The psychology department’s goal is to provide majors and minors with broad exposure to basic areas of psychology, along with an in-depth understanding of the methods by which psychological research is conducted. Regardless of whether your ultimate career goal is to become an applied psychologist (e.g., clinical psychologist, counselor, social worker, or consultant), to conduct behavioral research, to become a college professor, or to enter another profession altogether (e.g., law, business, medicine), a psychology major or minor is valuable. This is because:

  • an in-depth knowledge of human thought, emotion, and behavior is relevant to any career that deals directly with people or involves developing solutions to problems affecting people; and
  • students develop intellectual and analytical skills that allow them to generate and evaluate knowledge in many areas, including, but not limited to, Psychology; and
  • by acquiring a more thorough understanding of the reasons for and impact of people’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior, students can become more well-informed and compassionate citizens

Thus, the Wake Forest psychology department aims to provide a rigorous and stimulating undergraduate education in both content and methods of psychology. Our department, like most undergraduate liberal arts departments, emphasizes research, which is a central component of many courses. A research emphasis in an undergraduate program provides the best preparation for basic and applied graduate work as well as a strong foundation for a wide array of careers.

PSY 151 (or AP credit) is a prerequisite to all courses of a higher number. Courses numbered below 151 do not count toward Division IV requirements or toward the major in psychology. PSY 210, PSY 211, PSY 212, or special permission of the instructor is prerequisite for most 300-level courses. See individual course descriptions for specific information. A minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher in psychology courses is required to graduate with a major or minor in psychology.

Contact Information

Department of Psychology
Greene Hall 415, Box 7778 
Phone 336-758-5425