Psychology Major

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Program Options: Major, Minor, Dual Degree

Optional Emphases: Biblical Studies, Clinical Counseling, Criminal Justice

CCU's undergraduate Psychology major and minor programs develop a broad-based education that creates a deeper understanding of human functioning and facilitates the student's spiritual development and formation. We also have a variety of elective courses that allow you to round out your studies to enter life with key relational, spiritual, and emotional competencies.

Offered through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Psychology major provides a solid foundation for students interested in pursuing graduate study in a psychology-related field. If you are interested in practicing psychology professionally, you will need graduate-level training toward a master's degree or a doctorate.

Psychology majors may choose an optional emphasis in Biblical Studies, Clinical Counseling, or Criminal Justice or a dual degree path offering up to 12 graduate-level credits that can be applied toward their master's degree at CCU in a related field.

Psychology at CCU

The emphasis of the Psychology program is to equip our students to think critically about current psychological theories, principles, and research through the lens of foundational Christian beliefs and how to live out their faith within the discipline of Psychology.

Our program is structured around five basic themes that allow students to understand the big picture of psychology and enables them to critically evaluate the current claims of contemporary psychology in light of biblical faith.

• Humans are broken and in need of redemption.
• Humans are embodied beings through which our psychology is expressed and experienced.
• Humans are, by nature, relational beings reflecting the imago Dei (image of God).
• Humans are responsible but limited agents in their world. This means that while we are responsible for ourselves, we are limited in our capacity to influence our world.
• Humans are meaning-makers. We search and attempt to make meaning in the world around us, including our and others' behaviors.

Students who choose to complete their Psychology bachelor's degree through CCU's Dual Degree program may take graduate courses in their junior and senior years through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies and complete up to 12 graduate-level credit hours that can be applied toward their master's degree.

Students accepted in the Dual Degree program complete their bachelor's degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Biblical Studies, Clinical Counseling, or Criminal Justice through the College of Undergraduate Studies, then complete their master's degree through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. Students must have a total of 60 earned credit hours prior to registration in a graduate-level course.

Dual Degree with Emphasis in Biblical Studies

Course requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in Biblical Studies include 12 master's-level credit hours that satisfy both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements:

• The Bible and Progressive Revelation (3)
• Interpreting the Bible I (3)
• Interpreting the Bible II (3)
• The Biblical Canon and Textual Criticism (3)

Upon completing their undergraduate Psychology degree with an emphasis in Biblical Studies, dual degree students will have 27 of the required 39 credits remaining in the M.A. in Biblical Studies. Students may complete the master's-level courses 100% online.

Dual Degree with Emphasis in Clinical Counseling

Course requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical Counseling include ten master's-level credit hours that satisfy both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling Residency (1)
• Theological Foundations for Counseling (2)
• Psychopharmacology (2)
• Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (2)
• Crisis and Trauma (3)

Upon completing their undergraduate Psychology degree with an emphasis in Clinical Counseling, dual degree students will have 51 of the required 60 credits remaining in the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. (The one-credit CMHC Residency does not count toward the 60 credits.) Students may complete the master's-level courses at CCU's campus in Lakewood, Colorado Springs, or online. Required residencies are completed at CCU's main campus in Lakewood.

When students finish their bachelor's degree, they may take an optional one or two gap years in their academic courses in order to find employment in the human services field through CCU's externship program. This gap-year experience affords students the opportunity to ensure the counseling profession is their desired career path. It also allows for additional life experiences before beginning their clinical mental health training. During the gap year(s), students continue to take a few courses but at a slower pace, allowing them to begin graduate school with up to 33 graduate credits toward the CCU Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Dual Degree with Emphasis in Criminal Justice

Students accepted in the Dual Degree program complete their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree with an Emphasis in Criminal Justice through the College of Undergraduate Studies, then complete their Master of Science in Criminal Justice through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS). The bachelor's degree course requirements include 12 master's-level credit hours that satisfy both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

• Ethical Leadership in Criminal Justice (3)
• Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in Criminal Justice (3)
• Application of Constitutional Law (3)
• Civil Liability (3)

Upon completing their undergraduate Psychology degree with an emphasis in Criminal Justice, dual degree students will have 24 of the required 36 credits remaining to be completed in the M.S. in Criminal Justice. Students may complete the master's-level courses 100% online.

Research Opportunities in Psychology

Students who wish to become involved in research in psychology and/or interdisciplinary labs are encouraged to first sign up for Research Methods (PSY 408) and Statistics (MAT 212). After successfully completing these courses, students may register for Research Internship (PSY 452). Most studies build on existing projects housed in the program. Interns are strongly encouraged to develop a proposal and present research either at the RMPA annual conference or at the Rocky Mountain Undergraduate Research Conference at CCU. Students who wish to pursue research at CCU are strongly encouraged to join the Research Club, eventually seeking positions of leadership within this organization. Learn more about research opportunities in Psychology.

What can you do with a major in Psychology?

• Advertising consultant
• Career counselor
• Child care worker
• Market researcher
• Probation or parole officer
• Research assistant
• Social worker
• Writer

Interesting Classes You Might Take

• Clinical Counseling Methods
• Life-Span Psychology
• Theories of Personality
• Transformational Psychology

CCU Psychology Alumni

Eric Tomlin '18

Eric Tomlin completed his degree in Psychology with a minor in Youth Ministry, and now works in full-time ministry as the middle school director at Cedarbrook Community Church in Maryland. In his role, he mentors, guides, and counsels students in the metro Washington, D.C., area.

Morgan Birren '16

After graduating from CCU, Morgan Birren received her master's degree in social work, and now works at the San Diego Regional Center providing services for children with developmental disabilities. She works with children and their families to find the right resources for them to be successful in their community.

 

About the School of Humanities and Social Sciences

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences is united by a commitment to academic scholarship and the integration of faith into the learning process, helping you become an informed Christian scholar who is ready to lead and to make an impact on the world as you prepare for a career in humanities or social sciences. Academic programs provide excellent in-class instruction as well as relevant and experiential assignments designed to help you gain the skills and knowledge required for your chosen career.

The Humanities and Social Sciences faculty is dedicated to you as an individual student. Our professors are intelligent scholars and gifted teachers, but they are also mentors who care about helping you grow. You'll take courses in communication, psychology, and social science and will be able to apply what you are learning in the classroom by participating in academic clubs, attending professional and academic conferences, taking advantage of internship opportunities, and by studying abroad.