FAQ for Future Students
Below are responses to common questions that students have about majoring in psychology. If you have additional questions, please contact the Psychological Science Department Chair, Dr. Miriam Liss at mliss@umw.edu.
What can I do with a B.S. degree in psychology?
A lot of things! Some of our majors go directly into the workforce in the field of psychology or other related areas, others go directly to graduate school. Visit our career planning page to view career paths in psychology, steps, and resources.
What courses do you offer?
We offer courses covering all of the major areas in psychology including clinical/counseling, developmental, biological, cognitive, and social psychology. We also offer many specialty classes including courses in biological psychology, health, forensics, sports, sexuality, psychology of women, and positive psychology – among others! Here is a list and brief descriptions of the courses we offer.
Who are your faculty, and what kind of research do they do?
There are 12 full-time faculty members in the department, each with a Ph.D. in psychology. The faculty does research in many areas, including developmental, biological, cognitive, social, and clinical psychology. Learn more about our faculty and the research they have conducted on their own and in collaboration with our students!
Why major in psychology at the University of Mary Washington?
For students interested in psychology, the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Mary Washington provides many opportunities to learn and apply knowledge in psychology. In addition to the wide variety of courses we offer, students have the opportunity to complete internships as well as work in small groups on independent research projects with individual faculty members. Combined with our strong emphasis on research methodology and statistics, these out-of-class experiences give our students a competitive advantage when applying for jobs or to graduate school.
What are the specific requirements for psychology majors at the University of Mary Washington?
You can find more information about the psychology major on this page and on our academic catalog.
What are some courses I should take to try out psychology?
Courses in developmental, social, personality, and clinical psychology are good courses for students who are just beginning the major! If you are certain that you are going to major in psychology, then you should take PSYC 261 – Introductory Statistics for Psychology during in your sophomore year or the first semester of your junior year.
Can I get credit for dual enrollment, AP or IB Psychology?
The Department of Psychology Science requires a minimum AP exam score of 4 for a student to receive credit for PSYC 100 – General Psychology and credit for the Human Experience & Society category of UMW’s General Education Requirements. Students with a score of 3 will receive 3 general UMW credits but to take other psychology courses, they must first take PSYC 100. See this page for more details.