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Are mindful people better at regulating their emotions?

Emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, and so on often need to be "regulated" for us to behave in healthy, adaptive ways. How can people better regulate their emotions when stressed? read more...

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Can we help children with ADHD succeed in school?

Adolescents with ADHD often experience significant problems in school, such as failing grades and low achievement test scores. Can we predict these problems before they occur? read more...

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Why do African American youth trade cigarettes for cigars?

Many youth perceive cigars to pose fewer health risks than cigarettes. But, is this true? read more...

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Are cultural issues important in rehabilitation medicine?

Many health problems and disabilities disproportionately affect ethnic minority communities. But what can rehabilitation specialists do to change that? read more...

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Is religious counseling effective?

Many religious people say they want religious counseling. But is it effective? And, if it is not available, is secular counseling less effective for religious people than religious counseling? read more...

Undergraduate Program Requirements

The Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University stresses both graduate and undergraduate education. The department's 40 plus faculty members teach a range of entry-level, mid-range and advanced courses in both basic areas of psychology (research design and analysis, developmental, social, psychobiology) and applied areas (abnormal processes, stress and adjustment, industrial psychology). Psychology is housed within the College of Humanities and Sciences, and graduates of the undergraduate program receive a Bachelor of Science degree with broad training in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, as well as a specialization in psychology.

Curriculum

VCU has published its official Undergraduate Bulletin online.

Summary of Degree Requirements – Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 30 of those credits in psychology. However, no more than 40 credits in psychology may be presented for graduation for the Bachelor of Science degree. This limit does not apply to courses numbered 490 and above. At least 15 of the 30 required credits must be taken at VCU. An overall GPA of 2.0 is required in psychology courses.

The required core curriculum consists of an introduction to psychology (PSYC 101), a study of statistical applications in the psychology field (PSYC 214), and an overview of experimental methods (PSYC 317). A minimum grade of "C" is required in each. Refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin or the undergraduate psychology advising office for prerequisites to these courses.

It is important to note that students must complete these courses in a sequence: STAT 210 (or approved equivalent) must be completed with a grade of "C" or better before taking PSYC 214, which in turn must be completed with a grade of "C" or better before taking PSYC 317. Students should start this sequence as early in their college career as possible. PSYC 101 is the prerequisite for all other psychology courses.

In the standard curriculum, students complete at least one course from each of the following four content areas:

Students also must complete a capstone course in the history of psychology after they have completed at least 85 credits toward their degree.

Concentrations in Psychology

Although the majority of psychology majors complete the standard curriculum, there are concentrations available. In addition to the core, including capstone and instead of the standard curriculum, students may apply in writing to declare one of the concentrations to the Psyugrad Advising at psyugrad@vcu.edu. At the point of declaration, they must have successfully completed PSYC 101 and PSYC 214 with a "C" grade or better in each, The Graduate School Concentration provides a broad training in the core areas of scientific psychology intended to prepare students for the GRE and successful application to graduate school. The other concentrations represent curricula focused on special strengths of the Department of Psychology, and may prepare the student for psychological work not requiring the Ph.D. Download the psychology chapter of the Undergraduate Bulletin for each concentration's specific requirements:

Minor in Psychology

A minor in psychology consists of 18 credits in psychology, including PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology; one course from each of the four content areas: Developmental, Social/Personality, Physiological/Learning and Self-development/Applied Psychology; and one additional course. PSYC 201 Career Development in Psychology cannot be used to meet this requirement. At least nine of the 18 credits must be taken at VCU.