Psychology (B.S.)

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Forty-six credits are required for a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree-the 38 credits required for a B.A. in psychology , plus students will take an additional eight credits chosen in consultation with their psychology advisor. Four of the eight credits should be psychology lab course (lecture + lab). The additional four credits may be a third psychology lab course with its associated lecture or an approved course in the natural sciences that is not already counted toward a core or psychology major requirement. These additional two courses (8 credits) should be chosen in association with the student’s academic advisor.

Requirements

PSY 180 - Person in Psychological Context Credits: 4
PSY 256 - Research Methods I Credits: 4
PSY 257 - Research Methods II Credits: 4
PSY 447 - Scientific and Philosophical Theories in Psychology Credits: 4
PSY 491 - Senior Seminar Credits: 2
12 credits of psychology electives

One of the following:

PSY 246 - Psychological Disorders Credits: 4
PSY 311 - Developmental Disabilities Credits: 4
PSY 322 - Counseling Theory and Practice Credits: 4

Two of the following with their associated labs:

PSY 345 - Beyond Symptoms: Perceptual and Cognitive Changes in Mental Disorders Credits: 4
PSY 347 - Animal Behavior Credits: 4
PSY 349 - Physiological Psychology Credits: 4
PSY 380 - Neuroscience of Language Credits: 4

Additional course:

Students will take an additional four credits chosen in consultation with their psychology advisor. This course may be a third psychology lab course with its associated lecture (as above) or an approved course in the natural sciences that is not already counted toward a core or psychology major requirement.

Notes:

PSY 345 , PSY 347 , PSY 349 , or PSY 380 can be taken without their associated labs for psychology elective credit.

Students considering graduate work or specific vocational objectives should consult with department faculty, especially their advisors, in choosing their electives. The department encourages students to take courses outside the department in areas that liberalize their understanding of human experience and nonhuman behavior or improve their ability to use and apply psychological knowledge.

The department offers an extensive internship program in which students work under supervision in an off-campus setting (e.g., psychiatric hospital, crisis center, district court). The purpose of the program is to help students learn to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting. This program is an elective option which upper division majors are encouraged to take. See course description for PSY 425 , PSY 426 .

Minors for Psychology Majors

Psychology majors may choose a departmental minor in any other major in the College (e.g., neuroscience, computer science) or in an interdisciplinary minor (e.g., peace and conflict studies, prelaw, environmental studies). Requirements for departmental minors are listed under the appropriate major; other minors are listed under Interdisciplinary/Off-Campus Programs.

Counseling concentration:

Psychology majors who are interested in advanced standing toward a Master’s degree in counseling at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) and potentially for advanced standing in other seminary programs should consider this concentration, as well as those who would like their transcript to show their interest in counseling. If you are interested in this concentration, please talk with your advisor and department chair. If you are interested in applying this concentration toward advanced standing at GCTS, approval requires registrar signatures and a streamlined application to GCTS. Additional information about application and requirements is available from department advisors.

Courses in the concentration will also apply towards the major requirements.

Requirements:

PSY 281 - Drugs and Behavior: Introduction to Psychopharmacology Credits: 2
PSY 345 - Beyond Symptoms: Perceptual and Cognitive Changes in Mental Disorders Credits: 4 , or a third counseling course listed below
2 elective courses from GCTS (6 credits), chosen with the student’s academic advisor

Two of the following:

PSY 246 - Psychological Disorders Credits: 4
PSY 311 - Developmental Disabilities Credits: 4
PSY 322 - Counseling Theory and Practice Credits: 4

Note:

Those who would like to pursue advanced standing toward a Master’s degree in Counseling at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (or possibly other seminary programs) will preferably have a GPA of 3.0 or above. They also need to take a minor in Biblical Studies or Theology, and consult with their advisor. With GCTS approval for registration for courses, courses from GCTS are available at no extra cost.