"Don't become a mere recorder of facts, but try to penetrate the mystery of their origin." - Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)
Our undergraduate degree in psychology encourages students to explore psychology both as a discipline and a career. Through coursework centered on the scientific method and critical thinking, you’ll develop research and analytical skills that are valuable assets in any career field. No matter where you want to go after graduation, our classes, concentrations and choice between BS and BA tracks will help you individualize your studies and set you up for success.
Should I do a BA or BS?
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
For Bachelor of Arts degree-seeking students only, students must complete 16 credit hours of college work in one world language (French, German, Spanish, Japanese, American Sign Language) or equivalent.
Successful completion of four years of a single language in high school or four college semesters will satisfy this requirement. Speakers of native languages should contact their advisor to discuss options.
To get the proper World Language Placement, we ask that you take the corresponding World Languages Placement Exam.
Retroactive credit forms are available in the Department of World Languages, and only available after successful completion of the UNO French, German, Spanish, or Japanese course into which a student has placed or been advised to take based on being a native speaker.
Bachelor of Science (BS)
World language is not required for students completing a BS degree. Instead, students must complete 15 credit hours of a cognate set of courses. Students will select one of the five cognate sets: Advocacy, Ethics, Social Justice & Law, Artistic and Literary Perspectives, Global Culture & Diverse Populations, Health and Science Explorations, and Work, Technology & Communication.
Course selection must include at least three different departments or programs. No more than 6 hours of courses may be at the 1000 level, with the remaining 9 hours taken at the 2000 level or above. Six (6) hours of cognate coursework may double count with General Education requirements.
Students may take a minor in place of the cognate under the following circumstances:
- Students pursuing Option 1 College Requirements, which requires a minor, must take a second minor to satisfy the cognate requirement; OR
- Students pursuing Option 2 College Requirements, which require additional general education courses, may add a minor to satisfy the cognate requirement.
For complete information about cognate courses, visit the BS Cognate Coursework page.
Academic Requirements
Number of Hours to Graduate: College Rules
Upper-Division Rule
Students must have at least 27 credit hours of upper-division work (3000 or 4000-level courses).
Forty-Five Hour Rule
No candidate may count more than 45 credits in any one discipline toward completion of a major.
Four Hour Rule
No candidate may count more than four out of 120 credits in physical education activity classes.
Psychology Concentrations
You may choose to declare an optional concentration with your psychology major. When declaring a concentration, you will choose coursework that focuses on specific areas of Psychology that provide more in-depth knowledge of the respective subject matter of the concentration.
