Academic Bulletin 2023-2024 
    
    Oct 05, 2024  
Academic Bulletin 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology Major


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Faculty: Bertholomey, Chowdhury, Clark, Eckstein, Frambes, J.R. Hollerman, Kolek, Normile, Paulson, Paneerselvam, Pickering, Warren

The Psychology major is a program in the Social and Behavioral Science Area of Study. 

Psychology Major Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete a major in Psychology are expected to be able to:

Skills and Abilities:

  • Evaluate and use current theoretical research trends in psychology;
  • Design and implement a research study including the development of hypotheses that are testable within the context of acceptable research strategies;
  • Recognize the ethical aspects and implications of psychological research and practice; 
  • Synthesize information arising from different sub-areas of psychology;
  • Understand the application of psychology to personal and social issues;
  • Recognize and understand the complexity of sociocultural diversity.

Content:
It should be recognized that skills and content are inseparable. The skills mentioned above must be taught within the context of some content. Nevertheless, it is possible to distinguish between the material that is learned (content) and the processes used to learn and apply the material (skills).

  • An understanding of the various models of behavior (e.g., psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, biological, etc.);
  • Knowledge of the sub-areas of psychology;
  • Knowledge of various strategies for developing knowledge in psychology;
  • Knowledge of recent trends in psychology;
  • Knowledge of theory in at least one sub-area of psychology.

The Psychology Major

The Psychology major, consisting of 44 credits, leads to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree (students may elect to receive either degree). At graduation, Psychology majors must have a GPA of at least 2.0 in the major. The calculation is based on the grades of all courses presented for the major. Only the most recent grade is considered for courses that have been repeated. All courses for the Psychology major must be taken for a letter grade. A maximum of 16 transfer credits may be counted toward the major, exceptions must be approved by the department chair. 

One course from each of the three Core Area Categories:


Basic Processes:


  • PSYCH 150-PSYCH 159

Human Processes:


  • PSYCH 160-PSYCH 169

Individual Differences:


  • PSYCH 170-PSYCH 179

Three Four-Credit Courses:


At the 300 or 400 level or 500-540, one of which addresses structures of power and privilege (“SPP”).

Junior Seminar:


  • PSYCH 550-PSYCH 589

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