Psychology

The Psychology Department offers an A.B. Degree in Psychology as well as a minor in Psychology.

Major in Psychology

Psychology majors must take no fewer than ten courses in Psychology. The requirements are PSYC-1000 General Psychology; MATH-1040 Probability and Statistics; PSYC-2000 Research Methods and Statistics; three foundational courses (two from Area A: Developmental and Social Foundations and one from Area B: Cognitive and Biological Foundations); two seminar courses; and two courses from the combined offerings of foundational, seminar, and elective courses.

Every student wishing to declare a Psychology major must attend one of the Psychology Major/Minor Declaration Sessions, which are held in the fall and spring semesters. These will be led by the Director of Undergraduate Studies, who will discuss the requirements and opportunities in the Psychology program and assign a faculty advisor. Together with their faculty advisor, each student is expected to work out a program of electives and cognate courses in other disciplines to provide the course sequence most appropriate to their specific goals. A list of courses, with course descriptions, can be found at https://schedule.georgetown.edu/. Students are encouraged to participate in independent research activities, particularly if they plan to attend graduate school. The Psychology Department also hosts an Honors Program. Further advice on developing a program of study, including information on the distribution requirements, is contained in the Handbook for Psychology Majors and Minors.

Students who wish to enroll for credit in Psychology courses through another accredited college or university must first obtain permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies and their advising dean. Research Methods and Statistics, as well as the two required seminars, must be taken at Georgetown. 

Integrated Writing Requirement

Psychology majors will fulfill the integrated writing requirement by completing several of the courses that are required for the psychology major (PSYC-2000 Research Methods and Statistics and the two seminar courses). In these courses, students will gain experience with a variety of writing assignments, ranging from brief responses and to essays, as well as literature reviews and research proposals. Each of these courses is designed to provide students with experience in reading original empirical articles in the field of psychology, integrating their findings, and writing and revising papers. Therefore, psychology students fulfill the Integrated Writing requirement by virtue of completing the major. 

Requirements for the A.B. in Psychology

  • 1 General Psychology (PSYC-1000)*
  • 1 Probability and Statistics (MATH-1040)**
  • 1 Research Methods and Statistics (PSYC-2000)
  • 3 foundational courses (two from Area A and one from Area B)
  • 2 seminar courses***
  • 2 courses from the combined offerings of foundational, seminar, and elective courses

* Georgetown does not award AP or IB credit in Psychology.

** Majors with AP credit for MATH-1040 are exempt from this requirement, but must substitute an additional Psychology elective.

*** The Honors Seminar, a 3-credit course which is required for students who wish to complete the Honors Program, fulfills one of the two required seminar courses in the major.

Minor in Psychology

Requirements for the Minor

The requirements are PSYC-1000 General Psychology, three foundational courses (two from Area A and one from Area B), and two courses from the combined offerings of foundational, seminar, and elective courses (a minimum of six courses). Further advice on developing a program of study is contained in the Handbook for Psychology Majors and Minors available online at https://psychology.georgetown.edu/undergraduate/handbook#Areas_of_study.

For course listings for Psychology see https://schedule.georgetown.edu/