Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology
There is always great demand for supportive, attentive, and resourceful psychological professionals in our country, from public school systems to law enforcement to mental health agencies. At Fort Hays State University, you will comprehend the far-reaching implications of psychology as you direct your passions and career objectives toward helping others improve their well-being and state of mind.
The Psychology Department offers flexibility by allowing students to choose either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Science (BS) route. Both require 120 credit hours that can be completed with 34 credit hours of general education classes, 36 credit hours of psychology major requirements, and 40 credit hours of free electives. Although the psychology core coursework is the same for both, there are some slight differences. The BA in Psychology program requires completion of 10 hours of a single foreign language. The BS program requires 13 additional hours of course work in the Natural Science and/or Mathematics.
The Psychology Department is pleased to offer a faculty-student mentoring program. This program is designed to enhance collaboration between faculty and students and provide guidance about career opportunities for future professionals in the field of psychology. To access mentoring and career resources, click here.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology
- Completion of 10 hours of a single foreign language.
General Education Requirements | 34 Credit Hours |
Psychology Major Requirements | 36 Credit Hours |
Free Electives | 40 Credit Hours |
Foreign Language | 10 Credit Hours |
Total | 120 Credit Hours |
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology
- A candidate for the BS in Psychology must complete 20 hours of course work in Natural Science and/or Mathematics.
General Education Requirements | 34 Credit Hours |
Psychology Major Requirements | 36 Credit Hours |
Free Electives | 37 Credit Hours |
Additional Math & Science | 13 Credit Hours |
Total | 120 Credit Hours |
NEW Psychology Major Requirements
For Students admitted to FHSU starting Fall 2024
We take pride in offering an undergraduate curriculum that is innovative, current, and prepares students for future career endeavors. The undergraduate curriculum offers our students more flexibility with core and elective classes and allows students to select a content area of emphasis.
Our undergraduate psychology curriculum for both the BA and BS emphasizes scientific and theoretical knowledge as well as hands-on experiences. Students complete core courses that provide a framework for the foundations of psychology as a science as well as a broad introduction to the various sub-disciplines (e.g., General Psychology; Science of Psychology; Psychology as a Discipline and Profession).
Our elective classes are designed around three content emphasis areas:
- Social - Cognitive: This emphasis area focuses on environmental factors that influence the way we think, feel, behave, and make decisions. Within this area, students will study individuals in social interactions and social influence situations. This includes integrating studies about information processing and how human cognition is applied in everyday life.
- Developmental - Cultural: This emphasis area connects the developmental process of an individual to their culture in order to identify how are social, emotional, and neurological development is shaped. Within this area, students will study how individuals grow and change across their life span and how culture plays a role in the developmental process.
- Applied Mental Health: This emphasis area focuses on psychology within the fields of clinical psychology (mental health), sports psychology, and forensic psychology. Within this area, students will apply psychological concepts, research, and theory to understand and promote mental health and wellness.
BA & BS Coursework - Total 36 credit hours:
Required Courses:
- PSY 100 General Psychology (3)
- PSY 101 Psychology as a Discipline & Profession (1)
- PSY 201 The Science of Psychology (3)
- PSY 480 Applied Statistic (4)
- PSY 498 Experimental Lab (4)
- PSY 668 Neuropsychology (3)
Students will choose 1 course from each emphasis area below:
- Social Cognitive Emphasis Area
- PSY 334 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3)
- PSY 340 Social Psychology (3)
- PSY 425 Personality (3)
- Developmental Cultural Emphasis Area
- PSY 400 Child and Developmental Psychology (3)
- PSY 415 Adolescensce (3)
- PSY 420 Psychology of Aging (3)
- Applied Mental Health Emphasis Area
- PSY 300 Abnormal Psychology (3)
- PSY 310 Introduction to Therapeutic Skills (3)
- PSY 355 Drugs and Behavir (3)
Students will choose 3 more courses from 1 emphasis area below:
- Social Cognitive Emphasis Area
- PSY 315 Industrial Psychology (3)
- PSY 330 Elements of Learning (3)
- PSY 334 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3)
- PSY 340 Social Psychology (3)
- PSY 359 Evolutionary Psychology (3)
- PSY 422 Intimate Relationships (3)
- PSY 425 Personality (3)
- PSY 450 Perception (3)
- PSY 452 Judgment & Decision Making (3)
- PSY 350 Special Topics (3)
- PSY 376/476 Apprenticeship (1-3)
- Developmental Cultural Emphasis Area
- PSY 312 Introduction to School Psychology (3)
- PSY 325 Human Sexuality (3)
- PSY 400 Child and Developmental Psychology (3)
- PSY 412 Social & Emotional Development (3)
- PSY 415 Adolescensce (3)
- PSY 420 Psychology of Aging (3)
- PSY 350 Special Topics (3)
- PSY 376/476 Apprenticeship (1-3)
- Applied Mental Health Emphasis Area
- PSY 300 Abnormal Psychology (3)
- PSY 310 Introduction to Therapeutic Skills (3)
- PSY 355 Drugs and Behavir (3)
- PSY 357 Forensic Psychology (3)
- PSY 369 Criminal Psychology (3)
- PSY 375 Case Management (3)
- PSY 430 Sports Psychology (3)
- PSY 460 Behavioral Addictions (3)
- PSY 462 Eating Disorders (3)
- PSY 685 Behavior Therapy (3)
- PSY 350 Special Topics (3)
- PSY 376/476 Apprenticeship (1-3)
For Current Students admitted to FHSU before Fall 2024
Core Courses (30 credit hours)
Students must complete all of the following:
- PSY 100 General Psychology (3)
- PSY 101 Psychology as a Discipline & Profession (1)
- PSY 201 The Science of Psychology (3)
- PSY 300 Abnormal Psychology (3)
- PSY 334 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3)
- PSY 340 Social Psychology (3)
- PSY 400 Child and Developmental Psychology (3)
- PSY 480 Applied Statistic (4)
- PSY 498 Experimental Lab (4)
- PSY 668 Neuropsychology (3)
Elective Options (6 credit hours)
Choose 2 classes from the list below:
- PSY 310: Introduction to Therapeutic Skills (3)
- PSY 312: Introduction to School Psychology (3)
- PSY 315: Industrial Psychology (3)
- PSY 325: Human Sexuality (3)
- PSY 330: Elements of Learning (3)
- PSY 350: Special Topics Courses (these vary from semester to semester) (3)
- PSY 355: Drugs and Behavior (3)
- PSY 357: Forensic Psychology (3)
- PSY 359: Evolutionary Psychology (3)
- PSY 369: Criminal Psychology (3)
- PSY 375: Case Management (3)
- PSY 412: Social & Emotional Development (3)
- PSY 415: Adolescence (3)
- PSY 420: Psych of Aging (3)
- PSY 422: Intimate Relationships (3)
- PSY 425: Personality (3)
- PSY 430: Sports Psychology (3)
- PSY 450: Perception (3)
- PSY 452: Judgment & Decision Making (3)
- PSY 460: Behavioral Addictions (3)
- PSY 462: Eating Disorders (3)
- PSY 474: Independent Studies (1-3)
- PSY 476: Apprenticeship (1-3)
- PSY 685: Behavior Therapy (3)
Interested in a Psychology Degree?
Please contact the Department of Psychology at 785-628-4405 or psecreta@fhsu.edu.