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Psychology

Altoona College (PSCBA)

The Psychology major will combine the knowledge, skills, and values of psychology with a liberal arts foundation. Students should develop a knowledge base consisting of concepts, theory, empirical findings, and trends within psychology; understand and apply basic research methods in psychology; use critical thinking and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes; apply psychological principles to personal and social issues; and be able to understand the gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, and class issues in psychological theory, research, and practice. Students should also develop information and computer competence, communication skills, and develop realistic ideas about how to implement their psychology education in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings. The major may lead to either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The B.A. degree incorporates a broad exposure to the many facets of the field of psychology, in addition to the B.A. requirements. The B.S. degree provides the same exposure to the field of psychology and adds options in Science and Business to prepare students for more specific career directions. Students in both degree programs may also prepare for graduate school; research experience with faculty members is encouraged for such students.

For the B.A. degree in Psychology, a minimum of 124 credits is required.

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)

GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(0-4 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in this bulletin.)

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:
(Included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:
(Included in ELECTIVES, GENERAL EDUCATION course selection, or REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

ELECTIVES: 14-18 credits

BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 24 credits
(3 of these 24 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR, GENERAL EDUCATION, or ELECTIVES and 0-12 credits are included in ELECTIVES if foreign language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.)
(See description of Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements in this bulletin.)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 41 credits[1]
(This includes 0-4 credits of General Education GQ courses.)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (7 credits)
PSYCH 100 GS(3) (Sem: 1-4)
PSYCH 301W(4) (Sem: 3-6)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (34 credits)
(Must include 15 credits at 400-level.)
Select 4 credits fromPSYCH 200(4) or STAT 200 GQ(4) (Sem: 3-4)

Select 18 credits--a minimum of 3 credits from each of the following six categories (may not double count PSYCH 439 for category e. and f. requirement):

  1. Learning and Cognition: PSYCH 256 GS(3), PSYCH 261 GS(3), PSYCH 452(3), PSYCH 456(3), PSYCH 457(3), PSYCH 461(3) (Sem: 2-8)
  2. Individual Differences, Personality, and Social Processes: PSYCH 221 GS(3), PSYCH 238 GS(3), PSYCH 243 GS(3), PSYCH 270(3), PSYCH 420(3), PSYCH 438(3), PSYCH 470(3), PSYCH 471(3) (Sem: 2-8)
  3. Biological Bases of Behavior and Mental Processes: PSYCH 253 GS(3), PSYCH 260(3), PSYCH 269(3), PSYCH 464(3), PSYCH 475(3) (Sem: 2-8)
  4. Developmental Changes in Behavior and Mental Processes Across the Life Span: PSYCH 212 GS(3), PSYCH 412(3), PSYCH 413(3), PSYCH 414(3), PSYCH 416(3)/HD FS 445(3) (Sem: 2-8)
  5. History of Psychology, Socio-cultural Contexts, and Diversity Issues: PSYCH 230 GS(3) or RL ST 236 GS(3), PSYCH 231 GS;US(3), PSYCH 432 US(3), PSYCH 436(3) or RL ST 414(3), PSYCH 439(3), PSYCH 479 US(3) (Sem: 2-8)
  6. Capstone Experience: PSYCH 439(3), PSYCH 493(3-6), PSYCH 494(3-18), PSYCH 495(6-15), PSYCH 496(3-18) (Sem: 7-8)
Select 12 credits of additional Psychology courses from any offered for a total of 30 credits of Psychology courses beyond PSYCH 100 and PSYCH 301W (Sem: 2-8)

[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.

Last Revised by the Department: Fall Semester 2007

Blue Sheet Item #: 35-06-011

Review Date: 4/10/07

UCA Revision #1: 9/1/06

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