Psychology, B.S.

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior, examining how biological, developmental, cognitive, social, and cultural factors shape human experience. As both a research discipline and an applied field, psychology investigates questions ranging from brain function and learning to relationships, development, and mental health. Students learn to think critically about psychological processes, gain competence in research methodology, and develop skills in communication, problem-solving, and project management that transfer to a wide range of careers.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology offers a strong scientific foundation while allowing students to tailor their studies through specializations. Students may choose from:

• Clinical and Counseling Psychology – Designed for students who want to understand mental health, assessment, and interventions. This specialization is recommended if you are preparing for graduate training in counseling, clinical psychology, or related helping professions.

• Cognitive Neuroscience – Ideal if you are fascinated by the brain, memory, attention, and perception. This specialization is especially relevant if you are preparing for graduate study in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, or related health sciences.

• Developmental Psychology – A good choice if you are interested in how people grow and change across the lifespan. This specialization is valuable for students considering careers or graduate programs in education, child development, or human services.

• General Psychology – A flexible option that allows you to explore a broad range of topics across psychology. This specialization is appropriate if you want a well-rounded psychology background or if you are still deciding on your long-term career direction.

• Workforce Psychology – Focused on applying psychological science to the workplace, organizations, and careers. This specialization is especially useful if you are preparing for graduate study in industrial-organizational psychology, human resources, or business-related fields.

Graduates are well prepared for careers in research, health, education, business, law, and other fields, or for advanced study in psychology and related STEM disciplines. The program also provides structured preparation for professional pathways such as medicine or law through recommended coursework and advising.

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.

Psychology B.S. Core Courses

All Psychology B.S. students will take these courses regardless of specialization. Students must earn a "C" or better in these courses to count towards the psychology degree.

Pre-Med Students

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:

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Prerequisites are MAC 1114 and MAC 1140.

Pre-Law Students

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 American Bar Association 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.

Clinical and Counseling Psychology Specialization

The Clinical and Counseling Psychology specialization focuses on growth and change across the lifespan, from infancy through aging. Students study how biological, cognitive, emotional, and social factors influence development, with attention to both typical and atypical patterns. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking about developmental theories and their real-world applications. 

Career and Graduate Study Pathways

Graduates of this specialization are well positioned to pursue master’s or doctoral study in counseling, clinical psychology, social work, or related helping professions. At the bachelor’s level, students may find employment in mental health agencies, rehabilitation centers, case management, crisis intervention, and human services organizations.

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.

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

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 Mathematics Pathways catalog page. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.

Common Prerequisites 

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

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

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

Lower Division Electives 

Upper Division Electives 

Major Related

Psychology Core Courses

All Psychology B.S. students will take the Psychology Core courses regardless of specialization. Students must earn a C or better in these courses to count towards the psychology degree.

Clinical/Counseling Psychology Specialization Requirements

Major GPA Calculation

The upper-division courses (3000-4000 level) with the following prefixes will be used in calculating the major grade point average: CLP, DEP, EAB, EXP, INP, PCO, PPE, PSB, PSY, SOP.

Cognitive Neuroscience Specialization

The Cognitive Neuroscience specialization explores the relationship between brain processes and behavior. Students learn how the nervous system supports attention, memory, perception, language, and decision-making, drawing on methods from psychology, biology, and related fields. This specialization emphasizes scientific research and laboratory experience, preparing students to think critically about how brain mechanisms influence cognition and everyday functioning.

Career and Graduate Study Pathways

Graduates from this specialization are well prepared for advanced study in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, or medical and health-related fields. Career opportunities include research assistantships in neuroscience labs, positions in clinical research organizations, and preparation for professional school in medicine, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology.

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.

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

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 Mathematics Pathways catalog page. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.

Common Prerequisites 

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

*

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 

Upper Division Electives

Major Related

Psychology Core Courses

All Psychology B.S. students will take the Psychology Core regardless of specialization. Students must earn a C or better in these courses to count towards the psychology degree. 

Cognitive Neuroscience Specialization Requirements

Major GPA Calculation

The upper-division courses (3000-4000 level) with the following prefixes will be used in calculating the major grade point average: CLP, DEP, EAB, EXP, INP, PCO, PPE, PSB, PSY, SOP.

Developmental Psychology Specialization

The Developmental Psychology specialization focuses on growth and change across the lifespan, from infancy through aging. Students study how biological, cognitive, emotional, and social factors influence development, with attention to both typical and atypical patterns. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking about developmental theories and their real-world applications. 

Career and Graduate Study Pathways

This specialization prepares students for roles in education, child development, social services, and community programs. Graduates often pursue advanced degrees in developmental psychology, school psychology, counseling, or social work. Career options at the bachelor’s level include case management, youth program coordination, early childhood education support, and aging services.

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.

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

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 Mathematics Pathways catalog page. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.

Common Prerequisites

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

*

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

Upper Division Electives

Major Related

Psychology Core Courses

All Psychology B.S. students will take the Psychology Core regardless of specialization. Students must earn a C or better in these courses to count towards the psychology degree.

Developmental Psychology Specialization Requirements

Major GPA Calculation

The upper-division courses (3000-4000 level) with the following prefixes will be used in calculating the major grade point average: CLP, DEP, EAB, EXP, INP, PCO, PPE, PSB, PSY, SOP.

General Psychology Specialization

The General Psychology specialization provides a flexible pathway for students who want a broad foundation across subfields of psychology. Students may combine courses in cognitive, biological, social, developmental, and applied areas to create a customized program of study that matches their interests and goals.

Career and Graduate Study Pathways

This specialization is ideal for students who want a wide-ranging background in psychology or who are exploring diverse career options. Graduates may pursue work in research, education, business, or human services, and the track provides strong preparation for a variety of graduate programs in psychology, health, or social sciences.

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.

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

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 Mathematics Pathways catalog page. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.

Common Prerequisites

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

*

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

Upper Division Electives

Major Related

Psychology Core Courses

All Psychology B.S. students will take the Psychology Core courses regardless of specialization. Students must earn a C or better in these courses to count towards the psychology degree.

Major Requirements

Major GPA Calculation

The upper-division courses (3000-4000 level) with the following prefixes will be used in calculating the major grade point average: CLP, DEP, EAB, EXP, INP, PCO, PPE, PSB, PSY, SOP.

Workforce Psychology Specialization

The Workforce Psychology specialization applies psychological science to the world of work. Students learn how people interact in organizations, how motivation and leadership influence performance, and how data can inform decisions about personnel and workplace design. The specialization emphasizes problem-solving, communication, and analytic skills relevant to modern organizations.

Career and Graduate Study Pathways

This specialization is excellent preparation for graduate study in industrial-organizational psychology, human resources, business administration, or organizational leadership. At the bachelor’s level, graduates are prepared for careers in human resources, employee development, market research, and organizational consulting.

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.

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

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 Mathematics Pathways catalog page. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.

Common Prerequisites

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

*

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

Upper Division Electives

Major Related

Psychology Core Courses

All Psychology B.S. students will take the Psychology Core courses regardless of specialization. Students must earn a C or better in these courses to count towards the psychology degree.

Workforce Psychology Specialization Requirements

Major GPA Calculation

The upper-division courses (3000-4000 level) with the following prefixes will be used in calculating the major grade point average: CLP, DEP, EAB, EXP, INP, PCO, PPE, PSB, PSY, SOP.

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.

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.

Work & Organizational Psychology Certificate

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.