Penn State Altoona Academics at Penn State Altoona Academics at Penn State Altoona

Academics at Penn State Altoona

Arts & Humanities Business & Engineering Education, Human Development, & Social Sciences Mathematics & Natural Sciences

Education, Human Development, & Social sciences

B.A. in Psychology (PSCBA)

Recommended Academic Plan

Freshman Year

Semester 1Credits
PSYCH 1003
ENGL 15 or 30H Writing/Speaking (GWS)3
Natural Sciences (GN)3
Foreign language or elective3 or 4
First year seminar (FYS)1
Health and Physical Activity (GHA)1.5
Total semester credits:14.5–15.5
Semester 2Credits
PSYCH 200-level3
CAS 100 Writing/Speaking (GWS)3
Quantification (GQ)3
Social/Behavioral Sciences (GS)3
Foreign language or elective3 or 4
Total semester credits:15-16

Sophomore Year

Semester 3Credits
STAT 200 (GQ)4
Foreign language or elective3 or 4
Humanities (GH)3
PSYCH 200-level*3
Health and Physical Activity (GHA)1.5
Total semester credits:14.5–15.5
Semester 4Credits
PSYCH 301W4
Arts (GA)3
Social/Behavioral Sciences (GS)3
PSYCH 200-level3
BA requirement**3
Total semester credits:16

Junior Year

Semester 5Credits
Natural Sciences (GN)3
Humanities (GH)3
ENGL 202A Writing/Speaking (GWS)3
PSYCH 200 or 400-level3
PSYCH 200 or 400-level3
Total semester credits:15
Semester 6Credits
Natural Sciences (GN)3
BA requirement3
PSYCH 200 or 400-level3
PSYCH 200 or 400-level3
PSYCH 200 or 400-level3
Elective3
Total semester credits:18

Senior Year

Semester 7Credits
BA requirement3
PSYCH 400-level3
Arts (GA)3
Elective3
Elective3
Total semester credits:15
Semester 8Credits
BA requirement3
PSYCH Capstone***3 - 6
(PSYCH 400-level if capstone is 3 credits)(3)
Elective3
Elective3
Total semester credits:15
Overall total credits:124 min

Bold type indicates courses requiring a grade of C or better

Bold italics indicates courses that satisfy both major and General Education requirements

* Beyond PSYCH 100 and 301W, a total of 30 credits of PSYCH courses are required with at least half at the 400-level.

** One of the BA requirements is a course called “Other Cultures.” This is not the same as the US/IL requirement for Gen Ed. A specific list of courses that count for this requirement can be found at http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/bluebook/gened/bad.html#OCUL

*** Consult with your advisor about Capstone options

Note: Please check prerequisites before registering for courses. This includes the requirement of 60 credits before taking 400-level courses


Contact: Dr. Valerie Stratton, 814-949-5289, vns@psu.edu