Psychology Major at Boston University

Psychology Major Requirements

All students must obtain a grade of C or higher in all principal and required related courses.

• Prerequisite: PS 101 or equivalent.
• Design and Statistics Requirement: PS 211 (Experimental Design in Psychology), PS/NE 212 (Introduction to MATLAB Programming for Research), or MA 115 and MA 116 (Statistics I & Statistics II). PS 211 and PS/NE 212 do not count toward principal psychology courses.
• Principal Course Requirements: PS 231: Physiological Psychology
• Students must complete eight principal courses in addition to completing the physiological psychology requirement. Four of these courses must be selected from among courses at the 300 level or higher and one of the four must be an experimental course selected from CAS PS 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, and 329. Please note that students will not receive credit for more than one of the following experimental psychology courses: PS 324, PS 325, PS 326.

Principal courses in psychology are those courses listed in the Boston University Undergraduate Programs Bulletin and numbered at the 200 level or higher (excluding CAS PS 211 and PS/NE 212). In addition, the choice of principal courses must include at least two courses from each of the broad content groups listed below.

Principal Courses in Psychology

Post-Grad Opportunities for Psychology Majors

Some Career Opportunities

Industrial Organizational Psychologist	Clinical Psychologist	Educational Psychologist	User Experience (UX) Researcher	Forensic Psychologist
What They Do: I/O psychologists apply psychological principles to workplace environments to improve productivity, employee satisfaction, and organizational effectiveness. They conduct research on work behavior, develop training programs, and optimize hiring and leadership strategies. Where They Work: Corporations, government agencies, consulting firms, and research institutions. Why It's Impressive: High-paying, applies psychology in the business world, and influences major organizations.	What They Do: Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. They use therapy, psychological testing, and evidence-based interventions to help individuals improve their well-being. Where They Work: Hospitals, private practices, mental health clinics, and academic settings. Why It's Impressive: One of the most recognized psychology careers, involves deep expertise in mental health, and offers diverse specializations.	What They Do: Educational psychologists study how students learn and develop strategies to improve teaching methods, curriculum design, and classroom management. They work with educators, parents, and students to enhance academic success. Where They Work: Schools, universities, government agencies, and research organizations. Why It's Impressive: Influences the education system, helps students thrive, and contributes to educational policy.	What They Do: UX researchers study human behavior to improve digital experiences on websites, apps, and technology products. They conduct usability tests, analyze user data, and work with designers to create user-friendly interfaces. Where They Work: Tech companies, startups, consulting firms, and design agencies. Why It's Impressive: High demand in the tech industry, combines psychology with innovation, and offers lucrative salaries.	What They Do: Forensic psychologists apply psychology to legal and criminal investigations. They assess criminals, provide expert witness testimony, and help law enforcement understand criminal behavior. Some also work with victims or in prison rehabilitation programs. Where They Work: Courts, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, and private consulting firms. Why It's Impressive: Involves psychology and law, often portrayed in media, and has real-world legal impact.

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