Psychology

Degrees:	Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Majors:	Psychology B.A. Psychology B.S.
Minors:	Psychology Sport and Exercise Psychology
Certificate:	Work & Organizational Psychology Certificate
Department:	Psychology Building 41, Room 251 850-474-2363 http://uwf.edu/psychology
College:	Usha Kundu, MD College of Health
CIP Code:	42.0101
Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120

Psychology B.A.

The B.A. in Psychology enables students to study human behavior. An understanding of psychological processes entails understanding the multiple influences created by the biological characteristics of the organism, the effects of learning and experience, social and cultural dynamics, and developmental change. As a scientific discipline, the study of psychology requires competence in research methodology and critical thinking. Psychology is also an applied discipline, with applications in behavioral and physical health, business, education, and law, among others. Students completing a major in psychology will be prepared to pursue a wide range of careers at the bachelor's level or to pursue advanced training in psychology or other professional schools (such as medicine and law). Students will attain a high-quality liberal arts degree focused on knowledge in the discipline of psychology, integrity in the application of that knowledge, effective project management, and excellent critical thinking and communication skills. The B.A. in Psychology is offered both as an in-person program and as a fully online program.

Program Requirements

In addition to the University's general requirements, students seeking the B.A. in Psychology must meet the requirements listed below.

A minimum grade of "C" is required for PSY 2012 General Psychology, PSY 2023 Professional Development in Psychology, STA 2023 Elements of Statistics, 1000/2000 level Psychology elective, PSY 3213 Research Methods in Psychological Science I , PSY 4930 Capstone in Psychology: Special Topics, and for one course in each of the Social, Learning and Cognition, Biological, Developmental, Clinical and Workplace cognate areas. No more than 6 semester hours (sh) in informal courses (directed study, practicum, fieldwork, co-op, etc.) may be applied to fulfill the upper-level Psychology degree requirements.

Students should consult with their academic advisor for courses which may satisfy both the General Education requirements and common prerequisites.

General Education

ADDENDUM - 06/12/2025

In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum:

Students should take STA 2023 Elements of Statistics to partially fulfill the mathematics component of General Education.

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.

The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. In 2024, the Board of Governors made an additional revision, recognizing two new courses meeting the Civic Literacy requirement, AMH 2010 United States to 1877 and AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order. As a result, there are four cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions that are subject to varying requirements.

As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Simply Text

Column 1	Column 2
Students Included in Cohort	Civic Literacy Competency Requirement
Cohort 1: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018	None
Cohort 2: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020	Complete a course or Assessment.
Cohort 3: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023	Course and Assessment.
Cohort 4: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter	Course and Assessment.

Additionally, for Cohorts 3 and 4, approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan. 

Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006, and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).

Mathematics Pathway

Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites. 

Statistical Reasoning
STA 2023	Elements of Statistics	3
MGF 1130	Mathematical Thinking	3
or MAC 1105	College Algebra
or MAC 1105C	College Algebra with Lab

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

PSY 2012	General Psychology *	3
STA 2023	Elements of Statistics *	3
Any 1000 or 2000 level Psychology course **		3
BSC 1005	General Biology for Non-Majors *	3
Total Hours		12

*

Common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.

**

CLP, DEP, EAB, EXP, INP, PCO, PPE, PSB, PSY, SOP courses.

Lower Division Electives

Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement.

12-24

Upper Division Electives

Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or complete all major requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.

18-21

Major Related

If not completed at the lower division or as part of General Education:		0-3
STA 2023	Elements of Statistics

