Do you need to take Calculus for Psychology?

zapfino
Sat, 30 Jul 2011 10:34:25 +0000

Quantitative skills are valued in graduate psychology admissions.

Whether or not you need to take calculus for a psychology major, depends on the particular department. I’ve seen a number of departments that do require calculus. It is more likely in departments that offer both a BA and a BS psychology major. The BS degree might require calculus and some coursework in supporting sciences (Biology and/or Chemistry or Physics), whereas the BS degree does not. When a specialized neuroscience track within the major is offered, it also is more likely that calculus is required for that track.

At most schools, psychology is one of the more popular majors. Calculus is not necessary for many areas of psychology, so my suspicion is that some departments have used a calculus requirement to screen out students who are more interested in studying about “nuts and sluts” than pursuing a rigorous scientific approach to psychology.