Psychology is a broad and diverse discipline that integrates research at the interface of social and biological influences on behavior. Our faculty contribute to knowledge of human and animal behavior and have made major contributions to the scientific understanding of learning, perception, social influence, prejudice, human development, and mental disorders.
The undergraduate Psychology major at the University of Washington offers students a broadly based introduction to human and animal behavior based on a curriculum that emphasizes current research and theory. The UW Psychology program for undergraduate majors stresses scientific and statistical reasoning skills that help students evaluate data, claims, and theories in both the academic and popular literatures. We provide undergraduates research participation, applied fieldwork and supervised teaching opportunities. Students make use of what they learn in various career paths including areas such as counseling, education, and basic research. We also provide opportunities for a wide range of UW majors to include psychology as part of their general education.
This program of study leads to the following credentials:
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology
Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology
Recommended Preparation
Suggested First-Year College Courses: MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 120, or MATH 124. PSYCH 101. Any sociology or anthropology course. Students are encouraged to begin completion of general education requirements.
Suggested Second-Year College Courses: PSYCH 202 and 209 should be completed as soon as possible during this year. BIOL 118, BIOL 161-BIOL 162, BIOL 180, BIOL 200, or BIOL 220. Students intending to take animal behavior courses in the Psychology Department should plan to fulfill the biology requirement with either BIOL 161-BIOL 162, BIOL 180, or BIOL 200 Continue working toward completion of general education requirements, including foreign language. The foreign language requirement should, ideally, be completed within the first two years of college.
Admission Requirements
Minimum 2.00 cumulative UW GPA
Completion of one of the following math courses with a minimum 2.0 grade: MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 120, or MATH 124.
Completion of the following psychology courses with a minimum 2.0 grade in each course and a cumulative 2.50 GPA in the three courses: PSYCH 101, PSYCH 202, and PSYCH 209.
Admission is competitive based on the following criteria:
Preparation for a major in psychology as indicated by the grades earned in courses required for admission
GPA, with an emphasis on grades earned in psychology courses
Other evidence of a commitment to becoming a psychology major
Personal statement reflecting an interest in and commitment to becoming a psychology major
Copies of unofficial transcripts from all schools attended (UW and transfer).
Meeting the above criteria does not guarantee admission to the department.
The application deadline is the first Friday of autumn, winter, and spring quarters; no applications are accepted summer quarter. Applications and additional information are available in 119A Guthrie.
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology
Credential Overview
The BA program offers a strong foundation in general psychology and is appropriate for many of our students.
One course from PSYCH 300, PSYCH 302, PSYCH 333, or PSYCH 355
One course from PSYCH 303, PSYCH 305, PSYCH 306, PSYCH 345, or PSYCH 357
One additional course from PSYCH 300, PSYCH 302, PSYCH 303, PSYCH 305, PSYCH 306, PSYCH 333, PSYCH 345, PSYCH 355, or PSYCH 357
Three additional upper division PSYCH courses (9 - 15 credits) with at least two at the 400-level (excluding PSYCH 491 through PSYCH 499).
3 credits from the following list: PSYCH 494, PSYCH 496, PSYCH 497, PSYCH 498, PSYCH 499; or credit from an approved Study Abroad program
Up to 6 credits of PSYCH 200- to 400-level electives to make a minimum total of 53 psychology credits
(Students may not use PSYCH 200 as an elective if PSYCH 300 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 203 as an elective if PSYCH 303 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 206 as an elective if PSYCH 306 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 245 as an elective if PSYCH 345 is used to fulfill major requirements.)
Courses in related fields (13-15 credits):
One MATH course from MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 120, or MATH 124.
One biological science course from BIOL 118, BIOL 161, BIOL 162, BIOL 180, BIOL 200, or BIOL 220
One social science course (3 to 5 credits) from anthropology or sociology
Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA in all psychology courses applied toward the degree (UW and transfer), with a minimum 2.0 grade in each course presented for the major
Transfer students must meet all the above requirements and must to complete at least 15 graded credits in psychology at the 300 and 400 level through the UW.
Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology
Credential Overview
The undergraduate Psychology major at the University of Washington offers students a broadly based introduction to human and animal behavior based on a curriculum that emphasizes current research and theory. The UW Psychology program for undergraduate majors stresses scientific and statistical reasoning skills that help students evaluate data, claims, and theories in both the academic and popular literatures. We provide undergraduates research participation, applied fieldwork and supervised teaching opportunities. Students make use of what they learn in various career paths including areas such as counseling, education, and basic research. We also provide opportunities for a wide range of UW majors to include psychology as part of their general education.
Completion Requirements
84-86 credits
PSYCH 101, PSYCH 202, PSYCH 209 (with a grade of 2.5 or higher), PSYCH 317 and PSYCH 318
One laboratory course from PSYCH 330, PSYCH 331, PSYCH 332, PSYCH 361, PSYCH 417, PSYCH 418, or PSYCH 419
One course from PSYCH 300, PSYCH 302, PSYCH 333, or PSYCH 355
One course from PSYCH 303, PSYCH 305, PSYCH 306, PSYCH 345, or PSYCH 357
One additional course from PSYCH 300, PSYCH 302, PSYCH 303, PSYCH 305, PSYCH 306, PSYCH 333, PSYCH 345, PSYCH 355, or PSYCH 357
Three additional graded upper-division classes with at least one at the 400 level (cannot include PSYCH 491 through PSYCH 499)
PSYCH 499 (3 credits)
PSYCH 496, PSYCH 497, or PSYCH 498 (3 credits) or 3 additional credits of PSYCH 499
Up to 6 credits in 200- to 400-level electives to make a minimum total of 66 psychology credits
(Students may not use PSYCH 200 as an elective if PSYCH 300 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 203 as an elective if PSYCH 303 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 206 as an elective if PSYCH 306 is used to fulfill major requirements; or use PSYCH 245 as an elective if PSYCH 345 is used to fulfill major requirements.)
Courses in related fields:
MATH 120 and MATH 124. Students may satisfy this requirement by testing out of MATH 124 or MATH 144
One biological science course from BIOL 118, BIOL 161-BIOL 162, BIOL 180, BIOL 200, or BIOL 220
One of the following philosophy courses: PHIL 120, PHIL 160
One social science course (3 to 5 credits) from anthropology or sociology
Cumulative minimum 2.50 GPA in all PSYCH courses applied toward the degree (UW and transfer), with a minimum 2.0 grade in each course presented for the major. Note that a grade of 2.5 or higher is required in PSYCH 209 in order for students to progress to the PSYCH 317/PSYCH 318 statistics series.
Transfer students must meet all of the above requirements and are required to complete at least 15 graded credits in psychology at the 300 and 400 level through the UW.
Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: Students understand and apply scientific methods and principles, receive an excellent preparation in the theoretical explanations of human and animal behavior, and understand the introductory concepts underlying the biological basis of behavior.
Instructional and Research Facilities: The psychology faculty have extensive research facilities and research laboratories on the UW campus and in nearby buildings. The Psychology Department offers academic credit for research experience that takes place under the supervision of our faculty.
Honors Options Available: With College Honors (Completion of Honors Core Curriculum and Departmental Honors); With Honors (Completion of Departmental Honors requirements in the major). Refer to department website for more information.
Research, Internships, and Service Learning: The Department of Psychology offers academic credit for approved fieldwork experience.
Department Scholarships: (1) Aric Chandler Scholarship offered each autumn quarter - eligible students must be current UW Seattle Psychology majors who transferred to UW from a Washington State community college; (2) Ruth Hagenstein Research Travel Awards offered each winter quarter - eligible students must be current UW Seattle Psychology majors who plan to attend a psychology-related professional conference.
Of Special Note: A student may earn either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, but not both.