Department of Psychology
At Montana State University, Psychology majors build a strong foundation of knowledge, research, and real-world applications while discovering how people think, grow, and connect with each other. We offer a guided and structured central curriculum, flexible course clusters, and experiential learning opportunities through research and/or field experience. Students can gain both breadth and focus as they shape their studies around their interests both in the discipline’s many fields and in other related subjects. We strive to offer smaller class sizes than typical for Psychology at research intensive public universities, and our students work closely with faculty whose work often connects across Montana communities. We aim for our graduates to leave career-ready for roles in counseling, healthcare, education, business, technology, and law, or prepared to take the next step into advanced degrees and professional programs.
The Psychology curriculum introduces students to the basic scientific and applied areas of the discipline. It emphasizes theories, methods, and terminology, as well as research findings in each of Psychology's major subareas. Students learn about various research methods used to study psychological phenomena, as well as the strengths and limitations of each. Students conduct psychological research or perform fieldwork in a setting related to psychology, gaining experience that forms the basis for the Senior Thesis Capstone course.
Prerequisite Requirements
Any student who enrolls in a Psychology course without having passed all prerequisite(s) with a "C" or better grade will be required to withdraw from the course.
Undergrad Course Prerequisites
- PSYX 110IS Honors ..................Honors standing
- PSYX 222 ...................................PSYX 100IS or 110IS plus 1 Math
- M 105Q, M 121Q, STAT 216Q, or math placement ≥4
- PSYX 225....................................PSYX 222
- PSYX 333....................................PSYX 100IS or 110IS
- PSYX 335....................................PSYX 100IS or 110IS
- PSYX 380 ...................................PSYX 100IS or 110IS
- PSYX 383....................................PSYX 100IS or 110IS
- PSYX 490R .................................Junior/Senior standing, PSYX 225, consent of instructor
- PSYX 491....................................Determined per offering
- PSYX 492....................................Junior standing, consent of instructor
- PSYX 494....................................PSYX 100IS
- PSYX 495 ...................................PSYX 225 or consent of instructor
- PSYX 499R.................................PSYX 225 and either PSYX 490R or PSYX 495
The program leading to a B.S. degree offers students experience with the basic and applied science of psychology. Students select the appropriate psychology electives and career electives in consultation with their advisors, based on the student's career goals and interests. Sample goals and interests could include counseling, industrial/organizational psychology, human resource management, and advanced graduate study in areas such as cognition, social psychology, clinical psychology, neuroscience, health, and those interested in medical school.
Psychology majors and minors cannot have a grade less than "C" in a PSYX course used to satisfy graduation requirements. Elective courses should complement the student's career goals and often include disciplines such as health and human development, business, statistics, cell biology and neuroscience, political science, and sociology.
Students should consider developing a minor or second major in an area that enhances career interests. Information regarding these options is available through Psychology Faculty Advisors, and the Psychology Department website.