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Prospective Majors in Psychology or Neuroscience - Welcome!
The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences offers degrees in Psychology, Neuroscience and an Interdepartmental Major in Psychology and Speech and Hearing Sciences.
Psychology covers behavior, thought, and intelligence and includes the study of the brain, learning and development in children (and animals), and social interactions and group behavior.
Because psychology spans the natural and social sciences, it provides an excellent domain in which to learn skills in analytic reasoning, problem solving, statistics, and dealing with people. The major gives all students a solid grounding in research and writing along with personal mentoring through research opportunities in faculty laboratories.
For those students interested in becoming psychologists, the requirements for the psychology major have been established to provide a sound foundation for graduate work in psychology.
Not all psychology majors become psychologists. Students who major in psychology also go on to careers in business, information technology, marketing, health care, law, research, education, social work, and beyond.
The degrees in psychology build cutting edge skills through courses on the most profound of all questions: the why and how of human behavior and thought.
The Neuroscience degree is designed for students interested in pursuing graduate training in neuroscience, attending medical school, or obtaining a research-related position in biotechnology, the life sciences, or the pharmaceutical industry. The program provides a tremendous depth of understanding of the field, from cellular and molecular bases of nervous system function to a systems-level approach to the study of brain-behavior relationships.
Admissions
The undergraduate programs in psychology or neuroscience at Indiana University do not require an application to be admitted. The only requirements for pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology or neuroscience are being admitted to the university and getting certified by the College of Arts and Sciences.
Most incoming freshmen at IU enroll in and receive academic advising from the University Division, and are later certified into the College if they choose a major in the College of Arts and Sciences. Exploratory students in the Hutton Honors College who select an Arts and Sciences major must also be certified.
If you are an incoming freshman or prospective student and have an excellent high school record, you may be contacted by the College of Arts & Sciences and offered Direct Admission. Qualifying as a direct admit into the College allows you to have a more focused start on your academic career and it is an honor that you can list on your resume and professional portfolio.
For general admission to Indiana University Bloomington, please see IUB Admissions.
If you'e interested in our Graduate Program in Psychology, see Graduate Admissions.
Is it the Right Major for You?
If you take the introductory course for the major, find it interesting, and earn a good grade, then you are likely to enjoy and do well in upper-level classes.
Students considering majoring in psychology or neuroscience should use the menu on the left side of this page to thoroughly explore our Courses and Degrees.
What do our majors do in addition to taking classes? Your learning and personal development as a psychology or neuroscience major should extend beyond the typical classroom! Use the menu on the left side of this page to learn more about:
- Co-curricular activities: Student groups, volunteer opportunities, and professional organizations.
- Experiential learning:
- Taking advantage of research opportunities in faculty laboratories is the primary way our majors receive personal mentoring from faculty.
- Think about applying to become a teaching assistant for a PBS course.
- Consider enrolling in a service-learning or field experience course.
- Internship experiences are crucial for personal and career development!
- Overseas study is an enriching experience that may satisfy certain degree requirements.
- Career Development: Take action to explore career options and enhance your career development each of your 4 years in college!
- Graduate School Planning: Discover what you need to do to prepare for grad school if the career in which you're interested requires a graduate degree.
Indiana University offers many resources to help students choose their major. You might want to:
Explore Majors at IU.
- Read How do I choose a major? and Myths and Facts About Major and Career Choice.
- Attend a Choosing Your Major Workshop or an Explore Your Options Event.
- Meet with your University Division Academic Advisor to discuss your options.
- Enroll in Q294, a 2-credit hour, 8 week course designed for freshmen and sophomores who are choosing a major or exploring career fields.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The IU Office of Scholarships website provides information about prestigious university scholarships for all incoming freshmen. Of special interest to potential psychology or neuroscience majors:
- The Jesse H. and Beulah Chanley Cox Engagement, Research, and Legacy Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen of exemplary achievement.
- The Hudson and Holland Scholars Programs recognize academically outstanding students who have a demonstrated commitment to serving their community.
- The Hutton Honors College Scholarships. The exceptional and highly motivated freshmen who meet the Hutton Honors College's automatic invitation eligibility criteria may also apply for a Hutton Honors College Scholarship.
- Science, Technology, and Research Scholars Program offers you laboratory research experience and mentoring by a leading faculty scientist throughout your undergraduate career, automatic consideration for a Gill full-tuition scholarship, and more.
Explore scholarships and financial aid resources available to all IU students.
