Bachelor Degree Options

Choosing a BA or a BS degree?

A Psychology major may choose to obtain either a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) or a Bachelor of Science degree (BS). The Psychology courses required for a BA and BS are identical.

The College of Arts and Sciences has different course requirements for those earning a BA vs a BS The BA requirements focus on culture and social behavior, liberal arts, and humanities whereas the BS requirements focus on mathematics and the natural and social sciences.

The Psychology faculty recommends the BA for most students. The BS degree is most appropriate for students planning research careers in areas of Psychology requiring a strong background in mathematics and science. 

However, even for students headed for research intensive careers, the BA degree supplemented by selected science and mathematics courses can be the best overall choice. Psychology advisors can help with decisions in individual cases.

Academic Advising for the Psychology Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Psychology at the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ offers undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs aimed at preparing students 1) for advanced study in the social and health sciences and 2) to become members of the behavioral health workforce. The department also maintains the Psychological Services Center, a clinic that provides low cost mental health services to campus and community members. The department strives to offer degree and certificate programs that meet the needs of the state of Alaska.Ìý

Licensure and/or Certification

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Concentration in Behavior Analysis is designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Alaska. However, the program might not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in other states. Please see ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼'s Licensure and Certification website for more information.

Admission Requirements
  • Complete the .
  • Students wishing to declare psychology as a major must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.50.
Graduation Requirements
  • Complete the .
  • Complete the 
  • All psychology majors are also required to take the exit examination, a standardized test of knowledge of psychology approved by the Department of Psychology. There is no minimum score required for graduation. This exam is taken in the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Testing Center, and a fee will be charged to students.
  • Complete the following major requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (C): 
Core Courses
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡111Introduction to Psychology3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡150Lifespan Development3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡200Introduction to Behavior Analysis3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡260Statistics for Psychology3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡260LStatistics for Psychology Lab1
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡261
&²¹³¾±è;ÌýA261L
Research Methods in Psychology
and Research Methods in Psychology Laboratory
4
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡345Psychopathology3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡370Behavioral Neuroscience3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡375Social Psychology3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡468
&²¹³¾±è;ÌýA468L
Learning and Behavior
and Learning and Behavior Laboratory
4
Psychology Capstone Requirement 13
Each capstone option is designed to synthesize and apply material from the psychology major. Choice of a capstone should be based, at least in part, on the student's future career plans. Students planning to work in human service jobs following graduation should consider taking ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡495´¡. Students planning on graduate work in psychology should consider taking ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡412, ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡428, or ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡499. Students may elect to take all of these courses as upper-division electives.
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡412
History of Psychology
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡428
Evolutionary Psychology
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡495´¡
Psychology Practicum
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡499
Senior Thesis
Psychology Electives9
Complete an additional 9 credits of upper-division psychology courses.
Writing3
°Â¸é°Õ³ÒÌý´¡213
Writing and the Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics3
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡121
Applied College Algebra
´Ç°ùÌý³§°Õ´¡°ÕÌý´¡200
Elementary Statistics
Biology3-6
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡102
Introductory Biology
´Ç°ùÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡108
Principles and Methods in Biology
Additional Electives6-8
Complete any two-semester sequence in humanities or any language
Total57-62
1

All of the psychology capstone courses have rigorous prerequisites. Minimum grades of C in these prerequisites are required for admission into the capstone courses. See course descriptions of each capstone course for more details.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for this degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.Ìý

Concentration in Behavior Analysis

This concentration provides foundational knowledge and professional skills to apply the science of behavior analysis across a range of settings and client populations, including staff in the workplace, children and adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities, and individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Completing the coursework below, in addition to required supervised practicum experience with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, helps prepare students to apply for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board examination for becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst.Ìý

±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡200Introduction to Behavior Analysis3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡400Strategies of Behavior Change3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡495´¡Psychology Practicum3
Complete a minimum of 6 credits from the following:6
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡447
Behavioral Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡455
Interventions for Challenging Behavior
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡467
Organizational Behavior Management
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡478
Applications of Behavior Analysis
Total15
Honors in Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology recognizes distinguished achievement by conferring programmatic honors in psychology. In order to receive honors in psychology, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Satisfy all requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology;
  • Maintain a minimum overall and psychology specific GPA of 3.50;
  • Complete a total of three capstone courses:
    • One Psychology Capstone taken to meet the degree requirements
    • ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡499. The thesis project must be approved by the Undergraduate Studies Committee and carried out by following applicable departmental guidelines
    • One additional Capstone course or a second term of ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡499.
  • Students intending to graduate with departmental honors must notify the Departmental Honors Committee in writing on or before the date they file their Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar.
Honors Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with departmental honors in psychology will possess:

