Psychology Major and Minor

A faculty member and student smiling and discussing classes

You’re a psychology major in the making

Do you have a passion to help others or understand what makes people tick? Iowa State’s undergraduate psychology degree will prepare you for numerous careers in many fields, including mental health, law, medicine, forensics, counseling, human resources, business, and more. You can start your career right after earning your bachelor’s degree or continue on to graduate school for more advanced learning and even greater earning potential.

Our program offers two degree options: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). Both provide a strong foundation in psychology. The B.S. emphasizes training in psychological research, while the B.A. combines psychology with another area of study through an approved minor, certificate, or second major.

Meet with your advising team to discuss your academic and career interests to determine which option fits you best.

Winning Combinations

26%

of students combine their psychology degree with another major.
56%

Add a minor to their psychology degree.

Two majors can be better than one

Many students combine their psychology degree with another major (26%) or a minor (56%). These students often complete courses in the following fields:

Criminal Justice Studies
Human Development & Family Studies
Sociology
Statistics
Business
Premedical and Preprofessional Health Programs (if interested in med school and/or psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, etc.)
Pre-Law Programs

A psychology degree is excellent preparation for pre-professional paths. You can go on to law school, medical school, or professional programs such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, or other health-related careers.

When pursuing a double major or double degree at Iowa State University, you must complete all departmental requirements for both psychology and your second major or degree. For a double degree, you must also fulfill all requirements for both the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) and psychology, along with an additional 30 credits. To graduate, a total of 120 credits is required, including 45 credits at the 3000-4000 level. You also need to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Add a psychology minor

Adding a psychology minor will complement any degree. Having the ability to communicate clearly, think critically, and analyze complex problems – while also understanding the diverse nature of human behavior – will give you a competitive edge in today’s job market. Learn more about why a minor or second major in psychology may be right for you.

The psychology minor requires completion of 18 credits including:

PSYCH 1010: Introductory Psychology (3 credits, C- min)
Five additional psychology classes (15 credits)
Additional considerations

Nine (9) credits must not be used to meet any other requirements for graduation (except for total credits and 3000/4000 level credit requirements). Of those nine credits, six (6) credits must be taken at Iowa State with a grade of C or higher. An overall C average (2.00) is required and a C- minimum must be obtained in each course. At least nine (9) of the 18 credits must be earned in 3000/4000 level courses.

Courses not accepted for the psychology minor

Psychology 1110/1120/1310/2110 cannot be used for the minor. No more than three (3) credits may be in PSYCH 2910, 4900, 4910, and 4920. Transfer courses labeled as PSYCH 1T- will not be applied to the minor. Courses from study abroad or National Student Exchange must be approved by the Psychology Advising Office to be used for the minor.

Welcome, transfer students

About 25% of psychology majors at Iowa State are transfer students, so our department is skilled at making your transition smooth and seamless. We offer support for transfer students through the PsyClone Connect Psychology Learning Community, an exceptional advising team that will guide you through degree completion, and a career education class designed just for transfer students.

Students are eligible to transfer from an accredited two-or four-year institution. Iowa State’s TRANSIT program makes the process easy

If you have any questions, please email the Psychology Advising Office or call 515-294-9780.

Complete your psychology degree online

Beginning fall semester 2026, adult learners and transfer students who wish to enhance their career prospects may complete their bachelor’s degree in psychology online. You will study the same curriculum as Iowa State’s on-campus psychology students, but within a timeframe that fits your needs.

This program is designed for students who have completed up to 65 credit hours, are returning to school, or are transferring from a two-year program. A minimum of 30 credits is required for admission, and students must also complete a minor of at least 15 credits as part of the degree.

Get involved outside the classroom

Tailor your college experience to gain valuable skills for your future career. A wide variety of student organizations and clubs are available for you to join – including academic clubs, honor societies, political and activism organizations, intramural sports, and more.

Gain leadership and service experience through Student Engagement, go to one of the many fun campus events, or learn more about clubs and activities at the annual ClubFest to see the many ways you can get involved during your time at Iowa State.

Our PsyClone Connect Learning Community is a unique opportunity that offers a year-long learning community experience for first-year and transfer psychology majors.

Where passion for helping others meets career possibility

Psychology graduates pursue many different careers and are also exceptionally well-prepared for graduate school.

Curious as to where a psychology degree could take you? Here are just some examples from our many alumni:

School counselor
Professor
Attorney
Government teacher
Project manager
Research coordinator
Substance abuse counselor
Crisis intervention specialist
Behavioral health technician
Forensic psychologist
Marketing and public relations professional
Nonprofit case worker
Market research analyst
Psychotherapist
and more!

The LAS Career Services team can also help you plan for your future career with career development education, workshops, career fairs, and personalized career advising appointments.