Department of Psychology and Counseling
Dr. Sarah Sass, Interim Chair
The Department of Psychology and Counseling offers courses leading to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Both baccalaureate degrees are acceptable preparation for graduate study in psychology or counseling. (See the graduate section of this catalog for information concerning the graduate programs.) Also, psychology may be chosen as an undergraduate minor field of study.
Objectives and Overview
Psychology is the functional analysis of behavior and mental phenomena, such as sensation and perceptions, cognition, emotions, motivation, learning, and brain/behavior relationships. The normal individual human is the primary focus of undergraduate study, whereas the study of psychopathology and counseling is emphasized primarily at the graduate level. The objective of the psychology program is to provide students with the opportunity to better understand human behavior by acquiring a foundation of empirically-derived psychological knowledge and by developing a perspective that is grounded in understanding and employing scientific research design and statistical techniques.
Psychology traditionally serves as part of a well-balanced liberal arts education. Taken as a major, second major, or minor field of study, psychology can prepare students for the many diverse occupations in advertising, government, business, education, health, or any field that involves working with people. The study of psychology can also prepare students for admission to graduate programs that lead to academic or research careers, or to licensure in mental health professions.
The psychology curriculum is concentrated at the upper-division (junior-senior) level, except for PSYC 1301, PSYC 2320, PSYC 2331 and PSYC 2354. Majors and non-majors may take any 3000-level psychology course identified as a general elective in their sophomore, junior, or senior years. Psychology majors and non-majors must have advisor/departmental approval to take 4000-level psychology classes before the second semester of their junior year.
High School Preparation
A strong college preparatory program of study in high school, including algebra and biology, is helpful to students who plan to major in psychology. Also, students are expected to write and speak effectively.