Mar 28, 2024  
2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology - Major


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The Psychology Major is a liberal arts major and not a pre-professional program. Work within the field of psychology requires an advanced degree in the discipline, at least a master’s degree. Many of our students combine their study of psychology with a concentration in inclusive education (NYS Certification: Childhood & Childhood with Disabilities). These students usually find employment within school systems soon after graduation and within five years earn the required Master’s Degree for Professional Certification. Most of our students pursue advanced degrees within psychology in areas such as counseling, school counseling, or school psychology in preparation for work in human services or education. Some seek the Ph.D. degree for careers in college/university teaching and research while others obtain graduate degrees in related disciplines such as business (e.g. human resources or organizational development) or social work.

Psychology Core


The Psychology Core provides the foundation for all of our programs. All Psychology Majors are to complete the requirements listed below.

  • Three Psychology Elective Courses Credits: 9

Area Courses for Psychology Major Distribution Requirement


In addition to the four core courses listed above, all Psychology majors must take one course from each of the following areas, for a total of 9-10 credits:

Psychology Senior Experience


Students integrate their study of psychology by enrolling in either PSY 442 or PSY 444 in which they write a senior thesis. Seniors also take a comprehensive exam.

The comprehensive exam in psychology has two components: a nationally standardized multiple-choice exam, and a term paper and oral presentation. The multiple-choice exam is given during the spring semester at a time announced several weeks in advance. The exam contains questions pertaining to all courses in the Psychology Core (PSY 200, 201, 202) and in Areas I, II, and III. Each student’s examination is evaluated individually, on the basis of the particular set of courses that the student has taken.

The second component of the examination - the term paper and oral presentation - is part of the course requirements for whichever Upper-Level Integrator the student takes (Senior Seminar and/or History of Psychology). In either course, this paper assigniment calls for a comparison of a variety of perspectives on some topic of the student’s choosing. Passing this part of the comprehensive requires that the student earn a grade of C or better for the paper.


Psychology Sample Program


Freshman Year


  • Modern  Foreign  Language Credits: 6
  • Math and Science Perspectives  I Credits: 7
  • Other Perspectives I Credits: 6

As well as:

Sophomore Year


  • Perspectives I Credits: 9
  • Math or Science Perspectives II* Credits: 3
  • Electives Credits: 9

As well as:

Junior Year


  • Perspectives II Credits: 9
  • Liberal Arts Elective Credits: 3
  • Electives Credits: 6
  • Psychology Courses Credits: 12

Senior Year


  • Liberal Arts Elective Credits: 6
  • Electives Credits: 15
  • Psychology Courses Credits: 6
As well as:

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