Psychology, B.A.

Psychology

The Psychology major offers students a chance to study why people act, think, and feel as they do. This comprehensive undergraduate program has been designed in accordance with the guidelines of the American Psychological Association. Two tracks are available within the major which enable students to choose a curriculum that is most compatible with their interests and career goals. The two tracks are:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): This track is designed for students who either intend to move directly to employment in an area of psychology without graduate work, or who intend to pursue a career or graduate study outside the area of psychology (for example: law, criminal justice, secondary education, marketing, or sales). In consultation with their academic advisor, students in the first group select courses which emphasize basic content and skills that are relevant to entry-level positions in career areas such as counseling, advising, or case management. These students are also encouraged to undertake a supervised Cooperative Education placement that provides them with hands-on experiences and enhances their post-graduation marketability. Students who intend to pursue a career or graduate study outside the area of psychology are afforded the flexibility to design a course of study, in consultation with their academic advisor, that is relevant to their career goals by selecting curricular choices within the major and available general electives.
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.): This track is designed for the student considering graduate education in psychology with the intent of pursuing a career in either experimental psychology or clinical/counseling psychology. The track emphasizes research skills and includes additional science courses as well as experience in research design and methods. Students in this track are well prepared for graduate work and are encouraged to pursue activities and research that enhance their graduate potential.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology and will be able to:

• Apply the research process in psychology.
• Apply the knowledge and theory of psychology to real-life situations.
• Perform effectively in entry-level positions/settings which require social and behavioral science knowledge and skills.
• Meet the basic requirements for graduate-level study in psychology and related fields.

Admission Criteria

Candidates for admission to the Psychology major are required to:

• Achieve a grade of “C” or higher in ENG 102 Rhetoric and Writing II , MATH 102 Introductory Statistics , PSYCH 101 General Psychology , and any other Psychology courses that have been taken prior to application to the major.
• Have a minimum of 2.00 cumulative GPA.

Progression Criteria/Degree Requirements

Students in the Psychology major are required to:

• Receive a grade of “C” or higher in all major course requirements.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
• Complete a minimum of 121 credits.

Course Requirements: 27 Credits

(For All Psychology Majors)

• MATH 102 Introductory Statistics 3 Credits *
• PSYCH 101 General Psychology 3 Credits †
• PSYCH 201 Advanced General Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 202 Behavioral Science Statistics 3 Credits
• PSYCH 210 Life Span Development I 3 Credits
• PSYCH 211 Life Span Development II 3 Credits
• PSYCH 301 Research Methods I 3 Credits
• PSYCH 330 Psychopathology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 460 Senior Seminar 3 Credits

Track I: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): 55 Credits

Suggested Four-Year Curriculum: 121 Credits