Major

PSY 3213	Research Methods in Psychological Science I +	3
PSY 2023	Professional Development in Psychology +	3
PSY 4930	Capstone in Psychology: Special Topics +	3
Social:		3
SOP 3004	Social Psychology +
Learning and Cognition (one of the following):		3
EXP 4404	Psychology of Learning +
EXP 4507	Memory and Cognition +
Biological (one of the following):		3
EXP 4204	Sensation and Perception +
PSB 4002	Brain, Behavior, and Experience +
Developmental (one of the following):		3
DEP 3103	Child Development +
DEP 4305	Psychology of Adolescence +
DEP 4404	Adulthood and Aging +
Application of Psychology: Clinical/Counseling (one of the following):		3
CLP 3144	Abnormal Psychology +
CLP 4314	Health Psychology +
PPE 4003	Theories of Personality +
PSB 4731	Psychobiology of Sexual Behavior +
PSY 4302	Psychology of Assessment +
Applications of Psychology: Workplace (one of the following):		3
EXP 4250	Human Factors Psychology +
INP 3004	Industrial Psychology +
INP 3313	Organizational Behavior +
INP 4224	Psychology of Workforce Diversity +
3000/4000 level Psychology Electives **, +		12
Total Hours		39

**

CLP, CYP, DEP, EAB, EXP, INP, PCO, PPE, PSB, PSY, SOP courses.

+

Courses included in the major GPA.

Psychology B.S.

A bachelor’s degree in Psychology enables students to study human behavior. An understanding of psychological processes entails understanding the multiple influences created by the biological characteristics of the organism, the effects of learning and experience, social and cultural dynamics, and developmental change. As a scientific discipline, the study of psychology requires competence in research methodology and critical thinking. Psychology is also an applied discipline with applications in behavioral and physical health, business, education, medicine, and law, among others.

Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Psychology will be prepared to pursue a wide range of science- and research-related careers at the bachelor’s level or to pursue an advanced degree in a STEM-related field. Students will attain a high-quality scientific degree focused on knowledge in the discipline of psychology, integrity in the application of that knowledge, effective project management, and excellent critical thinking and communication skills.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology can prepare students interested in pursuing a degree in the medical field. To assist in meeting all pre-med requirements, students should take the following coursework when completing General Education requirements:

BSC 2010 & 2010L	Biology I and Biology I Laboratory	4
CHM 2045 & 2045L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory	4
CHM 2046 & 2046L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory	4
CHM 2210 & 2210L	Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory	4
PHY 2053 & 2053L	Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab	4
MAC 2311	Analytic Geometry and Calculus I **	4

**

Prerequisites are MAC 1114 and MAC 1140.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology can prepare students interested in pursuing a degree in Law. There are no prerequisites for a law degree but the ABA recommends the following knowledge bases to assist in preparing for law school which can be gained in psychology coursework: Problem Solving, Critical Reading, Writing and Editing, Oral Communication and Listening, Research, Organization and Management, Public Service and Promotion of Justice, Relationship-building and Collaboration, Background Knowledge and Exposure to the Law. Recommended General Education courses: CCJ 2002 Survey of Crime and Justice and PLA 2013 Survey of American Law.

Program Requirements

A minimum grade of "C" is required for the Psychology core and all Major requirements. No more than 6 semester hours (sh) in informal courses (directed study, practicum, field work, co-op, etc) may be applied to fulfill the upper-level Psychology degree electives.

Students should consult with their academic advisor for courses which may satisfy the General Education requirements and common prerequisites.

General Education 

ADDENDUM - 06/12/2025

In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum: 

Students should take STA 2023 Elements of Statistics to partially fulfill the mathematics component of General Education. 

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.

The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. In 2024, the Board of Governors made an additional revision, recognizing two new courses meeting the Civic Literacy requirement, AMH 2010 United States to 1877 and AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order. As a result, there are four cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions that are subject to varying requirements.

As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Simply Text

Column 1	Column 2
Students Included in Cohort	Civic Literacy Competency Requirement
Cohort 1: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018	None
Cohort 2: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020	Complete a course or Assessment.
Cohort 3: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023	Course and Assessment.
Cohort 4: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter	Course and Assessment.

Additionally, for Cohorts 3 and 4, approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan. 

Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006, and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).

Mathematics Pathway

Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites. 

Statistical Reasoning
STA 2023	Elements of Statistics	3
MGF 1130	Mathematical Thinking	3
or MAC 1105	College Algebra
or MAC 1105C	College Algebra with Lab

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

PSY 2012	General Psychology *	3
STA 2023	Elements of Statistics *	3
Any 1000 or 2000 level Psychology course **		3
BSC 1005	General Biology for Non-Majors *	3
Total Hours		12

*

Common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.

