Undergraduate programs

Wayne State provides a broad spectrum of undergraduate education that prepares students for graduate study in psychology or other related fields. A major in psychology also can prepare students for medical school, business school, and law school. We have a dynamic, dedicated faculty with wide-ranging interests and active research programs in almost all areas of modern psychology.

For the science and liberal arts majors, the study of psychology provides an opportunity to learn the scientific approach to the study of behavior which will include material helpful in increasing self-understanding and insight into the behavior of others. The psychology department typically receives $3 to $4 million in grants and contracts annually, with many opportunities for undergraduates to receive research training. We currently have more than 130 graduate students and countless undergraduates conducting research. These students attend seminars and colloquia, submit research grants, travel to professional meetings and publish in scholarly journals.

For students preparing for medicine, law, education, nursing, business and other professions, psychology provides important basic knowledge useful in these vocations. For those planning to pursue graduate study in psychology, the undergraduate program establishes a sound foundation.

Guide: Questions to ask during the graduate school planning process

Degree programs

Psychology Major Information Meeting

Future and current WSU students who are considering majoring or minoring in psychology should attend this meeting to learn about the major and opportunities within the field. It's also helpful for individuals who are considering pursuing psychology as a second career and/or graduate studies. Meetings will cover psychology major requirements, information about graduate school, research experience, volunteer experience, the GRE, career resources, tips for success and much more. Attendance at one of the meetings is mandatory for all psychology majors. Students are encouraged to attend as soon as possible.

RSVP for an information meeting

Honors program

Through the Honors College students engage in independent research and participate in hands-on psychological research projects with faculty and graduate students. Small honors classes promote active interaction among students and faculty. One of the major advantages of the honors program to students oriented toward graduate school is that students will receive the kind of personal attention and professional training that will maximize their chances of getting into graduate school and performing well once there. Satisfactory completion of the psychology honors curriculum will lead to a degree "With Honors in Psychology" inscribed on the diploma and on the transcript.

Honors requirements

Must establish and maintain a cumulative 3.3 overall GPA and a 3.5 cumulative GPA within the psychology major
A minimum of 18 honors credits comprised of the following:
- PSY 4991 Honors Directed Study
- PSY 4998 Senior Thesis Seminar
- PSY 5020 Research Methods in Psychology Honors
- One HON 4200-HON 4280 Honors Seminar offered through the Honors College
- One honors course or honors options course within the psychology major, taught by a full-time faculty member (cannot be PSY 4991)
- Other honors credit can be obtained from any department

Note: These requirements are in addition to other psychology major requirements. They may be incorporated into the major plan of work. Please meet with your psychology academic advisor for further information about the psychology departmental honors program.

For more information, please contact the psychology academic advisors or the Honors College advisors.