Course Clusters

In addition to the required and core area courses, psychology majors must take three psychology electives of their choosing to complete the major. Options for psychology electives include independent research and internships for credit, as well as any other psychology courses of interest. Students are free to sample a variety of elective courses, or may wish to focus their electives on a specific area of psychology by taking courses that fall within a specific cluster. While your choice of a minor (e.g., gerontology, peace studies) allows you to develop expertise in an area aside from your major, careful selection of your psychology and free electives, is another way to increase your knowledge in an area of interest.

Course Clusters are sets of related courses that when taken collectively contribute to breadth and depth of understanding in a particular domain.

Taking courses within the cluster might strengthen career opportunities or applications to graduate/professional programs. However, you may choose to sample across more than one cluster.

Course Clusters do not lead to certification or a specialized major/minor/academic concentration. Course Clusters are not required, nor is it required that you take all of the courses within the cluster. Furthermore, Course Clusters will not be identified as such on your transcript or degree evaluation.


It would be wise to discuss your interest in clusters with your academic advisor or one of the faculty members listed as contacts below.

Course Clusters

Clinical Psychology

PSY 330 Abnormal Behavior
PSY 365 Psychology of the Exceptional Child
PSY 446 Introduction to Psychotherapy
PSY 451 Psychological Evaluation
PSY 454 Drugs and Behavior
PSY 450 Biopsychology
PSY 458 Human Neuropsychology
PSY 470 Personality

For more information contact: Drs. Austad, Corbera, Fallahi, June, or Sikorski

Cognitive Psychology

PSY 200 Learning and Memory
PSY 281 Cognitive Psychology
PSY 342 Sensation and Perception
PSY 410 Media Psychology
PSY 450 Biopsychology
PSY 453 The Psychology of Language
PSY 458 Human Neuropsychology
460 Behavior Modification

For more information contact: Drs. Boncoddo, Bowman, Corbera, Fallon, Heinly, or Rimzhim

Community Psychology

PSY 125 Environment and Behavior
PSY 250 The Psychology of Community Service
PSY 270 Psychology and the Law
PSY 420 Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSY 430 Intergroup Relations
PSY 444 Positive Psychology

For more information contact: Drs. Conway or Thai

Developmental Psychology

PSY 361 Psychology of Early Childhood
PSY 362 Child Psychology
PSY 363 Adolescent Psychology
PSY 364 Adult Development and Aging
PSY 380 Death and Dying
PSY 365 Psychology of the Exceptional Child
PSY 410 Media Psychology
PSY 460 Behavior Modification

For more information contact: Drs. Andreoletti, Boncoddo, Corbera, June, Waite, or Wood

Law and Psychology

PSY 125 Environment and Behavior
PSY 281 Cognitive Psychology
PSY 270 Psychology and the Law
PSY 330 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 372 Social Psychology
PSY 430 Intergroup Relations
PSY 451 Psychological Evaluation
PSY 470 Theories of Personality

For more information contact: Drs. Horowitz or Sikorski

Health Psychology

PSY 125 Environment and Behavior
PSY 241 Introduction to Health Psychology
PSY 364 Adult Development and Aging
PSY 444 Positive Psychology
PSY 380 Psychology of Dying and Death
PSY 390 Human Sexuality
PSY 450 Biopsychology
PSY 454 Drugs and Behavior

For more information contact: Drs. Austad, Andreoletti, DiPlacido, or June

Peace Psychology

PSY 125 Environment and Behavior
PSY 202 Peace Psychology
PSY 250 The Psychology of Community Service
PSY 372 Social Psychology
PSY 410 Media Psychology
PSY420 Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSY 430 Intergroup Relations
PSY 444 Positive Psychology

For more information contact: Dr. Austad


Psychology of Organizations

PSY 234 Industrial and Organizational Psychology
PSY 241 Introduction to Health Psychology
PSY 250 The Psychology of Community Service
PSY 270 Psychology and the Law
PSY 420 Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSY 430 Intergroup Relations

For more information contact: Drs. Bragg or Conway

School Psychology

PSY 200 Learning and Memory
PSY 362 Child Psychology
PSY 363 Adolescent Psychology
PSY 365 Psychology of the Exceptional Child
PSY 410 Media Psychology
PSY 430 Intergroup Relations
PSY 451 Psychological Evaluation
PSY 454 Drugs and Behavior

For more information contact: Drs. Austad, Boncoddo, Fallahi, Heinly, or Wood

Social Relationships

PSY 202 Peace Psychology
PSY 270 Psychology and the Law
PSY 372 Social Psychology
PSY 390 Human Sexuality
PSY 410 Media Psychology
PSY 420 Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSY 430 Intergroup Relations
PSY 444 Positive Psychology
PSY 448 Psychology of Women
PSY 470 Theories of Personality

For more information contact: Dr. Mealy