Psychology BS

Psychology is the study of human behavior. One of our most popular programs, the Maria psychology major gives you the flexibility and foundation to pursue a variety of interests and options.

Some students enroll in our program as preparation for graduate school and careers in counseling or as school, clinical, or forensic psychologists. Other students plan to enter the workforce immediately after earning their BS.

Areas of employment growth in psychology include organizational and industrial psychology and geropsychology, which focuses on helping seniors maintain well-being and cope with age-related changes. Psychology graduates also put their skills and education to work in government, customer service, rehabilitation, and many other fields.

A customized approach
Our BS in psychology requires students to complete 120 credits. Of these, 24 are free electives—enabling you to transfer credits from another major or develop an area of specialization.

An internship experience
Maria’s psychology program focuses on work-readiness. As a psychology major, you will be required to complete an internship. Your academic advisor will help you find an opportunity that reflects your interests.

You also will take two courses on research methods and have the option of participating in undergraduate research. The combination of work- and research-related experience helps ensure that you graduate with the necessary preparation, whether you choose to continue your education or begin your career.

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, students will be able to:
- 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 sociocultural and international diversity.
- Develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
- Pursue realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings that meet personal goals and societal needs.

Course Overview

Group I: Psychology Core (27 credits)
Course		Credits
PSY 100	General Psychology	3
PSY 102	Exploratory Psychology	3
PSY 205	Interpersonal Psychology	3
PSY 350	Research Methods I	3
PSY 360	Research Methods II	3
PSY 400	Internship in Psychology	6
PSY 430	History and Systems of Psychology	3
PSY 450	Capstone in Psychology	3
Group II: Psychology Electives
(Select 7 courses with three at 300/400 level)
PSY 200	Developmental Psychology	3
PSY 201	Psychology of Learning	3
PSY 202	Adolescence Psychology	3
PSY 203	Child Psychology	3
PSY 204	Psychology of Abnormal Behavior	3
PSY 209	Psychology of Aging	3
PSY 232	Positive Psychology	3
PSY 270	Social Psychology	3
PSY 300	Organizational Psychology	3
PSY 315	Psychology of Criminal Behavior	3
PSY 320	Psychology and the Media	3
PSY 330	Psychology of Terrorism	3
PSY 340	Cognitive Psychology	3

Liberal Arts and Sciences Courses
(48 credits)
Cultural Studies (6 credits): CUL 310, CUL 410

English (12 credits): ENG 111, ENG 211,
ENG 300 or 400 level electives (6 credits)

History (6 credits): HIS electives
Religious Studies/Philosophy (12 credits):
RES 201, 9 credits of RES/PHI electives

Science/Mathematics (9 credits): MAT 106,
MAT 200; any BIO/CHM/PHY/SCI elective

Sociology (3 credits): SOC 101

Free Electives (24 credits)
18 credits at any level
6 credits at the 300/400 level

Course Sequence

First Year: First Semester
Course		Credits
ENG 111	Composition I	3
PSY 100	Intro to Psychology	3
SOC 101	Intro to Sociology	3
RES/PHI	Religious Studies/Phil. Elective	3
	Free Elective	3
		15
First Year: Second Semester
MAT 106	College Algebra	3
PSY 102	Exploratory Psychology	3
PSY 205	Psychology of Interpersonal Relations	3
RES/PHI	Religious Studies/Philosophy Elective	3
	Free Elective	3
		15
Second Year: First Semester
ENG 211	Critical Inquiry and Writing	3
MAT 200	Statistics	3
HIS	History Elective	3
PSY	Psychology 200 Level Elective	3
PSY	Psychology 200 Level Elective	3
	Free Elective	3
		18
Second Year: Second Semester
RES 201	Foundations in Social Justice	3
BIO/CHM/PHY/SCI	Science Elective	3
HIS	History Elective	3
PSY	Psychology 200 Level Elective	3
PSY	Psychology 200 Level Elective	3
		15
Third Year: First Semester
CUL 310	Cultural Studies I	3
PSY 350	Research Methods I	3
ENG	English 300/400 Level Elective	3
PSY	Psychology 300/400 Level Elective	3
	Free Elective	3
		15
Third Year: Second Semester
CUL 410	Cultural Studies II	3
PSY 360	Research Methods II	3
RES/PHI	Religious Studies/Philosophy Elective	3
PSY	Psychology 300 Level Elective	3
	Free Elective	3
		15
Fourth Year: First Semester
PSY 430	History and Systems of Psychology	3
ENG	English 300/400 Level Elective	3
PSY	Psychology 300/400 Level Elective	3
	Free Elective, 300/400 Level	3
	Free Elective, 300/400 Level	3
		15
Fourth Year: Second Semester
PSY 400	Internship in Psychology	6
PSY 450	Capstone in Psychology	3
	Free Elective	3
		12

Psychology BS

By studying human behavior, you will learn how people think and how they act—so you can improve lives and effect change in the world.

Psychology BS

By studying human behavior, you will learn how people think and how they act—so you can improve lives and effect change in the world.

Psychology BS