Psychological & Brain Sciences Major, Lifespan Development Specialization
Program Requirements
- Total units required: 43-46 units (34, at least 25 of which must be at the 300 level or above, for the major requirements plus 9-12 units for the specialization)
Required Courses
-
Psych 100B Introduction to Psychology is a prerequisite for all upper-level courses (300 level and above). Exemption from Psych 100B Introduction to Psychology is possible in the following circumstances:
-
Completion of an equivalent course transferred from another institution, if approved by the director of undergraduate studies.
-
An AP psychology test score of 5, an IB score of 6 or 7, or a British A-Level grade of A.
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- Psych 300 Introduction to Psychological Statistics
- Psych 301 Experimental Psychology or Psych 3011 Experimental Psychology
In cases where an exemption is granted (e.g., Psych 100B, Psych 300), no credits are earned toward the major, so exempt courses must be made up with additional P&BS content electives (approved by the major advisor).
Core Requirements
Students must complete at least one course from each of the following five categories:*
Social/Personality:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Psych 305 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 315 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 353 | Psychology of Personality | 3 |
| Psych 396 | Psychological Dynamics of Empathy | 3 |
| Psych 4099 | Human Evolutionary Psychology | 3 |
Mental Health/Affective:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Psych 3195 | Abnormal Child Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 354 | Psychopathology and Mental Health | 3 |
| Psych 3645 | Understanding Emotions | 3 |
| Psych 4765 | Inside the Disordered Brain: Biological Bases of the Major Mental Disorders | 3 |
Biological/Neurological Bases of Behavior:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Psych 330 | Sensation and Perception | 3 |
| Psych 3401 | Biological Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 345 | Genes, Environment, and Human Behavior | 3 |
| Psych 3604 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| Psych 4182 | Perception, Thought, and Action | 3 |
| Psych 4765 | Inside the Disordered Brain: Biological Bases of the Major Mental Disorders | 3 |
Behavior and Cognition:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Psych 360 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 361 | Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| Psych 358 | Language Acquisition | 3 |
| Psych 380 | Human Learning and Memory | 3 |
| Psych 4099 | Human Evolutionary Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 433 | Psychology of Language | 3 |
Lifespan Development:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Psych 219 | The Infant Mind: Sophomore Seminar (this course can fulfill the Lifespan Development Core, but the credit counts in the "6 units Rule") | 3 |
| Psych 321 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 325 | Psychology of Adolescence | 3 |
| Psych 326 | Introduction to the Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| Psych 358 | Language Acquisition | 3 |
| Psych 427 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
- *
If a course falls into more than one category, it can be used to fulfill only one of those categories (i.e., no double-counting).
Elective Courses
Students must complete an additional 9 units of Psychology & Brain Sciences (P&BS) course work.
6-Units Rule
No more than 6 units from the following course types may be used to satisfy the minimum requirements for the P&BS major:
- 100-/200-level courses (other than Psych 100B Introduction to Psychology)
- Psych 333 Independent Study in Psychological and Brain Sciences
- Psych 444C Independent Study for a Concentration in Psychological and Brain Sciences
- Psych 498 Study for Honors and Psych 499 Study for Honors
- Approved School of Continuing & Professional Studies psychology classes
- Approved psychology study abroad courses from a non-psychology study abroad program
- Cross-listed courses not home-based in P&BS
- Approved transfer credits (students transferring from another college should refer to the Transfer Credit section below)
Lifespan Development Specialization
To augment the major in Psychological & Brain Sciences, the department offers the option of a specialization for students who wish to engage more intensively with a specific area within the discipline.
A specialization may be a valuable experience for students planning on graduate study in psychology or related fields or for those who have a particular interest or want to gain expertise in one of the approved specializations. It may provide a useful preparation for the Honors program in psychology, or it may serve as a substitute for the Honors experience for those students who may not qualify for Honors.
