Non-psychology BA taking post-bacc classes at extension

[Prius92]

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Hi SDN,

I'm sorry if this was already posted somewhere -- I'm new to the site and couldn't find it! I have taken an intro to psych and abnormal psych in community college before I transferred to a four year university where I graduated with a BA in sociology. (I intended to get an MSW but liked research instead). Now I need to take a significant amount of psych coursework at extension to catch up, but what? I'm sure there is a list out there of core classes I need to take. To make things more complicated, I'm sure different grad schools ask for different classes.

Please let me know and I appreciate your help!

-Prius

 

[futureapppsy2]

Look at the programs you're interested in first and foremost. Common pre-requisite include intro and abnormal (which you already have), research methods, psych stats (you may have taken an equivalent course in sociology), and developmental. Courses in cognitive and social psych may be helpful if you take the Psych GRE, but I took neither and did fine, FWIW. I also recall a few programs requiring a tests and measurement course.

 

[Prius92]

Thanks! I have a few more questions:

1. Would taking some of these courses at a local CC make me a less attractive applicant? (I read transferring from a CC to a 4 year won't, but I'm not sure if this applies to post-bacc).

2. I'm as non-trad as they come -- it took me over 8 years to finish college. Would some of my classes expire?

Again, thank you for your help!

 

[PsyDuck90]

Thanks! I have a few more questions:

1. Would taking some of these courses at a local CC make me a less attractive applicant? (I read transferring from a CC to a 4 year won't, but I'm not sure if this applies to post-bacc).

2. I'm as non-trad as they come -- it took me over 8 years to finish college. Would some of my classes expire?

Again, thank you for your help!

Nope and nope! They just want to see you have that foundational knowledge to build on. Also, classes never expire. GRE scores are a different story.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Although classes don’t expire, I might consider retaking abnormal if you took it before the DSM 5. Community college shouldn’t hurt.

 

[WisNeuro]

Nope and nope! They just want to see you have that foundational knowledge to build on. Also, classes never expire. GRE scores are a different story.

Depends on programs. I have some friends who did grad work in more bio-related fields. There were some classes that needed to be taken within 6 years of beginning their grad programs, or retaken prior to applying. I don't think it applies as much to psych, but classes can "expire" in some sense, depending on the context.

 

[Prius92]

Thanks! Do you know if taking online classes will hinder my chances?

 

[WisNeuro]

If a significant portion or all of the classes you have are online, it can definitely hinder your chances at some sites. If it's one or two scattered here and there, not as much.