Psychology

Department of Humanities

Karen Fisher Younger, Ph.D., Chair

Majors

• Psychology Major

Minors

• Child Development Minor
• Counseling Minor
• Psychology Minor

Overview

The goals of the psychology program are to:

• equip students with the theoretical perspectives and methodological skills unique to the science of psychology in its view of behavior
• enable students to use these perspectives and skills in developing insight into themselves and others
• prepare students for graduate work in psychology and related fields embracing knowledge of self and others
• prepare students with the psychological skills necessary for related career fields not requiring a graduate degree

The following objectives will be fulfilled through the major in psychology and minor programs in child development, counseling, psychology and self-development. In those academic programs, students will achieve learning outcomes identified by the American Psychological Association. Students in psychology majors and minors will:

• demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology
• understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation
• respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes
• understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues
• value empirical evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a science
• demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes
• communicate effectively in a variety of formats
• recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of socio-cultural and international diversity

In order to make sure that our students are adequately prepared to fulfill departmental goals, students must meet the following minimum requirements in order to graduate with a degree in psychology:

• obtain a grade of C- or higher in all psychology courses and all non-psychology courses required for the psychology major
• a student may repeat a maximum of two psychology courses or non-psychology courses required for the psychology major, but he/she may repeat the same psychology course or non-psychology course required for the psychology major only one time
• if a student fails to meet the minimum GPA requirements, he/she may submit a written appeal to the psychology professors stating the reasons for the student’s failure to meet the minimum requirements for the major. The psychology professors will review the appeal and either: 1) deny the appeal or 2) grant the appeal and allow the student no more than two semesters to meet the minimum requirements. The psychology professors will inform the department chairperson of their decision when the appeal is filed.