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Psychology

Altoona College (PSCBS)

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.S. 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

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 65 credits [1]
(This includes 0-4 credits of General Education GQ courses.)

COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR (ALL OPTIONS): 41 credits

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 the 400-level.)
Select 4 credits from PSYCH 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: PSY 213 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(3), PSYCH 436(3) or RL ST 414(3); PSYCH 439(3), PSYCH 479(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 8-12 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)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPTION: 24 credits

SCIENCE OPTION: (24 credits)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (15 credits)
Select 15 credits from: ANTH 021 GN(3); BB H 101 GHA(3); BIOL 133 GN(3) or BIOL 222(3); BIOL 155 GN(3), BIOL 129(4), BIOL 141 GN(3), BIOL 220W GN(4), BIOL 230W GN(4), BIOL 240W GN(4), BIOL 177 GN(3), BIOL 406(3), BIOL 409(3), BIOL 421(4), BIOL 427(3), BIOL 464(3), BIOL 469(3), BIOL 472(3); BIOL 479(3), CHEM 110 GN(3), CHEM 111 GN(1), CHEM 112 GN(3), CHEM 113 GN(1), CHEM 202(3) (Sem: 2-8)

SUPPORTING COURSES (9 credits)
Select 6 credits in natural sciences/quantification from department list (Sem: 2-8)
Select 3 credits in social and behavioral sciences from department list (Sem: 2-8)

BUSINESS OPTION: (24 credits)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (15 credits)
Select 15 credits from: ACCTG 211(4); B A 241(2), B A 242(2); SCM 301(3); ECON 002 GS(3), ECON 004 GS(3); FIN 100(3), FIN 301(3); H P A 101(3), any H P A course numbered 301 or higher; MGMT 100(3), MGMT 301(3), MGMT 321(3), MGMT 341(3); MKTG 220(3), MKTG 221(3) or MKTG 301(3), MKTG 327(3), MKTG 330(3) (Sem: 2-8)

SUPPORTING COURSES (9 credits)
Select 6 credits in natural sciences/quantification from department list (MATH 022 or MATH 110 recommended) (Sem: 2-8)
Select 3 credits in social and behavioral sciences from department list (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 #: 35-06-012

Review Date: 6/14/07

UCA Revision #1: 8/31/06

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