Curriculum

The BS in Applied Psychology is a 128-credit program that combines theory, research, and applications to real-world problems influencing the lives of people and communities. You will gain an understanding of various psychology subfields, including developmental, social, community, and counseling, and engage in research and practice with the department’s renowned faculty and in field placements across the city. You will leave the department prepared for graduate study or a career in psychology or related fields.

Core Course Sequence

College Core Curriculum (CORE)

NYU’s College Core Curriculum provides a foundational academic experience of general education in the liberal arts for undergraduates at NYU. The Core Curriculum includes courses in foreign language, expository writing, and foundations of contemporary culture and scientific inquiry. In addition to these required subject areas, you will also have the opportunity to explore liberal arts electives in the topics that most interest you, gaining the skills and breadth of intellectual perspective to flourish in your major programs of study and in your later careers. 

Major Requirements

You will take foundational classes in psychological theory and research, with an emphasis on application to real-world contexts. In addition to developing knowledge in key content areas, you will also have the opportunity to develop a strong grasp of important connections between research and practice and the influence of cultural context on theory, research, and application. A hallmark of our program is the fieldwork experience that you will complete before graduation. This professional experience and exposure to advanced academic writing skills prepare you for professional and academic experiences post-graduation. 

Sample Electives 

As an APUG major, you will have the opportunity to select from a range of elective courses in Applied Psychology and related fields. Elective courses are structured around three content areas: Development and Learning, Clinical and Counseling, and Social Interventions. Development and Learning electives include courses on parenting and culture, educational psychology, contexts of immigrant youth experiences, and child development and social policy. Clinical electives include coursework on multicultural counseling, abnormal psychology, sexual identities across the lifespan, and the historical, social, and political perspectives that inform the practice. Social Intervention electives include courses in social and community psychology, child development in school settings, and social interventions in schools and communities. You also have the opportunity to complete Specialization Electives to further extend or broaden your understanding of related fields. Specialization Electives consist of additional coursework in the Applied Psychology Program or through courses in other schools in the areas of child and adolescent mental health studies, cognitive courses, art therapy, drama therapy, or music therapy.

Culminating Experience

As an Applied Psychology student, you will have the opportunity to complete training in a professional setting during your final semesters in the program. This fieldwork experience is unique to the Applied Psychology Program and sets APUG students apart from other students graduating from comparable programs.

Building on the experiences and knowledge gained through the fieldwork courses, you will have the ability to pursue your independent research within the program under the mentorship of a faculty member. You can apply for research funding within the program as well as professional development funding to support your participation in or attendance at professional conferences.

You also have the opportunity to pursue Honors in Applied Psychology in your senior year. The Honors Program is a two-semester course sequence where you can pursue independent research under the mentorship of a faculty member while completing advanced training in writing and research.

As a graduating student in this major, you also can present an oral or poster presentation during the program’s annual Undergraduate Research Conference. This conference is formatted as a professional conference that is attended by members of the department and across the university and is an opportunity for you to showcase your research.