Psychology Department Records Box 1

Courses in psychology were first introduced at South Dakota State University in 1885 as a combination of philosophy and psychology. In 1913, psychology was merged into the Department of Education. After 1913, the offerings slowly grew from two to twelve courses and staffing increased. In 1954, the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology was authorized. Except for the years 1938-41 when psychology existed as a separate department, psychology remained in association with education until 1967 when it was again combined with philosophy as a separate department. The following year it again became an independent Department of Psychology and has so remained. The Department of Psychology offers a BS degree. Within the psychology major, students may pursue a pre-professional curriculum, an applied curriculum, a teaching option (preparation for secondary school teaching) or a psychological services option.