Requirements for a Major in Psychology

Students in the Psychology major will learn about classic findings and major theories, while actively engaged in expanding our understanding of human behaviour through hands-on empirical work. The Psychology major is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, laboratory courses, research attachments, and independent study opportunities.

Major requirements

All Psychology majors are required to take 54 or more Units within the programme. At least 20 of the 44 course-based Units must be taken at Yale-NUS, and an additional 10 Units come from the capstone project. All Units counted towards the major must be taken for a letter grade. Students considering graduate school are strongly advised to take more than the minimum number of courses required for the major. These students should consult with their Head of Studies or major advisor as early as possible to plan their course of study.

The required courses include:

• Introduction to Psychology (YSS2201)
• Statistics and Research Methods for Psychology (YSS2216)
• At least one laboratory course
• Six additional courses (“Psychology electives”)

*It is strongly recommended that students take YSS2216 in their second year.

**To facilitate better preparation for the capstone project, it is strongly recommended that students take the laboratory course in their second or third year, following completion of YSS2216.

YSS2201 Introduction to Psychology provides a general overview of the field of psychology, and it serves as a gateway to more advanced courses in the programme. Such courses include those concerned with how humans develop as individuals and social beings, the nature of our relationships, how our brains process information, the ways in which behaviour can become disordered, and the techniques that can improve mental health. Although there are no formal specialisations in the Psychology major, students can craft their own areas of concentration while also sampling broadly.

In addition to coursework about theory and practice, the programme provides a foundation in experimental design, analysis, and presentation. Statistics and Research Methods for Psychology builds on the general principles and approaches from Quantitative Reasoning, focusing on the specific modes of inquiry for research with human participants. These ideas and methods are then further developed in laboratory courses, where they are applied to specific psychological contexts.

The Psychology major culminates in a year-long capstone experience. Students work closely with one or more faculty members within psychology or related disciplines, conducting original research with the goal of adding to our understanding of a specific psychological effect. Although empirical work is strongly encouraged, other approaches to the capstone will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The capstone in Psychology does not include a formal course, but the cohort of majors does meet approximately 4-6 times per semester to present ideas, discuss findings, and troubleshoot challenges.

Requirements for a Minor in Psychology

Students may minor in Psychology by taking Introduction to Psychology, Statistics and Research Methods for Psychology, and at least three additional courses in the programme.