Psychology (B.A.)

Major in Psychology

(Bachelor of Arts Degree or Bachelor of Science Degree)

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior. While most psychologists are interested primarily in human behavior, many focus much of their research on the behavior of animals. All, however, use carefully controlled methods of observation, such as the survey or the experiment, in their effort to understand behavior. Psychology, like other sciences, seeks to describe, explain, predict and control the events it studies. Thus, psychology attempts to answer questions about the underlying processes that determine the complexity of behavior.

The major in psychology offers a variety of career opportunities in at least three different areas, (1) teaching: university, community college, elementary school; (2) research: social psychologists, psychometrics, industrial/organizational, educational, and experimental psychologists; and (3) public service/professional: clinical, child clinical, counseling, school, and mental health assistant.

Most of the careers require training in addition to a major in psychology, and this curriculum provides a broad background in psychology for those students intending to pursue advanced studies in graduate or professional institutions and to seek employment as psychologists in research, industry, college teaching, clinical applications, and as school psychologists and guidance counselors. Students interested in advanced training should investigate the specific requirements for entrance into their professions or professional schools and carefully plan their pre-professional curricula in consultation with their advisers.

The major in psychology also provides a general liberal education with a diversity of career opportunities for students wishing to seek more immediate employment. Students planning participation in ancillary professions such as social, human, or community services (with no plans for graduate study) should plan their curricula in accordance with their advisers’ recommendations and their own particular needs.

Students considering public school teaching as a career should refer to the programs in education - see academic programs  or download our current catalog.

Total credit hours required for degree: 120

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate familiarity with the major subfields of psychology.
• Demonstrate an understanding of statistical inference and probabilistic reasoning as applied to psychology.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how the scientific method is applied to sound research design in psychology.
• Demonstrate an ability to communicate psychological concepts clearly and effectively in writing.
• Demonstrate an ability to use American Psychological Association citation style, construct written reports conforming to APA style, and avoid plagiarism.