B.S. in General Psychology

General Psychology is the major to consider if studying the area of science that explores how people and animals think, feel and act is of interest.

General Psychology majors complete coursework that explores behavior, emotions, cognitive processes, and the factors that influence them from a variety of perspectives. Psychologists study behavior at both a cellular (e.g. examining the role of the brain and the nervous system) and at a more global level (e.g. examining the influences of culture). As general psychology majors, students will enhance their problem-solving, critical thinking, writing, and oral expression skills as they learn to use the tools available to behavioral scientists.

Students choose to major in general psychology for many reasons. General Psychology can be students' primary area of interest within a liberal arts education that will lead to many professional opportunities that require a bachelor's degree, or it can be a pre-professional program leading to advanced study in graduate school. Popular types of graduate programs pursued by graduates of our program have been counseling, school psychology, education, clinical psychology, psychological science, social work, forensic psychology/criminal justice, industrial/organizational psychology, behavior analysis, law school and college administration.

Each year hundreds of psychology general students participate in research and service learning projects. Each year approximately 40 complete field placements and five complete honors thesis projects. Many of our students take their scholarship to a high level, participating as co-authors with faculty on professional conference presentations.

Why Choose JMU Psychology?

Psychology is the major to consider if you want to study the area of science that explores how people and animals think, feel, and act. Psychology majors complete coursework that explores behavior, emotions, and cognitive processes, and the factors that influence them. Psychologists study behavior at both a cellular level (e.g. examining the role of the brain and the nervous system) and at a more global level (e.g. examining the influences of culture). As a psychology major, you will enhance your problem-solving, critical thinking, writing and oral expression skills as you learn to use the tools available to behavioral scientists.

Whether you plan to seek employment with your bachelor's degree or go on to graduate school, you should be thinking about developing knowledge and skills through all of your college experiences. By the time you graduate, you should have developed a résumé that is rich with listings of your accomplishments both inside and outside of the classroom.

We know that success requires equal parts intellect and action. At JMU, that’s what Being the Change is all about.

When students graduating from James Madison University proudly walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, they’re more than just educated. They’re members of a fellowship of doers. They know how to make things happen. They’ve honed their ability to think critically. They’ve learned the importance of a strong work ethic and they’ve become committed to and skilled at collaborating with others. Diplomas in hand, they leave campus determined to live lives of meaning and pursue careers of purpose.

Only two hours from Washington D.C., JMU is fast becoming one of the nation’s leading lights in higher education. That’s because students enjoy unusually engaged relationships with world-class faculty who are at JMU because they want to pursue knowledge and teach talented students.

JMU students, faculty and alumni are using equal parts intellect and action to succeed in every sort of pursuit: they’re boosting innovation and discovery, leading in business, advancing culture, improving health care, reforming education, renewing civil society, competing in athletics — they’re Being the Change in every imaginable way.