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Becoming a PSYC Major

The Psychology Undergraduate Major is a Limited Enrollment Program (LEP). This means that students must meet additional academic requirements beyond admission to the University in order to become and remain a psychology major. For general information on LEP policies visit BSOS’ LEP page.

Regardless of whether one becomes a psychology major as a freshman or later, the department requires the following:

  • PSYC 100 with a grade of 3.00 or higher (If you have AP or IB credit for PSYC 100, substitute PSYC 221 with a grade of 3.00 or higher)
  • Two additional gateway courses. Note that you must earn a 3.00 or better in one and the other must be a 2.00 or better:
  • One course in mathematics (MATH 111, 130, 140 or 220; STAT 100)
  • One lab science course (BSCI 105 or BSCI 106; CHEM 131 & 132; PHYS 121)
  • For UMD students changing their major or students transferring from another school, you must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70
  • PSYC majors must at all times maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0

Incoming Freshmen
All students accepted directly as freshman into the psychology major, or who declare by the last day of classes in their first semester, will undergo an Academic Review at 45 credits (earned at Maryland) in order to remain in the major. You will need to have completed the above gateway requirements and earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to remain in the major.

Internal/External Transfer Students and Freshmen Declaring in their First Semester
When you’ve made the decision to declare psychology as your major:

  1. Visit the Department of Psychology’s Office of Undergraduate Studies (BPS 1107) to meet with an academic advisor during walk-in hours (10:00am - 12:00pm daily) or call 301-405-5866 to schedule an appointment
  2. During your visit with an academic advisor you will schedule an appointment for a New PSYC Majors Workshop and receive an application to complete
  3. After the New PSYC Majors Workshop you will then be able to complete the BSOS Academic Planning Workshop. For available appointments, or to complete the workshop online, visit www.bsosworkshops.umd.edu
  4. Submit your application and academic plan to the BSOS Advising Center in Tydings 2148
  5. BSOS Advising will send you an email notifying you of your status. Please note that this may take a few weeks

Double Majors
For more information on adding a second major visit BSOS’ website on double-majors .