Psychology, B.S.

Psychology is the science of behavior. Students majoring in psychology learn how human behavior depends on biological factors, developmental status, cognitive processes, and social conditions. Psychological science encompasses a wide range of methods to address diverse topics, from brain function to cultural influences. The discoveries of psychology improve understanding of the human experience and the quality of life.

As one of the most popular majors at Saint Louis University, training in psychology provides students with multiple avenues to explore their own interests and develop their abilities through research, service and study. Areas of study include cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, social/personality psychology and applied psychology.

The Department of Psychology’s mission is to broadly educate students in the discipline of psychology and its applications. Faculty accomplish this by integrating empirical science, theory and practice focused on the evidence-based understanding of behaviors and experiences of individuals and groups, including the family, organizations and institutions.

SLU faculty encourage intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and ethical responsibility. A commitment to value-based, holistic education and an enthusiasm for psychology is realized in the products of research, in graduates and in service to others locally, nationally and globally. The faculty seek to contribute to the improvement of the human condition and to promote human welfare through understanding past knowledge, discovering new knowledge, and disseminating that knowledge through teaching, publications, and service. The faculty educate students to be professionals and challenge them to be ethically responsible, to be committed to serving others and to respect human diversity in all its forms.

Additional program highlights include:

• Psychology majors are mentored by individual faculty members who support students’ discernment of and successful progress toward professional goals that are integrated with expectations of compassionate community engagement.
• Psychology majors build evidence-based habits of mind and research skills through rigorous coursework, individual research projects, and as research assistants working with faculty and graduate students investigating a wide variety of psychological phenomena, such as eating behaviors, gambling, stress, intergroup relations, close relationships, ADHD, social categorization, stigma and stereotyping, parent-child discourse, PTSD, sleep, aging, organizational development, assessment and consulting.
• Psychology majors can take science out of the ivory tower to foster social justice in diverse communities and neighborhoods as members of a social advocacy learning community, at nearby service-learning practicum sites, or through values-based research activities.

Curriculum Overview

The undergraduate psychology program offers students three options: a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science and a minor in psychology. Each introduces students to the study of psychology, while developing capacities for evidence-based reasoning, quantitative thinking and psychological inquiry.

Majors receive a strong liberal arts education in preparation for entry-level employment, with strengths in understanding people and evidence-based reasoning. The B.A. and B.S. degrees further prepare students to enter graduate programs for professional training as psychologists for which a Ph.D. is needed. Students may also use the B.A. and B.S. degrees in psychology as pre-professional training in medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, education and law.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Students may gain volunteer experience in a variety of practicum settings, including mental health, research, consulting, schools and community service organizations. In addition to completing multiple courses in research methodology and statistics, students may seek out opportunities as undergraduate research assistants working in a faculty member’s research lab.

Students can also gain valuable, hands-on experience with faculty or graduate research projects, as well as conducting their own research through capstone research projects and by volunteering at human services sites through capstone practicum projects.

Careers

SLU graduates have used their psychology degree as pre-professional training to go on to the fields of medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, education and law. Strengths in understanding and reasoning about human behavior will also prepare students for entry-level positions in many additional fields.

An undergraduate degree in psychology can also prepare students to continue as a graduate student with plans to become a psychologist, a profession that requires doctoral-level training.

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of psychology concepts, principles, and over-arching themes that constitute the empirical knowledge base in the domains of social, developmental and clinical/abnormal psychology.
2. Graduates will be able to demonstrate their ability to apply psychological concepts, principles and skills to their capstone projects.

B.S. in psychology students must complete a minimum total of 36 credits for the major.

PSY 2050 Foundations of Research Methods and Statistics, PSY 3060 Applications of Research Methods and Statistics, and PSY 4960 Advanced Research Methodology and Statistics must be taken from the student's home department.  The latter will count as the capstone course for the B.S. major.

Non-Course Requirements

Mentoring Matters: Attendance at two Mentoring Matters events, or equivalent, is required for all Psychology majors. Completion is strongly recommended by the end of the second year after declaring the major.

Continuation Standards

To continue as a psychology major, students must earn a "C" or better in PSY 1010 General Psychology (3 cr) and maintain a SLU psychology GPA of 2.00.

Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
• Complete either the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements.
• Complete major requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, and/or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
• Complete department/program-specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Program Notes

The B.S. in psychology requires a minimum of 36 credit hours.

Approved Psychology Area Requirements

At least one course from each of the four topical areas listed must be taken.  

Topical Area 1: Cognitive Neuroscience

Topical Area 2: Developmental Psychology

Topical Area 3: Social/Personality

Topical Area 4: Applied Psychology