The Major
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Students admitted to college prior to Fall 2015 may complete their current Psychology major or elect to complete a Psychology Concentration
The Psychology major is just part of what you'll need to graduate from UIUC. General Education courses and electives (courses you take for fun, to develop a skill, or to fulfill prerequisites, or pre-professional courses) will make up your entire UIUC academic experience. To appropriately recognize students that concentrate the academic path for their major within one particular area of Psychology, the major has been divided into several concentrations. Except for the General Psychology concentration, each concentration requires one course more than is required for the traditional Psychology major. Official recognition of the area of specialization will appear on your academic transcript. This enhanced articulation of the Psychology “brand” will make you more attractive to both perspective employers and graduate schools.
Interested in Declaring the Major?
| Concentration | Description |
|---|---|
| Behavioral Neuroscience | Study of the biological mechanisms underlying behavior. Behavioral Neuroscience Curricular Planner Form + Course Descriptions |
| Clinical/Community Psychology | Study of problems encountered by individuals, families, groups, organizations and neighborhoods. Clinical Community Curriculum Planner Form + Course Descriptions |
| Cognitive Psychology | Study of basic behavioral and cognitive processes, including learning, memory, problem-solving, motivation, and language. |
Cognitive Neuroscience |
Study of how and where higher-level cognitive abilities are processed in the brain. Cognitive Neuroscience Curricular Planner Form + Course Descriptions |
| Developmental Psychology | Study of intellectual, personality, psychophysiological and social development processes as individuals develop from birth through old age. |
Diversity Science |
Study of psychological research focusing on prejudice, discrimination, race, ethnicity, gender, and other areas. |
| Intradisciplinary Psychology | Provides students an opportunity to design a curriculum that meets academic and professional interests. |
| Organizational Psychology | Application of techniques of assessment, prediction, and intervention to areas of human resources in organizations. |
| Personality Psychology | Study emphasizing characteristics of the individual that are stable over time but which also determine the individual's behavior, thinking, and emotion. Personality Concentration Curriculum Planner + Course Descriptions |
| Social Psychology | Study of the power of the social situation as a determinant of individual behavior, thinking, and emotion. Social Concentration Curriculum Planner + Course Descriptions |
Minimum required concentration coursework equates to 32-36 hours of Psychology courses.
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Sections
FAQs - General
Q: Can I have more than one concentration?
A: No, concentrations are single majors
Q: Minimum GPA for a concentration?
A: 2.0 gpa is required for all concentrations
Q: Can I switch concentrations?
A: Yes, but you will switch/declare your concentration in October of your senior year (or sooner if courses are completed)
Q: Do PSYC 290 research hours count?
A: Only for General Concentration.
Q: Can study abroad classes count?
A: Only with pre-approval from Associate Head for Undergraduate Affairs.