The study of psychology provides a better understanding of human nature and behavior. Missouri Western’s program offers a degree in General Psychology. Psychology is a fascinating field of study on its own or combined with other studies, like business, science or health professions. Missouri Western’s program also provides a solid foundation for students who plan to attend graduate school.
Admission Requirements
To declare a psychology major you must have:
- PSY101 completed with a grade of C or better
- PSY200 completed (or in progress) with a grade of C or better
- BIO101 completed (or in progress) with a grade of C or better
- MAT110 or higher completed (or in progress) with a grade of C or better
- ENG104 (or ENG112) completed (or in progress) with a grade of C or better
- Overall GPA of 2.0 or higher
If you are currently enrolled in any of the above courses you can be admitted conditionally on receiving the necessary grade in the in-progress courses. Please contact your academic advisor to declare a psychology major.

Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
General Studies | ||
42-47 | ||
Major Requirements | ||
BIO 101 | Principles of Biology | 4 |
or BIO 105 | Principles of Organismal Biology | |
PSY 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
PSY 200 | Intermediate Psychology | 3 |
PSY 300 | Introductory Psychological Statistics | 3 |
PSY 301 | Psychology Research Methods | 3 |
PSY 303 | Psychology Research Team | 3 |
PSY 445 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
Select one course from each of the following restricted elective core groupings: | ||
Interpersonal/Intercultural Core | 3 | |
Psychology of Gender | ||
or PSY 230 | Psychology of Communication | |
or PSY 260 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | |
Learning/Cognition Core | 3 | |
Learning and Memory | ||
or PSY 340 | Cognitive Psychology | |
Biological/Comparative Core | 3 | |
Introduction to Neuroscience | ||
or PSY 355 | Sensation and Perception | |
Social Core | 3 | |
Industrial/Organizational Psychology | ||
or PSY 365 | Social Psychology | |
Developmental/Lifespan Core | 3 | |
Child/Adolescent Psychology | ||
or PSY 321 | Adult Psychology | |
Adaptive Behavior Core | 3 | |
Abnormal Psychology | ||
or PSY 325 | Psychology of Personality | |
or PSY 400 | Introduction to Psychological Testing and Assessment | |
History and Systems Core | 3 | |
History and Systems in Psychology | ||
Psychological Elective | 6 | |
Additional six credit hours of electives (at least three credits 300 or higher) in Psychology 1 | ||
Total Credit Hours | 91-96 |
- 1
At lease 3 credit hours numbered 300 or higher required. These electives may be chosen from the remaining courses in the restricted core electives above or from other offerings.
Note: It is recommended that all students preparing for graduate school take PSY 430 History and Systems in Psychology; this is a requirement for entrance to many graduate schools.
University Graduation Requirements
- Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable).
- Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper-division courses. Lower-division transfer courses accepted as meeting upper-division departmental course requirements cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
- Earn 30 of the last 45 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
- Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments.
- Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
- Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam.
Are you ready to declare this major?
- Major: B.S. Psychology
Mapping your degree plan is important. Consult with your academic advisor to create a plan and monitor it regularly.