Becoming a PSYC Terp

Psychology is one of our campus' most popular majors and is classified as a Limited Enrollment Program (LEP).  The gateway requirements are in place to ensure that anyone who pursues the major is prepared to be successful in the field.  More information about the gateway courses is on the Degree Requirements page.

Incoming Freshman

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 LEP gateway requirements and earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to remain in the major.

Transferring from Another Major or Another School

Any student who wants to add psychology as a major has to have already completed the LEP gateway requirements along with a 2.7 cumulative GPA.

STEPS TO APPLY

If you have not done so already, please begin the Major Change/Addition of Major process by visiting go.umd.edu/majorchange to submit your official change/addition of major request once you have completed the LEP gateway requirements.  

• Then, send the PSYC Department an email indicating your interest in the major (psycadvising@umd.edu). 

• You will receive an email back with detailed instructions including tasks for completing your request to add or change your major. Throughout the process you may be notified if additional actions are required.

• The tasks will include completing a Major Change Workshop and submitting a graduation plan. 

• Once you complete all of the tasks listed in the system and your graduation plan has been approved, your major will be changed or added. Please remember to check the "Completed" box on TerpEngage so you can move on with the process. 

• These requests may take up to 15 business days to process. 

*Students on academic probation/dismissal, student athletes and other designated student populations will be required to schedule an appointment with a BSOS College Advisor to finalize their major change or addition.

Registering for a PSYC Major Change/Addition of Major Workshop:

You will be prompted to register for a PSYC Major Change/Addition of Major Workshop in Step 1 of the TerpEngage major change process. You must begin the major change process through TerpEngage before requesting to register for a major change workshop.

PSYC Major Change Workshops are virtual. You may register for by emailing  PSYCDesk@umd.edu. 

After completing the Major Change Workshop, you must return to your major change task list on TerpEngage and mark Step 1 as complete in order to move forward in the major change process. 

Our Undergraduate Program Managers have office hours and are available to answer questions as you complete the workshop. You are also welcome to schedule an appointment with a PSYC Advisor after the completion of the workshop if you have further questions.

Undergraduate PSYC Peer Mentor Office Hours Zoom Link: https://umd.zoom.us/j/8179955078

Mondays at 10:30 AM - Sonya

Wednesdays at 2:00 PM - Liz

Thursdays at 2:30 PM - Annie

Some students are able to add a second major and can complete a double major (or double degree), when they are eligible. Having two majors is sometimes not the best decision for certain students, though. Psychology advisors can meet with you to discuss your path to graduation and your educational and professional goals. They can help you determine if there might be time to complete a double major, as opposed to a single major. Feel free to meet with a psychology advisor to discuss this, and additional information can be found at BSOS’ website on double-majors.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Requirements
To earn their BS, students must complete all of the BA requirements, plus at least three additional advanced courses (17 credits) in mathematics and science. ***As of Fall 2016, the math requirements for the BS in Psychology have changed. Students pursuing the BS must successfully complete MATH 120 (formerly MATH 220) or MATH 136* or MATH 140 with a grade of "C-" or higher. (Note: MATH 136 is restricted to Biological Sciences majors only.)

As of February 7, 2022 we have expanded the choices for BS courses. Please keep the following in mind:

• Completing the BS requires advanced planning especially since each class has prerequisites. Always check the prerequisites posted on Testudo before you register for a class. 
• PSYC courses counting towards the B.S. requirements will NOT count towards the thematic or 400 level requirements for the PSYC major.
• You can still only take 3 PSYC classes per semester (not including PSYC123, PSYC303, PSYC309G, PSYC309P, PSYC309R, PSYC389, PSYC478, PSYC479). 

Click here to view the Bachelor of Science Requirements

The decision to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology is one that many students will face in their undergraduate psychology career. Please see a PSYC advisor if you have questions. For information on PSYC advising, click here.

Please click here to read FAQs about the BA vs. BS.

Welcome! 

If you are considering majoring in psychology at the University of Maryland or have already accepted an admissions offer to UMD, you've come to the right place!

The time leading up to your first semester of college can be nerve-wracking, but don't be intimidated! There's a ton that you can do to prepare yourself for success, and the are so many resources in and beyond the Department of Psychology that are here to help you.

If you have a question and you can't find the answer on this website, call the Advising Office in Psychology at 301-405-5866. If we can't answer your question right away, we can set up an appointment to meet with you.

Here are some tips so that you can make the most out your time before your first semester!

Senior Year of High School

• Helpful AP classes for PSYC: AP Psychology, AP Biology, and/or AP Calculus. A score of 4 or a 5 on any of these AP exams will be accepted as a gateway class for PSYC: PSYC100, BSCI170/171, or MATH140. If these AP classes are available to you, it is a good idea to take them.
• If you know your want to major in Psychology, make sure to declare that as your major on your UMD Application! It's easier to be accepted as a PSYC major than to switch into PSYC when you get here.
• Attend UMD's Admitted Students Open House(s) in the Spring! There are PSYC Info sessions led by faculty, staff, and students in the department! Come with questions!

Summer before your First Semester

• Start looking at our Courses and Syllabi page to see what classes spark your interests. If you have classes in mind, you might be able to start taking them or the required prerequisites for them as early as your first semester!
• Attend orientation! More info can be found here. For incoming PSYC Majors, there will be a presentation by students and/or Advisors to help prepare you for class registration. Again, bring questions!

Your First Semester and Beyond

• You made it! If you have any questions or concerns, come into advising anytime during our walk-in hours (M-F 10-Noon, M-Th 1-3) or make an appointment! We recommend you come in at least once a semester to make sure you're on track to graduate and to make sure you're getting the most out of your undergraduate experience.
• 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 gateway requirements and earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to remain in the major.