All students majoring in Psychology must complete the following 4 Required Courses:

• PSYN 320 - Psychobiology
• PSYN 370 - Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences
• PSYN 372 - Experimental Psychology I: Methodology
• PSYN 374 - Experimental Psychology II: Applications

Students must select 1 course from each of the 5 categories below:

Students must complete 9 Psychology elective credits

These credits may be an additional course in any of the five categories above or any other Psychology elective course offered. PSYN 101 Introduction to Psychology Introduction to Psychology , is a prerequisite for all major courses in Psychology and fulfills part of the General Education Requirements and Curriculum . Psychology majors may complete the Mathematics General Education requirement by taking MATH 115 , MATH 116 , or MATH 117 .      

Total Major Credits: 36

Additional Academic Opportunities

Dual Degree in Psychology and Education Program (B.S. in Psychology + M.S. in Education)

The Bachelor of Science/Master of Science Dual Degree Program is an academic program that allows students interested in the teaching profession as a career choice to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated format. Through this special program, qualified students who major in psychology can receive teacher certification in Early Childhood or Childhood Education. A key feature of this program allows students to take up to 15 graduate education credits during their senior year. These can be used toward satisfying their bachelor’s as well as their master’s degree requirements. 

Requirements for the Dual Degree

Psychology students planning to complete the Dual Degree and receive the teaching certification in Early Childhood and Childhood Education must complete the 36 credits required for the undergraduate psychology major as described above, including PSYN 254 Child Psychology . They may take 3 graduate education credits in their upper junior semester and an additional 12 credits in their senior year. In addition, they must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Students may apply in their senior year for admissions to the M.S. Graduate Education Program. Please see the  School of Education   for program and course details.  

Four Plus One Program

(B.S. in Psychology + M.S. in Psychology)

Qualified undergraduate psychology students have an opportunity to complete the M.S. Psychology degree in one year. Students can complete the 36-credit degree by taking three graduate credits each semester of their senior year (for a total of six credits), which will apply toward the undergraduate and graduate degree. Once the B.S. degree is completed, they can complete the M.S. degree within a single academic year. 

Requirements for the Four Plus One Program

Students must meet the admissions criteria for the M.S. degree in Psychology including: at least a 3.0 GPA, a grade of B or higher in PSYN 370 Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences  and a completion of 90 undergraduate credits. Students may apply in their junior year to the M.S. Psychology Program. See the Graduate Catalog for specific requirements for the M.S. Psychology degree and Four-Plus-One degree. 

Suggested Courses for Dual Degree

It is further suggested that students complete several elective courses from the following list:

• PSYN 207 - Psychology of Learning
• PSYN 230 - Cognitive Psychology
• PSYN 243 - Psychological Tests and Measurements
• PSYN 257 - Psychology of the Exceptional Child
• PSYN 311 - Psychological Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

Suggested Courses for Students Planning to Attend Graduate School

• PSYN 207 - Psychology of Learning
• PSYN 213 - Psychology of Personality
• PSYN 230 - Cognitive Psychology
• PSYN 232 - Health Psychology
• PSYN 243 - Psychological Tests and Measurements
• PSYN 244 - Social Psychology
• PSYN 254 - Child Psychology
• PSYN 312 - Abnormal Psychology

Suggested Courses for Students Planning on a Career in Research

• PSYN 349 - Directed Research in Psychology
• PSYN 497 - Independent Study in Psychology

Suggested Courses for students Planning a Career in Health Professions

• PSYN 232 - Health Psychology
• PSYN 262 - Alcohol, Drugs, and Behavior
• PSYN 340 - Psychology of Crisis

Suggested Courses for Students Planning a Career in Education as a School Psychologist, School Counselor, Teaching Aid, or Teaching Assistant

• PSYN 207 - Psychology of Learning
• PSYN 230 - Cognitive Psychology
• PSYN 243 - Psychological Tests and Measurements
• PSYN 257 - Psychology of the Exceptional Child
• PSYN 311 - Psychological Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

CASAC -T Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor

Students may also participate in the CASAC-T Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Standardized 350-Hour Education and Training Program. 

CASAC 350-Hour Certificate Program-Standardized Certificate

CASAC-T Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Standardized 350-Hour Education and Training Program Mercy College CASAC-T Program is an OASAS Certified Education Training Program. The courses have been approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), satisfying the educational requirements for state certification. With the competitive market for counselors and mental health providers, the CASAC-T Certification paves the way for both direct patient care and supervisory positions in the area of substance abuse and addiction. The intensive program at Mercy College will specifically prepare you for the five domains for CASAC preparation including assessment, counseling, case management, client, family, and community education, and professional responsibility. Mercy College students receive the professional training and ethical knowledge base which will enable them to provide alcoholism and substance abuse counseling in one of the most progressive fields. 

Each course represents 45.0 CASAC clock hours with the exception of the internship which must be taken as a 6 credit course and represents 90.0 CASAC clock hours. 

Interested students may contact Director of the Psychology Internship Program. 

Note(s)

Once psychology is declared as the major, it is recommended that a Psychology Advisor be contacted to be sure that all graduation requirements are met.

There is an 18-credit residency requirement in the major concentration of psychology.
PSYN 101  is a Prerequisite for the major courses in psychology and fulfills part of the General Education requirements.

Minor in Psychology 

Students with a major other than psychology may complete a minor in psychology. To complete a minor in psychology, students must take 15 psychology credits (5 courses) numbered 120 or above. These credits may not fulfill other requirements.