Degrees and Majors

The Department of Psychology & Neuroscience

The department currently manages approximately 1,000 undergraduate majors, who then transition either directly or eventually into national graduate and professional training programs. Our program has the following goals:

1. Provide regularly scheduled advisement to undergraduate students.
2. Provide lectures for students in our national honor organizations (Psi Chi and Nu Rho Psi) on selected topics related to graduate school admissions and careers in psychology and neuroscience.
3. Ensure that our programs are routinely evaluated and modified for maximum student success after Baylor. This is an ongoing process to keep our programs current and vital.
4. Provide "beyond the classroom" experiences in community service activities.
5. Expand undergraduate participation in faculty research activities. This gives our students valuable experiences making them more competitive for graduate school admission and enhancing their professional careers.

B.A. or B.S. in Psychology

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It seeks to understand the origins and processes of thought and emotion by drawing from biological, social, and cultural aspects of the human experience.

The difference between the B.A and B.S. degree is that the B.A. has a greater emphasis in the humanities while the B.S. has a greater emphasis in science and mathematics. Around 85% of our current majors pursue the B.A. degree. Rather than being degree specific, graduate and professional schools look closely at your overall academic performance and career-related experiences in making admissions decisions.

B.S. in Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system with a special focus on the brain. As a multidisciplinary field, neuroscience draws from biology, psychology, chemistry and other areas to develop a thorough understanding of the nervous system and related disorders. From molecules and genes to behavior and motor skills, neuroscience spans the full range of the nervous system.

Students must meet the requirements of the pre-major curriculum associated with their respective major. The pre-major curriculum is a collection of core courses that incoming students must complete prior to being admitted to either the PSY or NSC major. For more details about the pre-major, click here.