Psychology Undergraduate Program

Why study psychology at
Missouri State?

Our “liberal arts” style major provides students with a solid education for graduate studies or employment.
Our graduates are hired for positions in many different industries.
Our large department provides a wide choice of courses and programs taught by faculty with many areas of expertise.
Individual faculty advisors, smaller classes in the major, and many opportunities for student research, internship and practicum experiences provide the feel of a small department.

Program description

A major in psychology can be designed as a broad liberal arts degree or can be focused for graduate school preparation. Although some of our graduates go on to graduate school, most stop their formal education with the B.S. or B.A. The psychology major, combined with a supportive minor, can be a strong preparation for a variety of careers in interesting settings. Frequently, recruiters come to campus looking for students with B.S. or B.A. degrees; many of them prefer psychology majors. If you want to pursue graduate training in psychology or related fields, the psychology major provides excellent preparation.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge Base of Psychology

Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.

Critical Thinking and Research Skills

Students will use critical and creative thinking as they demonstrate basic research skills in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.

Application and Community Engagement

Students will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.

Ethical Leadership

Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.

Cultural Competence

Students will recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.

Career Planning and Development

Students will emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.

How to apply

According to the University catalog, students may apply to a degree program if they have completed at least 30 credit hours. These hours must include the following Basic Required courses: GEP 101 or UHC 110, Computers for Learning, COM 115, ENG 110, MTH 130 or higher, and KIN 100. Under the old General Education requirements, the courses required before application to the degree program are the General Education Basic Skills requirements in English, Math, and Speech/Communication. Students must be admitted to a degree program before completing 75 credit hours. Admission to a psychology degree program establishes the catalog year for a student majoring in psychology.

Declaring a psychology major or minor

To declare or change a major or minor to psychology, students should:

Visit the Academic Advisement Center in University Hall or the office of the registrar in Carrington 320 to declare or change a major or minor.
Contact the Psychology Advisement Center at 417-836-6841 to schedule an advisement appointment during which an overview of the program will be provided and an advisor will be assigned.

Admission to the psychology degree program

Students will be admitted as pre-majors to the psychology degree program upon declaration of the psychology major. PSY 150 and the following general education basic required courses must be completed before completion of 75 credit hours to avoid being blocked from registering for the next semester’s classes: GEP 101 (or UHC 110), CIS or CSC 101, ENG 110, MTH 130 or higher, COM 115 and KIN 100. Admission to the psychology degree program establishes the catalog year for a student majoring in psychology.