Psychology, BA, BS

Planning your Program

• When to Participate in a Study Abroad Program
  • Psychology majors and minors can participate in study abroad any term, and for multiple terms.  DU students typically study abroad Fall of Junior Year.
  • Psychology majors interested/accepted in the Distinction Program can only go abroad Fall of Junior Year or earlier.
  • Psychology majors interested in the field experience sequence can only go abroad prior to Senior year.
     

  Year	Recommended Student Action
  Year 1	Coursework:  Foundations of Psychological Science (PSYC 1001) Intro to Statistics (PSYC 2300) – if possible, pending availability
  Year 2	Coursework:  2000-level content courses - 3 or 4 of: Adult Psychopathology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience Intro to Statistics (if not taken previously) Research Methods (PSYC 3050) – if possible, pending availability Opportunities: Learn more about research, including attending Research Night (Autumn Quarter) to hear about research opportunities. Attend the information session and apply for the Departmental Distinction Program, if interested in an intensive research project as an honors thesis (Spring Quarter). Attend Graduate School and Career Night to learn about post-graduation options (Spring Quarter).
  Year 3	Coursework:  2000-level content courses not taken previously (3 or 4 of: Adult Psychopathology, Social, Developmental, Cognitive Neuroscience) Additional 2000-level elective courses Research Methods (PSYC 3050) – if not taken previously Any psychology courses taken abroad If interested, research apprenticeship by working in a lab (PSYC 2112) Any special opportunities classes (Junior Honors) Opportunities:  Attend the information session and apply for Field Experiences, if interested in gaining experience in therapy/counseling (Spring Quarter). Apply for the dual degree MA program, if interested in graduate-level research courses and thesis (Spring Quarter). Attend Graduate School and Career Night to learn about post-graduation options (Spring Quarter).
  Year 4	Coursework: Any required courses not completed  Any 3000-level electives Cog Neuro Seminar (Cog Neuro concentration only - PSYC version only offered in Winter Any 2-credit Topics seminars (offered rarely) Any special opportunities classes (Field Experiences, Senior Honors) Opportunities:  Complete the Senior Assessment (required for graduation; taken online any quarter of your senior year).

   

• Advice and Considerations

  Advice from the Department of Psychology

  Psychology advisors do not have any specific recommendations about where psychology students should study abroad. If your four-year plan allows for it, you should choose a study abroad program that interests you most. Much of the psychology learning that happens abroad happens outside the classroom. 

  Psychology advisors recommend that students take classes that are not offered by DU or classes that will reflect the culture of the study abroad location. Take advantage of the opportunity to observe and learn about another culture as much as you can, if your plan to complete your major allows for you to do so (and most do).

  Advice from the Office of International Education

  Attend a First Step Session 

  1. Attend our mandatory info session First Step if this is your first time studying abroad through the OIE. Learn about how to find programs, how DU's system works & important considerations.

  Research programs 

  1. Start by considering what you want out of a program. See Things to Consider to get an idea of what you should be asking yourself. Once you have an idea of what you want, search for programs in DU Passport. 
  2. Read the entire online program brochure for each program in DU Passport that interests you – be sure to check the Eligibility section. 
  3. Visit each program's website for more details (course lists, extracurriculars, etc.) 

  Stop by Drop-in Advising hours to get help with getting started 

  1. Come by our office during drop-in advising hours to speak to someone about how to get started, how to narrow down your program choices and review what steps you need to take in order to study abroad. 
• Meet with Your Academic Advisor

  How to make an appointment

  Any student can make an appointment with one our faculty advisors, attend drop hours, or email psychadvising@du.edu to get their advising questions answered. More information, including how to schedule an appointment and updated drop-in hours, is available on the Department of Psychology Digication page.

  Key questions to ask

  • What are my remaining degree requirements?
  • How many upper-division credits do I still need to complete for my degree?
  • How many elective credits (lower vs. upper division) do I have left to complete my major?
  • What remaining prerequisites must I fulfill, and how will a study abroad program impact my progress?
  • Which of my remaining degree requirements could I complete abroad?  Are there any that I cannot take abroad?
  • Can I receive academic credit for an internship abroad?
  • Are there any in-residence requirements I need to be aware of before I go abroad?
• Meet with the Office of International Education

  Our advisors are dedicated to helping you find the perfect program for your academic and personal goals, and can help provide you with the preparation necessary to excel once you arrive. 

