Psychology (B.A.)
The psychology program prepares students for success in a graduate program in psychology and/or a career in a psychology related field. The program exposes students to the methodologies, problems, bodies of knowledge, and broad range of perspectives found currently in psychology.
Students majoring in psychology will gain an understanding of
- the scientific applications in psychology
- individual differences
- the biological basis of behavior
- the social basis of behavior
Core courses in the major provide students with the fundamentals for understanding psychology as a science. Elective courses expand and enhance students' knowledge through a variety of topics such as child and adolescent psychology, counseling, motivation, personality, culture and psychology, and ethology. Psychology majors also have the opportunity to be involved in practica that provide them with real-world experiences working in the field of psychology. They may also conduct independent research with faculty members exploring topics beyond the available curriculum. Especially motivated students may participate in the honors program in which they develop, carry out, and present a research project.
Psychology majors are employed in diverse fields and many go on to attain masters and doctoral degrees. The program prepares them to meet those challenges.
Integrative Studies Requirements
40 credits minimum
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements (48 credits) | ||
Core Courses | ||
ISPSYC-101 | General Psychology | 4 |
PSYC-251 | Psychological Statistics | 4 |
PSYC-252 | Research Methods in Psychology | 4 |
PSYC-253 | Brain and Behavior | 4 |
Foundations of the Discipline | ||
Select three of the following: | 12 | |
Child & Adolescent Psychology | ||
Social Psychology | ||
Personality | ||
Cognitive Processes | ||
Advanced Discipline Courses | ||
Select three of the following: | 12 | |
Adulthood and Aging | ||
Culture and Psychology | ||
Abnormal Psychology | ||
Psychology of Learning | ||
History of Psychology | ||
Work and Organizational Psychology | ||
Psychology of Women | ||
Counseling | ||
Clinical Psychology | ||
Sensation and Perception | ||
Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
Human Behvior and the Legal System | ||
Advanced Research Methods or Practical Experience | ||
Select one of the following: | 4 | |
Psychological Testing | ||
Practicum | ||
Human Psychophysiology | ||
Advanced Psychological Methods | ||
Capstone Seminar | ||
PSYC-495 | Seminar | 4 |
Total Credits | 48 |
Electives
Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.
Psychology Honors Program
Motivated psychology students may participate in an advanced program of research culminating in graduation with Honors in Psychology. This program allows students to pursue supervised research or applications of psychology in greater depth than provided in course offerings. Students electing to participate in this program complete all requirements for the Psychology major plus 1 credit of PSYC-396 Junior Honors Seminar, 2 credits of PSYC-496 Honors Seminar and 6 credits of PSYC-499 Honors Research during the two semesters of the senior year. These credits may be in lieu of or in addition to open elective credits used to fulfill the requirements for the Psychology major.
Admission to the Honors Program is based on:
- Self-nomination after the Fall Semester of the Junior year with an overall grade point average of 3.20.
- Support of an Honors Committee consisting of a faculty sponsor and two other faculty members, one of whom may be from a department other than Psychology. The Honors Committee will review the student's project proposal at the completion of PSYC-396 Junior Honors Seminar.
- Completion of at least five psychology courses, including PSYC-251 Psychological Statistics and PSYC-252 Research Methods in Psychology at the time of enrollment in PSYC-396 Junior Honors Seminar.
- Enrollment in or completion of an appropriate Advanced Methods course (PSYC-340 Psychological Testing, PSYC-475 Human Psychophysiology, PSYC-480 Advanced Psychological Methods) at the time of enrollment in PSYC-396 Junior Honors Seminar.
- The Department will review each student's project proposal at the completion of PSYC-396 Junior Honors Seminar; if they approve it the student is accepted to the Honors Program.
At the end of the senior year, each participant:
- Submits a final written report on the Honors work for approval by their Honors Committee.
- Presents the results of their work and responds to questions about the project and its relationship to the larger body of psychological knowledge, in a colloquium open to the public.
- The student's Honors Committee votes on whether or not to accept the Honors project.
Students successfully completing all facets of the Honors Program and having an average of 3.20 overall and 3.20 in Psychology will graduate with Honors in Psychology.
Degree Requirements
120 credits
40 credits at the upper-level
Upon completion of the Psychology major students will:
- Understand and be able to critically evaluate research literature in psychology.
- Have familiarity with major theories and research that explain development and behavior.
- Apply theory and research to explain the behavior and development of self and others.
- Be able to present information effectively, orally, and in writing.
- Be able to coordinate multiple perspectives when interpreting research, theory, and practice.
Students majoring in psychology will gain an understanding of
- the scientific application of psychology
- individual differences
- the biological basis of behavior
- the social basis of behavior