Psychology
The Department of Psychology offers the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees. The psychology course requirements are identical in these two degree programs, emphasizing training and hands-on experience in the research process centered on a four-course sequence capped by a laboratory in one of six areas of psychology: learning, cognition, development, sensation and perception, behavioral neuroscience, or animal behavior. The B.A. and B.S. degree programs differ in additional course requirements, as described below. Both programs prepare the student for graduate study in psychology.
Psychology majors may declare a concentration in any one of the following eight areas: applied behavior analysis, cognitive science, developmental psychology, forensic psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, mental health, neuroscience and behavior, and school psychology. Each concentration is a minimum of 12 credit hours. A concentration is optional, and only one concentration may be declared.
Other Information
All coursework taken for the psychology major or minor must be completed with a grade of “C-“ or better.
For the psychology minor, 9 credits must be taken in residence at UNO.
One of the required non-psychology courses for the B.S. degree may be taken CR/NC.
Neuroscience or Biology majors with Psychology double majors or minors:
Neuroscience and Psychology Double Major: Beyond the neuroscience fundamentals courses, students cannot use a 3000/4000 level course to count toward both majors. Students may overlap 3000/4000 level PSYC courses between the PSYC Neuroscience and Behavior Concentration and the Neuroscience major.
Biology and Psychology Double Major: For a double major in Biology and Psychology, beyond the required fundamentals courses, students may not use a 3000/4000 level course to count toward both programs.
Neuroscience major and Psychology minor: No upper-level (3000/4000 level) PSYC courses will be allowed to count toward both programs.
Biology major and Psychology minor: Aside from PSYC 3130, students may not use the same 3000/4000 level Biol/Psyc course toward the completion of both programs.
Fast Track
The gerontology faculty have developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track, students may count up to 9 graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.
Program Specifics:
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This program is available for undergraduate students pursuing a BA/BS in psychology desiring to pursue a MA in gerontology.
- Students must have completed no less than 60 undergraduate hours.
- Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2.
- Students must complete the Fast Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course.
- Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate coursework to remain in good standing.
- Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
- Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the graduate program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
- Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program.
- The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.
Student Groups
Psi Chi - Local; National Honor Society in Psychology
Nu Rho Psi – National Honor Society in Neuroscience
Psychology Student Interest Group – Canvas Page where students can learn about events, activities, meetings, or opportunities related to psychology happening on campus or in the Omaha community! Psychology students will automatically receive an invitation to join the canvas page near the start of the semester from the Canvas portal. Students can also request to be added to this group by submitting their email address.
Contact
347 Arts and Sciences Hall
402.554.2592
As most people know, a primary focus in psychology is in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues. But that’s just one of many specialties within the field. In addition to Clinical and Counseling Psychology, other popular subdisciplines include Industrial-Organizational Psychology, School Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, and Cognitive Psychology. Because Psychology is so diverse in its focus and research, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology prepares students for a wide variety of careers. This major helps students develop universally useful skills like communication, critical-thinking, an understanding of the scientific process, and a proficiency with statistics and data. A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology is also a great choice for those interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Law and Criminal Justice, Social Work, or Medicine and Health Sciences. So if you’re curious about why we do the things that we do and ready for a rewarding career, join us in Psychology.
Psychology majors who have completed a Bachelor’s degree often pursue careers in the following fields:
- Mental health services
- Social services
- Human resources
- Case management
- Physical health and wellness
- Crisis work
- Rehabilitation services
- Testing and assessment
- Business administration
- Research and data analysis
- Nonprofit and charitable organizations