Psychology: Behavioral Science Major (41 hours)

The Behavioral Science Major prepares students for a variety of graduate programs in psychology by emphasizing a stronger foundation in research, professional skills, and applied experience, as well as requiring a higher degree of rigor in completed coursework. Admission to the Behavioral Science Major requires a minimum grade of “B” in all five Introductory Core courses (PSY 1000, PSY 1400, PSY 1401, PSY 1600, and PSY 3000). In addition, students must obtain a grade of “C” or better in any subsequent courses that count toward the Behavioral Science Major. A minimum of nine (9) hours must be taken from the WMU Psychology Department. All psychology majors are strongly encouraged to satisfy the College-Level Mathematics or Quantitative Reasoning Proficiency before taking upper-level classes.

Introductory Core (14 hours)

PSY 1000 - General Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 1400 - Introduction to Behavior Analysis Credits: 4 hours
PSY 1401 - Introductory Operant Conditioning Laboratory Credits: 1 hour
PSY 1600 - Child Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3000 - Research Methods and Statistics Credits: 3 hours

Professional Skills and Advanced Principles (12 hours)

PSY 3300 - Advanced Research Methods Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3600 - Advanced Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3844 - Professional and Career Development Credits: 3 hours
PSY 4600 - Survey of Behavior Analysis Research Credits: 3 hours

Practicum or Laboratory (6 hours)

One practicum course above the six credits required may count as an elective.

PSY 1403 - Autism Practicum Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3550 - Teaching Apprenticeship in Psychology Credits: 1 to 4 hours
PSY 3601 - Advanced Operant Conditioning Laboratory Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3780 - Behavioral Neuroscience Research Practicum Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3970 - Practicum in Psychology Credits: 1 to 5 hours
PSY 3990 - Research Apprenticeship: Psychology Credits: 1 to 4 hours
PSY 4990 - Honors Projects in Psychology Credits: 1 to 5 hours
PSY 5470 - Practicum: Organizational Performance Improvement Credits: 3 hours
PSY 5990 - Practicum in Psychology Credits: 1 to 4 hours

Electives (at least 9 hours)

PSY 2444 - Organizational Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 2500 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 2517 - Applied Behavior Analysis in Autism and Developmental Disabilities Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3240 - Abnormal Child Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3260 - Forensic Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3444 - Advanced Organizational Behavior Management Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3456 - Behavioral Approaches to Sustainability Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3517 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3655 - Behaviorism and Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3720 - Behavioral Neuroscience Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3960 - Topical Studies in Psychology Credits: 1 to 3 hours
PSY 3980 - Independent Study Credits: 1 to 5 hours
PSY 4280 - Psychology of Aging Credits: 3 hours
PSY 4526 - Human Drug Use and Abuse Credits: 3 hours
PSY 4574 - Cross Cultural Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 4595 - History of Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 4630 - Health Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 5170 - Psychology in the Schools Credits: 3 hours
PSY 5240 - Human Sexuality Credits: 3 hours
PSY 5400 - Psychology of Safety Credits: 3 hours
PSY 5610 - Introduction to Clinical Psychology Credits: 3 hours

Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement

Students who have chosen the Behavioral Science Major will satisfy the Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement by successfully completing one of the following courses:

PSY 3780 - Behavioral Neuroscience Research Practicum Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3300 - Advanced Research Methods Credits: 3 hours
PSY 3844 - Professional and Career Development Credits: 3 hours
PSY 4526 - Human Drug Use and Abuse Credits: 3 hours
PSY 4574 - Cross Cultural Psychology Credits: 3 hours
PSY 4595 - History of Psychology Credits: 3 hours