2- BA in Psychology with an  Emphasis in Psychology). Before choosing a degree program under one of these options, please consult with the psychology undergraduate advisor. Click here for a sample degree plan: Unofficial_BA_Degree_Plan.pdf

Pre-Professional Courses
General Core Requirements		42
RECOMMENDED CORE REQUIREMENTS
ENGL 1301	RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I	3
ENGL 1302	RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II	3
Creative Arts 1		3
POLS 2311	GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES (or any three hours meeting the legislative requirement)	3
POLS 2312	STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (or any three hours meeting the legislative requirement)	3
Language, Philosophy and Culture 1		3
MATH 1302	COLLEGE ALGEBRA 2	3
MATH 1308	ELEMENTARY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS	3
Life & Physical Science
BIOL 1333 & BIOL 1334	BIOLOGY FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS: CELLS AND DISEASE and BIOLOGY FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS: LIFE ON EARTH	6
or
BIOL 1441 & BIOL 1442	BIOLOGY I FOR SCIENCE MAJORS: CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY and BIOLOGY II FOR SCIENCE MAJORS: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION	8
Social/Behavioral Science 1		3
HIST 1301	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865	3
HIST 1302	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT	3
Foundational Component Area 1		3
Program Requirements
14 hours in a single modern or classical language or eight hours in a language plus six hours of designated courses 1,2		14
Select one of the following in computer literacy:		0-3
CSE 1310	INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS & PROGRAMMING
INSY 2303	INTRODUCTION TO M.I.S. AND DATA PROCESSING
Or any equivalent course
Or by the University computer proficiency test 3
Select one of the following in oral communication:		3
COMS 1301	FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
COMS 2302	PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
COMS 2305	BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Or an equivalent three hour course approved by the Undergraduate Advisor
Need a total of 11 hours in Life & Physical Sciences. including the 6-8 hours from the biology sequence, approved by the Undergraduate Advisor.		3-5
Professional Courses
Major
PSYC 1315	INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY	3
UNIV 1131	STUDENT SUCCESS	1
or UNIV-SC 1101	CAREER PREPARATION AND STUDENT SUCCESS
PSYC 2300	STATISTICS IN PSYCHOLOGY	3
PSYC 3300	RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY	3
PSYC 3200	EXPERIENCING RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY	2
Required Core Lectures
PSYC 3315	SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY	3
PSYC 3322	BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR	3
PSYC 3334	COGNITIVE PROCESSES	3
Lecture Groups
Select one three-hour lecture course from each of the Groups I, II, and III:		9
Group I
PSYC 3310	DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 3312	SOCIAL & PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
PSYC 3314	PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY
PSYC 3319	PSYCHOLOGY OF ADOLESCENCE
Group II
PSYC 3304	ANALYSIS & MANAGEMENT OF BEHAVIOR
PSYC 3320	BEHAVIOR AND MOTIVATION
PSYC 3326	ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
PSYC 3356	EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 4301	PRINCIPLES OF NEUROSCIENCE
PSYC 4309	NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
PSYC 4327	BEHAVIORAL GENETICS
Group III
PSYC 3317	INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL AND COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 3318	ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 4332	THEORIES OF HUMAN LEARNING AND MEMORY
PSYC 4357	HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Advanced Topics course
Select one four-hour advanced topics course from either Group I, II, or III:		4
Group I
PSYC 4410	ADVANCED TOPICS IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 4411	ADVANCED TOPICS IN PERSONALITY
PSYC 4412	ADVANCED TOPICS IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Group II
PSYC 4420	EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR
PSYC 4421	ADVANCED TOPICS IN NEUROSCIENCE
Group III
PSYC 4415	INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 4431	ADVANCED TOPICS IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE
Minor or Emphasis
Either a minor of 18 hours in a discipline other than Psychology or an emphasis in Psychology(General, Clinical Health, Neuroscience or Organizational Science). which consists of 18 hours of Psychology course work, is required. (See minor page on Psychology website for details)		18
Electives		5
Sufficient hours to complete the total required for the degree.
Total
120 hours, of which at least 36 hours must be 3000/4000-level.

¹

See General Core Requirements for approved courses.

²

Prerequisites may add hours to the total required for the degree.

³

Computer Skills Placement Test Website Link Below:

https://www.uta.edu/studentsuccess/testing-services/proficiency-and-other-exams/csp.php

Suggested Course Distribution for Bachelor of Arts Degree ¹

First Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
UNIV 1131 or UNIV-SC 1101	1	ENGL 1302	3
PSYC 1315	3	MATH 1308	3
BIOL 1333 or 1441	3 - 4	HIST 1301	3
ENGL 1301	3	CSE 1310 or INSY 2303 (or take the CSP Test)	3
MATH 1302	3	PSYC 3315 (take this course if you take the CSP test)	3
		BIOL 1334 or 1442	3-4
	13-14		18-19
Second Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
Modern Language I	4	Modern Language II	4
PSYC 2300	3	PSYC 3300	3
Creative Arts Elective	3	Minor Course	3
HIST 1302	3	PSYC 3334	3
PSYC 3310 (or pick a different group I course)	3	POLS 2311	3
	16		16
Third Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
Minor Course	3	Minor Course	3
Life & Physical Sciences	3	PSYC 3318 (or pick a different group III course)	3
PSYC 3200	2	Minor Course	3
PSYC 3320 (or pick a different group II course)	3	Modern Language III or substitution	3
POLS 2312	3	Language/Philosophy/Culture Class	3
	14		15
Fourth Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
Minor Course	3	Minor Course	3
Advanced Elective	3	Advanced Topics Course	4
Advanced Elective	3	COMS 1301, 2302, or 2305	3
PSYC 3322	3	Life & Physical Science	3
Modern Language IV or substitution	3	Advanced Elective	3
	15		16
Total Hours: 123-125