  • An advanced understanding and application of descriptive and inferential statistics and use of statistical software in data analysis.
  • A broad knowledge of psychology's historical foundation.
  • The ability to conduct a critical review and analysis of existing psychological literature.
  • The ability to design and execute empirical research that tests clearly stated hypotheses or addresses clearly articulated research questions.
  • A clear understanding of research ethics and the responsible conduct of research in the field of psychology.
  • The ability to communicate effectively in writing, in poster format, and in oral presentations, including mastery of APA style.
  • The ability to draw conclusions from research findings, including recognition of the limitations, applications, and implications of the data, and a discussion of alternative explanations of the results.

The Department of Psychology at the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ offers undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs aimed at preparing students: (1) for advanced study in the social and health sciences, and (2) to become members of the behavioral health workforce. The department also maintains the Psychological Services Center, a clinic that provides low-cost mental health services to campus and community members. The department strives to offer degree and certificate programs that meet the needs of the state of Alaska.Ìý

Licensure and/or Certification

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Behavior Analysis is designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Alaska. However, the program might not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in other states. Please see ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼'s Licensure and Certification website for more information.

Admission Requirements
  • Complete the .Ìý
  • Students wishing to declare psychology as a major must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.50.
Graduation Requirements
  • Complete the .
  • Complete the .
  • All psychology majors are required to take the exit examination, a standardized test of knowledge of psychology approved by the Department of Psychology. There is no minimum score required for graduation. The exam is taken in the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Testing Center, and a fee will be charged to students.
  • Complete the following major requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (C):
Core Courses
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡111Introduction to Psychology3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡150Lifespan Development3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡200Introduction to Behavior Analysis3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡260Statistics for Psychology3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡260LStatistics for Psychology Lab1
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡261
&²¹³¾±è;ÌýA261L
Research Methods in Psychology
and Research Methods in Psychology Laboratory
4
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡345Psychopathology3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡370Behavioral Neuroscience3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡375Social Psychology3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡468
&²¹³¾±è;ÌýA468L
Learning and Behavior
and Learning and Behavior Laboratory
4
Psychology Capstone Requirement 13
Each capstone option is designed to synthesize and apply material from the psychology major. Choice of a capstone should be based, at least in part, on the student's future career plans. Students planning to work in human service jobs following graduation should consider taking ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡495´¡. Students planning on graduate work in psychology should consider taking ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡412, ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡428, or ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡499. Students may elect to take all of these courses as upper-division electives.
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡412
History of Psychology
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡428
Evolutionary Psychology
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡495´¡
Psychology Practicum
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡499
Senior Thesis
Psychology Electives9
Complete an additional 9 credits of upper-division psychology courses.
Writing3
°Â¸é°Õ³ÒÌý´¡213
Writing and the Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics6-8
Complete two of the following:
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡121
Applied College Algebra
´Ç°ùÌý²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡151
College Algebra for Calculus
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý´¡221
Applied Calculus for Managerial and Social Sciences
³§°¿°äÌý´¡462
Social Science Statistics
³§°Õ´¡°ÕÌý´¡200
Elementary Statistics
³§°Õ´¡°ÕÌý´¡253
Applied Statistics for the Sciences
Biology7-16
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡102
Introductory Biology
´Ç°ùÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡108
Principles and Methods in Biology
Complete at least two of the following courses:
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡111
&²¹³¾±è;ÌýA111L
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡112
&²¹³¾±è;ÌýA112L
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡200
Introduction to Complexity
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡240
&²¹³¾±è;ÌýA240L
Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences
and Introductory Microbiology for Health Sciences Laboratory
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡242
Fundamentals of Cell Biology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡252
Principles of Genetics
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡273
Experiential Learning: Ecology and Evolution
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡288
Principles of Evolution
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡311
Experiential Learning: Animal Physiology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡320
Vertebrate Biology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡321
Experiential Learning: Vertebrate Biology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡412
Behavioral Endocrinology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡413
Neurophysiology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡415
Comparative Animal Physiology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡417
Applied Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡418
Fish Physiology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡419
Sleep and Chronobiology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡423
Ichthyology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡424
Experiential Learning: Ichthyology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡427
Marine Invertebrate Biology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡430
Marine Mammal Biology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡441
Animal Behavior
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡442
Experiential Learning: Animal Behavior
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡452
Human Genome
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡455
Experiential Learning: Bioinformatics
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡461
Molecular Biology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡463
Molecular Biology of Cancer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡467
Wildlife Ecology
BIOL/CHEM A471
Immunology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡472
Biogeography
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡473
Conservation Biology
BIOL/CHEM A474
Ecotoxicology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡477
Tundra and Taiga Ecosystems
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡481
Marine Biology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡483
Exploration Ecology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡484
Experiential Learning: Exploration Ecology Field Study
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡486
Evolutionary Ecology
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý´¡487
Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates
Experimental and Scientific Foundations6-7
Complete two of the following:
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡205
Biological Anthropology
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡452
Culture and Human Biodiversity
´¡±·°Õ±áÌý´¡455
Culture and Health
°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý´¡103
Introduction to General Chemistry
°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý´¡104
Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý´¡105
General Chemistry I
°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý´¡106
General Chemistry II
°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý´¡321
Organic Chemistry I
°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý´¡322
Organic Chemistry II
°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý´¡441
Principles of Biochemistry I
°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý´¡442
Principles of Biochemistry II
°ä³§Ìý´¡109
Computer Programming (Languages Vary)
·¡°ä°¿±·Ìý´¡101
Principles of Microeconomics
·¡°ä°¿±·Ìý´¡102
Principles of Macroeconomics
·¡°ä°¿±·Ìý´¡333
Experimental Economics
·¡°ä°¿±·Ìý´¡456
Behavioral Economics
Total64-76
1

