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 a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of major concepts, theories, empirical findings, historical trends, and basic scientific research methods in the field of psychology.
• Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information using critical thinking and skeptical inquiry; and communicate scientific ideas effectively and clearly both in written and oral formats using APA style.
• Engage in self-reflection and recognize personal, professional, and intellectual development to embrace life-long learning and discern career choices. In doing so, apply psychological principles and the principles and values of the Catholic Franciscan Tradition to personal, social, and organizational issues.
• Demonstrate ethical leadership, global perspectives, team work, and engagement in communities for the common good through service learning experiences, ethical reasoning, and engagement with diverse perspectives.

Admission Criteria

Candidates for admission to the Psychology major are required to:

• Achieve a grade of “C” or higher in ENG 101 Effective College Writing , ENG 102 Academic Research and Writing  , MATH 102 Introductory Statistics  , and PSYCH 101 General Psychology  .
• Have a minimum of 2.50 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.
• In order to remain as a psychology major, a student must maintain a Psychology GPA of 2.0 (C) or above.
• In order to remain a psychology major, a student must not earn less than C twice in psychology courses. For example, if a student earns less than C in a psychology course, she/he may retake the course, and may remain a psychology major if she/he passes the course a second time with a C or above. If the same student earns less than C in another psychology course, the student may retake the course, and may remain a psychology major if she/he passes the course second time with a C or above. If the same student earns less than C in a third psychology course, she/he may no longer be allowed to remain a psychology major.
• If a student fails the same psychology course twice, and if the student has never failed any other psychology courses, she/he may appeal to the Dean of the Division of Arts and Sciences to take the course a third time.
•  Complete a minimum of 122 credits.
•  The fundamental courses ( PSYCH 201 Scientific Reading and Writing in Psychology  , PSYCH 202 Behavioral Science Statistics  , PSYCH 301 Research Methods I  , PSYCH 285 Cross-Cultural Psychology  or PSYCH 392 Multicultural Psychology , 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 two separate groups:

I.   Psychology Fundamentals - Courses taken by all Psychology Majors

II.  Psychology Elective courses (five required courses) 

Major Requirements (59 Credits)

I. Psychology Fundamentals: 44 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 Scientific Reading and Writing in Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 202 Behavioral Science Statistics 4 Credits
• PSYCH 212 Developmental Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 224 Psychopathology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 245 Cognitive Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 265 Psychobiology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 280 Social Psychology 3 Credits

•  

• PSYCH 285 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 Credits

• Or 

• PSYCH 392 Multicultural Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 301 Research Methods I 3 Credits
• EDU 494/495/496 Internship 3 Credits
• PSYCH 460 Senior Seminar 3 Credits

II. Psychology Electives: 15 Credits

Five additional Psychology courses - at least 3 at 300 level or above

• PSYCH 226 Special Topics in Psychology Credit Varies
• PSYCH 230 Positive Psychology- Pursuit of Happiness and Resilience 3 Credits
• PSYCH 255 Foundations of Behavioral Health 3 Credits
• PSYCH 270 Psychology and Film 3 Credits
• PSYCH 285 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 290 Motivation 3 Credits
• PSYCH 303 Research Methods II 3 Credits
• PSYCH 320 Theories of Personality 3 Credits
• PSYCH 325 Clinical Counseling 3 Credits
• PSYCH 326 Special Topics in Psychology Credit Varies
• PSYCH 335 Psychology of Addiction 3 Credits
• PSYCH 355 Behavioral Health Intervention 3 Credits
• PSYCH 340 Psychology of Gender 3 Credits
• PSYCH 345 Clinical Skills: Motivational Enhancement Therapy 3 Credits
• PSYCH 351 Health Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 370 Organizational Psychology- Group and Interpersonal Processes at Workplace 3 Credits
• PSYCH 375 Learning 3 Credits
• PSYCH 385 Evolutionary Psychology 3 Credits
• PSYCH 401 Critical Thinking in Psychology - Honors Seminar 3 Credits
• PSYCH 403 Independent Research I 3 Credits
• PSYCH 404 Independent Research II 3 Credits
• PSYCH 405 Independent Research III 3 Credits
• PSYCH 455 Trauma and Crisis Intervention 3 Credits
• PSYCH 480 Independent Study Project (ISP) Credit Varies

General Electives: 32 Credits

Complete 32 General Elective Credits

Sample Four-Year Curriculum: 122 Credits