54 units

The BA in Psychology program helps students learn about human behavior through the development of critical thinking skills, and gives them experience in methods of research and conducting scientific inquiries. Students who complete the program are well equipped to pursue graduate education and/or careers in clinical/counseling areas of psychology and child life, and in a variety of applied psychology and allied areas (e.g., organizational psychology, educational psychology, and social work).

Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is ideal for students interested in clinical/counseling or other applied areas of psychology. The core requirements (Domain 1) give students grounding in the discipline and an understanding of the basics of human behavior. The career-focus electives (Domain 2) provide students with clear applications of psychology, clustered by common themes and areas of employment. And the applied-learning electives (Domain 3) provide students with internship and/or research experience. 

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Prerequisite Courses
MATH 130	Introduction to Statistics 1
Choose one of the following:
BIOL 101	Biology and Society (recommended) 2
BIOL 151	General Biology I 2
Domain 1: Core Courses		33
PSYC 110	General Psychology 3, 4
PSYC 250	Data Analysis in Psychology
WRIT 260	Writing in the Behavioral Sciences
PSYC 290	Human Growth and Development 4
PSYC 292	Introduction to Brain and Behavior
PSYC 320	Social Psychology
PSYC 360	Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 362	Research Methods in Psychology
PSYC 390	Cognition
PSYC 400	Multicultural Psychology 5
PSYC 496	Senior Seminar in Psychology and Christian Integration
Domain 2: Career Focus		18
Choose any six courses (18 units) from any of the following clusters. A course may be used to meet the requirement of one domain only.
Business and Community Cluster
PSYC 370	Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PSYC 375	Psychology of Conflict Management and Mediation
PSYC 386	Community Psychology
PSYC 420	Political Psychology
Clinical and Counseling Cluster
PSYC 280	Introduction to Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor Credentialing 6
PSYC 380	Psychology of Personality
PSYC 383	Psychology of Suicide
PSYC 415	Group Process
PSYC 430	Intervention Strategies with Children
PSYC 445	Psychology of the Family
PSYC 450	Counseling Theory 6
PSYC 451	Interventions in Counseling
PSYC 454	Counseling in the Christian Community
PSYC 464	Substance Use Assessment and Interventions 6
PSYC 466	Case Management in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders 6
CPSY 527	Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
CPSY 532	Theories of Counseling and Therapy
CPSY 558	Advanced Developmental Psychology
Development and Education Cluster
PSYC 305	Educational Psychology
PSYC 345	Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development 4
PSYC 355	Psychology of Adult Development
PSYC 410	Psychology of Exceptional Children
PSYC 432	Psychosocial Interventions in Pediatric Health Care
PCLS 501	Advanced Child Development 7
PCLS 511	Family Systems Theory and Applications 7
PCLS 512	Theories and Practices of Grief and Loss 7
PCLS 521	Introduction to Child Life 7
PCLS 523	Coping Strategies for Children Experiencing Stress and Trauma 7
Methods Cluster
PSYC 340	History of Psychology
PSYC 462	Research Methods II
PSYC 475	Research Experience
PSYC 480	Psychological Testing and Measurement
Neurocognition Cluster
PSYC 405	Psychology of Learning
PSYC 470	Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 472	Neurological and Behavioral Disorders
Restoring Wholeness Cluster
PSYC 330	Sports Psychology
PSYC 385	Health Psychology
PSYC 440	Psychology of Religion
PSYC 463	Drugs, Behavior, and Society 6
PSYC 485	Stress and Coping 6
Domain 3: Applied Learning		3
PSYC 455	Field Experience 6
PSYC 475	Research Experience
Total Units		54

¹

Meets the APU Core: Quantitative Reasoning general education requirement.

²

Meets the APU Core: Natural Science general education requirement.

³

An AP Psychology score of 3, 4, or 5 will be accepted for PSYC 110.

⁴

Meets the APU Core: Social Science general education requirement.

⁵

Meets the APU Core: Intercultural Competence general education requirement.

⁶

Can be double-counted toward the alcohol and drug counseling minor.

⁷

Requires senior standing and departmental permission.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:

1. DISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE- Students demonstrate a working knowledge of psychology's content domains, key theories, concepts, principles, themes, and applications of psychology in society.
2. CRITICAL THINKING, SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION- Students demonstrate effective expression of critical thought and scientific inquiry in their engagement with (a) psychology literature, (b) conduct of psychological research, and (c) written, (d) oral, and interpersonal communication.
3. VALUES AND ETHICS- Students (a) demonstrate knowledge of the APA ethical (a.1) and multicultural ethical (a.2) standards for the practice of psychology and are able to utilize those standards in decision making and actions in scientific inquiry (a.3), sociocultural (a.4), and interpersonal contexts (a.5). Students (b) articulate and behaviorally express values that build and enhance interpersonal relationships and community engagement at local, multicultural, and cross cultural levels.
4. APPLICATION TO VOCATION- Students demonstrate the ability to utilize and apply psychological knowledge and professional skills to: (a) develop vocational post-baccalaureate goals, (b) work collaboratively with diverse others, (c) serve others needs, (d) self-regulate and manage projects successfully, and (e) solve increasingly complex problems.
5. FAITH INTEGRATION- Students demonstrate skill in the integration of Christian faith and theology with the science of psychology as it relates to the nature and content of: humanity (F1), knowledge (F2), values and ethics (F3), and vocational and spiritual formation (F4).