BS in Psychology

Brad Castiglia, Emily Sutton, and Taylor Lee.

The BS (Bachelor of Science) in Psychology emphasizes the scientific foundation of psychology along with a strong basic science background. The program is designed to prepare students for graduate study in behavioral or cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, medicine, health professions and other related disciplines, as well as a wide range of careers. 

Degree Requirements

The BS in Psychology requires a total of 60 credit hours. Students must complete 17 courses, with most courses consisting of three (3) credits. 

Psychology BS Core
 Students must complete the following five courses with a minimum 2.5 GPA:

  • MTH 121 & MTH 122 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I-II or MTH 141 & MTH 142 College Calculus I-II
  • PSY 101 Introductory Psychology 
  • PSY 207 Psychological Statistics
  • PSY 350 Scientific Inquiry in Psychology 

Additional Science Requirements
 Students must complete:

  • BIO 200 Evolutionary Biology
  • CHE 101/CHE 113 & CHE 102/CHE 114 General Chemistry or CHE 105 & CHE 106 Chemistry: Principles and Applications (students with a special interest in chemistry should select CHE 105 & 106)

Substantive Area Courses
 Students must complete four 300-level courses, one from each substantive area of Psychology:

  • Substantive Area 1: Clinical
    • PSY 321 Psychology of Personality
    • PSY 322 Psychopathology
    • PSY 324 Clinical Psychology
    • PSY 325 Health Psychology
  • Substantive Area 2: Social
    • PSY 331 Social Psychology
    • PSY 332 Social Conflict and Its Resolution
    • PSY 333 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
    • PSY 336 Developmental Psychology
  • Substantive Area 3: Cognitive
    • PSY 341 Cognitive Psychology
    • PSY 342 Introduction to Cognitive Science: Concepts of the Mind
    • PSY 343 Sensory Processes and Perception
    • PSY 347 Psychology of Learning
  • Substantive Area 4: Behavioral Neuroscience
    • PSY 351 Biopsychology

One Advanced Course in Research Methods

  • PSY 450 Advanced Research Methods in Psychology

Four PSY 400-level Electives
 These smaller courses (no more than 42 students per class), focus on a specialized topic and typically involve a writing component. 

  • Two PSY 400-level classes that must come from the BS-specified list (see the Undergraduate Course Catalog)
  • Two PSY 400-level classes from any area of psychology

Residency Requirement

At least three upper-level classes (300- or 400-level) must be taken at the University at Buffalo.

The department has designed the Major Completion Timeline to help Psychology majors stay on track with their degree and make the most of the opportunities, experiences and resources at UB.

“Above all, learning to think critically about psychological phenomena in a scientific way by being exposed to the full research cycle was a major highlight during my time as a UB Psychology major.”
9/13/23

Quincy Lherisson

BA in Psychology and Minor in Criminology, UB;
PhD Student, Social Psychology

“I attribute both my entry to the field of psychology and palpable success as an early-career researcher to the remarkable mentorship I received at UB. ”
9/13/23

Cassondra Lyman

BS in Psychology, BA in Statistics, UB;
PhD Student, Clinical Psychology

“When I started exploring psychology, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do within the field, but the diversity of the courses and experiences in the department allowed me to explore different disciplines including law, clinical psychology, research, and medicine, and discover my interests. ”
9/13/23

Alex Schick

BA in Psychology, UB;
Medical Student (MD)

“I believe my UB psychology degree did an excellent job setting me up with the fundamentals that I needed to go onto work in the file of mental health/social services. ”
9/13/23

Carlos Panjon

BA in Psychology, Minor in Counseling, UB;
MSW student, Social Work

“As an undergraduate Psychology minor at UB, I was able to create meaningful connections with my professors, who acted as pillars of support during my time in university. ”
9/13/23

O. Fiona Pratt-MacDonald

Minor in Psychology, BA in Sociology, UB;
Student Success Coach, Americorps

“The depth and breadth of the UB Psychology major prepared me well for doctoral study in Social Psychology by providing me with foundational knowledge and the skills to seek out answers to questions of my own. ”
9/13/23

Stephanie Stewart-Hill

BA in Psychology, Minors in Statistics and Spanish, UB;
PhD student, Social Psychology

“My favorite aspect of Psychology is its timelessness in learning opportunities—there are always questions to be asked and answers to be explored. ”
4/13/24

Amber Wedderburn

BA in Psychology, Minor in Counseling, UB;
Registered Behavioral Technician

“An advantage of majoring in Psychology is the versatile nature of the major itself—you can combine Psychology with other supplementary majors (e.g., public health, pre-med, data science) to become more marketable post-graduation in exciting interdisciplinary fields of work. ”
9/13/23

Harini Krishnamurti

BA Psychology and Minor in Nutrition, UB;
PhD Student, Applied Social Psychology

“I did not have a set career path in mind when I started college, but working in a research lab helped me foster relationships with faculty and graduate students who provided me with guidance about career paths within the field of psychology and beyond.”
9/13/23

