Program Description
As a student in CMU's psychology program, you’ll learn to better understand, appreciate and, sometimes, predict behavior. You’ll study and conduct cutting-edge research in modern laboratories and training facilities.
Learn from nationally and internationally renowned faculty who offer personalized instruction and mentorship in research. Choose from courses in behavior analysis, clinical interviewing, health psychology, psychology and law, psychological testing, sports psychology and studies in personality.
Points of Pride
Central Michigan University has the only psychology program in Michigan with an accelerated plan that enables students to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in experimental psychology in five years.
Put Your Degree to Work
With an undergraduate degree in psychology, you’ll have career opportunities such as a community services case manager, human resources manager, rehabilitation assistant or social service agent. If you pursue graduate studies, you’ll find career opportunities as a counselor or clinical, forensic, organizational or school psychologist.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sample data
| Job | Median Pay | Job Growth through 2022 |
|---|
| Psychologist | $69,280 per year | 12% (18,700 more jobs) |
| School counselor | $53,610 per year | 12% (31,200 per year) |
| Rehabilitation counselor | $33,880 per year | 20% (23,400 per year) |
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Psychology Major
The psychology major is extremely flexible and is appropriate for anyone interested in psychology, regardless of post-graduation plans including graduate school. This major requires that you complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of PSY courses.
Total: 30 semester hours
Note: You must complete a minimum of 18 hours of psychology course work at CMU.
Note: You must earn a grade of "C" or better in PSY 211 to enroll in PSY 285, and earn a "C" or better in PSY 285 and have completed ENG 201 to enroll in PSY 385. Consult individual course descriptions for prerequisites for other courses.
Note: Students who have already taken BIO 500 Biological Statistics (3) or HSC 544 Biostatistics (3) and received a grade of "C" or better in the course may substitute the requirement for PSY 211. In that case, an additional three (3) hours of Psychology must be taken.
Credit restrictions: Only PSY 100 may be taken on a CR/NC basis. No more than 9 hours may be counted from the following courses with unspecified content: PSY 200, 400, 496, 497, 498, 500, 501, 502. Further, not more than 3 hours may be counted from any one unspecified content course.
Required Courses I
(9 hours)
PSY 100
Introduction to Psychology
3
Survey of concepts, methods, and fields of psychology. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. (University Program Group III- A: Behavioral Sciences)
PSY 285
Research Methods
3
An introduction to the various research methodologies in Psychology. May be offered as Writing Intensive. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisite: PSY 100; one of the following with a grade of C or better: PSY 211, BIO 500, HSC 544.
PSY 385
Applications of Research Methods
3
Second course in psychological research methodology. Students design, execute, interpret, and report psychological research. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: PSY 285 with a grade of C or better; ENG 201.
Required Courses II
(3 hours)
PSY 211QR
Introduction to Psychological Statistics
3
Basic descriptive and inferential statistics are considered, including measures of central tendency and variability, the normal distribution, the t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and chi-square. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and completion of Mathematics Competency.
Psychology Electives
(18 hours)
