Major & Minor Requirements

MAJORS

PSYCHOLOGY B.A.

The Psychology major is the most general of the three majors and offers both broad and in-depth coverage of the fundamental and traditional areas of psychology. It provides students with a strong foundation for postgraduate education in psychology and can serve as excellent background to prepare them for further training in such fields as law, education, government and public policy, business, and many of the health-related professions. Its basic liberal-arts orientation also provides excellent foundation for immediate postbaccalaureate careers in many areas, particularly ones in which an understanding of human behavior and its diversity of expression would be an asset.

PSYCHOBIOLOGY B.S.

The Psychobiology major is designed for students who plan to go on to postgraduate work in physiological psychology, neuroscience, behavioral aspects of biology, or the health sciences. Psychobiology is the study of behavior from a biological perspective. It includes neural, experimental psychological, natural history, genetic, comparative/evolutionary, and developmental approaches to understanding human and animal behavior.

COGNITIVE SCIENCE B.S.

The Cognitive Science major focuses on the study of intelligent systems, both real and artificial. While including a strong foundation in the traditional areas of psychology, the major is interdisciplinary in nature and emphasizes subject matter within cognitive psychology, computer science, mathematics, and related disciplines.

COMPUTING SPECIALIZATION FOR COGNITIVE SCIENCE MAJORS

The Specialization in Computing is a supplement to the Cognitive Science major only*. It provides an extensive education in computer science and an introduction to its applications in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. 

*The Undergraduate Council of the UCLA Academic Senate voted to remove the Specialization in Computing for the Psychology and Psychobiology majors effective Fall Quarter 2023. Psychology and Psychobiology majors currently in the specialization or admitted to UCLA prior to Fall 2023 are still eligible to pursue the specialization. However, enrollment is not guaranteed in courses required for the specialization.

APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY MINOR

The Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) minor is designed to (1) provide a coherent, challenging academic program focused on investigating, understanding, and supporting the development of young children and their families, (2) teach undergraduate students how to apply theories, research methods, and research findings to practical concerns, and (3) prepare students to join or receive further training in various child-related professions.