- Department of Psychology
- Undergraduate Programs
- Overview of Programs
Department of Psychology
Pryale Hall, Room 111
654 Pioneer Drive
Rochester,
MI
48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2300
Fax: (248) 370-4612

Overview of Programs
WELCOME!
The Department of Psychology offers an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The psychology curriculum is structured to meet the needs of four types of students interested in majoring in psychology:
(1) Students who plan to find employment after obtaining the bachelor's degree
(2) Students who plan to go to graduate school in psychology or a related field
(3) Students who plan to enter a field other than psychology that requires further formal training
(4) Students who have a general interest in psychology.
For individuals looking to teach at Oakland University, please contact Dr. Keith Williams, Director of Undergraduate Programs. Oakland University requires adjunct instructors to have a Master's degree.
B.A.
The Department of Psychology updated its curricular requirements beginning in the 2016/2017 academic year. Also, please be aware that Oakland University will be moving to a 4-digit course numbering system beginning Fall 2017.
For assistance, please refer to PSYCHOLOGY COURSE CROSS-WALK on the undergraduate psychology advising web-page.
For complete information regarding requirements for majoring in psychology, please use the link below. Be sure to refer to the requirements in the Student Catalog for the year that you enrolled at Oakland University:
Current Catalog:
Previous Catalogs:
Note: Students who transferred to OU beginning Fall, 2016 will follow the 2015-2016 requirements.
Online Catalog (2013-2014), (2012-2013) & (2011-2012) in PDF format
Note: Students who enrolled prior to 2011-2012 catalog will need to follow the 2011-2012 requirements.
Helpful Link: Change of Major/Minor Form
(Note: Please turn in your completed form to the front desk in 130 O'Dowd Hall - CAS Advising Office).
Minor
Brief overview of Psychology Minor:
Two (2) core courses: PSY 1000 (PSY 100) and PSY 2500 (PSY 250)
Two (2) 2000-level survey courses in different areas.
Two (2) 3000-level domain courses in different areas.
Please be aware that there are no substitutions for the above courses. Non-domain courses (or formerly elective credit courses) will not be accepted as satisfying the 3000/4000 level requirement.
Helpful Link: Declaration or Change of Major/Minor Form
(Note: Please turn in your completed form to the front desk in 130 O'Dowd Hall - CAS Advising Office).
Policies
The criteria are PSY 2500 and competency in intermediate algebra.
Competency is determined in one of three ways:
- Obtaining a 22 or better on the ACT Math portion or a score of 550 on the SAT (new)
- Passing the math placement exam with a Level “R” or better
- Passing MTH 0662 (and for you the prerequisite MTH 0661) with a 2.0 or better and/or placement in a higher level math course.
Please note the following:
- STA 2220 is considered to be a higher level math course than MTH 0662. If you have completed the course and passed it, then you will be permitted to take PSY 2510. Please be aware the MTH 1118 (or its equivalent from another institution) is NOT considered a higher level course in mathematics and statistics.
Please note that STA 2220 cannot be substituted for PSY 2510. Although both are introductory statistics course, the focus is different in each course. PSY 2510 focuses more on conceptual applications and the use of SPSS while STA 2220 focuses more on mathematical computations. - Use of Mathematics/Statistics course from another university or community college can be used to satisfy the pre-requisite requirement as long as it has been approved by the Mathematics and Statistics Department. Proof of current enrollment or completion (with a passing grade) will be necessary to issue an override into PSY 2510.
Mathematics and Statistics Department – Math Placement
Should you have any questions, please contact the Chief Academic Adviser who would assist you in reviewing such courses before accepting them for credit.
Petitions of exception are used for several reasons:
- Allowing a course from another institution to count as an equivalent course at Oakland University. (Transfer equivalency evaluation of a course from another university that is not included on the Transfer Equivalency Guide).
- Possible (BUT VERY RARE) course substitutions
- Fourth time repeat requests
- Other justifiable reasons for exceptions to the general guidelines and rules
- Pre-requisites are not met
- Enrollment is at the capacity (and the course is closed)
- Seats are reserved for students within a particular department (e.g. Nursing & PSY 2250)
- Students wish to repeat a course (for a better grade)
- For a student who has met a pre-requisite through another institution, but OU’s transfer equivalency system does not yet recognize it.
- For a student enrolled in a pre-requisite and can provide documentation of the enrollment. Note that a student will be dropped automatically if the pre-requisite course is not passed.
- If a student needs to repeat a course.
