Programs

BS in Psychology

Overview

The Psychology Program at LAU is a thriving and dynamic field of study, ranking as the third-largest program within the School of Arts and Sciences. Since its establishment in 2013, the program has attracted faculty members from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, enriching the learning environment and research opportunities for students. The BS Psychology program offers students diverse elective courses aimed to strengthen their scientific literacy, research skills, and critical thinking, while still preparing students for their graduate studies in various subfields of psychology, be it clinical, health, child, or neuropsychology. Our undergraduate program is the first to offer students the possibility to be involved in the community, in line with the departmental mission.

Please note that starting Fall 2026, all students will be registered in the BS Psychology program.

Program Mission

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology equips students with a strong foundation in critical thinking and ethical, evidence-based psychological science. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers across diverse fields, including entry-level positions in mental health services, research settings, educational institutions, and humanitarian organizations.

Program Educational Objectives

After graduation, BS Psychology graduates are expected to

  • Apply scientific knowledge of psychological concepts, theories, and research advancements, to understand and address human behavior across diverse settings.
  • Demonstrate readiness for ethical, entry-level professional roles, in psychology-related fields and for graduate studies, with competencies relevant to mental health, education, and applied research settings.
  • Engage in evidence-based inquiry and research-informed practice by designing psychological studies, critically evaluating data, and using research findings to inform interventions, policy, and other academic- and community-based projects.

Student Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students will be able to

  • Explain core concepts, theories, and principles from major subfields of psychology (e.g., biological, cognitive, developmental, social, clinical).
  • Apply scientific reasoning and research methods to investigate behavioral questions and interpret data using appropriate quantitative and qualitative approaches.
  • Evaluate psychological issues and practices using ethical standards and an awareness of sociocultural diversity and global contexts.
  • Apply ethical standards and professional guidelines relevant to psychological practice, and service in diverse real-world settings.
  • Deliver coherent, evidence-based communication tailored to academic, professional, and community audiences, based in APA guidelines.

Curriculum

A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, which can be completed in three years by those entering as sophomores.

Major core requirements (28 credits)

Number Course Cr
PSY 201 Introduction to Psychology 3
PSY 205 Ethics in Psychology 1
PSY 234 Development across the Lifespan 3
PSY 303 Introduction to Neuroscience 3
PSY 362 Research Methods 1 3
PSY 363 Research Methods 2 3
PSY 425 Adult Psychopathology 3
PSY 466 Counseling Theories 3
PSY 492 Practicum 3
PSY 499P OR PSY 499R Capstone Project OR Undergraduate Research 3

Psychology electives (27 credits)

Number Course
PSY 202 Child Psychology
PSY 206 Educational Psychology
PSY 302 Health Psychology
PSY 304 Psychology of Youth
PSY 311 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
PSY 313 Wellbeing
PSY 314 Mindfulness
PSY 315 Positive Psychology
PSY 316 Social Development and Parenting
PSY 317 Advanced Cognitive and Behavioral Neurosciences
PSY 318 Neurolinguistics
PSY 319 Computational Neurosciences
PSY 320 Theories of Personality
PSY 322 Mind and Behavior
PSY 323 Social Psychology
PSY 324 Theories of Learning
PSY 326 Psychological Assessment
PSY 327 Contemporary Theories of Personality
PSY 328 Introduction to Psychometrics
PSY 329 Human Sexuality
PSY 335 Organizational Psychology
PSY 405 Introduction to Psychoanalysis
PSY 406 Psycho-oncology
PSY 407 Introduction to CBT
PSY 408 Introduction to Projective testing
PSY 411 The Psychology of Attachment
PSY 413 Cultural Psychology
PSY 415 Political Psychology
PSY 417 Forensic Psychology
PSY 427 Psychology and Trauma
PSY 429 Advanced Statistics
PSY 446 Psychology of Eating
PSY 498 Topics in Psychology

Tracks

Note that a student can choose to graduate with a track (it is not mandatory), if they completed 15 credits from the courses falling under that track (including the related core course/s with a minimum grade of a B).
The track will not be listed on the diploma itself, but students will receive a letter from the department stating the track they completed, if they choose to do so.

Categories Courses
  Core Electives
Clinical Psychology Track PSY 425 Adult Psychopathology PSY 311 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
PSY 466 Counseling Theories PSY 320 Theories of Personality
  PSY 326 Psychological Assessment
  PSY 327 Contemporary Theories of Personality
  PSY 405 Introduction to Psychoanalysis
  PSY 313 Wellbeing
  PSY 314 Mindfulness
  PSY 315 Positive Psychology
  PSY 407 Introduction to CBT
  PSY 408 Introduction to Projective testing
Developmental Psychology Track PSY 234 Development across the Lifespan PSY 202 Child Psychology
  PSY 304 Psychology of Youth
  PSY 411 The Psychology of Attachment
  PSY 316 Social Development and Parenting
  PSY 206 Educational Psychology
  EDU208 Teaching Diverse Learners
Neuroscience Track PSY 303 Introduction to Neuroscience PSY 302 Health Psychology
  PSY 322 Mind and Behavior
  PSY 317 Advanced Cognitive and Behavioral Neurosciences
  PSY 319 Neurolinguistics
  PSY 318 Computational Neurosciences
  MKT 329 Neuro Marketing (cross-listed)