Anna Gentile

BS in Psychology, UB;
PhD Student, Counseling Psychology

“I was not initially a Psychology major when I started at UB. However, I quickly became convinced it was where I belonged after taking a few Psychology courses. ”
9/13/23

Carl Wiedemann

BA in Psychology, Minors in Philosophy and Counseling, UB;
PhD student, Social and Health Psychology

“Psychology is not just about high-level theories or studying to become someone's therapist. Earning a degree in psychology opens you up to a multitude of career paths. ”
9/13/23

Austin Valvo

BA in Psychology, Minor in Management, UB;
PhD student, Organizational Science

“When I first started as a UB student, I had no idea that I would graduate as a Psychology major. Sitting in my first psychology course freshman year, all I knew at that point was that I wanted to stay.”
9/13/23

Jasmine Greggs

BS in Psychology, Minor in Global Gender Studies, UB;
Project Manager, Information Technology

“If you’re interested in studying psychology, UB’s Psychology Department is unmatched. I can’t think of another program that has the ample opportunities offered on UB’s campus at the price point of SUNY tuition. ”
9/13/23

Kyra Katz

BS in Psychology, UB;
Dental (DDS) Student, UB

“Pursue your interests, share your excitement with others, and you’ll find your niche! ”
9/13/23

Dylan Schaefer

BS in Psychology, BA in German, UB;
Clinical Regulatory Research Coordinator

“It's all going to come down to the individual student and their goals, but my advice is to take advantage of any and all opportunities to specialize and dive into the topics that interest you the most. ”
9/13/23

Anastasiia Melnichuk

BA in Psychology, UB;
PhD student, Neuroscience

“My advice to students is to have an open mind when sitting in Psychology classes, as the topics covered can be useful in aspects of your life that you don’t expect. ”
9/13/23

Jean Zhao

BS in Psychology, UB;
DPT, Physical Therapy

“Leading independent research and being a student in the Psychology Honors Program have been tremendously transformative experiences in both my personal life and my academic/professional life. ”
9/13/23

Jennifer Mosley

BS in Psychology, UB;
PhD student, Social Cognitive Psychology

“The department exposed me to courses and endless campus opportunities aimed toward diversity and collaboration, showcasing the interdisciplinary nature of psychology. ”
9/13/23

Jordan Johnson

BS in Psychology, Minor in Neuroscience, UB;
PhD student, Neuroscience

“UB provided me with the education and resources to pursue the next steps in my future, as well as a space to voice my opinions, expand my passion for the field, and leave my mark.”
9/13/23

Nikoleta Antoniou Karademitrou 

BA in Psychology and Minor in Counseling, UB;
PhD Student, Counseling Psychology

“As a transfer student, I was initially worried that I would be ‘behind’ relative to my peers, but the faculty and graduate students at UB were so welcoming and really helped me build my comfort level as I got involved in research. ”
9/13/23

Brandon Koscinski

BA Psychology, UB; MA in Psychology, UB; 
PhD Student, Clinical Psychology

“I am indebted to the incredible support from the Psychology Department—I gained hands-on research experience, ranging from quantitative data analyses to manuscript preparation. ”
9/13/23

Junye (Alex) Ma

BA in Psychology, BA in Japanese Linguistics, UB;
PhD student, Clinical Psychology

“I was extremely impressed with how knowledgeable my UB professors were and their enthusiasm towards teaching. ”
9/13/23

Kyle Zumpano

BS in Psychology, UB;
PhD student, Biology

“During my time as an undergraduate Psychology major at the University at Buffalo, I had access to opportunities that both defined my career path and defined me as an individual. ”
9/13/23

Alexa Jimenez

BS in Psychology, Minors in Sociology and Counseling, UB;
PhD Student, Clinical Psychology

“I was given fantastic opportunities as an undergraduate Psychology major. I engaged in research from my very first semester all the way through to my senior year, during which I participated in the Psychology Honors Program.”
9/13/23

Mia Forney

BA in Psychology and Criminology, Minor in Addiction Studies, UB;
Law (JD) and Social Work (MSW) Student, UB

“UB Psychology was a strong foundation that has helped me achieve goals that I thought were beyond my reach, and I could not be more grateful. ”
9/13/23

Sashel Haygood

BS in Psychology, UB;
PhD Student, Cognitive Psychology

“A Psychology BA is a very flexible degree, with openings for many electives. I used these openings to take courses in different departments and to participate in the Psychology Honors Program. ”
9/13/23

Hector Sosa

BA in Psychology, UB;
PhD student, Social Psychology

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Which Psychology Degree Is for Me?

Our BA is the more versatile degree, allowing for customization based on student interests. Most Psychology Majors choose the BA. Our BS is specifically designed for students who seek a more extensive scientific background. 

Learn More About the BS in Psychology

Undergraduate Course Catalog
Undergraduate Fact Sheet
How to Apply