¹

These are suggestions only. See your academic advisor for an actual degree worksheet.

²

See catalog or handbook for course options.

General Psychology Minor

A minor consists of 18 credit hours or more in Psychology (PSYC) courses. 9 of the 18 hours must be completed at UT Arlington.  Six of the 9 hours must be 3000-4000 level.  A  2.0 grade point average(calculated only by the PSYC courses you take in residency) must be maintained in the minor. To request a minor be added to your degree plan, please complete the minor request form and seek approval from your academic advisor.

Clinical Health Psychology Minor

The Clinical Health Psychology minor consists of 18 credit hours or more in Psychology (PSYC) courses.  A 2.0-grade point average(calculated only by the PSYC courses you take in residency) must be maintained in the minor. To request a minor be added to your degree plan, please complete the minor request form and seek approval from your academic advisor.

Courses you can take towards the minor are:

Prerequisite of PSYC 1315 (Intro to Psychology) with a C or better before starting any of the following courses.

PSYC 3304 Analysis and Management of Behavior

PSYC 3310 Developmental Psychology

PSYC 3312 Social and Personality Development

PSYC 3314 Psychology of Personality

PSYC 3317 Introduction to Clinical and Counseling Psychology

PSYC 3318 Abnormal Psychology

PSYC 3319 Psychology of Adolescence

PSYC 3320 Behavior and Motivation

PSYC 3322 Brain and Behavior

PSYC 4301 Principles of Neuroscience

PSYC 4309 Neuropharmacology

PSYC 4327 Behavioral Genetics

PSYC 4357 Health Psychology

PSYC 4410 Advanced Topics in Developmental Psychology

PSYC 4411 Advanced Topics in Personality

PSYC 4421 Advanced Topics in Neuroscience

PSYC 4430 Advanced Topics in Clinical and Counseling

PSYC 4432 Advanced Topics in Health Psychology

PSYC 4398 Honors Thesis**

PSYC 4161, 4261, 4361 Readings in Psychology**

PSYC 4181, 4281, 4381 Research in Psychology**

** A maximum of 6 hours of honors thesis, research, or readings credits may be applied to the minor

Courses may be added to the list as they are offered.

Neuroscience Minor

A Neuroscience minor consists of 18 credit hours or more in Psychology (PSYC) courses.  A 2.0 grade point average(calculated only by the PSYC courses you take in residency) must be maintained in the minor. To request a minor be added to your degree plan, please complete the minor request form and seek approval from your academic advisor.

Courses you can take towards the minor are:

Prerequisite of PSYC 1315 (Intro to Psychology)  with a C or better before starting any of the following courses.

PSYC 3304 Analysis Management of Behavior

PSYC 3320 Behavior and Motivation

BIOL/PSYC 3322 Brain and Behavior

BIOL/PSYC 3326 Animal Behavior 

PSYC 3334 Cognitive Processes

PSYC 3356 Evolutionary Psychology

BIOL/PSYC 4301 Principles of Neuroscience**

BIOL/PSYC 4309 Neuropharmacology **

BIOL/PSYC 4327 Behavioral Genetics

PSYC 4420 Experimental Analysis of Behavior

BIOL/PSYC 4421 Advanced Topics in Neuroscience **

PSYC 4431 Advanced Topics in Cognitive Science 

**Additional prerequisite of BIOL/PSYC 3322 required.

Courses may be added to the list as they are offered.

Organizational Science Minor

The Organizational Science minor consists of 18 credit hours or more in Psychology (PSYC) courses. A 2.0-grade point average must be maintained in the minor. To request a minor be added to your degree plan, please complete the minor request form and seek approval from your academic advisor.

Courses you can take towards the minor are:

Prerequisite of PSYC 1315 (Intro to Psychology) with a C or better before starting any of the following courses.

PSYC 3301 Psychology of Human Relations

PSYC 3302 Business Psychology

PSYC 3305 Psychology of Employee Training

PSYC 3306 Psychology of Creativity and Creative Thinking

PSYC 3314 Psychology of Personality

PSYC 3315 Social Psychology

PSYC 3320 Behavior and Motivation

PSYC 3334 Cognitive Processes

PSYC 4332 Theories of Human Learning and Memory

PSYC 4339 Psychology of Judgment and Choice

PSYC 4398 Honors Thesis**

PSYC 4161, 4261, 4361 Readings in Psychology**

PSYC 4181, 4281, 4381 Research in Psychology**

Courses may be added to the list as they are offered.