Psychology, B.A. (Madrid)
Psychology is the science of human behavior, encompassing a wide range of methods and topics, from brain function to cultural influences.
The SLU-Madrid psychology program offers a four-year comprehensive foundation in the science of psychology, in an international environment that promotes both intercultural experience and understanding. The program provides substantial and viable opportunities for students to become fluent in both Spanish and English through academic study, immersion experiences, bilingual clinical practica at local facilities and other cultural experiences.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to educate students in the disciplines of psychology and its applications.
We accomplish this by integrating empirical science, theory, and practice, focused on the understanding of the behavior and experience of individuals and groups, including the family, organizations, institutions, and societies as a whole.
We encourage intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and ethical responsibility in our teaching, research, and practice. Our commitment to value-based, holistic education and our enthusiasm for psychology are realized in the products of our research, in our graduates, and in service to others locally, nationally and globally. We encourage students to cultivate a cultural and global perspective on the science and practice of psychology.
We seek to contribute to the improvement of the human condition and to promote human welfare through understanding past knowledge, discovering new knowledge, and disseminating our knowledge through teaching, publication, and service.
We educate students to be professionals and challenge them to be ethically responsible, to be committed to serving others, and to respect human diversity in all its forms.
We seek to sustain ourselves as a community of scholars, in which all are teachers and all are learners, in an environment that fosters scholarly, professional, and personal growth.
Major in Psychology
As a psychology major at SLU-Madrid, you will be part of a strong liberal arts program that prepares students for careers and graduate school in psychology, as well as other disciplines. SLU-Madrid psychology majors benefit from small class sizes, close mentoring by faculty, and a unique multilingual and multicultural focus in all courses.
For information about the assessment of student learning in this program, please see the University-wide website.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is a 120-credit-hour program that requires 34 credit hours of psychology coursework.
PSY 2050 Foundations of Research Methods and Statistics and a capstone course must be taken from the student's home department.
Major Requirements
Psychology Introductory Courses
- PSY 1010 General Psychology (3 credits)
- PSY 2050 Foundations of Research Methods and Statistics (4 credits)
Required Breadth Courses
Select a minimum of one course in each of the four areas below (12 credits):
Cognitive Neuroscience
Select 3 credit hours with the "PSY Cog Neuro Cluster" attribute, such as:
- PSY 3120 Cognitive Psychology
- PSY 3130 Physiological Psychology
- PSY 3160 Learning and Memory
- PSY 4350 Health Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Select 3 credit hours with the "PSY Dev Cluster" attribute, such as:
- PSY 3210 Developmental Psych: Child
Social & Organizational Psychology
Select 3 credit hours with the "PSY Soc Org Cluster" attribute, such as:
- PSY 3300 Social Psychology
- PSY 3410 Organizational Psychology
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Applied Contexts
Select 3 credit hours with the "PSY Health Applied Cluster" attribute, such as:
- PSY 3460 Abnormal Psychology
Capstone Course
- PSY 4969 Critical Thinking About Psychology * (3 credits)
Psychology Electives
Select 6 credit hours with the "Psychology Elective 鈥� BA" attribute at the 3000 or 4000 level except PSY 4969 (6 credits)
Psychology Advanced Elective
Select 3 credits with the "Psychology Advanced Elective" attribute, such as:
- PSY 4270 Cross-Cultural Psychology of Human Development
- PSY 4350 Health Psychology
Learning Through Applications
Select 3 credits with the "Applications of Psych Science" attribute.
* PSY 4969 is the default capstone option for B.A. students. Students may alternatively contract individual practicum or research capstone projects with faculty, although these options may not always be available.
Continuation Standards
Students who fail to earn a C in PSY 1010 or whose SLU PSY GPA is below 2.0 will be placed on probation and have a maximum of 2 consecutive semesters to resolve either or both issues. Additionally, students who fail to complete PSY 2050 within 3 consecutive semesters after declaring the major will be immediately dismissed from the program.
Minor Requirements
The minor in psychology requires 18 credit hours of coursework.
Required Courses
- PSY 1010 General Psychology
Required Breadth Courses
Select a minimum of one course in each of the following areas:
- Cognitive Neuroscience: 3 credit hours with the "PSY Cog Neuro Cluster" attribute.
- Developmental Psychology: 3 credit hours with the "PSY Dev Cluster" attribute.
- Social & Organizational Psychology: 3 credit hours with the "PSY Soc Org Cluster" attribute.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing in Applied Contexts: 3 credit hours with the "PSY Health Applied Cluster" attribute.
Psychology Elective Course
Select 3 credit hours of advanced elective courses in psychology, excluding PSY 4910 Practicum and PSY 4969 Critical Thinking in Psychology.
Psychology graduates work in a wide variety of contexts, including clinical, legal, organizational, educational and research settings in both the private and public sector. They can also pursue graduate studies in specific professional areas, such as clinical, counseling, forensic, experimental and industrial-organizational psychology. In addition, a degree in psychology prepares students for careers in fields such as health care, human resources, education, law and business.
With degrees from around the world, our psychology faculty make the classroom experience unique with their diverse backgrounds, knowledge, expertise and dedication.
SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at the Madrid campus are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.
If you have questions or would like to speak with a financial aid officer, email us at financialaid-madrid@slu.edu.
To be admitted to the major, you must have at least a 2.00 cumulative average and complete a declaration of major form, available in the Office of the Registrar. Upon acceptance to the program, you will be assigned a departmental advisor.
You'll also be required to obtain a grade of "C" or better in PSY 1010 General Psychology, as well as earn a one semester GPA at Saint Louis University of at least 2.00.
To be certified for graduation, you are required to:
- Have at least a 2.00 cumulative average, a 2.00 average in the major and a 2.00 average in the minor or related elective hours.
- Complete 30 of your final 36 credits at Saint Louis University (either the Madrid or St. Louis campus).
- Submit the online application for degree before the beginning of the semester in which you intend to graduate.
Take Part in a Practicum Experience
Students majoring in psychology put their knowledge and language skills into practice in the workplace as part of a practicum experience. Whether shadowing a clinical psychologist, taking part in brain activation research using a Magnetoencephalography (MEG) machine or helping conduct group psychotherapy sessions, practicum students gain valuable hands-on experience, acquire practical skills and learn to relate academic material in a professional environment.