The Department of Psychology offers two majors: Brain and Cognitive Science and Psychology.
Click here to learn more about why you should join the Department of Psychology.
Psychology majors can specialize in a specific concentration including Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical/Community, Cognitive, Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental, Diversity Science, Intradisciplinary, Organizational, Social, and Personality Psychology.
The Psychology Advising Office has prepared an interactive Powerpoint for you to learn more about the majors/minor, how/when to declare, and course requirements.
Single Major, Double Major, Dual Degree?
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) students wishing to have Psychology or BCOG as your only major or as a second major: you'll be making a curricular change.
- Non-LAS Illinois students wishing to have Psychology or BCOG as your only major: you'll be seeking an Intercollegiate Transfer (ICT).
- Non-LAS Illinois students wishing to keep their current major and have Psychology or BCOG as well: you'll be seeking a Second Degree.
Where and When to Declare
If you meet the below criteria, you can formally declare Brain & Cognitive Science or Psychology as a major by visiting the Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) college office in Room 2002 Lincoln Hall during the first two weeks of each semester or the month preceding registration (October & March). LAS students can also declare by completing the appropriate online form. Intercollegiate Transfer students will first need to attend or view an LAS ICT Information Session.
Not a current Illinois student?
- Transfer Students: If you have never attended Illinois (but have attended a 2-year or 4-year school) and are considering a Psychology major, click here to learn more about transferring to Illinois.
- New Students, be sure to find more information about undergraduate admissions on the Office of Admissions website.
Questions for an advisor?
Contact Undergraduate Advising @ psych-advising@illinois.edu
How To Declare a Major in Psychology
Students must complete one course from each of the following categories before declaring the major.
Introductory Psychology
- Complete an introductory psychology course (PSYC 100 or equivalent).
UIUC Biological/Cognitive Psychology Course
- PSYC 204 - Brain & Cognition
- PSYC 210 - Behavioral Neuroscience
- PSYC 220 - Images of Mind
- PSYC 224 - Cognitive
- PSYC 230 - Perception and Sensory
- PSYC 248 - Learning & Memory
- PSYC 255 - Decisions & Judgement
CCDDOPS - Clinical/Community/Developmental/Diversity/Personality/Social Course
How To Declare a Major in Brain and Cognitive Science
BCOG core courses (complete two)
- BCOG 100 - Introduction to Brain and Cognitive Science
- BCOG 200 - Programming in Brain and Cognitive Science or CS 124, Introduction to Computer Science I or CS 125, Introduction to Computer Science (last offered FA21)
UIUC Biological/Cognitive Psychology Course (complete one)