Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Structured Program Guidelines for Students Matriculated on or after September 7, 2021

Sponsor:

 School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Contact:

 Psychology and Human Development Department Chair

Category:

 Academic

Number:

 100.153

Effective Date:

 2021/09/07

Review Date:

 2024/09/01

Keywords:

 psychology, the brain, behavior, cognitive, emotional, behavioral problems, interpersonal, social, and cultural influences

Definitions

Statements

Psychology is the study of behavior, mental processes, and experience.  It is an empirical science focused on expanding our understanding of individuals through both research and clinical work.  Subjects include, but are not limited to, how the brain, behavior, and environment interact; how people develop cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems, as well as how to intervene; how people interact with the world around them, and how all these processes are integrated into personality under interpersonal, social, and cultural influences.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is a 124-credit program that includes study in biological, cognitive, developmental, social, cultural, and individual aspects of people, as well as specific study of research methodologies (including statistics) employed within the discipline and how psychology can be applied in real life. Once this foundational knowledge is gained, students may customize their program based on their personal, educational, and career goals by choosing from a variety of courses to fulfill the degree requirements. The bachelor’s degree in psychology serves as good preparation for most careers that involve working with others, as well as for graduate study in psychology and related fields.

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Degree

  1. Foundation - Students will be able to identify overarching themes in the field of psychology, as well as key concepts and application areas of psychology.
    • PSYC 1005: Introduction to Psychology
  2. Methodology & Analysis - Students will be able to employ scientific reasoning, methodology, and analysis to interpret psychological phenomena.
    • SOSC 2010: Statistics for the Social Sciences
      • AND
    • SOSC 3025: Social Science Research Methods
  3. Diversity - Students will be able to discuss aspects of individual or cultural diversity and their impact.
    • PSYC 3055: Cultural Psychology
  4. Psychopathology - Students will be able to examine the definition, classification, etiology, and treatment of psychological disorders.
    • PSYC 3010: Abnormal Psychology
  5. Biological Basis - Students will be able to explain the role of physiology and neurology in behavior and mental processes.
    • PSYC 3040: Biological Psychology
  6. Social Basis - Students will be able to examine the environmental and situational factors that influence one’s affect, behavior, and cognition.
    • PSYC 2030: Social Psychology: Introductory
      • OR
    • PSYC 3020: Social Psychology: Advanced
  7. Cognitive Basis - Students will be able to discuss the prominent theories, findings, and applications within the study of mental processes.
    • PSYC 3045: Cognitive Psychology
      • OR
    • PSYC 3100: Learning and Memory
  8. Developmental Basis - Students will be able to describe development (e.g., physical, biological, neural, cognitive, emotional, and social) across the lifespan in relation to theories of human development.
    • HUDV 1015: Human Development: Introductory
      • OR
    • HUDV 3025: Human Development: Advanced
  9. Two additional advanced level Psychology or Human Development courses.

Psychology Program Notes:

  1. In consultation with the student’s primary mentor, MATH 1065: Statistics may be substituted for SOSC 2010: Statistics for the Social Sciences.
  2. Students transferring in introductory level credits that overlap with content in the advanced level required courses may count that introductory level work as satisfying the content requirement. For example, if transferring Introductory Abnormal Psychology, there is no need to take Advanced Abnormal Psychology (it is, in fact, often not advisable to take the same course at both introductory and advanced levels).  However, students must have a minimum of 24 advanced level credits in psychology and/or human development in their program.
  3. Students should work with their mentors to select elective courses that add focused depth to the core psychology program requirements, based on the individual goals of the student.
  4. The student’s Degree Plan Rationale Essay should clearly indicate how their degree plan meets each of the requirements.  Students should also explain why they chose the additional psychology and/or human development courses, what they will learn, and how that learning relates to their personal, academic, or career goals.
  5. Students interested in studying psychology at the associate degree level should consult the Human Development guidelines.

Related References, Policies, Procedures, Forms and Appendices