Psychology Program at Bard

Program of Study

Moderation and Senior Project: Prior to Moderation, students are required to take Introduction to Psychology (PSY 103), preferably in the first year (although a score of 5 on the AP psychology exam fulfills the requirement), and a sophomore sequence of Introduction to Statistics in the fall (PSY 203) and Research Methods in Psychology in the spring (PSY 204). In addition, at least one 200-level course should be taken prior to Moderation. For the Moderation Board (during the second semester of the sophomore year), the student prepares two short papers that describe his or her academic past experiences and future plans, and a longer paper that summarizes and critically evaluates an empirical article. In the Upper College, moderated students are required to take at least one additional 200-level course and two 300-level courses (seminars and/or laboratory courses), with at least one of the 300-level courses being completed prior to the start of Senior Project (and only one 300-level course being taken in Psychology per semester semester). All majors work on Senior Project during their last two semesters at Bard, and this project may take the form of an empirical study (with associated paper) or literature review study (with associated paper). We strongly suggest, however, that you consider doing an empirical study if you have aspirations to enroll eventually in a doctoral program in psychology. (For further details about Senior Project, please see the expectations and grading rubric that follow later in this handbook.) (Note further: When enrolled in Senior Project, you should not be enrolled in an Independent Research Lab course, except in unusual circumstances and with prior approval from faculty.)

Opportunities for Additional Learning: Students are strongly encouraged to pursue opportunities for research or community-based practicum experiences that complement their regular course work and that connect academic learning with practical applications. The program offers independent laboratory courses in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, and neuroscience under the direction of program faculty that provide ideal opportunities for learning how to conduct research in each psychology discipline. In addition, opportunities to gain experiences in applied settings exist in local communities in the realms of clinical, developmental, and counseling psychology. Students are also encouraged to gain experience through summer research opportunities in the Bard Summer Research Institute, as well as pursue opportunities for obtaining summer research positions at other academic centers. For students especially interested in clinical psychology with the associated goal of entering a doctoral program in the field, we recommend strongly that you also consider pursuing additional research experiences (typically in a two- to three-year research assistantship) after graduating from Bard.