Welcome to the Stony Brook Undergraduate Department of Psychology!
Whether you're a prospective student, a new arrival, or continuing your studies as a psychology major, we’re excited to have you with us.
Psychology helps us understand the biological, cognitive, social, and clinical roots of behavior, thought, and emotion, along with the methods used to investigate them. Mastering psychological principles and evaluating research are essential skills in today’s rapidly evolving society.
Established in 1965, our department is one of the largest and most dynamic undergraduate programs at Stony Brook. We have a strong tradition of teaching and research excellence, with faculty recognized for their contributions at local, state, and national levels. Many faculty members are distinguished researchers, providing students with abundant opportunities for research and teaching.
Our undergraduate programs offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The B.S. program focuses on natural sciences and mathematics, while the B.A. provides a broader interdisciplinary approach. Both degrees equip you with foundational knowledge for graduate studies or careers in fields like medicine, education, law, management, business, marketing, and data science.
If you're unsure which degree path to choose, we encourage you to meet with one of our academic advisors. They can help you determine whether the B.A. or B.S. aligns best with your long-term goals.
During your time here, we encourage you to enhance your coursework by exploring a variety of opportunities. This may include participating in supervised research or internships, engaging in honors psychology, or serving as a teaching assistant. Whatever path you choose, the Department of Psychology is dedicated to preparing you for a range of career and graduate school options.
For answers to common questions, please check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section. For specific inquiries about our undergraduate degree programs, visit our contact page.
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New Students
Welcome to Stony Brook University and the Department of Psychology! Our department is committed to high-quality education and research, featuring faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized for their work and excellence in teaching.
As an undergraduate, you'll have the chance to learn from our faculty and engage in research alongside them.
Transitioning to a large research university can be challenging, and classes may feel overwhelming at times. 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.
As a new freshman, we recommend starting with lower-level classes to prepare for your major and general education (SBC) requirements. Look for major courses that also fulfill general education requirements; for example, the Group B survey course requirement for the Psychology degree will also satisfy the STEM+ requirement; eliminating the need for an additional STEM+ course. You can find other SBC overlaps in the Undergraduate Bulletin. In your first semester, consider enrolling in PSY 103, and in your second semester, take one or two 200-level survey courses, as these are prerequisites for upper-division courses. If you're pursuing a PSY BS degree, consider starting your math and science sequences during your freshman or sophomore years.
You can meet with us for major advising by scheduling an appointment via Navigate, though it’s generally not necessary during your first semester since you’ll primarily be taking general courses. Your general advisors in Undergraduate College Advising are available to work with you to determine which general education courses and university degree requirements you must satisfy in order to graduate. .
As a continuing or new transfer student, check the transfer equivalency database to see if your courses have direct equivalents at Stony Brook. If a course isn’t listed but is relevant to your major, visit the appropriate department (e.g., Psychology for PSY courses) to inquire about equivalency. Checklists for the BA and BS in Psychology majors are available online, and you may make an appointment with an advisor to ensure that you are completing courses required for your degree program. General advisors in Academic and Transfer Advising Services can help you determine the general education courses you need to graduate.
We also encourage you to explore the department's webpages for other information, research activities, and opportunities available to you during your studies.
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.