Philosophy and Psychology Double Major

Philosophy is the systematic and critical inquiry into thinking and the nature of existence. As a practice, philosophy teaches analytical and critical thinking, develops oral and written communication skills, and contributes to interdisciplinary understanding. Philosophy attempts to answer perennial questions about values, human existence, and the nature of reality. Skills developed in this inquiry help philosophy students excel in careers in law, medicine, management, education, government, writing, computer science, psychology, sociology, and ministry among many others.

Psychology is a science that studies behavior from psychological, biological, and social perspectives. Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. The discipline embraces all aspects of the human experience - from the functions of the brain to the actions of nations, from child development to care for the aged. In every conceivable setting from scientific research centers to mental healthcare services, “the understanding of behavior” is the enterprise of psychologists.

General Information

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Philosophy and Psychology requires the following:

A minimum of 30 credit hours of PHIL course work. At least 18 of those hours must be upper division (courses numbered 3000 or higher).
A minimum of 33 credit hours of PSY course work. At least 18 of those hours must be upper division.
A grade of C or better in PHIL courses applied to the major and a grade of C- or better in PSY courses applied to the major.
A minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained in all major course work.
Completion of one Summit Course from either department. Students may complete either the PHIL Senior Thesis or a PSY Advanced Seminar course that is approved for Compass Curriculum: Summit.
Completion of the Psychology Senior Accountability Exam during the final semester of the senior year.

Additional course work is required to complete the Philosophy and Psychology, BA degree. Please see the advising guide on the Academic Advising website for more information.

Course Requirements

Philosophy Required Courses

Logic Course

Complete one of the following courses:

Philosophy Electives

Complete a minimum of 27 additional credit hours of Philosophy (PHIL) electives. At least 18 hours of electives must be upper-division (3000+ level) courses.

Summit Course

Complete one Summit course for the double major. Either the Philosophy Senior Thesis or a Psychology Advanced Seminar may be chosen. The Summit credit hours will count toward upper-division electives for the major in which they are taken.

An additional upper-division elective is required in the department not selected for the Summit Course.

PHIL 4950 - Senior Thesis

Psychology Required Courses

Before attempting other course requirements, students should complete the following four required foundation courses.

Core Content Courses

Complete four courses from those listed below with no more than one course from any given area:

Abnormal
PSY 3280 - Abnormal Psychology
Biopsychology
PSY 3270 - Introduction to Biopsychology
Cognition & Learning
PSY 3130 - Learning and Cognition
PSY 3140 - Cognitive Psychology
PSY 3200 - Psychology of Learning
Developmental
PSY 3620 - Developmental Psychology
Personality
PSY 3250 - Personality Psychology and Individual Differences
Social
PSY 3400 - Social Psychology

Psychology Electives

Complete 5 - 6 additional hours of unused Psychology courses to meet total and upper division credit hour requirements for the major.

Senior Accountability Exam

Complete the Psychology Senior Accountability Exam via Canvas. The Senior Accountability Exam must be completed at least two weeks before the last day of classes during the final semester of the senior year. Visit the Psychology department’s website for more information.

Summit Course

An additional upper-division elective is required in the department not selected for the Summit Course.

See below for the list of Advanced Seminar courses. If PHIL 4995 is chosen as the Summit Course, one of the Advanced Seminars could be taken as the additional elective but it would not need to be approved for the Compass Curriculum Summit requirement.