Psychology Professor Wallace; Associate Professors Kirkeby (chair) and Lipetzky; Lecturer Busch Mission Statement The mission of the Psychology Department is to contribute to a balanced program in the liberal arts through an emphasis on both scientific and philosophical considerations of the behavior of organisms, including human beings, in order to prepare students for graduate study and/or professional work. In order to meet the needs of the diversity of students who wish to major in psychology, students may pursue either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students whose career goals might include a doctoral degree in psychology should pursue the Bachelor of Science degree. Students whose immediate career goals do not include a doctoral degree (i.e, who wish to enter a master’s program in psychology or a related field or enter the job market following graduation) should pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students in any major may pursue the department’s addiction counseling concentration, but only those with a BS or BA in psychology or another human service degree would be qualified to get licensed.
A grade of C- or above must be earned in all courses that are required in a major or a minor.
Intended Student Learning Outcomes for the Psychology Major
1. Knowledge Base of Psychology: Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. 2. Research Methods in Psychology: Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation. 3. Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology: Students will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes. 4. Application of Psychology: Students will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues. 5. Values in Psychology: Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline. 6. Information and Technological Literacy: Demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes. 7. Communication Skills: Students will communicate effectively in a variety of formats. 8. Personal Development: Students will develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement. 9. Career Planning and Development: Students will pursue realistic ideas about how to implement psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings. 10. Sociocultural and International Awareness: Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. Core Requirements for Psychology Majors Dept. Psyc Psyc Psyc Psyc
Course No. 101 201 202 318
Course Title General Psychology Psychology in Context Research Methods Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Credits 3 3 3 3
179
