Psychology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Neuroscience / Pre-Physician Assistant (SRU) (Traditional)
Psychology Program Learning Outcomes
- Theory and Content of Psychology: Students should be familiar with the major theoretical approaches, findings, and historical trends in psychology.
- Methodology: Students should understand and be able to use major research methods in psychology, including design, data analysis, and interpretation.
- Critical Thinking, Logic, and Problem-Solving: Students should use and respect skeptical inquiry, critical thinking, and the scientific approach to understanding behavior.
- Information Competence, Technology, and Computers: Students should demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for multiple purposes.
- Communication Skills: Students should be able to express themselves effectively in written and oral communication.
- Application of Psychology: Students should have an understanding of applications of psychology to personal, social, and organizational issues.
What are your options?
Pre-Physician Assistant SRU 3+2: Earn a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies in five years rather than six. In the first three years, you complete your major courses and pre-requisites for the SRU PA program. At the end of your second year, you apply for admission into the SRU PA program. If accepted, your first year in the SRU PA program meets the remaining requirements for your undergraduate degree. If not accepted, you continue to complete your undergraduate degree and can reapply to the program. The accelerated option is for incoming freshmen only.
Pre-Physician Assistant (SRU Traditional): Complete the requirements for your major and the pre-requisites for the SRU PA program and apply to the SRU PA program in your senior year.
Related Links
Curriculum Guide
GPA Requirement
- Overall GPA: 3.25 or higher
- Major GPA (only includes all major requirement courses): 3.00 or higher
Summary*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 44 | |
| Other Basic Requirements | 0-3 | |
| Computer Competency | 0-3 | |
| Writing Competency Requirements | ||
| Major Requirements | 56-57 | |
| Electives | 20 | |
* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
Rock Studies 2 Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| STAT 152 | Elementary Statistics I | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Physical & Natural Sciences Inquiry | ||
| BIOL 104 | 4 | |
| CHEM 107 & CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| Subtotal | 17 | |
| Thematic Thread | ||
| Select 12 Credits 2 | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 44 | |
| 1 | Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject. |
| 2 | One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major. |
Basic Math Requirement
Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR | ||
| Beginning Algebra | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
Computer Competency
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR | ||
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution: | ||
| Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts | ||
| Computer Concepts | ||
| Introduction to Computing and Programming | ||
| Technology for Wellness | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT
Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career.
Major Requirements
- 28 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 28 major credits must be at the 300 level or above
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Goal 1: Scientific Literacy & Foundations 1 | ||
| Must earn a grade of 'C' or higher in PSYC 105, 231, 232. | ||
| Must earn a grade of 'B' or higher in PSYC 311. | ||
| PSYC 105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 231 | Psychological Science I: Research Methods | 3 |
| PSYC 232 | Psychological Science II: Statistical Applications | 3 |
| PSYC 311 | Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience | 4 |
| Subtotal | 13 | |
| Goal 2: Breadth of Knowledge & Making Connections 1 | ||
| Psychology Core Courses | ||
| PSYC 244 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 276 | Introduction to Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Neuroscience Content Courses (select two) | 6 | |
| Sensation & Perception | ||
| Learning | ||
| Drugs and Behavior | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Interdisciplinary Core Courses | ||
| BIOL 250 | Genetics with Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| Subtotal | 19 | |
| Goal 3: Depth of Knowledge, Technical Expertise & Research 1 | ||
| Neuroscience Content Courses (select three) | 9 | |
| Psychopharmacology | ||
| Hormones and Behavior | ||
| Clinical Neuroscience | ||
| Developmental Neuroscience | ||
| Research Capstone | ||
| PSYC 451 | Research Capstone Internship | 6 |
| PSYC 451 | Research Capstone Internship | 6 |
| Interdisciplinary Core Course | ||
| BIOL 210 | Medical Microbiology with Lab | 3 |
| or BIOL 303 | Behavioral Ecology/Lab | |
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| Total Hours | 56 | |
| 1 | Courses count for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA |
| * | Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course. |
Writing Competency Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Writing in Psychology #1 | ||
| Writing in Psychology #2 | ||
| Writing in Psychology #3 | ||
| Professional Competencies Paper | ||
Additional Physician Assistant Prerequisite Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 216 | Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 3 |
| BIOL 217 | Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 3 |
| CHEM 108 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| EXSC 250 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| or HCAM 250 | Medical Terminology for Healthcare Administrators | |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
Co-Curricular and Experiential Learning
Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:
- International Study Programs
- High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
- Student-faculty research
- Student leadership (Psi Chi, Psychology Club, Reflections Body Image Organization, Nu Rho Psi, Neuro Rocks)
- Service-learning classes
- Career education planning (Office of Career Education and Development)
- Internships
- Volunteering in local human services and mental health agencies
- Job shadowing
Physician Assistant Studies (Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies)
Prerequisite Admission Requirements
For Application Requirements
Please refer to Slippery Rock University’s Physician Assistant Studies (Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies) website for requirements: http://www.sru.edu/pa
Rock Studies 2
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite Courses - SRU Physician Assistant | ||
| BIOL 114 | Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 216 | Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 3 |
| BIOL 217 | Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 3 |
| BIOL 250 | Genetics with Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 210 | Medical Microbiology with Lab | 3 |
| or BIOL 330 | Microbiology/Lab | |
| CHEM 107 & CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 108 & CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| EXSC 250 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| or HCAM 250 | Medical Terminology for Healthcare Administrators | |
| PSYC 105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Inferential Statistics Course 1 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 37 | |
| 1 | Any statistics course with inferential statistics embedded. See My Rock Audit for specific courses. |
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
PSYCHOLOGY - BS (6170)
Pre-PA SRU 3+2 (6SPP)
This program is effective as of Summer 2022
Revised 04.21.2022
UCC 02.15.2022
Recommended Four-Year Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL 114 | Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab | 4 |
| PSYC 105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ESAP 101 | FYRST Seminar * | 1 |
| LIBR 110 | Introduction to Library & Information Resources | 1 |
| STAT 152 | Elementary Statistics I | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYC 231 | Psychological Science I: Research Methods | 3 |
| Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry | 3 | |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| Civil Discourse Requirement - select one | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSYC 232 | Psychological Science II: Statistical Applications | 3 |
| CHEM 107 & CHEM 111 |
General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab |
4 |
| PSYC 276 | Introduction to Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Humanities Inquiry | 3 | |
| Free Elective (Neuro Recommended) | 3 | |
| Declare a Thematic Thread 2 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYC 311 | Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience | 4 |
| CHEM 108 & CHEM 112 |
General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab |
4 |
| PSYC 244 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Free Elective (Neuro Recommended) | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Goal 2: Neuroscience Content Course #1 | 3 | |
| CHEM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| BIOL 250 | Genetics with Lab | 4 |
| Free Elective (Neuro Recommended) | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Goal 2: Neuroscience Content Course #2 | 3 | |
| Goal 3: Neuroscience Content Course #1 | 3 | |
| BIOL 210 | Medical Microbiology with Lab | 3 |
| EXSC 250 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSYC 451 | Research Capstone Internship | 6 |
| Goal 3: Neuroscience Content Course #2 | 3 | |
| BIOL 216 | Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYC 451 | Research Capstone Internship | 6 |
| Goal 3: Neuroscience Content Course #3 | 3 | |
| BIOL 217 | Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours** | 121 | |
| 1 | Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject. |
| 2 | Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year. |
| * | Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective. |
** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses. However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year.
Major Code: 6170/Traditional
Revised 05.25.2022