Attention!

Portfolio is being decommissioned. This portfolio page will be available to view until July 2024, but will no longer be updated. For the most updated information, please go to our new Digication page at https://du.digication.com/cahss-psych

These resources are intended to help current and prospective psychology students understand our degree requirements and experiential opportunities.

You can access our anonymous input survey here.

BACHELOR'S DEGREES IN PSYCHOLOGY

You can earn either a bachelor of arts (BA) degree or a bachelor of science (BS) degree through our department.

The BA provides the most flexibility and can be combined with majors from across the University.

The BS is intended for students who are interested in combining their psychology with other science majors or minors. In addition to slight differences in course requirements for psychology, the largest requirement difference are the university-level requirements to a) take 45 credit hours in the major, b) have at least three fields of study (a major and two minors, or a double major and a minor), c) have at least one of those other fields of study be in a natural science (from any other program that offers a BS degree). When students are unsure of whether to get a BA or a BS, we typically advise them to get a BA unless they were already strongly considering a double major or minor in another BS-offering program. The most common double major/minor for BS students in psychology is Biological Sciences.

Whether you obtain a BS or a BA will not usually influence your chances of getting a job or attending graduate school. However, the additional science and math courses required for some of the other fields of study required for a BS degree can be useful for certain types of graduate study, including medical school or neuroscience programs.

PSYCHOLOGY MINOR

You can also minor in psychology.

With any psychology major or minor, you can earn a concentration in cognitive neuroscience a program offered in conjunction with the Department of Biological Sciences.

CONCENTRATION

The cognitive neuroscience concentration program is a joint effort between the departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology. It aims to allow students to develop a strong understanding of the relationship between mind and brain. If you suspect you might minor in Biological Sciences and are interested in taking more neuroscience-focused courses in both Psychology and Biological Sciences, it is a nice to way to communicate this bridging interest. However, almost all classes available to those with the concentration declared are also available to all Psychology majors and minors. 

To earn the concentration, you must major in either psychology or biology, and major or minor in the other department. The concentration itself is not a major or a minor.

DUAL DEGREE MASTERS OF ARTS

The Department of Psychology at DU now offers a terminal MA degree in psychology for those who are currently enrolled in our undergraduate major (as a BA or BS). This is a dual degree program, meaning that those on track to graduate in 4 years can apply in Spring Quarter of their junior (3rd) year, beginning to take graduate classes and propose a research-based thesis in their senior (4th) year, continue with graduate coursework and complete the research thesis in their 5th year, and graduate with a BA or BS in Psychology AND an MA in Psychology in 5 years. Although students in their senior (4th) year are permitted to apply, they would then stay at DU for 2 additional years, and we designed the program to maximize value within 5 years, which involves applying in the 3rd year.

This program is research-focused, and is a great fit for undergraduates who a) have decided to apply for a graduate degree and would like more research experience first, b) haven't had an opportunity to do an independent, in-depth research project and would like to, and/or c) would like more experience and skills in psychology research, but are not yet sure if going onto a research-focused doctoral program is a good fit for them. This program is NOT focused on counseling or therapy skills, and no certifications are awarded as part of the program.

Applicants for the program should have completed at last 120 credit hours by the time they apply. In addition, applicants will need a departmental advisor to attest that they are on track to complete their undergraduate degree requirements in the next two years. Finally, this program is for students who, by the time they apply, have already found a faculty mentor willing to supervise their research. The application will ask you to select your faculty mentor and will ask them to write a letter of support, committing to mentoring you on your research-based MA thesis. Admissions will be based on these materials, your undergraduate transcript, and a statement of your research interests and career goals.

There are financial aid and scholarship considerations for this program. Please contact financial aid if you have questions before applying.

Please reach out to a psychology advisor if you have questions about whether this program is a good fit for you.

CERTIFICATES IN PSYCHOLOGY (MICROCREDENTIALS)

Apply for the new, quarter-long "Certificates in Psychology" program to earn a microcredential in either Diversity and Inclusion, Data-informed Decisions, or Mental Health. You can submit an application anytime and we will accept a batch of students at the beginning of each quarter. You can apply even if you aren't majoring or minoring in psychology!