Psychology: Social Psychology, BSLAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Psychology, Social Psychology Concentration


Social psychology is the study of attitudes, social perception and cognition, interpersonal relations, interpersonal interactions, and social and cultural factors affecting human behavior.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Psychology, Social Psychology Concentration


Please see your academic advisor. A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Academic Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours).


Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Minimum required major and supporting course work: Normally equates to 35 hours of PSYC courses.  Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program. 

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by PSYC 100 and PSYC 201
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
fulfilled by PSYC 235 and any other course approved as Quantitative Reasoning
Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required)0-20

Orientation and Professional Development
LAS 101Design Your First Year Experience1
OR
LAS 100
LAS 101
Success in LAS for International Students
and Design Your First Year Experience
3
OR
LAS 102Transfer Advantage1
Total Hours1 or 3

Major Requirements

Introductory Psychology4
Intro Psych
Psychological Statistics3
Intro to Statistics (or equivalent)
Social Psychology Concentration Core Course3
Intro to Social Psych
Psychological Science Breadth, Group 1 (choose two):6
Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
Intro to Brain and Cognition
Behavioral Neuroscience
Images of Mind
Cognitive, Attention & Perception
Cognitive Psych
Perception & Sensory Processes
Learning and Memory
Decisions & Judgement
Psychological Science Breadth, Group 2 (choose one):3
Clinical, Community, Developmental, Diversity
The Psychology of Racism in the United States
Child Psych
Psychopathology and Problems in Living
Community Psych
Social, Personality, Organizational
Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination
Industrial Org Psych
Psych of Personality
Social Psychology Research Methods Course (choose one):4
Social Psych Methods Lab
Social Psych in Society Lab
Social PSYC Advanced Courses (choose 2):6
Psychology of Morality
Psychology of Gender
Social Psych Methods Lab (if not taken as the Social Psychology Research Methods Course)
Social Psych in Society Lab (if not taken as the Social Psychology Research Methods Course)
Social Cognition
The Psychology of Aging
Stress, Trauma and Resilience
Human Behavior Genetics
Gender Identity Development
Personality and Soc Dev
Psych and Law
Additional Advanced (300- or 400-level) PSYC or BCOG Courses6
Total Hours35

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Psychology, Social Psychology Concentration


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements.

First Year
First SemesterHours
LAS 1011
PSYC 1004
General Education course3
Language Other Than English (3rd level)4
Composition I or General Education course4
 16
Total Hours 16
First Year
Second SemesterHours
PSYC 2013
PSYC 2353
Language Other Than English (4th level)4
General Education course or Composition I3
General Education course3
 16
Total Hours 16
Second Year
First SemesterHours
Psychological Science Breadth, Group 13
Psychological Science Breadth, Group 23
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Second Year
Second SemesterHours
Psychological Science Breadth, Group 13
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Third Year
First SemesterHours
Social PSYC Advanced Course3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Third Year
Second SemesterHours
Social PSYC Advanced Course3
Advanced PSYC or BCOG Course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Fourth Year
First SemesterHours
PSYC 332 or 3334
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 13
Total Hours 13
Fourth Year
Second SemesterHours
Advanced PSYC or BCOG Course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15

Total Hours: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Psychology, Social Psychology Concentration


  1. Students will demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral phenomena. This includes:
    1. describing key concepts, principles and overarching themes;
    2. developing a working knowledge of the different content or program areas in psychology; and
    3. describing the application of psychology to everyday life.
  2. Students will develop scientific reasoning and problem solving skills, including effective research methods. This includes:
    1. using scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena;
    2. demonstrating psychology information literacy;
    3. engaging in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving;
    4. interpreting, designing, and conducting basic psychological research; and
    5. incorporating sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry when appropriate.
  3. Students will develop ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity. This goal encompasses:
    1. applying ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice;
    2. building and enhancing interpersonal relationships; and
    3. adopting values that build community at local, national, and global levels
  4. Students will be prepared to apply psychology‐specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project‐management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation to optimize their competitiveness for securing places in a graduate school, professional school, or in the workforce. For example, students should be able to:
    1. apply psychological content and skills to career goals;
    2. demonstrate project‐management skills and teamwork capacity; and
    3. develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Psychology, Social Psychology Concentration


Department of Psychology

Psychology Faculty
Psychology advising
psych-advising@illinois.edu

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

overview of college admissions & requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences