Introductory Course

Psychology 1, Introduction to Psychological Science meets the Introductory Course requirement as listed in the Requirements Chart.

The Introductory Course requirement may also be fulfilled by the following:

If taken prior to Fall 2019, Science of Living Systems 20 or Science of Living Systems 20S.
PSYC S-1, Introduction to Psychology, taken in the Harvard Summer School.
Scores of 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam and 7 on the International Baccaleaureate, under the conditions described below.
- For students entering with the class of 2019 and beyond, scores of 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam and 7 on the International Baccalaureate will exempt both Psychology concentrators and secondary field students from the Introductory Course requirement*. Students must email the UGO at psychology@fas.harvard.edu in order to count their test score in place of PSY 1. This will not reduce the total number of courses required for the concentration by one. An extra Advanced Course is required in lieu of the Introductory Course.
- For Psychology concentrators entering with the class of 2018 and earlier, scores of 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam and 7 on the International Baccalaureate will fulfill the concentration's Introductory Course requirement and reduce the number of total courses required for concentration by one.
- For Psychology secondary field students entering with the class of 2018 and earlier, an AP score of 5 or IB score of 7 will exempt students from the Introductory Course requirement, but will not reduce the total number of courses from 6. An extra Advanced Course is required in lieu of the Introductory Course.

Meeting PSY 1 pre-requisites with an AP/IB score

An AP score of 5 or an IB score of 7 on the psychology exam will meet the Introductory Course prerequisites for Foundational and Advanced Courses in psychology.*

If you would like your AP/IB score to exempt you from the Introductory Course requirement, you must e-mail the UGO to request this!*

If your AP/IB score does not appear on your student record, you must provide documentation to the Psychology Undergraduate Office.

The opportunity to gain an overview of psychology from a leading researcher may be valuable to you even if you are exempt from the Introductory Course. You need not enroll in PSY 1, but may consider attending some of the Psychology lectures, particularly those on topics that you did not cover in high school or that you are particularly interested in.

* If you took the AP Psychology exam in Spring 2020, you cannot use your score to waive the Introductory Course requirement. However, your score will meet the Introductory Course pre-requisite for Foundational and Advanced Courses in Psychology. Please e-mail the UGO with questions - we'd be happy to discuss your academic record with you one-on-one.