We offer five undergraduate options:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology
• Minor in Psychology
• Minor in Cognitive Science
• Integrated Learning Major (ILM) in Neuroscience

B.A. in Psychology

Students who complete the B.A. degree will be exposed to the many areas of inquiry in psychology—clinical, cognitive, developmental, social, and more. They will also learn about the methods required for the scientific study of human behavior.

B.S. in Psychology

Students who complete the B.S. degree will also be exposed to the many areas of inquiry in psychology and learn about the methods required for the scientific study of human behavior. The purpose of the psychology B.S. degree is to provide recognition for students who have taken significantly more physical science, life science, mathematics, and laboratory courses than they are required to take for the psychology B.A. degree.

What is the difference between the BA and BS degree in terms of coursework?

Generally speaking, students pursuing the B.S. degree must complete the requirements for the psychology B.A., along with the following additional coursework:

• One of the psychology lecture-laboratory sequences listed in the course catalog.
• One of the six biology, chemistry, or physics lecture-laboratory sequences listed in the course catalog.
• Three courses (a minimum of nine credits) of the mathematics and/or natural sciences courses listed in the course catalog.

Note that the B.S. degree is not necessary for graduate study in any branch of psychology or for getting into other graduate programs, including medical school. Most employers and graduate programs care far more about your GPA, specific coursework, practical experience, and letters of recommendation than whether you have a B.S. or B.A.

Minor in Psychology

The minor in psychology is purposely designed to meet the diverse interests of students.

Minor in Cognitive Science

The minor in cognitive science offers study in recent interdisciplinary research on cognition. Relevant courses are offered in several departments and colleges, including L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science and the linguistics, philosophy, and psychology departments within the College of Arts and Sciences. Students may pursue study in cognition science either by enrolling in the interdisciplinary minor or by majoring in selected studies in cognitive science (see selected studies).

Integrated Neuroscience Major (ILM)

Neuroscience is a 24-credit integrated learning major(ILM) which requires coursework in at least three academic departments, reflecting the diversity of contemporary neural science. Learn more about the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Group at Syracuse University and its affiliated academic units.