Psychology

On this page: Major Description | Requirements | Learning Objectives | Faculty & Staff |  Courses

The Psychology major description

The major introduces students to a range of domains, perspectives and questions of human experience, along with opportunities for exploring them through independent or collaborative research, social action, and/or critical reflection. Students are encouraged to evaluate how we come to understand human behavior and psychological processes, and to formulate critical questions about the field of psychology itself, including issues of power and human diversity.

Students at UW Bothell are encouraged to extend their knowledge of psychology to other fields of study and social contexts. While some students go on to pursue graduate study in clinical/counseling, or social work, others use psychological perspectives to inform their work in community development, health care, policy work, media and communications, business, education, and other fields.

Major requirements

Recommended preparation

If you would like to explore the major, consider taking one of the below courses. Any of these selections will help familiarize you with the academic program and prepare you for advanced coursework in the major.

  • BIS 170 Introduction to Psychology
  • BIS 215 Understanding Statistics
  • BIS 220 Developmental Psychology
  • BIS 222 Introduction to Human Sexuality
  • BIS 225 Social Psychology
  • BIS 270 Abnormal Psychology

Prerequisites

In addition to the general admission requirements, students must have completed the following prerequisites,with a minimum 2.0 grade, to to declare theBachelor of Arts in Psychology major.

  • BIS 170 Introduction to Psychology (or equivalent)
  • BIS 215 Understanding Statistics (or equivalent)

Degree requirements

  • BIS 300 Interdisciplinary Inquiry-min. 2.0 grade (5 credits)*
  • BIS 312 Approaches to Social Research
  • One Psychology Core Courses from the following list- min. 2.0 grade (5 credits)
  • Psychology Courses (20 Credits)
  • Psychology Electives (10 credits)
  • BIS 499 Portfolio Capstone- min. 2.5 grade (5 credits)
  • Additional IAS Coursework (20 credits)

Total = 70 Credits

*Should be taken in the first quarter of IAS enrollment.

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Learning objectives

The Psychology curriculum advances the five core IAS learning objectives. Students taking courses and/or majoring in Psychology:

  1. Develop an understanding of human development and well-being within an ecological framework.
  2. Draw upon the strengths and perspectives of diverse stakeholders in defining and solving social problems.
  3. Utilize interdisciplinary methods and approaches to community action and research.
  4. Understand, evaluate and participate in the development of effective intervention, prevention, and health promotion strategies and programs for individuals, small groups, and communities.
  5. Integrate knowledge across disciplines and contexts in ways that respect different approaches to understanding human development and well-being.
  6. Work collaboratively across diverse groups and organizations through community-based experience and internships.

Faculty

​Please contact the Psychology Faculty Coordinator if you have any questions, concerns or ideas about the Psychology major.

To declare the Psychology major, please contact the First Year and Pre-Major Programs.

Academic advisors

Research librarian

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Courses

A. Psychology core courses 

  • BISPSY 337 Risk and Resilience
  • BISPSY 343 Community Psychology
  • BISPSY 348 Cultural Psychology
  • BISPSY 350 Intergroup Relations

B. Psychology courses 

  • BIS 220 Developmental Psychology
  • BIS 222 Introduction to Human Sexuality
  • BIS 225 Social Psychology
  • BIS 270 Abnormal Psychology
  • BIS 316 Topics in Psychology
  • BIS 349 Personality Psychology
  • BIS 364 Realities & Representations of Adolescent Development
  • BIS 422 Clinical Psychology
  • BIS 450 Decolonizing Psychology
  • BIS 438 Prevention and Promotion
  • BIS 449 Advanced Topics in Psychology
  • BBIO 310 Brain & Behavior
  • BISPSY 337 Risk and Resilience (If not taken as a core)
  • BISPSY 343 Community Psychology (if not taken as a core)
  • BISPSY 348 Cultural Psychology (if not taken as a core)
  • BISPSY 350 Intergroup Relations (if not taken as a core)

Psychology electives *IAS will maintain the list of core courses.

  • BIS 232 Intro to Data Visualization
  • BIS 235 Critical Media Literacy
  • BIS 256 Intro to African American Studies
  • BIS 257 Intro to Asian American Studies
  • BIS 258 Intro to Latinx Studies
  • BIS 265 Intro to Comparative Ethnic American Studies
  • BIS 255 Critical Diversity Studies
  • BIS 282 Globalization
  • BIS 307 Environmental Justice
  • BIS 325 Disability and Human Rights
  • BIS 352 Mapping Communities
  • BIS 353 Human Rights in Theory and Practice
  • BIS 380 Bioethics
  • BIS 384 Health, Medicine and Society
  • BIS 445 Meanings and Realities of Inequality
  • BIS 446 Science, Expertise and Public Policy
  • BIS 448 Social Policy
  • BIS 483 Community Organizing
  • BIS 489 Projects in Community Psychology
  • BISAES 305 Power, Dissent, and American Culture
  • BISAES 367 Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration
  • BISGWS 301 Critical Gender & Sexuality Studies
  • BISLEP 302 Policy Analysis
  • BISSTA 304 Institutions and Social Change
  • BISSTA 359 Ethics and Society
  • BISSTS 231 Genes, Genomes and Heredity

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