COURSE CURRICULUM

The Psychology program at University of Colorado Denver offers students a comprehensive education in human behavior, mental processes, and scientific research while providing flexible pathways through both Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degree options. Students complete the 34-credit CU Denver Core Curriculum, which includes studies in English, mathematics, arts and humanities, international and cultural diversity, and behavioral, physical, and social sciences. In addition, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Core strengthens critical thinking and interdisciplinary understanding through courses in chemistry, biology, writing for the sciences, public health, world cultures, and social psychology. The department also offers the Gardner Psychology Research Scholar honors track, allowing motivated students to enhance research skills, conduct studies, and present scholarly work, ideally beginning in their sophomore year. The BA in Psychology focuses on the social and behavioral aspects of psychology and prepares students for a broad range of careers and graduate opportunities. Coursework includes subjects such as abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology, organizational psychology, family psychology, personality, human development, aging and behavior, and psychology of women. This degree can also be completed online, providing added flexibility. The BS in Psychology integrates psychology with neuroscience, biology, chemistry, and brain sciences, emphasizing the biological and neurological foundations of behavior. Students study areas including behavioral genetics, developmental neuroscience, neuropsychology, hormones and behavior, drugs and behavior, health psychology, and behavioral neuroscience, along with interdisciplinary sciences such as physiology, neurobiology, microbiology, and biochemistry. The program supports students interested in careers or graduate studies in medicine, psychiatry, neuroscience, psychopharmacology, counseling, sports psychology, and related health sciences. Electives and possible foreign language coursework allow students to further customize their education based on individual interests and professional goals while developing research, communication, scientific reasoning, and critical thinking skills essential for success in psychology and related fields.