BS in Psychology

Brad Castiglia, Emily Sutton, and Taylor Lee.

A scientific foundation for tomorrow’s neuroscientists and health professionals

If you’re aiming for medical school or neuroscience graduate programs, the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology gives you the tools to get there. You’ll combine core psychological theory with a rigorous science curriculum, preparing you for careers and advanced studies where both human behavior and a strong natural science foundation matter.

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Why choose the BS in Psychology?

Students choose the BS because of the depth in natural science it provides. It’s ideal for those planning to pursue:

  • Behavioral or cognitive neuroscience
  • Cognitive science
  • Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or other health professions

Built for a deeper scientific focus

The BS program meets the learning goals set by the American Psychological Association (APA), which means you’ll graduate with more than just knowledge—you’ll have practical skills that matter.

You’ll develop:

  • A deep understanding of psychological principles and research
  • Skills in scientific inquiry, data analysis, and critical thinking
  • Ethical awareness and cultural sensitivity
  • Strong communication, writing, and presentation abilities
  • Real-world readiness for graduate programs or the job market
“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

“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 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 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

“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

“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

“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)

“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

“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 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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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 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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

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Is the BS right for you?

Want flexibility and fewer science requirements? → Check out the BA in Psychology

Want greater depth in natural science? → The BS is your best bet

Program structure

Credits Required: 60
Courses Required: 17
Residency Requirement: At least 3 upper-level psych courses must be taken at UB

Core courses:

Mathematics:
(pick one set)
  • Survey of Calculus and Its Applications (2-course series)
  • College Calculus (2-course series)

Psychology:

  • Introductory Psychology
  • Psychological Statistics
  • Scientific Inquiry in Psychology
  • Advanced Research Methods in Psychology

Additional Sciences:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • General Chemistry (2-course series) or Chemistry: Principles and Applications (2-course series)

Note: Students with a special interest in chemistry 🧪  should select Chemistry: Principles and Applications

Substantive area courses

Students must complete four 300-level courses, one from each substantive area of Psychology.

Clinical Psychology

  • Psychopathology
  • Psychology of Personality
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Health Psychology

Social Psychology

  • Social Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Conflict and Resolution
  • Industrial/ Organizational Psychology

Cognitive Psychology

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Psychology of Learning
  • Sensory Processes and Perception
  • Intro to Cognitive Science

Behavioral Neuroscience

  • Biopsychology

Four 400-Level Electives:

  • 2 from BS-specific list
  • 2 from any area of psychology

These smaller, writing-intensive classes focus on specialized topics in psychology.

Explore the course catalog

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.

Beyond the classroom

You’ll have access to:

Where your BS can take you?

Psychology BS grads go on to successful careers in:

  • Health professions
  • Research and data analysis
  • Neuroscience labs
  • Clinical support roles
  • Graduate programs in neuroscience and medicine
See careers in Psychology

Take the next step

Ready to immerse yourself in natural and psychological science? The Department of Psychology is ready for you.

Apply today!
Explore the course catalog
See careers in Psychology

Contact us

For more information, please reach out!