Bachelor of Arts

Mission

The Psychology major augments the general liberal arts education and provides the basis for graduate training and careers in mental health, community development, education, research and industry. The Psychology curriculum acquaints students with scientific methods and studies and with theoretical foundations in the subfields of psychology (experimental, developmental, community, organizational, social, personality, clinical). It also emphasizes the applications of psychological knowledge and skills in many areas of human functioning. Students are encouraged to become involved in University and community programs and in supervised independent research.

Requirements of the Major

• Degree Pathways for the Psychology Concentrations
  • General
  • Behavior Analysis
  • Community Social Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Developmental Disabilities
  • Health Psychology
• Requirements

Students who graduate with a degree in psychology will have:

1. The ability to place knowledge and skills, including all the knowledge and skills described below, within diverse personal, group, societal, global, and historical contexts.
2. Psychological content knowledge, including an understanding of:
   1. Major frameworks and approaches
   2. Theoretical perspectives
   3. Historical and contemporary findings
3. Critical research evaluation skills, including:
   1. The ability to identify and access appropriate scholarly sources
   2. The ability to evaluate research
   3. The ability to consider the impact of personal bias and the biases of researchers
   4. The ability to synthesize concepts and information both within and across topics
   5. The ability to identify gaps in the literature that generate new research questions
4. Research methods knowledge and skills, including:
   1. An understanding of core research methods
   2. The ability to articulate a research question
   3. The ability to design a research study
   4. Understanding various data collection systems and management skills
   5. Using data analytic skills
5. Communication skills, including:
   1. The ability to communicate knowledge and research findings effectively using a variety of formats including written, oral and visual.
   2. The ability to provide necessary context, and select language appropriate to a target audience
   3. A familiarity with and proper use of American Psychological Association style
6. Knowledge of and ability to apply ethics within the discipline, including:
   1. An understanding of the role of ethics in psychological theory, research, and practice
   2. The ability to identify ethically questionable practices.
   3. The ability to apply ethical standards in research and practice.