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, developed in accordance with the guidelines of the American Psychological Association, is designed both for students who plan to go directly into employment upon graduation, and for those students who intend to pursue graduate studies. While many of our students pursue careers in the field of psychology, the skills and knowledge gained from the Psychology major are applicable to many different careers as well. Students have considerable flexibility in choosing courses that are most compatible with their interests and career goals.
 

The mission of the Psychology Program at Neumann University is to educate our students to be able to contribute to society by thinking clearly, understanding and valuing diversity, applying knowledge in service to others, and respecting the life-long search for understanding. To these ends, we teach our students to think critically, value objectivity, and communicate clearly whether speaking or writing.

Program Outcomes

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

•  Demonstrate familiarity with major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
•  Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
•  Respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
•  Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
•  Be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.

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 PSYCH 201 Advanced General Psychology  
• 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 to count towards completing the major. Any psychology courses receiving below a “C” will only count towards the student’s General Electives unless the student retakes the course and receives at least a C.
•  Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
•  Complete a minimum of 121 credits.
•  The fundamental courses (PSYCH 201 Advanced General Psychology  , PSYCH 202 Behavioral Science Statistics  , PSYCH 301 Research Methods I  , PSYCH 465 Professional Development , and  PSYCH 460 Senior Seminar ) should be completed in no fewer than three semesters.  Be sure to visit the catalog course descriptions for prerequisite information.  With the exception of PSYCH 201, these courses are reserved for psychology majors only.

Course Requirements

Courses in the undergraduate degree program fall into four separate groups:

I.   Psychology Fundamentals - Courses taken by all Psychology Majors

II.  Theory and Methodology courses (two required courses)

III.  Discipline courses (four required courses)

IV.  Psychology Elective courses (five required courses) 

Major Requirements (61 Credits)

I. Psychology Fundamentals: 28 Credits

Required for All Psychology Majors

• BIO 105 Principles of Biology 3 Credits *
• BIO 115 Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 Credit *

• Or

• BIO 107 General Biology I 3 Credits
• BIO 117 General Biology I Laboratory 1 Credit

• Or

• BIO 108 General Biology II 3 Credits
• BIO 118 General Biology II Laboratory 1 Credit

•  

• 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 301 Research Methods I 3 Credits
• PSYCH 460 Senior Seminar 3 Credits
• PSYCH 465 Professional Development 3 Credits
• SOC 101 Principles of Sociology 3 Credits

II. Theory/ Methodology: 6 Credits

Take 2 of the following courses

* Any additional courses beyond the 2 required will be counted toward the Psychology Elective section*

• PSYCH 220 Theories of Personality 3 Credits
• PSYCH 275 Learning 3 Credits
• PSYCH 303 Research Methods II 3 Credits
• PSYCH 315 Tests and Measurements 3 Credits
• PSYCH 325 Clinical Counseling 3 Credits
• PSYCH 385 Evolutionary Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 390 Experimental Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 430 History and Systems 3 Credits

III. Discipline: 12 Credits

Take 4 of the following courses- at least 2 at 300-level

* Any additional courses beyond the 4 required will be counted toward the Psychology Elective section*

• PSYCH 212 Developmental Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 230 Positive Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 280 Social Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 290 Motivation 3 Credits
• PSYCH 330 Psychopathology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 360 Psychobiology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 370 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 380 Cognitive Psychology 3 Credits

IV. Psychology Electives: 15 Credits

Five additional Psychology courses - at least 2 at 300 level or above

• PSYCH 215 Interpersonal Dynamics 3 Credits
• PSYCH 226 Special Topics in Psychology Credit Varies
• PSYCH 326 Special Topics in Psychology Credit Varies
• PSYCH 235 Developmental Psychopathology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 240 Psychology of Gender 3 Credits
• PSYCH 250 Psychology of Adjustment 3 Credits
• PSYCH 255 Foundations of Behavioral Health 3 Credits
• PSYCH 260 Psychology of Crime 3 Credits
• PSYCH 270 Psychology and Film 3 Credits
• PSYCH 335 Psychology of Addiction 3 Credits
• PSYCH 345 Clincal Skills: Motivational Enhancement Therapy 3 Credits
• PSYCH 355 Behavioral Health Intervention 3 Credits
• PSYCH 403 Student Research 3 Credits
• PSYCH 455 Trauma and Crisis Intervention 3 Credits
• PSYCH 480 Independent Study Project (ISP) Credit Varies
• SOC 215 Social Problems 3 Credits

Sample Four-Year Curriculum: 121 Credits