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Psychology

College of Arts & Sciences

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, brain and behavior, with the ultimate goal of promoting healthy minds and society. The Psychology major provides a broad curriculum coupled with opportunities to participate in undergraduate research and applied fieldwork. The BA focuses on developing scientific reasoning skills to address issues at the forefront of the field of psychology, including optimizing human potential, promoting social equity and providing insight into the brain and behavior. The BS involves deeper specialization in data analysis and scientific research. Psychology is a versatile major, with career pathways in science and research, education, law, medicine, health and human services, politics and public policy.

Major category: Capacity-constrained

Curricular options: B.A., B.S.

Topic(s): Health, Natural and environmental sciences

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).

Psychology is a capacity-constrained major. An additional application is required after you enroll at the UW, and admission may be competitive. Visit the department website for more information.

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

You must enroll at the UW before applying to this major. Please contact the department for additional details.

This major is capacity-constrained. Completion of prerequisites does not guarantee admission.

Admission is based on:

  • Preparation for a major in psychology as indicated by the grades earned in courses required for admission.
  • Psychology prerequisites must have a minimum 2.0 grade in each class and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for three PSYCH courses.
  • Emphasis is placed on the cumulative GPA for the three psychology prerequisites (101, 202 and 209).
  • Copies of unofficial transcripts from all schools attended.

The application deadline is the first Friday of autumn, winter, spring and summer quarters. Applications and additional information are available on the department website or in Guthrie Hall 119A.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses required for the major:

  • PSYCH 101 SSc — Intro to Psych
  • PSYCH 202 NSc — Biopsychology
  • PSYCH 209 — Psychological Research

One of the following MATH courses, with a minimum grade of 2.0:

  • MATH 111 NSc RSN — Algebra with Applications
  • MATH 112 NSc RSN — Business & Economics Calculus
  • MATH 120 NSc RSN — Pre Calculus
  • MATH 124 NSc RSN — Calculus Analytic Geometry I

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 808
Total from Washington community colleges: 157

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 59
3.50 – 3.74: 46
3.25 – 3.49: 27
3.00 – 3.24: 13
2.75 – 2.99: 5
2.50 – 2.74: 5
2.49 and below: <5

Career outcomes

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