The Stony Brook Undergraduate Department of Psychology Welcomes Our New Students!
Welcome to Stony Brook University and the Department of Psychology! We are thrilled to have you join us and embark on this exciting academic journey. Our department is dedicated to providing a high-quality education in psychology, offering opportunities to engage with nationally and internationally recognized faculty who excel in both research and teaching.
As an undergraduate psychology student, you'll have the chance to learn from our faculty and potentially engage in research alongside them. We understand that transitioning to a large research university can be both exciting and overwhelming.
This page is designed to guide you as you begin your studies, whether you are a freshman or a transfer student.
Not sure which psychology degree pathway aligns with your goals? Be sure to explore the "Psychology BA or BS: Which is right for me?" section below, and make an appointment with one of our Psychology major advisors for personalized guidance.
We encourage you to take advantage of campus resources to help you succeed. Faculty are available during office hours, and the Academic Success and Tutoring Center provides tutoring and academic support for all Stony Brook undergraduates.
New to the Major?
Actionable Steps & advice for Freshmen
Schedule an Advising Appointment:
Meet with our Psychology major advisors for personalized advice and guidance. Use the Navigate platform to schedule your appointment.
Note: We do not have walk-in advising, you must make an appointment if you wish to meet with a Psychology major advisor. Our appointments are typically posted every Wednesday at 9:00 AM for the following week (Monday through Friday).
MAKE A PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR ADVISING APPOINTMENT
Connect with Your General Advisor:
Stony Brook University operates on a "dual advising model." Which means you should be meeting with a psychology major advisor AND your general advisor (ATAS, UGC, EOP/AIM, SCHOLARS, etc) on a regular basis. Additionally, certain academic questions and concerns are handled specifically by your general education advisors. See Academic Advising Resources for clarity.
Explore Degree Requirements:
Visit the Sample Course Sequence & Undergraduate Bulletin to familiarize yourself with major and general education requirements.
Start with Foundational Courses:
We recommend beginning with PSY 103 in your first semester. In your second semester, take one or two 200-level survey courses to prepare for upper-division classes. These courses will give you a solid foundation in psychology and help you meet prerequisites for advanced coursework.
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Tip: You may want to look for courses that fulfill both Psychology major requirements and Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) requirements to maximize your progress. For example, the Group B survey course requirement for the Psychology degree also fulfills the STEM+ general education requirement.
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Use Campus Resources:
Adjusting to university life can be challenging, but help is always available:
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- Meet with Advisors: Schedule appointments with your major and general advisors for academic planning and support.
- Office Hours: Visit your professors to ask questions and clarify course material.
- Academic Success and Tutoring Center: Get tutoring and academic support for your classes.
- Student Support Team: Access resources and advocacy if you're facing personal challenges or hardships.
- Center for Prevention and Outreach (CPO): Learn about mental health, wellness, healthy relationships, and prevention programs.
- Career Center: Prepare for internships, jobs, and graduate school while exploring career options. Connect with employers and alumni for networking opportunities.
- See our FAQ page.
Explore Opportunities in the Psychology Department:
Dive deeper into psychology by visiting the department's webpages. Learn about:
Explore everything our department has to offer to enrich your academic and personal growth during your time at Stony Brook.
Information for Transfer Students
Course Transfer Equivalencies:
Check the Transfer Equivalency Database to confirm how your previous courses transfer to Stony Brook.
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- If a psychology major-related course isn’t listed, contact the Department of Psychology for assistance with equivalency.
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Schedule an Advising Appointment:
Make an advising appointment to confirm your academic plan and resolve any questions about your major-related transfer courses.
Note: We do not have walk-in advising, you must make an appointment if you wish to meet with a Psychology major advisor. Our appointments are typically posted every Wednesday at 9:00 AM for the following week (Monday through Friday).
MAKE A PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR ADVISING APPOINTMENT
Plan Your Coursework:
Use your BA or BS degree checklist to review your program’s requirements and schedule your courses. Blank checklists are available online for reference, but you’ll receive a personalized version after meeting with a Psychology advisor.
Connect with Transfer Advising Services:
General advisors in Academic and Transfer Advising Services can help you determine the general education courses you need to graduate and resolve any questions about transfer courses.
Use Campus Resources:
Adjusting to a new university can be difficult, but know that help is always available:
-
- Meet with Advisors: Schedule appointments with your major and general advisors for academic planning and support.
- Office Hours: Visit your professors to ask questions and clarify course material.
- Academic Success and Tutoring Center: Get tutoring and academic support for your classes.
- Student Support Team: Access resources and advocacy if you're facing personal challenges or hardships.
- Center for Prevention and Outreach (CPO): Learn about mental health, wellness, healthy relationships, and prevention programs.
- Career Center: Prepare for internships, jobs, and graduate school while exploring career options. Connect with employers and alumni for networking opportunities.
- See our FAQ page.
Explore Opportunities in the Psychology Department:
Dive deeper into psychology by visiting the department's webpages. Learn about:
Explore everything our department has to offer to enrich your academic and personal growth during your time at Stony Brook.
Psychology BA or BS: Which is right for me?
The Department of Psychology offers undergraduate programs leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The objective of both programs is to provide a broad overview of psychology, and both require extensive exposure to areas other than psychology as a context for study in the major. The B.S. program emphasizes natural sciences and mathematics, while the B.A. program offers a broader interdisciplinary perspective.
Both the B.S. and B.A. programs effectively prepare students for graduate school or careers in various fields, including medicine, education, law, management, business, marketing, and data science. The psychology major equips you with foundational knowledge valuable for advanced study or careers that involve interpersonal relationships.
B.A. and B.S. as Preparation for Graduate School
Graduate and professional schools primarily consider your coursework, emphasizing your GPA, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores (if required). If you are interested and excel in subjects like Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, you may favor the B.S. degree, whereas the B.A. degree suits those primarily interested in the various disciplines within Psychology and those seeking flexibility for minors, concentrations, or double majors.
The B.S. and B.A. degrees are equally acceptable for students interested in pursuing graduate programs in Psychology and pre-professional schools(check with the pre-health and pre-law advisors for details). There is a good deal of overlap between the B.S. degree and many health profession program requirements, so students interested in pursuing further professional programs in health fields such as Dental, Medical, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, and Veterinary typically opt for the Psychology B.S. degree. Psychology majors who are pre-Nursing generally are recommended to elect the B.A. degree as it overlaps better than the Psychology B.S. with their requirements.
The most important aspect of your choice is to determine what courses would best prepare you for the programs to which you may be applying. For guidance, take advantage of campus resources, such as Pre-Health Advising and Pre-Law Advising. There are additionally many external online resources, such as Gradschools.com and Petersons.com.
If you're uncertain about which degree pathway to pursue, we recommend making an appointment with one of our Psychology academic advisors. They can discuss whether the B.A. or B.S. degree aligns best with your long-term goals.