Dec 21, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Psychology B.A.


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The Psychology major emphasizes broadly applicable skills such as critical thinking, quantitative ability and writing with a curriculum is grounded in the American Psychological Association’s guidelines. Students emerge from the program well-prepared for graduate study in psychology and related fields.

The major offers two optional concentrations:

Clinical/Counseling: a concentration designed for students with a particular interest in careers in clinical/counseling psychology and other areas of mental health and human services

or

Behavioral Neuroscience: a concentration focused on the biological determinants of human behavior, and designed for students with a particular interest in the complex interactions between the brain and the environment and their impact on behavior.

Psychology Students majoring in Psychology are required to complete a minor(20 credits).  Additionally, the Psychology major requires a completion of two semesters of the same foreign language.

Students must earn a C- or better in each of the following courses: PY101, PY201, PY202, PY406 and PY407.

With the completion of this degree program students will:

  • Demonstrate familiarity with the 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
  • Demonstrate effective use of written and oral communication skills

Note: A Forensic Psychology Concentration will be available Spring 2021.

 

Courses required for the major:


Note:  A minimum grade of C- is required for these five courses.

Major Electives:


Students must take eight elective classes, including at least one foundational class in three of the following categories:

Optional Concentrations:


Behavioral Neuroscience


Behavioral Neuroscience (also called Biopsychology) is a cutting-edge subfield within psychology that applies principles of biology to the study of mechanisms of behavior.  To complete this concentration, students must take at least four of the following:

Clinical / Counseling


The clinical / counseling psychology concentration provides a foundation for graduate work or employment in this area as well as other areas of mental health and human services.  (Note: It does not lead to a professional license.)  To complete this concentration, students must take at least four of the following:

Core Curriculum:


In addition, all students must fulfill the college’s core curriculum  requirements and meet the 120 credit graduation requirement.  The First Year Experience (FYE) Seminar  is a requirement for all first-year students.

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