ACADEMIC CATALOG >>
2008-2009
4-8-9: Psychology Major
The major helps students integrate the Christian faith with current psychological perspectives. Classroom instruction introduces the expanding literature of theoretical and experimental psychology, while field experience enables students to understand, test, and apply psychological theories in real situations. Theories are evaluated from a Christian perspective, and application of psychological principles is encouraged to help students grow in their personal lives, interpersonal relationships, spiritual well being, and professional competencies.
The psychology major prepares students for careers in psychology and related fields. At the bachelor's level, several job options exist for graduates in psychology, such as paraprofessionals in clinics and hospitals, case workers in social service, educational aides, and staff in church and parachurch ministries. Those intending to practice psychology professionally, however, will need graduate-level training toward the master's degree or the doctorate. The undergraduate program develops a broad-based competency that creates a deeper understanding of human functioning and prepares students for graduate school. Elective courses allow students anticipating graduate training to take more foundational studies, while those planning to enter a vocation with the bachelor's degree may take more applied courses.
Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology requires a minimum of 128 semester hours, including general education courses, (including PSY 101 General Psychology and MAT 111 College Algebra or equivalent as the prerequisite for PSY 337), 12 hours of biblical studies, electives, and the major courses:
General Education Requirements
Biblical Studies (12 credit hours)
BIB/HIS 111 History and Literature of Ancient Israel (3)
BIB/HUM 114 Early Christian Literature (3)
THE 201 Introduction to Theology (3)
THE/HIS 303 Christianity in America (3) OR
REL/HIS 305 World Religions (3)
Communication (9 credit hours)
COM 103 Public Speaking (3) OR
COM 210 Interpersonal Communication (3) **Preferred for Psychology majors.**
ENG 102 English Composition (3)
ENG 104 Research Writing (3)
Arts and Humanities (9 credit hours)
Choose 1 course from each of the following categories:
Philosophy - PHL 202 Philosophical Inquiry
Fine Arts - HUM 101, HUM 110, MUS 110, or THR 112
Literature - ENG 201, 202, 203, 204 or 205
Behavioral and Social Sciences (9 credit hours - only 6 of the 9 credits may be from the same course prefix category)
History - Choose at least 3, but not more than 6 credits from among any 100 or 200 level HIS courses.
Social Science - Choose up to 3 credit hours of 100 or 200 level courses from the following categories:
ECO, GEO, GLS (except GLS 225), any GLS 300 Exploring World Cultures course, POL, PSY, SOC
PSY 101 General Psychology (3) **Required for Psychology majors.**
Integrative Studies (6 credit hours)
INT 101 First Year Integration (3)*
INT 402 Integrative Seminar (3)
*Please see the First Year Integration (FYI) page
for specific information about this required course.
Mathematics (3 credit hours)
MAT 111 College Algebra (3) or any
higher-level math course (3-4) except MAT 202
Math Literacy.
Natural Science (8 credit hours)
At least one lab science in one of the following: biology, chemistry, earth
science, physical science, or physics and additional credits from these areas
to meet a minimum of 8 credits in the sciences
Foreign Language
To earn the Bachelor of Arts, a student must demonstrate proficiency by
completing a 2-semester sequence (a minimum of 6 credit hours) in one foreign
language (including American Sign Language). Language courses identified as
"conversational" do not meet this requirement.
Psychology Major Courses
PSY 201 Social Psychology (3)
PSY 231 Integration of Psychology and
Theology: A Survey (3)
PSY 245 Life-Span Psychology and
Development (3)
PSY 301 Theories of Personality (3)
PSY 302 Abnormal Psychology (3)
PSY 337 Statistics for Behavioral and
Social Sciences (3)
PSY 401 History and Philosophy of
Psychology (3)
PSY 405 Physiological Psychology (3)
PSY 408 Research Methodology (3)
PSY 412 Clinical Counseling Methods OR
PSY 303 Psychology of Learning, Cognition,
& Memory
PSY 451 Applied Psychology Internship (3) OR
PSY 452 Psychological Research Internship
(3)
Psychology Electives (6)
4-8-19: Psychology Minor
Students may earn a minor in the field by completing the following 18 hours and any required prerequisites:
PSY 201 Social Psychology (3)
PSY 245 Life-Span Psychology and
Development (3)
PSY 301 Theories of Personality (3) or
PSY 302 Abnormal Psychology (3)
9 hours of upper-division psychology electives
