The School of Psychology and Counseling offers a four-year B.A. in Psychology with optional tracks in

  • Consumer Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Mental Health

The school also offers five-year accelerated B.A./M.A. programs in

  • General/Theoretical psychology
  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • Master’s in Social Work (MSW)

The QUEST (Quality in Education, Schools, and Teaching) program is open to students who want to be certified to teach at the elementary or secondary school levels. There are also three QUEST options that allow students to complete their B.A. and M.A.T. in five years with a psychology major:

  • BA in Psychology MAT/QUEST Elementary 
  • BA in Psychology MAT/QUEST Elementary & Special Education 
  • BA in Psychology MAT/QUEST P-3 Certification Program 
  • BA in Psychology MAT/QUEST ESL Program 
  • BA in Psychology MAT/QUEST Elementary Education- ESL 

All psychology programs offer a wide range of courses at both introductory and advanced levels in areas such as developmental, social, abnormal, personality, and experimental psychology, and in special topic areas such as techniques of psychotherapy, drugs, and behavior, health psychology, sport psychology, psychology, and the law, and current issues in psychology.

Program Outcomes

The School of Psychology has five learning outcomes consistent with those identified by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2003) Task Force on Undergraduate Learning Goals and Outcomes.

  • Research Methods Learning Objectives: Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
  • Writing Abilities Learning Objectives: Students will write effectively, communicate clearly in the language of the discipline of psychology, and utilize proper writing mechanics.
  • Critical Thinking Skills Learning Objectives: 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.
  • Knowledge Base Learning Objectives: Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
  • Public Speaking and Oral Presentation Skills Learning Objectives: Students will speak effectively, communicate knowledge in the discipline of psychology, and utilize proper oral presentation mechanics.

Degree Plan

The curriculum and courses, which will serve as preparation for graduate studies required for work in various fields of professional psychology, are designed to help all students develop a scientific understanding of human behavior. They are particularly useful as an undergraduate background for those who will later enter such professions as law, social work, medicine, nursing, and teaching, or for those who will move into managerial positions in industry or government.

Psychology Major (No Track) (38 credits)

Required Major Courses (14 credits)

Learning/Cognition/Psychological Domain(1 course [3 credits] needed)

Courses that satisfy domain

Social/Personality Domain (1 course [3 credits] needed)

Courses that satisfy domain

Clinical/Developmental Domain (1 course [3 credits] needed)

Courses that satisfy domain

Applications of Psychology Domain (1 course [3 credits] needed)

Courses that satisfy domain

Major Psychology Electives (4 courses [12 total credits])

Courses that satisfy the domain: any psychology course

Tracks

Mental Health Track Courses (12 credits)

Select 4 courses from the following:

  • PSYC3321     The Interview
  • PSYC3393     Child Behavior Disorders
  • PSYC3381     Field Placement
  • PSYC3305     Adolescent Growth & Development (or)
  • PSYC3306     Psychology of Aging
  • PSYC4376     Advanced Abnormal Psychology (or)
  • PSYC4391     Techniques of Psychotherapy
  • CRIM3324     Community Resource Management
  • CRIM3326     Rehabilitative Strategies
  • CRIM3320     Interviewing & Counseling

Forensic Psychology Track Courses (12 credits)

Select 4 courses from the following:

  • CRIM1101     Introduction to Criminal Justice [required]
  • CRIM2204     Juv. Justice & Delinquency [required]
  • PSYC3317     Psychology & the Law [required]
  • PSYC3421     Psychology of Criminal Behavior
  • PSYC____     Field Placement, Independent Study in Psychology

Consumer Psychology Track Courses (12 credits)

Select 4 courses from the following:

  • MKTG2120     Principles of Marketing [required]
  • MKTG3344     Marketing Research
  • MKTG4272     Consumer Behavior
  • MKTG4365     Marketing Communications
  • MKTG4405     Adv Marketing Management

Special Information

The following offers more details about the tracks available for psychology majors.

The mental health track provides specialized coursework and practical experience that will make one more attractive to employers (e.g., mental health services, child care, casework) immediately after graduation. These tracks also provide a competitive edge when seeking admission to applied graduate programs (e.g., clinical & school psychology; social work).  The course work gives an in-depth analysis of psychopathology and permits a greater understanding of the various therapeutic approaches. At the same time, students receive “hands-on” experience at a practicum site of their choice to help facilitate the integration of theory and practice.

The forensic psychology track affords students an introduction to the dynamic fields of criminal justice and forensic psychology, integration of forensic science disciplines with criminal investigations, and training in psychological theory, research methods, and the application of psychological principles to specific areas of the legal system. At the same time, students enrolled in this track may receive “hands-on” experience at a practicum site of their choice to help facilitate the integration of theory and practice. Students will come away with an interdisciplinary background appropriate for careers in psychology, social work, law enforcement, or other criminal justice professions.

The consumer psychology track is ideal for students who want an applied business-oriented focus (with a marketing emphasis) to their training, but do not want to be business majors. Students in this track will take the required core psychology courses along with courses from the marketing department. This track will provide students with an understanding of human responses to product- and service-related information and experiences and will prepare them to work in private industry, non-profit, and government agencies in positions related to marketing research, advertising, designing/evaluating community-wide interventions, public health campaigns, social marketing, etc.