The Psychology curriculum is a complete education in Psychology using online materials.
Note: When there are courses or books that don't fit into the curriculum but are otherwise of high quality, they belong in extras/courses, extras/readings or extras/other_curricula.
Process. Students can work through the curriculum alone or in groups, in order or out of order.
- We recommend doing all courses in Core, only skipping a course when you are certain that you've already learned the material previously.
- For simplicity, we recommend working through courses (especially Core) in order from top to bottom. Some students choose to study multiple courses at a time in order to vary the material they are working on in a day/week.
- The courses in the Advanced section are electives. Choose one track to specialize in and complete all the courses listed under it.
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Forums:
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Discord servers:
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Other:
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You can also interact through GitHub issues. If there is a problem with a course, or a change needs to be made to the curriculum, this is the place to start the conversation. Read more here.
This phase orients learners to the field, covering broad fundamentals and basic scientific principles. No prerequisites. Focus on building curiosity and basic terminology.
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Psychology | Provides an overview of major perspectives, historical context, and subfields, fostering a holistic understanding of human behavior and mental processes. | Psychology | Introduction to Psychology |
| History and Systems of Psychology | Explores the evolution of psychological thought, helping contextualize modern theories and ethical considerations in the discipline. | A History of Psychology | Covered in Introduction to Psychology |
Builds foundational scientific tools and biological underpinnings. Prerequisite: Completion of "Intro Psychology".
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics for Psychology | Equips learners with quantitative skills to analyze data, essential for interpreting research and drawing evidence-based conclusions. | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | Statistics and Probability |
| Biological Psychology | Examines the neural and physiological bases of behavior, bridging biology and psychology for understanding brain-behavior relationships. | Biological Psychology | Human Behavioral Biology |
Deepens understanding of key psychological domains and research practices. Prerequisites: Core Psychology: Phase I (Statistics for Research Methods; Biological Psychology for Cognitive/Developmental).
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Methods in Psychology | Teaches design, execution, and ethics of experiments and studies, enabling critical evaluation of psychological evidence. | Research Methods in Psychology | Introduction to Psychological Research Methods |
| Cognitive Psychology | Investigates mental processes like perception, memory, and problem-solving, foundational for understanding human cognition. | Cognitive Psychology | Covered in Introduction to Psychology |
| Developmental Psychology | Traces psychological changes across the lifespan, informing applications in education, parenting, and aging. | Lifespan Development | Covered in Introduction to Psychology |
| Social Psychology | Analyzes how individuals influence and are influenced by others, crucial for understanding group dynamics and societal behaviors. | Social Psychology | Social Psychology |
| Personality Psychology | Explores theories of individual differences and traits, aiding in self-awareness and applications in therapy or assessment. | Theories of Personality | Personality Psychology |
| Abnormal Psychology | Covers mental disorders, their causes, and classifications, providing a basis for empathy and clinical awareness. | Abnormal Psychology | Covered in Introduction to Psychology |
Offers elective depth through specialization tracks. Learners choose one primary track (e.g., Clinical) but may sample from others. Prerequisites: All Core Phases (Research Methods for all; specific cores like Biological for Neuroscience track).
Tracks are defined as follows:
- Clinical Psychology: Focuses on mental health intervention, assessment, and therapy; ideal for those interested in counseling or psychopathology.
- Cognitive Neuroscience: Emphasizes brain science and advanced cognition; suits interests in research or tech applications like AI-human interaction.
- Social/Organizational Psychology: Targets group and workplace behaviors; applicable to business, policy, or community roles.
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychology | Introduces assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, building practical skills for helping professions. | Clinical Psychology | Basics of Clinical Psychology |
| Counseling Psychology | Focuses on therapeutic techniques and client-centered approaches, enhancing interpersonal and empathetic skills. | Counseling the Culturally Diverse | Introduction to Counseling |
| Psychopathology | Deepens analysis of disorders' etiology and treatment, fostering critical thinking in mental health contexts. | Psychopathology: Research, Assessment, and Treatment in Clinical Psychology | Covered in Basics of Clinical Psychology |
| Ethics in Psychology | Examines professional standards and dilemmas, ensuring responsible practice in clinical settings. | Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions | Psychological Research, Obedience and Ethics |
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroscience | Explores advanced brain structures and functions, integrating with psychological theories for interdisciplinary insights. | Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain | Introduction to Neuroscience |
| Sensation and Perception | Studies how sensory input becomes meaningful experience, essential for understanding cognitive biases and illusions. | Sensation and Perception | Sensation and Perception |
| Neuropsychology | Investigates brain damage effects on behavior, applying knowledge to rehabilitation and cognitive assessment. | Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology |
| Learning and Memory | Analyzes mechanisms of acquisition, storage, and retrieval, with applications in education and therapy. | Learning and Memory | Learning and Memory |
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychology | Applies psychology to workplace issues like motivation and leadership, improving organizational effectiveness. | Work in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Industrial Psychology |
| Group Dynamics | Examines team interactions and processes, useful for conflict resolution and social influence strategies. | Group Dynamics | Group Dynamics |
| Organizational Behavior | Integrates social psychology with management, focusing on culture, change, and performance. | Organizational Behavior | |
| Cross-Cultural Psychology | Explores cultural influences on behavior, promoting global awareness in diverse social contexts. | Cross-Cultural Psychology: Critical Thinking and Contemporary Applications | Global Impact: Cultural Psychology |
Synthesizes knowledge through an independent project. Prerequisite: Completion of Advanced Phase.
Focus on applying skills from all prior phases, tailored to the chosen track (e.g., clinical case study for Clinical Psychology).
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capstone Project in Psychology | Integrates theory, research, and practice in a culminating work, demonstrating mastery and preparing for real-world applications. | Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association |
After completing the requirements of the curriculum above, you will have completed the equivalent of a full bachelor's degree in Psychology. Congratulations!