Psychology - IAI Major Course Recommendations
Psychology is the scientific study of human and animal behavior, as well as the biological, cognitive, and social processes that influence behavior. Students planning to major in Psychology are encouraged to build a strong foundation in science and mathematics during their first two years of study. In addition to completing the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Education Core Curriculum (GECC), students should consider taking additional coursework in these areas and limit psychology coursework to those courses most appropriate for transfer and major preparation.
Students should consult their intended transfer institution to confirm course equivalencies, transfer policies, and program requirements.
Note to Faculty and Course Submitters working with IAI Courses:
Before submitting to the IAI Psychology major panel, please review the panel criteria and other important documents which are available at
Psychology IAI Major Recommendations
Major Course Recommendations (12 semester credits)
Required Psychology Prerequisite Course - 3 semester credits
S6 900 - Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology (3 semester credits). This course fulfills the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) but is not part of the Psychology major core recommendations.
Psychology Core Courses - 9 semester credits
PSY 908 - Social Psychology (3 semester credits)
PSY 905 - Abnormal Psychology (3 semester credits)
Additional Recommendations - 3 semester credits
Students take 1 (one) course from the following 4 (four) psychology developmental courses : The choice of this course is dependent upon a students area of study within Psychology. The choice should be made in consultation with the advisor at their transferring institution.
S6 902 - Life-span Developmental Psychology (3 semester credits)
S6 903 - Child Psychology (3 semester credits)
S6 904 - Childhood and Adolescent Psychology/Adolescent Psychology (3 semester credits)
S6 905 - Adulthood and Aging (3 semester credits)
Important Note: Students are encouraged to limit their psychology coursework at the two-year institution to Introduction to Psychology (General Psychology) and no more than three additional psychology courses. This approach helps ensure maximum transferability while allowing students to build a strong foundation in supporting areas such as science, mathematics, and general education. Students should consult with advisors at both their current and intended transfer institutions when selecting psychology courses.
IAI GECC Recommendations (Minimum 37 semester credits)
These are the specific courses in the Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum (IAI GECC) that should be taken for this emphasis.
Communication: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
Select a two-course sequence in writing (6 semester credits) with a grade of "C" or better and, Select 1 course in oral communication (3 semester credits).
Mathematics: 1 course (3 semester credits)
M1 902 - General Education Statistics (3 to 4 semester credits) Students may also take College-level Calculus I and/or Finite Mathematics in addition to M1 902 - General Education Statistics.
Physical and Life Sciences: 2 courses (7-8 semester credits)
Select 1 course from Physical Sciences. Select 1 course from Life Sciences. Select at least 1 laboratory course. (Additional science courses, such as anatomy and physiology, are recommended).
Humanities and Fine Arts: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
Select 1 course from Humanities, Select 1 course from Fine Arts and Select 1 from either Humanities or Fine Arts. - Courses can be taken from the same identifier as long as the course outcomes are different.
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
Select 3 courses from at least 2 different disciplines (e.g., no more than 2 courses from, for example, psychology). - Courses can be taken from the same identifier as long as the course outcomes are different.
Select from Social and Behavioral Sciences - S6 900: General Psychology I. (The General Psychology I course is required as a prerequisite for all other Psychology major courses.)
Important Psychology Major Note: The IAI Psychology major panel recommends that students take no more than the S6 900 course for GECC credit. Any additional courses with the S6 (Psychology) identifier are for major credit where appropriate (see above for specific recommendations). These recommendations are in addition to any other courses students must take to fulfill GECC requirements.
Check the worksheet to see what courses you can take to fulfill your general education requirements. The worksheet allows you to see what courses to take to fulfill the IAI Gen. Ed. package (Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum) at any participating college or university in the State. You will find it helpful to use the major recommended general education courses shown above. You may want to print or copy a hard copy of this page.
Return to the Illinois Baccalaureate Majors' Recommendations (IAI Majors).