Psychology

The Department of Psychology has provided information for students who plan to study abroad. Review your department’s responses to the Major Advising Questionnaires below, then contact the department directly with any additional questions.

Advising Resources

Study Abroad Information on the Psychology Website

Psychology Advising Contact Information

Major-Specific Info

The Psychology department encourages its students to add an international dimension to their education by participating in Berkeley Study Abroad (BSA). Study abroad will open your mind and change your life! Exposure to various cultures and diverse human experience help students prepare for complex challenges professionals face in the field of Psychology. With proper academic planning, students can have the experience of a lifetime with no loss of time in completing their degrees.

Why study abroad?

Psychology aims to describe, understand, and predict the behavior of living organisms. In doing so, psychology embraces the many factors that influence behavior. This approach is highly compatible with the study abroad experience, as it helps students develop an understanding of how environmental and cultural factors shape human behavior. Further benefits include:

  • Unique academic and experiential opportunities in Psychology
  • Participation in a different educational system and a new cultural perspective
  • The study of fascinating topics not readily available on the Berkeley campus
  • An expanded world view from first-hand experience of another culture
  • Enhanced résumé and/or applications for graduate school
  • Development of self-confidence and independence
  • Preparation for a career in an internationally competitive world 
When can I study abroad?

While it is possible for Psychology students to go abroad at almost any point in their academic careers, the particular term and length of time that you study abroad depends on what requirements you have left to complete the major. Of your upper division requirements for Psychology, no more than two courses can be used to satisfy your major requirements. Please note that Psych 10/101 must be completed during your sophomore or junior year at UC Berkeley.  

It is important to start early to develop a strategy to integrate study abroad into your academic program.  

Where can I study abroad?

Psychology students planning to complete a portion of their major abroad have a wide variety of options. You will find that a large majority of the programs will work for you, especially if you are looking to fulfill your Psychology elective requirements. The type of program you choose may depend on language proficiency, academic goals, and time constraints. 

Examples:

  • Pontificia Universidad Catolica (Chile): Take Spanish language, social and educational psychology, education, and more. There are ample internships in the related areas of health and social services. 
  • University of Cape Town (South Africa): Learn at an internationally recognized department with strengths in clinical psychology.  
  • University of Lyon (France): Many courses at this university are supplemented by workshops that add depth to the topics covered in lecture.
  • Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel): Study fascinating topics such as military psychology, trauma, and resilience, while interning in fields such as cognitive psychology and other areas with private or government organizations.
What classes can I take?

Psychology courses are widely available in universities worldwide. You will be surprised at how many options you have, and how you can integrate education abroad into your curriculum. Here are some tips when planning your coursework: 

  • Consider psychology courses not available at UC Berkeley to broaden your understanding of the discipline.
  • Complete Psych 10/101 prior to departure.
  • Consider adding an internship or research experience to your program to further immerse yourself in the culture and community of your study abroad program.
  • You may fulfill your breadth requirements while abroad. Consult with an L&S adviser about this. 

Coursework towards the Psychology major must follow these guidelines:  

  • Courses must be taken for a letter grade.
  • Course content must be equivalent to an upper division Psychology course.
  • Each course must have a minimum of 2.7 semester units.
  • A maximum of 2 courses can be used towards the major requirement.

 Plan on counting these courses towards your Psych elective requirements, not for your decade or Tier II requirements.  

Berkeley Programs Questionnaire

Does your department currently sponsor a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program?

No.

Do any courses offered on a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program currently satisfy requirements within your major?

No.

UCEAP Programs Questionnaire

What is the maximum amount of major credit given for courses taken during UCEAP? Is this maximum calculated by number of courses or by units of credit?

The Psychology department accepts a maximum of two (2) courses taken outside of the department towards the upper-division Tier II or Tier III major requirements. Each course must be an upper division class of at least 2.7 semester units.

Does your department maintain a list of courses previously awarded credit on UCEAP and/or a list of pre-approved courses for UCEAP programs? How do students access this information?

A list of pre-approved UCEAP courses is available on the Psychology website.

If students have questions about a particular class they are interested in taking abroad, they may contact our office and we advise on the likelihood and process for approval.

Does your department have a 4-year or 2-year plan available to students that incorporates semester or year-length study abroad? How do students access this information?

We do not offer a 4-year or 2-year plan for students that indicates a best time to study abroad. Psychology students are welcome to participate in study abroad in any semester that fits well in their unique academic plan. Typically we see students go abroad during their junior year or during summer. We have also seen students study abroad during their last year. Students are encouraged to meet with a major adviser to discuss how study abroad fits into their 4-year/2-year plan.

What is the process in your department to have courses evaluated? What materials must be submitted? What is the timeframe for response?

Students interested in taking a Psychology course that is not included on our pre-approved list or that has an expired approval must submit a course syllabus along with the Syllabus Review form. This google form can be accessed on the Psychology Study Abroad webpage. The faculty members of the Curriculum Committee convene at least twice a semester to determine course equivalency for all submitted syllabus review requests. Once the committee meets and a decision is made, students are notified via email.  You are encouraged to submit syllabus review forms as soon as syllabi are available to you.

Are students in your department able to undertake a senior honors thesis the semester following UCEAP participation?

In Psychology, the honors thesis is completed over the course of the Fall and Spring of the senior year. We have had students undertake an honors thesis after studying abroad. In order to do so, prior to going abroad, students must have completed Psych 101, must have participated in at least 2 units of research (URAP or Psych 199), and must have secured faculty sponsorship. To complete the honors thesis, students must plan to take Psych 102 during Fall (course is only offered in the Fall) and anticipate a full year of honors participation.

Does your department calculate UCEAP grades into departmental GPA?

No. The Psychology major GPA is calculated using only courses taken at UC Berkeley.

Are UCEAP grades counted towards departmental honors?

Eligibility for honors in Psychology considers both a student’s cumulative GPA and their major GPA. The Psychology major GPA is calculated using only courses taken at UC Berkeley, so EAP courses will not count towards this GPA.

If you represent a department which teaches foreign language, does your department award major credit for the courses taken during the Intensive Language Program (ILP) portion of the UCEAP program?

N/A

Does the undergraduate adviser sign the UCEAP academic planning form, or must a faculty adviser sign?

A Psychology major adviser signs the UCEAP academic planning form.

Does your department place Academic holds on declared majors prior to each registration period? If yes, what is your departmental policy on releasing advising holds for students currently abroad on UCEAP (e.g. is advising possible via email, skype, etc.)?

No, we do not routinely place holds on students prior to registration.

Do you have any department specific advice for students participating on a UCEAP program in their last term at Berkeley?

We would recommend meeting with an advisor to verify major completion and residency requirements before going abroad. In addition, if students are completing major requirements abroad, there may be a delay in coursework being articulated onto their UC Berkeley record. This has the potential to delay the verification of major requirements and graduation.

Independent Programs Questionnaire

Have any Independent programs been approved by your department and the Study Abroad Advisory board for credit in the major?

No.

Are there any pre-approved courses for your major from other UC summer abroad programs (UCLA, UCD, etc.)?

No.

What is the process to have a course from an Independent study abroad program evaluated for your major?

In order to receive credit for a course taken anywhere outside the UC Berkeley Psychology department, students must submit a course syllabus along with the Syllabus Review form. This form can be downloaded from the Psychology Study Abroad webpage. The faculty members of the Curriculum Committee convene at least twice a semester to determine course equivalency for all submitted syllabus review requests. Once the committee meets and a decision is made, students are notified via email.