About This Degree

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. Psychology teaching majors study various areas in psychology and take teacher education courses to prepare them to teach in middle schools and high schools.

The department is internationally known for its innovative research, teaching, and scholarship programs. Faculty involve students in research opportunities, which can be conducted in any number of Utah State’s excellent research facilities. In addition to their coursework, students are required to complete an apprenticeship, which allows them to gain work experience outside of the classroom. They are also encouraged to get involved with Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, in order to help them with their academic pursuits and get more information about opportunities available with a degree in psychology.

Students receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

Education Component:

In order to obtain a secondary teaching license for grades 6-12, students must complete the 35-credit Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP), which includes one semester of student teaching in a public school. This program is administered by USU’s School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. Student must apply to the School of TEAL the semester before taking STEP courses. This is usually the fall of their junior year. Students learn subject content through the Psychology Department, and spend the last year or two studying education techniques through the STEP program.

Students in the psychology teaching program are required to select an approved teaching minor in order to expand their career options.

Location(s)

• BS - Logan Campus
• BA - Logan Campus

Distance Education

The BS in psychology teaching is available online through USU’s Regional Campuses and Distance Education program.

Students who graduate in psychology teaching are qualified to teach psychology in middle schools or high schools.

Career Services provides counseling and information on hundreds of job and internship opportunities and even helps students apply and interview.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to Utah State University’s admissions requirements, the psychology program has additional requirements:

• Freshmen: Students that meet the USU admission requirements can be admitted in to the pre-psychology major.
• Transfer Students: Transfer students and USU students transferring from other majors qualify for the pre-psychology major if they meet USU's general admissions requirements.
• To be a psychology major, students must submit a written application to the department after meeting the following prerequisites:
  • Completion of at least 40 semester credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Completion of at least 18 USU credits with a GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Completion of the psychology pre-major core courses
• STEP Requirements: In order to be accepted into STEP, students must go through an application process, which includes the following:
  • Complete 60 semester credits with a minimum GPA of 2.75
  • Complete certain core courses (see department for more information)
  • Complete a speech and hearing test
  • Pass the Teacher Education Writing Exam
  • Provide an unofficial copy of  your transcript
  • Pass a criminal background check (this should be done one semester before submitting the application)

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Major Requirements

Click here to see course requirements for the Bachelor of Science.

Click here to see course requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.

Advising

All new USU students participate in a New Student Orientation program, where they receive detailed information about major requirements, registering for classes, and other important advising information.

Tressa Haderlie
Advisor
Office: EDUC 477
Phone: (435) 797-0097
Email: tressa.haderlie@usu.edu

Karen Ranson
Advisor
Office: EDUC 475
Phone: (435) 797-1456
Email: karen.ranson@usu.edu

Professional Organizations, Honor Societies, and Clubs

American Psychological Association: Based in Washington, D.C., the APA is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. The mission of the APA is to advance the creation, communication, and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.

American Psychological Society: This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific psychology and its representation at the national and international levels. Its mission is to promote, protect, and advance the interests of scientifically oriented psychology in research, application, teaching, and the improvement of human welfare.

Psi-Chi: This national honor society in psychology was founded in 1929 with the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to graduates and undergraduates who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests.

Psychology Club: The purpose of this club is to promote increased involvement of students in the field of psychology. It aims to provide information about possible research and applied psychology setting opportunities on campus and in the community.

Labs, Centers, Research

With the second oldest undergraduate research program in the nation, USU offers students a wide range of opportunities to gain hands-on research experience. The Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities program allows students to apply for grants and receive funding. USU’s Honors Program prepares students for excellent graduate programs by helping them build relationships with professors, participate in research projects, take smaller, more intensive classes, and develop leadership skills.