The Department of Psychology at Texas Southern University (TSU) has two degree programs in Psychology, one undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), and one graduate degree, the Master of Arts (M.A.). The Department also offers a minor in Psychology for students pursuing undergraduate degrees in majors of other academic units at TSU. 

Students interested in the M.A. degree in Psychology are referred to the Graduate School Bulletin of Texas Southern University for general information about admission requirements.

The mission of the Department of Psychology is to contribute to the development of an individual who has assumed a productive role in society upon completion of a liberal arts education. To fulfill its mission, the Department of Psychology imparts: 

1. knowledge, skills, and values related to the science and application of psychology; and
2. knowledge, skills, and values consistent with a liberal arts education that are further enhanced by the discipline of psychology. After successful completion of the curriculum plan in psychology, students will:
   1. demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology;
   2. apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation;
   3. use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes;
   4. apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues; and
   5. be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.

Students wishing to pursue either the B.A. in Psychology or an undergraduate minor in Psychology must satisfy university requirements and remediate identified deficiencies, as well as petition the Department for admission by completing the appropriate form available through the Departmental Office. Students applying to declare either major or minor in Psychology must:

• present evidence of having an overall GPA of 2.0 or better;
• have completed PSYC 2301 General Psychology with a grade of “C” or better;

 New freshmen to the university can declare the major or minor. Upon admission to the Department, students are each assigned an official advisor, and they are expected to keep the Department Office informed of changes in contact information including home and mailing addresses and telephone number up to graduation.

For the B.A. degree in Psychology, students must declare a minor in another academic discipline (as first-time seekers of an undergraduate degree) at the University and must earn grades of “C” or better in all Psychology and minor courses undertaken. (Grades of “C-” or below are not acceptable in these courses.) In selecting a minor, psychology majors should seek detailed advisement from their designated advisors, because the selection of a minor having representative courses in the core curriculum of study could impact the total number of credits required. Students can remain in the Psychology major or minor as long as they

• maintain a grade of “C” or higher in all Psychology courses with no more than two attempts for a given course;
• do not receive a “F” in two or more courses, or a “D” or lower in three or more courses, in a single semester;
• and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher in two consecutive semesters

In no case will students qualify for graduation at the undergraduate level with fewer than 120 semester credit hours satisfactorily completed. Psychology majors and minors must also have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 across all Psychology courses taken to be eligible for graduation. Prior to graduation, candidates for the B.A. degree in Psychology must take the departmental exit examination which is part of the requirements for PSYC 4397 Selected Topics in Psychology. Students who do not take the exit examination will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony, and must reapply for graduation in the next semester.  Students are required to attend mandatory workshops before admission to the exit exam.

Transfer students may substitute FS 102 Freshman Seminar/ first Year Experience with any college level course to complete the total credit hours required for graduation by their degree plan.

For a minor in Psychology, click here.

For further information regarding the Psychology major or minor requirements, contact the Department Office at (713)-313-7344.

The Department of Psychology is located in the College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences in Suite 302 on the third floor of the Barbara Jordan - Mickey Leland Building.

Psychology Courses

Philosophy Courses