Psychology Major (M)
The vision of the Psychology department is to increase the awareness of the boundaries and applications of psychology, foster intellectual development and problem solving, and encourage students to serve others within the context of Christian faith. The Psychology program is committed to cultivating multicultural awareness and appreciation for the magnificence of God viewed through human diversity. The program prepares students to pursue helping professions and/or graduate study.
Psychologists find great meaning in helping other people build lives of wellness and emotional resilience. Most careers and vocations involve working with people which means the possibilities of where a Psychology degree can take you are endless. The Psychology department aims to produce students who are engaged citizens active in serving their communities. The department emphasizes a Biblical perspective, integrates faith and learning, and provides students with opportunities for growth and leadership.
Program Learning Outcomes
By fulfilling all of the course requirements for the Bachelor's of Art in Psychology, students will be able to:
- Content Knowledge and Applications: a) Describe key concepts, principles, and theories in psychology. b) Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s subfields. c) Apply psychological content and a Biblical perspective to solve practical problems.
- Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: a) Use scientific reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena. b) Interpret, design, and evaluate psychological research. Incorporate sociocultural factors, including a Biblical perspective, in scientific research practices. c) Use statistics to evaluate quantitative research findings
- Values in Psychological Science: a) Employ ethical standards in research, practice, and academic contexts. b) Develop and practice interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness. c) Apply psychological principles and a Biblical perspective to strengthen community and improve quality of life.
- Communication, Psychological Literacy, and Technology: a) Interact effectively with others. b) Write and present effectively for different purposes. c) Provide evidence of psychological literacy. d) Exhibit appropriate technological skills for different purposes.
- Personal and Profession Development: a) Exhibit effective self-regulation. b) Refine project-management skills. c) Display effective judgement in professional interactions. d) Cultivate workforce collaboration skills. e) Develop direction for life after graduation, incorporating Lutheran vocation.
- Biblical Worldview and Psychology: a) Apply the five themes of a Biblical perspective on human nature to psychology content. b) Interpret Lutheran vocation in the context of using psychology knowledge for Christian service.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 45 | |
| Major Requirements | 37 | |
| Electives (12 credits of electives may be used for Master's Fast Track) | 38 | |
Minor: Optional | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| Public Speaking (Communication and Language) | ||
| Statistics I (Natural World) | ||
| Recommended Core Course | ||
| Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology (Natural World) | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| COMM 2100 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| PSY 1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 2050 | Theories of Learning | 3 |
| PSY 2300 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| PSY 3100 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| PSY 3150 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 3500 | Experimental Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 4250 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 4500 | Psychology Practicum | 3 |
| PSY 4850 | Research Proposal | 1 |
| PSY 4900 | Psychology Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Major Electives | ||
| Two 3000 or 4000 Level Psychology Electives 1 | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 37 | |
MS Counseling Fast Track for Psychology Majors
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 12 | |
| Counseling Theories and Issues | ||
| Professional Ethics | ||
| Social Cultural Foundations in Counseling | ||
| Consultation Strategies | ||
MSW Fast Track for Psychology Majors
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSW Social Work | 12 | |
| Advanced Human Behavior in Social Environment | ||
| Psychopathology in Social Work | ||
| Drugs, Society and Human Behavior | ||
| Social Policy & Advocacy | ||
- 1
PSY 4450 Principles of Counseling is a recommended elective to be taken during spring of junior year.
Admission to Senior Status in Psychology
The following criteria have been established for students to be admitted to Senior Status in the Psychology program. (Application is generally made in the second semester of the junior year.)
- Successful completion of 90 semester hours of credit
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5
- GPA of 2.75 for Psychology coursework
- Completion of professional portfolio
- Completion of application interview
Placement into clinical or professional practicum settings requires a student be knowledgeable, confident, and demonstrate the highest potential for success. Enrollment in the Psychology Practicum, Research Proposal, and Psychology Senior Capstone requires a student to be well-grounded in psychological theory/practice and capable of conducting research in the field.
Students must meet the requirements above and have no conduct or ethical violations to be granted Senior Status in the Psychology major before they may enroll in Practicum, Research Proposal and Senior Capstone.
Admission Requirements for the Master's Fast Track
Major Requirements and Admission to Senior Status still apply.
Requirements for Preferred Graduate Program Admission
- MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- MSW Social Work
- Successful completion of 120 hours of credits for the Bachelor degree
- Cumulative GPA 3.0
- GPA of 2.75 for Psychology coursework
- Completed Psychology portfolio
- 1-page essay and brief video required by graduate school
- Psychology faculty endorsement
- Pass Background check
Plan - Psychology
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
| ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| COMM 1100 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PSY 2300 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| COMM 2100 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| CORE | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| PSY 2050 | Theories of Learning | 3 |
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CORE | 4 | |
| CORE | 3 | |
| HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| HHP | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| MATH 2050 | Statistics I | 3 |
| PSY ELECTIVE 3000/4000 LEVEL | 3 | |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| PSY 3100 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| PSY 3150 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| CORE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| PSY 3500 | Experimental Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 4250 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY ELECTIVE 3000/4000 LEVEL | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| PSY 4500 | Psychology Practicum | 3 |
| PSY 4850 | Research Proposal | 1 |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| PSY 4900 | Psychology Senior Capstone | 3 |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
Plan - Master's Fast Track for Psychology Majors
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
| ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| COMM 1100 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PSY 2300 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| COMM 2100 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| MATH 2050 | Statistics I | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| PSY 2050 | Theories of Learning | 3 |
| PSY 3100 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| PSY 3150 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| HHP ACTIVITY | 1 | |
| SCIENCE W/LAB | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| PSY 3500 | Experimental Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 4250 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 4450 | Principles of Counseling | 3 |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| PSY 4500 | Psychology Practicum | 3 |
| PSY 4850 | Research Proposal | 1 |
| PSY 3000/4000 ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| PSY 4900 | Psychology Senior Capstone | 3 |
| PSY 3000/4000 ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| Choose one of the following Master's Fast Tracks | 6 | |
| MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling | ||
| Counseling Theories and Issues | ||
| Professional Ethics | ||
| MSW Social Work | ||
| Advanced Human Behavior in Social Environment | ||
| Psychopathology in Social Work | ||
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| Choose one of the following Master's Fast Tracks | 6 | |
| MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling | ||
| Social Cultural Foundations in Counseling | ||
| Consultation Strategies | ||
| MSW Social Work | ||
| Drugs, Society and Human Behavior | ||
| Social Policy & Advocacy | ||
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE/MINOR | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.