All of the above psychology capstone courses have rigorous prerequisites. Minimum grades of C in these prerequisites are required for admission into psychology's capstone courses.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for this degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.

Concentration in Behavior Analysis

This concentration provides foundational knowledge and professional skills to apply the science of behavior analysis across a range of settings and client populations, including staff in the workplace, children and adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities, and individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Completing the coursework below, in addition to required supervised practicum experience with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, helps prepare students to apply for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board examination for becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst.Ìý

This program is designed to meet the requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Alaska. However, the program might not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in other states. Please see ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼'s Licensure and Certification website for more information.

Concentration requirements:
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡200Introduction to Behavior Analysis3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡400Strategies of Behavior Change3
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡495´¡Psychology Practicum3
Complete a minimum of 6 credits of the following:6
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡447
Behavioral Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡455
Interventions for Challenging Behavior
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡467
Organizational Behavior Management
±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡478
Applications of Behavior Analysis
Total15
Honors in Psychology

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology recognizes distinguished achievement by conferring programmatic honors in psychology. In order to receive honors in psychology, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Satisfy all requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Psychology;
  • Maintain a minimum overall and psychology specific GPA of 3.50;
  • Complete a total of three capstone courses:
    • One Psychology Capstone taken to meet the degree requirements.
    • ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡499. The thesis project must be approved by the Undergraduate Studies Committee and carried out by following applicable departmental guidelines.
    • One additional Psychology Capstone course or a second term of ±Ê³§³ÛÌý´¡499.
  • Students intending to graduate with departmental honors must notify the Departmental Honors Committee in writing on or before the date they file their Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar.
Honors Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with departmental honors in psychology will possess:

  • An advanced understanding and application of descriptive and inferential statistics and use of statistical software in data analysis.
  • A broad knowledge of psychology's historical foundation.
  • The ability to conduct a critical review and analysis of existing psychological literature.
  • The ability to design and execute empirical research that tests clearly stated hypotheses or addresses clearly articulated research questions.
  • A clear understanding of research ethics and the responsible conduct of research in the field of psychology.
  • The ability to communicate effectively in writing, in poster format, and in oral presentations, including mastery of APA style.
  • The ability to draw conclusions from research findings, including recognition of the limitations, applications, and implications of the data, and a discussion of alternative explanations of the results.