Careers in Psychology and related fields require familiarity with statistics. Therefore, the Psychology concentration requires a course in Quantitative Methods (CPSY 0900).  CPSY 0900 is a prerequisite for research methods and laboratory courses, so concentrators should plan to take this course by their fourth semester.  Students may substitute for CPSY 0900 a comparable statistics course taught in another department, with the approval of a Psychology concentration advisor.  Consult with a concentration advisor for details. The department does not grant concentration credit for AP Statistics, regardless of score.  We strongly recommend fulfilling the statistics requirement as a sophomore.

Another element in the Psychology concentration is a course on research methods.  Research Methods and Design (CPSY 1900) or Research Methods (CPSY 1901) is the preferred course for fulfilling this requirement. This course builds on the introductory statistics course and exposes students to a variety of topics in the psychological sciences: to empirical methods (e.g., surveys, chronometry, eye tracking, brain imaging), to common designs (e.g., factorial experimental, correlational, longitudinal), to research ethics, and to best practices of literature review. Other CPSY laboratory courses can be used to fulfill the research methods requirement; consult with a Psychology advisor for lists of approved courses. Laboratory or research methods courses in other departments cannot be used to fulfill the research methods requirement. The research methods requirement should be fulfilled before senior year. 

Foundation

To provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge in their area of concentration, the Psychology concentration requires five foundation courses, representing core areas of Psychology as a science. Foundation courses are all numbered below the 1000 level. The list of approved foundation courses is posted on the CPSY undergraduate page. CPSY courses above the 1000 level and courses in other departments, at any level, cannot be used to satisfy foundation requirements.  

Electives

Concentrators will select four additional courses that examine in greater depth topics of special interest to them. The CPSY courses designed to count as electives will often have foundation courses as prerequisites. Electives can be chosen from laboratory courses, lecture courses, or seminars. At least two electives should be at the 1000 level in the CPSY department. In addition, students may choose up to two courses outside of CPSY (preferably at the 1000 level) as electives. Electives should fit into a coherent intellectual theme, and should be chosen in consultation with a concentration advisor.  

The Honors Program in Psychology gives undergraduates a special opportunity to carry out a research project under the direction of a faculty member.  The program also provides the opportunity for outstanding senior concentrators to receive their undergraduate degree with Honors. Participation in the program allows students to develop an understanding of research and acquire research skills and background.  

Candidates for Honors in Psychology must meet all of the requirements of the concentration as described above. Candidates submit their application for the program in semester 7.  We encourage students to seek out a potential faculty mentor prior to semester 7. Candidates for Honors must have completed the Statistics CPSY 0900 and Research Methods and Design (CPSY 1900, Research Methods CPSY 1901, or laboratory course) requirements before semester 7.  Please refer to the CPSY Honors Program page for detailed information about the specific requirements for the Honors program in Psychology. 

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Fundamental to the study of psychology is analytic methods and critical thinking about the relation between theory and evidence. Studying psychology allows students to understand human and animal behavior, cognitive, perceptual, and developmental processes, motivation, identity, and the relations between well-being and society. Studying psychology also allows students insight into clinical applications of psychological science. Students in the concentration are required to take courses in quantitative methods and experimental design, become familiar with a set of foundational topics in the psychological sciences, and participate in seminars and laboratory courses on specialized topics and state-of-the-art experimental techniques. The concentration in psychology can prepare students for careers in research, teaching, clinical practice, business, law, marketing, and education, among many other professions. The general goal of the psychology concentration requirements is to provide students with a broad exposure to the different areas within psychological science, while also allowing students to explore some of those areas deeply.

These are the new requirements approved by CCC effective Fall 2024. For existing concentrators graduating in 2024-25, the prior requirements can be found by selecting the Bulletin archive https://bulletin.brown.edu/archive/2023-24/

Common Core

Careers in Psychology and related fields require familiarity with statistics. Therefore, the Psychology concentration requires a course in Quantitative Methods (CPSY 0900).  CPSY 0900 is a prerequisite for research methods and laboratory courses, so concentrators should plan to take this course by their fourth semester.  Students may substitute for CPSY 0900 a comparable statistics course taught in another department, with the approval of a Psychology concentration advisor.  Consult with a concentration advisor for details. The department does not grant concentration credit for AP Statistics, regardless of score.  We strongly recommend fulfilling the statistics requirement as a sophomore.

Another element in the Psychology concentration is a course on research methods.  Research Methods and Design (CPSY 1900) or Research Methods (CPSY 1901) is the preferred course for fulfilling this requirement. This course builds on the introductory statistics course and exposes students to a variety of topics in the psychological sciences: to empirical methods (e.g., surveys, chronometry, eye tracking, brain imaging), to common designs (e.g., factorial experimental, correlational, longitudinal), to research ethics, and to best practices of literature review. Other CPSY laboratory courses can be used to fulfill the research methods requirement; consult with a Psychology advisor for lists of approved courses. Laboratory or research methods courses in other departments cannot be used to fulfill the research methods requirement. The research methods requirement should be fulfilled before senior year.