Please see Ms. Sandy Gabert (Room 111) should an override be required, or the Chief Academic adviser when Ms. Gabert is unavailable.
The student has an obligation to attempt to resolve all academic-related concerns with the instructor. If a suitable solution cannot be reached, then the student should consult the Department of Psychology Procedure for the Resolution of Student Academic-Related Concerns.
[Approved by Department of Psychology, April 26, 2017]
Psychology Procedure for the Resolution of Student Academic-Related Concerns
Programs
The Combined BA/MS Program (i.e., 4+1 Program) provides high-achieving students an opportunity to complete a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in less time than would be required if the two degrees were done independently (5 years instead of 6 years). That is, students admitted to the Combined BA/MS program can graduate with a Master of Science degree in Psychology in as little as one calendar year after completing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Students will also take 8 graduate-level credits at undergraduate-level tuition rates which reduces the cost of the degree.
Interested students are eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:
- The student must have earned a minimum grade of at least 3.0 in PSY 1000 (Introduction to Psychology), PSY 2500 (Research Design in Psychology), and PSY 2510 (Statistics in Psychology)
- The student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.2. It is also important for students to note that this is a competitive program and that not all students who are eligible will be accepted into the program.
For more information: 4+1 Combined BA/MS Program in Psychology
Please contact Dr. Rebecca Malatesta ( malatest@oakland.edu) for additional information about this program.The Department of Psychology at Oakland University has formed a partnership with both Wayne State University Law School and University of Detroit Mercy Law School that is available to our majors. This partnership enables students to complete their bachelor’s degree (BA) at Oakland University and Doctorate of Jurisdiction (JD) at Wayne State University or UDM in less time than each degree independently. In essence, the 3+3 BA/JD program allows highly motivated students to complete both degrees in six (6) years instead of seven (7) years.
For more information please visit http://catalog.oakland.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=29&poid=5196.
Psychology | ||||
Credits for the major as of Fall 2017 | General Education Credits | CAS “Exploratory” credits needed* | Total Needed to Graduate | “Free” Electives (includes CAS-Exploratory) (WSU/UDM-Law classes) |
48 | 40 | [12] | 124 | [12 CAS + 24 ELECT] = 36 |
* CAS requires 12 “exploratory” credits be taken from a non-PSY rubric.
- Students will need to complete all current requirements for their major prior to moving to WSU or UDM Law School for their final 30 credits.
- Students enrolled in this program will be allowed to count WSU/UDM Law School credits toward the College of Arts and Science “Exploratory” requirement.
- Transfer students also are encouraged to enroll in this program as a 2 + 2 + 1 initiative. (Note: The BA is earned after 4 years – 3 years at OU + 1 year at WSU-JD program (30 credits) for the BA + 2 final years at WSU-JD).
- Criteria:
- Wayne/UDM Law require a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits for admission. Acceptance is done holistically relying heavily on LSAT and undergraduate GPA. Once admitted and the first year of law school successfully completed, students transfer their Wayne Law courses (30 credits) back to OU toward fulfillment of their BA degree
- Please see 3 + 3 BA/JD Timeline for application process and credit fulfillment below
- Application Timeline and Undergraduate Credit Fulfillment
After satisfying criteria for General Education, the College Exploratory, and the Psychology Major, students have about 24 elective credits to complete in order to earn enough college credit to graduate (124 total). Oakland University’s (School of Education and Human Services – Department of Human Development and Child Studies) Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) course sequence is an outstanding way for students to fulfill those elective credits.
When all requirements have been met, students will have earned the BCaBA credential through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Requirements for BCaBA certification include:
- Completion of an approved course sequence
- 1000 hours of independent fieldwork under the supervision of a behavior analyst certified at the BCBA or BCBA-D (doctorate), and
- a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
Once the above requirements have been met, candidates must apply for the credential and successfully complete the BCaBA examination.
Oakland University’s BCaBA course sequence is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board in fulfillment of course requirements.
The 4 courses are offered over 12 months as follows:
- held on OU’s main campus from 5:30 to 8:50 p.m.
- one course in fall (Mondays), two in winter (Monday, Wednesdays) and one over the full summer term (Wednesdays)
- All courses will be taught by a BCBA or BCBA-D
Courses are unpublished in the SAIL system; CRNs will be shared only with individuals who have attended an Information Session or met individually with a BCaBA coursework representative from HDCS.
For details, visit oakland.edu/hdcs or email Susan Martino.
The program is sponsored Human Development and Child Studies.