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Mar 07, 2026
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2026-2027 Undergraduate Bulletin
Psychology, BA Major in
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 Return to: School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of HCLAS
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) major in psychology is a program of study that: - Exposes students to concepts and research from multiple theoretical perspectives on behavior and mental processes.
- Trains students in the scientific method and engages them in behavioral research.
Within these program goals the BA in Psychology also helps carry out the mission of the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences : students of psychology are taught to think critically about truth claims involving behavior, and to reason and communicate scientifically. The BA in Psychology prepares students for work and/or graduate study in a wide range of fields outside of psychology including business, education, health, law, and technology. The BA in Psychology is preparation for graduate study in psychology, and for careers in behavioral research and human service professions.
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Program Requirements
A Psychology major consists of 37 semester hours distributed as follows:
1. Required Courses - Total Semester Hours: 16
2. Psychology Essentials - Total Semester Hours: 9
Complete three (3) courses from the Essentials category, which represent the fundamental areas of psychological science.
Three (3) of the following courses: 3. Elective in Applied Psychology - Total Semester hours: 3
Complete one (1) additional PSY course in an applied discipline. These courses, generally represented by a 2-digit course code in the list of courses below (e.g., PSY 089) represent important, but more narrowly focused or applied fields of psychology, as compared to the Essentials. The only prerequisite generally required for these courses is PSY 001 , but see the course descriptions for other requirements.
4. Elective in Sociocultural Context-Total Semester Hours: 3
Complete one PSY course that features different perspectives and experiences within society. These courses, generally represented by a 2-digit course code in the list of courses below (e. g., PSY 025) represent important, but more narrowly focused fields of psychology, as compared to the Essentials. The only prerequisite generally required for these courses is PSY 001, but see the course descriptions for other requirements. 5. Advanced Elective-Total Semester Hours: 3
Complete one advanced PSY course. These courses require pre-requisites from the Essentials category or research sequence to prepare you for deeper, more nuanced engagement with a subfield within Psychology. Students should check in with their departmental advisors to determine which advanced elective will best align with their career or graduate school goals. 6. Additional Elective-Total Semester Hours: 3
Complete one additional PSY course from any of the above lists OR one of the following: 7. Grade requirement
All courses for the major require a grade of C- or better. Note:
There is a 45 semester hour limit in the student’s major. This means that although psychology majors are welcome to take more psychology courses than the 37 s.h. minimum required for graduation, no credit toward graduation will be given for any semester hours in psychology over 45 s.h. A student may go beyond this limit if enrolled in Honors in Psychology (PSY 100 ) with permission from the Psychology Department. No other exceptions will be made. * Footnote:
One (1) of the following is a prerequisite for PSY 040 : Recommended Program Sequence - Total Hours: 124
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Return to: School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of HCLAS
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