Mission

The B.A. in Psychology provides students with broad based knowledge in the field of psychology along with opportunities to develop their professional potential as future leaders in the field of psychology in the local and international sphere. Students will be provided with a foundational grounding in scientific psychology in diverse subfields, with some emphasis in the fields of developmental and clinical psychology.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the B.A. in Psychology program shall be able to:

1. Demonstrate and communicate effectively a broad knowledge of psychological concepts and theories and apply them to individual, cultural, and social contexts;
2. Apply ethical principles and demonstrate competence in research practices in psychology; and
3. Demonstrate competence in critical thinking and skeptical inquiry when applying psychological modalities to different contexts.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students are able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology;
2. Demonstrate competence in research skills including research design and data analysis and interpretation;
3. Apply critical thinking to the study of psychological concepts, theories, and findings;
4. Apply psychological principles to the understanding of individual functioning, society, and culture;
5. Communicate effectively (orally and in writing) using APA guidelines;
6. Comply with established ethical guidelines of the profession of psychology; and
7. Demonstrate ability to use information technology to study and present psychological material.

Admission Requirements

To enter the major, students must meet the general university requirements.

Graduation Requirements

A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, based on:

Program Requirements

A Senior Study Project is required of all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.

Major Core Requirements (30 credits):

• PSY201 / Introduction to Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY234 / Development Across the Life Span (3 cr.)
• PSY245 / Research Methods I (3 cr.)
• PSY295 / Theories of Learning (3 cr.)
• PSY322 / Mind and Behavior (3 cr.)
• PSY345 / Research Methods II (3 cr.)
• PSY355 / Biological Basis of Behavior (3 cr.)
• PSY425 / Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY466 / Counseling Theories (3 cr.)
• PSY499 / Senior Study (3 cr.)

Psychology Electives (Choose 15 credits):

• PSY202 / Child Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY203 / Psychology of Youth (3 cr.)
• PSY204 / Social Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY256 / Sensation and Perception (3 cr.)
• PSY267 / Cultural Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY311 / Exceptional Child (3 cr.)
• PSY320 / Theories of Personality (3 cr.)
• PSY335 / Industrial Organizational Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY498 / Topics in Psychology (3 cr.)

Other Requirements (3 credits):

• STA302 / Applied Statistics (3 cr.)

Free Electives (10 credits)

Study Plan

Year One

Fall: 16 credits

• PSY201 / Introduction to Psychology
• PSY234 / Development Across Lifespan or PSY202 / Child Psychology
• LAC Electives (3 cr.)
• LAC Core Curriculum (4 cr.)
• Remedial English if needed
• Free Elective (3 cr.)

Spring: 15 credits

• PSY295 / Theories of Learning
• PSY204 / Social Psychology
• LAC Electives (3 cr.)
• LAC Core Curriculum (3 cr.)
• Free Elective (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall: 16 credits

• PSY245 / Research Methods I
• STA302 / Statistics of the Social Sciences
• PSY355 / Biological Basis of Behavior
• LAC Core Curriculum (4 cr.)

And choose one of the following Psychology Electives:

• PSY202 / Child Psychology
• PSY203 / Psychology of Youth
• PSY320 / Theories of Personality
• PSY335 / Industrial Organizational Psychology
• PSY498 / Topics in Psychology

Spring: 15 credits

• PSY345 / Research Methods II
• LAC Electives (6 cr.)
• Free Elective (3 cr.)

And choose one of the following Psychology Electives:

• PSY202 / Child Psychology
• PSY256 / Sensation and Perception
• PSY267 / Cultural Psychology
• PSY311 / Exceptional Child
• PSY498 / Topics in Psychology

Year Three

Fall: 15 credits

• PSY425 / Abnormal Psychology
• PSY322 / Mind and Behavior
• LAC Electives (3 cr.)
• LAC Core Curriculum (3 cr.)

And choose one of the following Psychology Electives:

• PSY202 / Child Psychology
• PSY203 / Psychology of Youth
• PSY320 / Theories of Personality
• PSY335 / Industrial Organizational Psychology
• PSY498 / Topics in Psychology

Spring: 15 credits

• PSY499 / Senior Study
• PSY466 / Counseling Psychology
• LAC Electives (6 cr.)

And choose one of the following Psychology Electives:

• PSY202 / Child Psychology
• PSY256 / Sensation and Perception
• PSY267 / Cultural Psychology
• PSY311 / Exceptional Child
• PSY498 / Topics in Psychology

Extracurricular Activities

The program encourages students to get involved in a large variety of extracurricular activities including the Psychology Lecture Series (example: ASOM), Neuroscience Student Movement, Psychology Club, Summer Research Circle, volunteer placement in the community, and SPSS workshops, among other activities.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program can pursue a career in the following areas:

• Human Resources
• Schools
• Entry-level mental health facilities
• Entry-level research projects
• Humanitarian and community agencies