Completion of a specialization entails 12 units:
- Three courses (9 units), at least one of which must be an advanced, 400-level course; and
- A semester of research in an appropriate, approved lab consisting of Psych 444C Independent Study for a Concentration in Psychological and Brain Sciences, which requires the successful completion of an American Psychological Association–style research paper or an approved Honors project. In some cases, a relevant internship or practicum may be an appropriate alternative to research experience. (Note: Students may be required to complete a preliminary semester [3 units] of Psych 333 Independent Study in Psychological and Brain Sciences, depending on the nature of the project intended for Psych 444C; the additional independent research is at the discretion of the research mentor and will not be counted toward the completion of the specialization requirements.)
One course taken for a specialization may be used to fulfill no more than one of the core categories or distribution requirements of a Psychological & Brain Sciences major (i.e., one course could double-count for the major and the specialization). None of the units for a specialization can be counted for any other major or minor (i.e., there is no double counting with another major or minor). For those pursuing the Psychological & Brain Sciences: Cognitive Neuroscience major, the Cognitive Neuroscience Specialization is not an option.
Each specialization has a Psychological & Brain Sciences faculty advisor/coordinator who will meet with interested students to help ensure the successful and appropriate completion of the specialization and who serves as the liaison with the Psychological & Brain Sciences Undergraduate Studies Committee. A student may pursue only one specialization.
Students should contact Shelley Kohlman (skohlman@wustl.edu) in Somers Family Hall, Room 207B, to arrange a specialization. Forms are available from Shelley, and completed forms must be returned to her in order for a specialization to be considered officially "in progress."
Recognition of the specialization will appear on the student’s academic record under Milestones once all requirements have been met.
Requirements for the Lifespan Development Specialization
Many introductory courses in developmental psychology focus on the changes that occur from birth to adolescence. The specialization in lifespan development provides students with an understanding of the cognitive and physiological changes that occur over the lifespan, with a primary focus on older adulthood. A major goal of the specialization is to provide students with an understanding of the similarities and differences in development at different stages of the lifespan.
Advisor/coordinator: Professor Mitchell Sommers
Course work required:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Psych 326 | Introduction to the Psychology of Aging | 3 |
Electives:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Psych 321 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 427 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
| Psych 4355 | Personality Development Across the Life Span | 3 |
Research mentorship or internship experience related to Lifespan Development: Students can complete this aspect of the specialization with either a prior approved research mentorship or an approved internship related to older adults (i.e., Psych 225 Internship in Psychology, Psych 444C Independent Study for a Concentration in Psychological and Brain Sciences, or Psych 498 Study for Honors/Psych 499 Study for Honors). Successful completion of a paper is required in all cases.
Relevant faculty for research mentorship: Mitchell Sommers, Brian Carpenter, Sandra Hale, Denise Head, Patrick Hill, Derek Isaacowitz, Josh Jackson, and Lori Markson (other potential faculty mentors may be approved)
Possible internships: Students may complete a prior approved internship related to older adults as well as a paper about the internship experience. Options may include work in an assisted-living facility or another community-based program designed to assist older adults. Other internships are available; consult the Psychological & Brain Sciences department website for information about internship opportunities in psychology.
Additional Information
Transfer Credit
If accepted by the College of Arts & Sciences, transfer credits will be evaluated by the director of undergraduate studies in the P&BS department for their applicability toward either major in P&BS.
Senior Honors Program in Psychological & Brain Sciences
The primary goal of the honors program in P&BS is to provide students who have achieved a superior academic record with the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive empirical investigation under the direction of a faculty member.
To be admitted into the honors program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Have overall and P&BS grade point averages of at least 3.65
- Complete both Psych 300 and Psych 301 (or Psych 3011)
- Have an approved honors research advisor
Contact Info
| Contact: | Shelley Kohlman |
| Phone: | 314-935-5169 |
| Email: | 314-935-5169 |
| Website: | https://psych.wustl.edu/undergraduate-program |