The psychology major is designed to provide an understanding and perspective of professional psychology as well as the challenges and problems of living. The major is a foundational study for graduate school and for everyday life.
Program Outcomes:
Students completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology will be able to:
- compare favorably with students in similar programs
- evaluate scientific philosophies and theories within a Christian framework
- integrate Christian and psychological perspectives
- apply scientific concepts and analyses to psychological problems and employ problem-solving skills to specific psychological phenomena/situations
- evaluate research methods including design, statistical analysis, and psychometric methods
- think scientifically, distinguishing observations from conclusions as well as theories and findings based upon evidence from those without such support
- relate the study of psychology to contemporary society, making a significant contribution to church and community
- identify with and become actively involved in psychology focused activities
- explore inherent tensions in social science and psychology as it relates to theology and their experience of faith
Requirements total 48 hours. This includes 27 from required psychology courses and 21 hours of psychology electives. At least one credit hour of experiential education must be taken (PSY 345, PSY 445, or PSY 470X) if not completed in another department. Up to seven of the required hours may be used to meet general education requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PSY 140 | Introduction to Psychology May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | 3 |
| PSY 141 | Psychology Seminar | 1 |
| PSY 285X | Statistics May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | 4 |
| PSY 346X | Research Methods and Design | 3 |
| PSY 441 | Psychology Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Developmental Psychology Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Child Development | ||
| Psychology of Adolescence | ||
| Adult Development | ||
| Theory Courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Personality Theories | ||
| Theories of Learning | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Application Course | ||
| Select one course corresponding to one of the chosen theory courses above: | 3 | |
| Group Dynamics (taken after PSY 350X) | ||
| Cognitive Behavioral Psychology (taken after PSY 320) | ||
| Therapeutic Psychology (taken after PSY 300) | ||
| Integrative Course | ||
| PSY 430 | Psychology of Religion | 3 |
| or PSY 440 | Integration of Psychology and the Christian Faith | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Each student must complete at least one hour of professional experience (experiential education). An internship is required for students majoring in psychology unless the professional experience requirement is completed in another way (e.g. in another major). See footnote #3 below. | ||
| Select 21 credits from the following that are not counted in the required courses above: | 21 | |
| Leadership Dynamics | ||
| Life Planning May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | ||
| Interpersonal Skills Training | ||
| Sport and Wellness Psychology May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | ||
| Crisis Intervention | ||
| Human Sexuality May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | ||
| Contemporary Issues Psychology | ||
| Topics in Counseling Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Addiction May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | ||
| Educational Psychology/Human Development May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | ||
| Personality Theories 1 | ||
| Organizational Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Theories of Learning 1 | ||
| Child Development 2 | ||
| Psychology of Adolescence 2 | ||
| Adult Development 2 | ||
| Internship I 3 | ||
| Social Psychology 1 | ||
| Group Dynamics 4 | ||
| Conflict Management | ||
| Introduction to Social Work | ||
| Cognitive Behavioral Psychology 4 | ||
| Physiological Psychology | ||
| Servant Leadership | ||
| Therapeutic Psychology 4 | ||
| Advanced Interpersonal Skills Training | ||
| Psychology of Religion 5 | ||
| Integration of Psychology and the Christian Faith 5 | ||
| Internship II 3 | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Leadership Dynamics Practicum 3 | ||
| Total Hours | 48 | |
| 1 | May be used to fulfill the one of the two theory requirements. |
| 2 | May be used to fulfill the development requirement. |
| 3 | May be used to fulfill the professional experience requirement. |
| 4 | May be used to fulfill the one application course requirement, provided that the chosen theory course with which it corresponds is also taken. The student is strongly advised to take the corresponding application course after the chosen theory course, but it is not required; however, in the case of PSY 400, PSY 300 is a prerequisite. |
| 5 | May be used to fulfill the integrative requirement. |
Counseling Psychology Emphasis
Course selections must include 18 hours in the Counseling Psychology Emphasis as part of the 48-hour requirement for the psychology major.
The Counseling Psychology Emphasis (CPE) has been created for psychology majors who wish to focus their course selections on those that will prepare them for further training in the people helping professions.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PSY 300 | Personality Theories | 3 |
| PSY 310 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Interpersonal Skills Training | ||
| Crisis Intervention | ||
| Human Sexuality May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | ||
| Topics in Counseling Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Addiction May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Internship I (counseling related only) | ||
| Group Dynamics | ||
| Conflict Management | ||
| Cognitive Behavioral Psychology | ||
| Physiological Psychology | ||
| Advanced Interpersonal Skills Training | ||
| PSY 360X | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| or PSY 400 | Therapeutic Psychology | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
PSY 140 is a prerequisite for all 300-level PSY courses.
Health Psychology Emphasis
Course selections must include 19-23 hours from the Health Psychology Emphasis as part of the 48 hour requirement for the psychology major.
The Health Psychology Emphasis (HPE) has been created for psychology majors who wish to gain foundational knowledge and skills to utilize psychological principles in the assistance of a variety of persons to enhance their health as well as their compliance with strategies for healthier life choices.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIO 140 | Survey of Human Anatomy and Physiology May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | 4-8 |
| or BIO 340 & BIO 341 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | |
| HPW 228X | Sport and Wellness Psychology May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | 3 |
| PSY 372 | Cognitive Behavioral Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 374 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Human Sexuality May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | ||
| Contemporary Issues Psychology (if health related) | ||
| Topics in Counseling Psychology (if health related) | ||
| Psychology of Addiction May be used to fulfill a general education requirement | ||
| Conflict Management | ||
| Total Hours | 19-23 | |
Organizational Leadership Emphasis
Course selections must include 18 hours from the Organizational Leadership Emphasis as part of the 48 hour requirement for the psychology major.
The Organizational Leadership Emphasis (OLE) is an emphasis within the psychology major that has been created for qualified students who seek to grow in the servant leadership of others across broad contexts.
With a dual emphasis on both theory and practice the OLE gives students an opportunity to develop and refine their philosophy of leadership as well as test it in the real world. Students are prepared for an organizational leadership practicum by gaining exposure to a variety of courses that systematically equip them to be successful as servant leaders.
The Leadership Minor (LM - 24 hours) is open to any student who wishes to go beyond the Organizational Leadership Emphasis (OLE) and must choose either the OLE in the psychology major or choose the Leadership Minor (see details in the catalog), but not both.
Psychology courses (PSY prefix) used in the Leadership Minor count directly towards the requirements for the psychology major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Leadership (choose one option): | 3 | |
| Leadership Dynamics | ||
| OR | ||
| Emerging Leadership I and Emerging Leadership II | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| PSY 220 | Interpersonal Skills Training | 3 |
| PSY 378X | Servant Leadership | 3 |
| PSY 420X | Advanced Interpersonal Skills Training | 3 |
| Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| Organizational Behavior | ||
or PSY 305 | Organizational Psychology | |
| Management of Change | ||
| Group and Organizational Communication | ||
| Organizational Psychology | ||
| Conflict Management | ||
| Leadership Practicum (choose one): | 3 | |
| Leadership Dynamics Practicum | ||
| OR | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
