Degree Requirements
All students are required to complete overall degree requirements in addition to their major. Please see Degree Completion Requirements for full details for students entering in the 2024-2025 catalog year.
Those students who started at Hiram prior to the 2024-2025 academic year will follow the Degree Requirements outlined in your catalog of record.
Major Requirements
Students considering psychology as a major or minor are encouraged to seek a mentor/advisor in the program before making any final decision. Note: At least 50% of major courses are to be completed at Hiram College, and must include at a minimum two core content courses and one elective course. Petitions to allow transferred courses are to be approved by the program faculty.
Core Psychology Courses
All five courses are required. Students must earn a C- or better in all five courses to progress forward in the major. Students having earned a 3 or better on the AP Psychology exam may waive the PSYC 10100 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY requirement.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Psychology Courses | ||
| PSYC 10100 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 4 |
| PSYC 20100 | CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY | 1 |
| PSYC 21200 | SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IN PSYCH:SM | 4 |
| PSYC 31200 | RESEARCH APP & ANALYSIS PSY:MM | 4 |
| PSYC 48000 | SENIOR SEMINAR | 4 |
| Psychology Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of seven courses, at least three of which must be at the 30000-level or above. | 21-28 | |
| Total Hours | 38-45 | |
Program Honors
Majors will be encouraged by their mentor/advisor to do an internship or a research project. To be considered for program honors, a student must complete a minimum of 3 credit hours of internship (PSYC 49800 INTERNSHIP) or independent research (PSYC 48100 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH) under the supervision of a faculty member, and the experience and/or results must be presented to a public audience (e.g., regional conference, Sugar Day). Hours may be combined from multiple internships and/or independent research studies to reach the 3 credit hour criteria, and courses may also be taken P/NC. Any exceptions to these requirements must be discussed and agreed to by the program faculty.
Additional Special Opportunities
We encourage students to assist with faculty research projects or to develop their own projects. The Hiram psychology program belongs to the Ohio Consortium for Undergraduate Psychology Conferences which meets every spring. We encourage students to present their research at this and other conferences.
The program has contacts with many social service agencies in the area. Students may arrange internships or field placements which provide an opportunity to work with youth, older adults, and special populations. These human services experiences can be arranged in many different contexts, from the criminal justice system to residential or out-patient treatment facilities.
Hiram is also a member of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, offering students opportunities to apply for various grants to support their scholarship and leadership in the field.
Pathway
Psychology Pathway 1
(For students enrolled in PSYC 10100 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY in the fall or for whom it has been waived)
PATHWAY NOTE: This is a recommended Major Pathway; individual pathways may vary. Advisor consultation is a vital part of timely graduation.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall 12 Week | Hours | |
| UCS 10101 | FIRST-YEAR ENDURING QUESTIONS | 4 |
| PSYC 10100 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 4 |
| Hiram Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Hiram Core Requirement or Psychology Elective | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| UCS 20201 | ADDRESSING URGENT QUESTIONS | 4 |
| Hiram Core Requirement | 4 | |
| PSYC 2XXXX Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Hiram Core Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall 12 Week | ||
| PSYC 2XXXX Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| PSYC 2XXXX Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Hiram Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Hiram Core Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| PSYC 21200 | SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IN PSYCH:SM | 4 |
| PSYC 2XXXX Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Hiram Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Hiram Core Requirement | 3 | |
| PSYC 20100 | CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall 12 Week | ||
| PSYC 31200 | RESEARCH APP & ANALYSIS PSY:MM 1 | 4 |
| PSYC 3XXXX - Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Hiram Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Hiram Core Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| UCS 30301 | URGENT CHALLENGE SEMINAR:TT | 4 |
| PSYC 3XXXX - Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Elective, Second Major, Minor course | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall 12 Week | ||
| PSYC 48000 | SENIOR SEMINAR 1 | 4 |
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 4 | |
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 3-4 | |
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 10-12 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Total Hours | 119-128 | |
- 1
"Critical'' to timely degree progression.
Major Note: Students must earn a minimum grade of "C-" in PSYC 10100 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY, PSYC 20100 CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, PSYC 21200 SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IN PSYCH:SM, PSYC 31200 RESEARCH APP & ANALYSIS PSY:MM, and PSYC 48000 SENIOR SEMINAR.
Psychology Pathway 2
(For those students beginning PSYC 10100 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY in spring)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall 12 Week | Hours | |
| UCS 10101 | FIRST-YEAR ENDURING QUESTIONS | 4 |
| Hiram Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Hiram Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Hiram Core Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| UCS 20201 | ADDRESSING URGENT QUESTIONS | 4 |
| PSYC 10100 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 4 |
| Hiram Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Hiram Core Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall 12 Week | ||
| PSYC 2XXXX Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| PSYC 2XXXX Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Hiram Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Hiram Core Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| PSYC 21200 | SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IN PSYCH:SM | 4 |
| PSYC 2xxxx Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Hiram Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Psychology Elective | 3 | |
| PSYC 20100 | CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall 12 Week | ||
| UCS 30301 | URGENT CHALLENGE SEMINAR:TT | 4 |
| PSYC 31200 | RESEARCH APP & ANALYSIS PSY:MM 1 | 4 |
| PSYC 3XXXX Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Hiram Core Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 4 | |
| PSYC 3xxxx Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall 12 Week | ||
| PSYC 48000 | SENIOR SEMINAR 1 | 4 |
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 4 | |
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 4 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| PSYC 3XXXX Psychology Elective | 4 | |
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 4 | |
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 11-12 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Elective, Second Major, Minor Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 120-127 | |
- 1
"Critical'' to timely degree progression.
Major Note: Students must earn a minimum grade of "C-" in PSYC 10100 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY, PSYC 20100 CAREERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, PSYC 21200 SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IN PSYCH:SM, PSYC 31200 RESEARCH APP & ANALYSIS PSY:MM, and PSYC 48000 SENIOR SEMINAR.