Psychology - Engaging in the Major
Engaging in the Major
Psychology explores how the mind works and why people think and behave the way they do. It’s a broad scientific field with many areas of focus—some psychologists help individuals manage mental health challenges, while others tackle complex social issues. Across the world, psychologists share a common purpose: to deepen our understanding of human behavior and use that knowledge to improve lives.
Recommended Course Progression
Course recommendations:
New to Psychology? Start with PSYCH 111 to explore the field, then take PSYCH 307 to build writing skills. Both courses can help you decide if psychology is the right fit for you.
Register for STDEV 117- Career Exploration. It’s not required for the majors, but it’s a smart way to explore career options early. Psychology opens doors in every industry—find out which paths might be right for you
Wondering when to take PSYCH 307 & 308? Psychology is a great fit for students who enjoy or are open to evidence-based writing and data. PSYCH 307 - Writing within Psychology, and PSYCH 308 - Psychological Statistics are foundational courses to take earlier on in your major. These two courses can be taken together, but students may find that spacing them out may help them build skills they will regularly use throughout the program.
Want to see what classes will be offered next? To check out which classes will be offered in upcoming semesters/terms, visit the BYU Class Search website.
Course substitutions, waivers, and add codes:
If you need a course substitution or a waiver for a lower-division Psychology course, submit a request through the Form & Applications webpage on the Psychology department website.
- Students needing to request a course substitution will select the “Major/Minor Class Substitution Request Form.”
- Students needing to request an add code for a Psychology course will select the “Add Code Request Form.”
Confused about the steps or forms you need? Contact the program specialists at Psych Student Support Services to learn more.
Grad plans:
If you would like help creating a grad plan, consider meeting with an undergraduate specialist at the Liberal Arts Advisement Center.
Getting Involved in Research
Working with a faculty member as a teaching or research assistant can help you develop a deeper knowledge of a particular area of psychology and boost your resume or application to grad school. It also provides a great opportunity to get to know faculty members and learn from their expertise! Here’s how you can get involved:
- Do Well in Your Psych Classes Good grades not only demonstrate your reliability and responsibility, but professors also often want teaching assistants (TAs) and sometimes research assistants (RAs) who have excelled in their classes. Doing well in your coursework will help you develop the knowledge base needed to be a good TA or RA.
- Check Out Faculty Research Each full-time psychology professor has a research area, which is the main subject they study and contribute new knowledge to. These areas range widely, and understanding them can help students choose courses, find mentors, or identify potential career paths. Psychology faculty research areas are listed on the department website at https://psychology.byu.edu/research-areas. Check out the faculty research pages, lab pages, and publications to see where you might fit in!
- Look Out for Applications Applications for TA and RA positions are often sent out in email or newsletters from the department, Psych Student Services, or by individual professors. Don’t miss out on a cool opportunity to help teach or do research by not reviewing your email!
- Reach Out! Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors! You are more likely to get a TA or RA position if professors are familiar with you and if you are enthusiastic about the work. One of the primary ways that students find TA and RA positions is by asking professors if they have any positions available, so make sure to ask!
- Explore other Research in the Social Sciences Social science fields often overlap, so participating in research in other departments in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences can help you understand human behavior, communities, or systems in new ways. Click here to see research opportunities in the School of Family Life. Keep in mind: grad schools love well-rounded applicants—but they still expect depth in your chosen field, so balance your experiences with focused, discipline‑specific research.
Internships and Experiences
Check back for updated content!
Funding & Internships
Should I do an internship?
Internships are hugely beneficial in helping students learn what they might like in a professional career while also building your resume. The type of internships students can pursue varies widely, based on your career path, goals, and interests.
If you are curious about which internship options may be a good fit for you, exploring the FHSS Internships website is a great place to start. Select a few organizations that sound interesting to you, then schedule an appointment with your academic and professional development manager, Leah Kochenderfer (last names A-O), Matt Armstrong (last names P-Z), or your career director, Sara Larson.
Resources to find internships:
- Washington Seminar
- Handshake
- On-Campus Internships
- Family, Home, and Social Sciences Internship Manager: Alison Sondrup
Funding for Internships
We offer funding for unpaid, professional internships. Please apply!
Funding for mentored research
You can participate in a faculty-mentored research project, and you can receive funding for your project. Learn about the Hum Grants program.
Funding for Study Abroad Programs
There are great study abroad programs for Classical Studies students, like: Greece and the Greek Odyssey; Italy and Greece; Italian Art and Architecture. Study abroad programs vary by year. Find Your Program through the Kennedy Center.
The College of Humanities offers funding for Humanities students going on Humanities study abroad programs.
College of Family, Home, and Social Science Scholarships
The College of Family, Home, and Social Science offers a variety of scholarships. You can find out about the scholarship options and apply here: FHSS Financial Aid.
University financial aid options
There are many resources to help you fund your tuition and experiences at BYU. The Financial Aid Office can help.
Getting Involved
Biofeedback Lab
Clubs
Y-Serve
QPR Training
FAQ's
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Toggle ItemWhich minors do Psychology students usually have?
A Psychology degree pairs well with many minors! Depending on your career goals, you might choose: Business, Design Thinking, Civic Engagement Leadership, Communications, Gerontology, Global Women’s Studies, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Sociology, Statistics, and many more! You can check out all of the minors BYU offers in the BYU Catalog.
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Toggle ItemI think a class I took previously could count for my Psychology major. How can I find out?
If you need a course substitution or a waiver for a lower-division Psychology course, submit a request through the Form & Applications webpage on the Psychology department website.
Students needing to request a course substitution will select the “Major/Minor Class Substitution Request Form.”
Have questions? Contact the program specialists at Psych Student Support Services to learn more.
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Toggle ItemI’m a Psych major, but I haven’t completed PSYCH 307 yet and can’t add any of the other 300-level courses. What do I do?
Students needing to request an add code for a Psychology course will submit a request through the Form & Applications webpage on the Psychology department website. Select the “Add Code Request Form” option.
Have questions? Contact the program specialists at Psych Student Support Services to learn more.
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Toggle ItemWhat if I want to double major in Psychology and another program?
You can petition to double major. Learn about the process here.
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Toggle ItemI have a hold on my account. Who can help me get it removed?
If it is an AIP hold, please meet with your academic and professional development manager, Leah Kochenderfer (last names A-O), Matt Armstrong (last names P-Z). Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to set up an appointment.
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Toggle ItemWhere can I get help with papers, homework, and studying?
- BYU RWC (Research and Writing Center)
- FHSS Writing Lab
- Y serve tutors
- TA Labs
- Peer Academic Study Specialists (PASS)