Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Transfer Credit Guidelines

Psychology often referred to as “the helping profession,” appeals to students who have a passion for serving others and are interested in unlocking the mysteries of the human mind. Psychology majors develop a deeper understanding of themselves, others, and the world around them as they explore what motivates behavior and causes emotion. Studying what makes people tick, personality, and cognition enables psychology majors to develop strong communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills. Psychology is a rapidly growing field with a multitude of career opportunities including counseling, social work, sales, communication, business, and research. Many psychology majors continue their education and obtain graduate degrees in Counseling Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Sports Psychology, School Psychology, and Industrial Psychology to name a few. 

A minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) credits including 30 credits at the upper level are needed for completion of the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program in the following distribution areas: 

TUT 101 Purple badges indicate Excelsior University courses.

TUT 101 Green badges indicate non-Excelsior University courses.

Courses must be completed with Excelsior with a minimum grade of a C or higher.

Course IDCourse TitleRequirementsCredits
INL 102 Information Literacy Complete within the first 13 of attempted credits 1
IND 301 Cornerstone B (Pathways) Complete in the first term of credit-bearing activity 3
Total Credits | 4

Courses may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of a C or higher.

Requirement Course ID Course Title Equivalency Notes Credits
Written English ENG 101A Advanced Composition Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Written English Requirement (6 semester hours to include 3 semester hours in expository writing (to be completed within the first 13 semester hours) and 3 semester hours in applied writing or writing within the discipline). 3
Written English ENG 102A Advanced Composition II Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Written English Requirement (6 semester hours to include 3 semester hours in expository writing (to be completed within the first 13 semester hours) and 3 semester hours in applied writing or writing within the discipline). 3
Ethics IND 203 Introduction to Professional Ethics Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Ethics Requirement (Subject areas that meet the requirement include but are not limited to classical or contemporary ethical theory and philosophy; ethical and moral reasoning; applied ethics relevant to disciplines and careers). This topic is required to meet the specified requirement. 3
Humanities COMM 125 Public Speaking Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Humanities Requirement (Subject areas that meet the requirement include, but are not limited to, art, music, literature, foreign language, philosophy, religion, speech, or a subject area other than writing). 3
Humanities HUM 253 Mythology Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Humanities Requirement (Subject areas that meet the requirement include, but are not limited to, art, music, literature, foreign language, philosophy, religion, speech, or a subject area other than writing). 3
Social Sciences / History HIS 101 United States History I Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Social Sciences / History Requirement (Subject areas that meet the requirement include, but are not limited to, anthropology, criminal justice (theory-based, not applied criminal justice), economics, geography, government, history, political science, psychology, and sociology). 3
Social Sciences / History SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Social Sciences / History Requirement (Subject areas that meet the requirement include, but are not limited to, anthropology, criminal justice (theory-based, not applied criminal justice), economics, geography, government, history, political science, psychology, and sociology). 3
Social Sciences / History HIS 102 United States History II Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Social Sciences / History Requirement (Subject areas that meet the requirement include, but are not limited to, anthropology, criminal justice (theory-based, not applied criminal justice), economics, geography, government, history, political science, psychology, and sociology). 3
Natural Sciences / Mathematics NS 110 Science in Today's World Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Natural Sciences / Mathematics Requirement (Subject areas that meet this requirement include, but are not limited to, astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, algebra, geometry, analysis (which includes calculus), and applied mathematics (which includes probability and statistics). Restrictions include developmental or remedial courses, no more than three courses of mathematics credit below the level of calculus, no more than one course or examination may be applied that is (1) terminal in nature with no prerequisite beyond the level of arithmetic; (2) intended for students outside of science or mathematics; or (3) a mathematics appreciation course). Students must complete a minimum of 3 credits in natural sciences and 3 credits in mathematics. 3
Natural Sciences / Mathematics BIO 110 Biology (Non-Lab) Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Natural Sciences / Mathematics Requirement (Subject areas that meet this requirement include, but are not limited to, astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, algebra, geometry, analysis (which includes calculus), and applied mathematics (which includes probability and statistics). Restrictions include developmental or remedial courses, no more than three courses of mathematics credit below the level of calculus, no more than one course or examination may be applied that is (1) terminal in nature with no prerequisite beyond the level of arithmetic; (2) intended for students outside of science or mathematics; or (3) a mathematics appreciation course). Students must complete a minimum of 3 credits in natural sciences and 3 credits in mathematics. 3
Natural Sciences / Mathematics MAT 101 Mathematics for Everyday Life Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. Natural Sciences / Mathematics Requirement (Subject areas that meet this requirement include, but are not limited to, astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, algebra, geometry, analysis (which includes calculus), and applied mathematics (which includes probability and statistics). Restrictions include developmental or remedial courses, no more than three courses of mathematics credit below the level of calculus, no more than one course or examination may be applied that is (1) terminal in nature with no prerequisite beyond the level of arithmetic; (2) intended for students outside of science or mathematics; or (3) a mathematics appreciation course). Students must complete a minimum of 3 credits in natural sciences and 3 credits in mathematics. 3
Total Credits | 33

All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C or higher.

Course IDCourse TitleEquivalency NotesCredits
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology I Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
PSY 235 Lifespan Developmental Psychology Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
MAT 201 Statistics Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
PSY 305 Research Methods Course must be completed with Excelsior University to meet the requirement. 3
PSY 380 Biopsychology Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
PSY 280 Abnormal Psychology Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
PSY 220 Psychology of Personality Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
PSY 330 Educational Psychology Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
PSY 360 Social Psychology Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
PSY 362 Psychology of Human Sexuality Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
PSY 340 Psychology of Learning Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
PSY 420 Human Motivation Recommended Excelsior course, but other course options are available to meet the requirement. This topic is required to meet the specified requirement and may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of C or higher. 3
PSY 365 Psychology of Diversity Course must be completed with Excelsior University to meet the requirement. 3
PSY 440 History and Systems Course must be completed with Excelsior University to meet the requirement. 3
LA 498PSY Psychology Capstone Course must be completed with Excelsior University to meet the requirement. 3
Total Credits | 45

Approved arts and sciences elective credit in the areas of humanities, social sciences, history, natural sciences, and mathematics, as well as applied professional and free electives may apply. Courses may be transferred in from outside sources of credit with a minimum grade of a C or higher.

Course IDCourse TitleEquivalency NotesCredits
Elective(s) 38
Total Credits | 38