Undergraduate Programs
Psychology is concerned with the processes and principles of behavior in humans and animals. Increased understanding of oneself and others through the study of psychology is useful in almost every endeavor. Our undergraduate psychology curriculum is diverse in order to reflect the breadth of the field — from the biological bases to the social determinants of behavior. The department offers a psychology major, which offers a great deal of flexibility in areas of emphasis. We also offer four additional majors for students wishing to pursue specialized interests in biopsychology, clinical psychology, human factors psychology (formally known as engineering psychology), and cognitive and brain science. Each major requires several courses taught in the department, as well as a variety of courses taught in fields related to psychology. For more information on each major, consult the Undergraduate Handbook and individual major pages below.
We offer several research opportunities for undergraduate students to work with faculty members and graduate students. These opportunities vary with respect to the amount of experience necessary and time commitment. Working in a lab can provide students with direct experience in their chosen field of study, and provide a useful glimpse into the world of academic research.
We offer the following information here to provide answers to students' most commonly asked questions: Students who major in one of the five majors offered by the Psychology Department may not major in a second one. Psychology, Biopsychology, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive and Brain Science, and Human Factors Psychology majors may not double major in any of the other majors offered by the Psychology Department.
Students who wish to declare a major offered by the Psychology Department should complete the Faculty Advisor Request Form. Please allow up to 2 weeks for a response before declaring a major. If you have questions, please contact psy-advising@tufts.edu.
Psychology Department Undergraduate Handbook
The Psychology Department does not have a minimum grade criterion for counting a course toward any of its five majors; a passing grade is what is required. There is no minor in Psychology. A minor in CBS and a minor in Linguistics are available; both programs are administered by the Department of Philosophy.
Programs
BA/BS in Psychology
This major is intended for students interested in a general and flexible exploration of experimental psychology.
BA/BS in Biopsychology
An interdepartmental major for students particularly interested in neurobiology and animal behavior.
BA/BS in Clinical Psychology
This major is intended for students interested in entering graduate or professional school in mental health or human services and/or wanting to work with psychiatric patients after graduation.
BA/BS in Cognitive and Brain Science
Cognitive and Brain Science is an inherently interdisciplinary area, drawing on psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy of mind, computer science, and biology.
BA/BS in Human Factors Psychology
Human Factors Psychology (formerly known as Engineering Psychology) is an interdisciplinary program offered by the Department of Psychology in partnership with the School of Engineering.
How to Find a Psychology Faculty Advisor
All students who declare a major offered by the Psychology department must have a faculty advisor. Your first step will be to submit the Faculty Advisor Request Form. On that form, you will have an opportunity to list three potential faculty advisors. The department will review your form and assign you a faculty advisor. We will make every effort to match students with a faculty advisor they request. However, we cannot make guarantees. All full-time faculty members have expertise in advising and can provide relevant advice.
Psychology faculty will no longer accept advisees by direct request (e.g., email). Feel free to reach out to individual faculty members if you have questions about their advising, courses or psychology in general. When it comes time for you to declare a major, you should first complete the Faculty Advisor Request Form.
You may list any full-time faculty member as a preferred advisor when submitting the advisor request form. Some students prefer to work with a professor who has previously taught them; some students prefer to work with a professor whose research interests are compatible with their own. There may be other reasons to select particular people as your preferred advisors.
If you plan to major in Biopsychology, you may request an advisor in Psychology or Biology. If you plan to major in CBS, you may request an advisor from Psychology or someone with cognitive science expertise from the COMP or PHIL departments. Please see the Biology, COMP or PHIL department websites for information about their faculty advisor assignment processes.
Admissions
Please visit our admissions website for comprehensive information on our admissions processes and requirements, deadlines, financial aid options, forms and instructions.
