At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The Psychology minor is designed to provide undergraduate students with a broad overview of topics and domains within psychology, knowledge and skills related to research methods in psychology, and deeper knowledge of research, theory, and application in one or two specific content domains. Students completing this minor will find a flexible selection of coursework in psychology.
What is Psychological Science?
Psychological science is the study of a broad topics in psychology and human behavior— perception, cognition, attention, emotion, intelligence, motivation, brain function, personality, interpersonal relationships, child development, aging, and the other important functions that make us human.
You Might Like This Program If...
- Human behavior fascinates you.
- You’re an engineering student interested in how people interact with machines and technology.
- You’re a business student interested in workplace dynamics, leadership, motivation, and consumer behavior.
- You’re a student in a health-related program interested in brain functioning related to typical and abnormal behaviors.
- You’re an education student and interested in child development, parenting, learning, and motivation.
- You’re interested in human diversity in all its forms.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| PSYCH 100 | Introductory Psychology  | 3 |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 15 credits (at least 6 credits at the 400-level) from PSYCH courses | 15 | |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Erie
Charisse Nixon, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
105 Balmer House
4909 Jordan Road
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6041
cln5@psu.edu
Fayette
Elaine Barry
Associate Professor
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4284
esb12@psu.edu
Mont Alto
Robin Yaure
Teaching Professor in HDFS
112 Wiestling Hall
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6210
r2y@psu.edu
Career Paths
The minor in Psychological Science can be pursued by students in most Penn State Behrend degree programs. In addition to core topics, students pursuing the minor may take courses in applied areas such as clinical, counseling, industrial-organizational, or human factors psychology. Penn State Behrend has a comprehensive support system to help you identify and achieve your goals for college and beyond. Meet with your academic adviser often and take advantage of the services offered by the Academic and Career Planning Center beginning in your first semester.
Careers
Regardless of the career path you choose, your interactions will involve other people. For that reason alone, a minor in Psychological Science is valuable. What will convince someone to use your service? Can your product be made more user-friendly? How do you motivate your customers or your students? These are some of the questions that the minor seeks to answer.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
A minor in Psychological Science demonstrates to graduate school admissions committees your commitment to scientific, conceptual, and interdisciplinary thinking. Penn State Behrend offers a Master of Arts degree program in Applied Clinical Psychology that includes optional preparation for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential.
Contact
Erie
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
170 Irvin Kochel Center
4951 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6108
HSSOffice@psu.edu
http://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-humanities-social-sciences
Fayette
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4284
esb12@psu.edu
http://fayette.psu.edu/psychology
Mont Alto
PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM
112 Wiestling Hall
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6210
r2y@psu.edu