Psychological and Brain Sciences majors typically take the following courses in the fall semester of their first year:
First-Year Experience Learning Community Courses
We will register you in these courses.
- Philosophy (PHIL 201)
- English Composition (ENG 101) OR Theology (TRS 201)
Why am I taking these classes? Honors students take equivalent honors courses.
Major and Elective Courses
You will need to choose and register for these courses.
- General Psychology (PSY 201)
- A foreign language (see below)
- A liberal arts foundations course; a course toward a minor, certificate, or other focus area; or a free elective
Language placement
Your major requires you to complete the study of a foreign language through the intermediate level. Catholic University teaches the following languages that satisfy this requirement: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. If you are interested in learning a language not listed here, consult with your advisor.
If you have previously studied a foreign language and are interested in continuing with that same language, or if you can demonstrate fluency in a foreign language, you should complete the language placement exam.
About Your First Semester Courses
PSY 201, General Psychology, introduces students to the core aspects of human functioning: biological bases of behavior, learning, development, sensation and perception, social behavior, and cognitive processes. Additionally, this course seeks to explain why many individuals struggle with their thoughts and emotions to the point where they experience obsessive anxiety, suicidal depression, or antisocial behavior, as well as how such problems can be treated with psychotherapy. Rather than teach one large class, multiple sections of this very popular course are offered each semester so that students can benefit from class participation, in-class demonstrations, films, experiential exercises, and personal attention from the instructor. Incoming Psychology majors should register for either section 02 or 06 of PSY 201 this fall, and you should consult with Dr. Goeke-Morey first if you’ve taken the AP Psychology exam.
In addition to your Learning Community courses and PSY 201, you should begin or continue your study of a foreign language.
For your fifth course, you can choose what you like. You can take a liberal arts elective or a free elective course in a subject of your interest. Or, you may wish to begin study in a secondary subject area, perhaps for a minor or certificate.
Many of the Humanities are relevant for Psychology and the study of human cognition and behavior, and several types of therapy include the use of the fine arts. So you may want to choose your final class this fall in a subject area such as Art, Drama, Music, History, or Media Studies.
Many Psychological and Brain Sciences majors are preparing for medical school. If you are considering it, you may wish to take another science class as your fifth course, such as General Chemistry I and lab (CHEM 103 and CHEM 113). Alternatively, though your major does not require it, calculus is needed to apply to med school, so you may opt to take the math placement exam to determine what level of calculus you should take.
To learn more about the Psychology major, consult the Psychology Department’s website.
Know which courses you want? Get registered.