**

CLP, DEP, EAB, EXP, INP, PCO, PPE, PSB, PSY, SOP courses.

Lower Division Electives

Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement.

4-24

Upper Division Electives

Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or complete all major requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.

0-18

Major Related

If not completed at the lower division or as part of General Education:		0-3
STA 2023	Elements of Statistics

Major

Disciplinary Foundations

PSY 2023	Professional Development in Psychology +	3
PSY 3213	Research Methods in Psychological Science I +	3
PSY 3215	Research Methods in Psychological Science II +	3
PSY 4930	Capstone in Psychology: Special Topics +	3
Total Hours		12

Major Requirements

Biological Processes (one of the following)		3
PSB 4002	Brain, Behavior, and Experience +
EXP 4204	Sensation and Perception +
Cognition and Learning:		6
EXP 4404	Psychology of Learning +
EXP 4507	Memory and Cognition +
Developmental Processes (one of the following):		3
DEP 3103	Child Development +
DEP 4305	Psychology of Adolescence +
DEP 4404	Adulthood and Aging +
Interpersonal Processes:		3
SOP 3004	Social Psychology +
Health and Wellness (one of the following):		3
CLP 3144	Abnormal Psychology +
CLP 4314	Health Psychology +
Professional Preparation (one of the following):		3
INP 3004	Industrial Psychology +
INP 3313	Organizational Behavior +
Total Hours		21

Upper-Level Electives

3000/4000 level electives		9
Any 3000/4000 or Directed Study Psychology Course * +

*

CLP, DEP, EAB, EXP, INP, PCO, PPE, PSB, PSY, SOP courses.

+

Courses included in the major GPA.

Psychology Minor

The Minor in Psychology consists of the following courses or their equivalent. No directed studies, service learning, or internship courses may be taken to fulfill the requirements for the minor. A minimum of 9 semester hours (sh) must be completed at UWF. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in all courses used to satisfy the minor. Psychology majors may not earn this minor.

PSY 2012	General Psychology	3
2000 level Psychology Elective		3
3000/4000 level Psychology Electives		12
Total Hours		18

Sport and Exercise Psychology Minor

The 18 semester hour (sh) Minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology is offered by the Department of Psychology in affiliation with the Department of Movement Sciences and Health. The minor is primarily designed for those students interested in the psychological aspects of sport and other exercise activities. This minor provides an opportunity for coursework centered on health and exercise (e.g., health, nutrition and physical fitness) and psychology (e.g., sport and exercise psychology) with the option of taking relevant electives from both fields. This minor is available to all students. No directed study may be taken to fulfill the requirements for the minor.

Required Courses:

PSY 2012	General Psychology	3
APK 2000	Introduction to Exercise Science	3
SPM 4012	Sociology of Sport	3
PSY 4832	Sport and Exercise Psychology	3
PET 4765	Theory and Practice of Coaching	3
Pick one elective course (3 sh):		3
CLP 4314	Health Psychology
HSC 4104	Health Aspects of Stress Management
HSC 4300	Changing Health Behaviors
Total Hours		18

Work & Organizational Psychology Certificate

Department: Psychology

Method of Instruction: Classroom

Semester Hours: 15

The Work & Organizational Psychology Certificate is designed for undergraduates who wish to learn how to apply the principles of psychology to maximize human potential in organizations. This certificate prepares students for careers in fields such as human resources or training and development, and for graduate programs in Industrial/Organizational Psychology or related disciplines.

This certificate can be earned by those majoring or minoring in psychology, those majoring in other fields, and those who are enrolled as special students with or without a bachelor’s degree.  

INP 3004	Industrial Psychology	3
INP 3313	Organizational Behavior	3
INP 4224	Psychology of Workforce Diversity	3
SOP 3004	Social Psychology	3
Three additional hours which may include:		3
EXP 4250	Human Factors Psychology
PSY 3860	Positive Psychology
SOP 3730	Psychology, Culture, and Society
Any upper-level undergraduate elective approved by Certificate Coordinator.
Total Hours		15