  First Step Session 

  Ready to get started with your study abroad planning? Your first step is to attend an in-person First Step Session where you will learn how to choose a program & get started on your DU Abroad application. See Events for times.

  Drop-In Advising 

  This is where you start! Have general questions about studying abroad? Want help on how to narrow down to the right program for you? Come to our Drop-in Advising sessions! Bring your questions. Our Peer Advisors will help answer your questions & help you determine next steps. 

  1-on-1 Meetings 

  Once you have narrowed it down to a program, learn more specifics about the program by Making an Appointment with an OIE Advisor. Before meeting with an OIE advisor you are required to attend our First Step Session (see above). OIE advisors help guide you through the study abroad application & pre-departure steps. 

• Course Considerations for Your Major

  Review major or minor degree requirements

  Psychology majors usually complete the required core Psychology courses prior to Junior year.  If core courses are yet to be completed prior to your term abroad, they can be completed abroad as long as the courses are approved through the Study Abroad Course Approval process (see “Finding courses and course approvals” in the next section below).  If you plan to take any required courses (e.g.: statistics or research methods) make sure you have preapproval for it to be approved as the DU course equivalent.

  Psychology students can complete 2000 or 3000 level elective courses abroad, preferably on topics, themes, or perspectives not offered at DU.  Almost all courses taken from a psychology department at a DU partner program will count at least as an elective towards your psychology major or minor if submitted through the Study Abroad Course Approval Process.
  
   

  Finding courses and course approvals 

  Review the Registrar’s database of courses pre-approved for your program (TIERS). 

  If you identify courses offered by your program not in TIERS, or courses in TIERS come back differently than you would like, you can request new course approvals. 

  1. Obtain syllabi for the courses you are seeking to be approved. 
  2. Utilize the Additional Comments field of the course approval form to clearly explain what type of credit you are trying to receive for the departmental reviewer.   
  3. Advising and course approvals occur during the academic year when faculty are on campus. Make sure to submit course approvals at least five weeks before Summer or you may not have a response until the following Fall.  

  It is important to identify and seek approval for backup courses.  Your program may not have registration until you arrive on site, or courses could be changed, cancelled, or have time conflicts.   

  If necessary, you can submit course approvals anytime, including while you are abroad and after you return.   

  Departmental Considerations

  BA majors: Note that only 60 credits of PSYC can count toward the total University credits necessary for the BA degree, with the exception that courses in the distinction sequence (PSYC 2751 Junior Honors Research Seminar, PSYC 2752 Junior Honors Research Seminar, PSYC 3150 Senior Honors Research Seminar, PSYC 3151 Senior Honors Research Seminar, PSYC 3152 Senior Honors Research Seminar) do not count against the 60 credit maximum.

  Review additional Department of Psychology resources for more consideration.
   

• Explore Funding Opportunities

  Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing an international experience. Not only should you understand the costs of your program but you should also anticipate the other costs that will be associated with your travel. Please visit our Financial Planning page regarding tuition, housing, and meal costs of DU Partner Programs (DUPP) and unaffiliated programs. It is important that you understand all of the items and services that will and will not be included in your program. 

  Studying abroad doesn't have to be more expensive than staying at DU. If you plan ahead, few locations are out of reach, even with a limited budget. You need to be realistic about how cost-of-living varies around the world, but that can work in your favor. Sometimes, it's even possible to save money by studying abroad! 

  Most students are able to utilize most of their financial aid while studying abroad. We encourage you to speak directly with the Financial Aid Office for details on your specific aid package. 

  Details of how Financial Aid applies to your study abroad program can be found on our Financial Aid page. 

  Many general scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study in the U.S. can be applied to study abroad. You should check to see if you are eligible to apply for general scholarships that are not specific to, but can be applied, to study abroad. There also are a huge number of study abroad specific scholarships available with varying eligibility criteria and deadlines. If finances for studying abroad are a concern, you are encouraged to begin searching and applying for scholarships as soon as possible. 

  More details on available scholarships can be found on our Scholarships page.