Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology Major with Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education Major


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: ACADEMIC PROGRAMS A-Z

The Psychology Department provides students with a solid grounding in the discipline’s diverse theoretical perspectives, research methods, and empirical findings. The program invites students to explore the relevance of psychology to their lives and to the improvement of society. 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.

Students seeking initial certification at the early childhood and childhood levels may double major in Psychology and Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education. Students in this double major are required to have a minimum overall GPA of 2.7 before moving into INCH coursework which typically begins fall semester of the junior year.

Psychology Core


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

Major Distribution Requirement (12-13 credits)


In addition to the four core courses listed above, all Psychology majors must satisfy the requirements below for a total of 12-13 credits.

Required Courses for Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education Majors


Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education Major Requirements

Psychology Senior Experience


Students integrate their study of psychology by enrolling in either PSY 472 or PSY 473 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 thesis 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 the Major Distribution Requirement. 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 assignment 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.

Sample Program for Psychology Major with Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education


Freshman Year


  • Modern Foreign Language Credits: 6
  • Math and Science Perspectives - Enduring Questions (P-EQ) Credits: 7
  • Perspectives - Enduring Questions (P-EQ) Credits: 3
  • Health/Wellness Credits: 0

As well as:

Sophomore Year


  • Perspectives - Enduring Questions (P-EQ) Credits: 9
  • Integrative Studies (IS) Credits: 6

As well as:

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: ACADEMIC PROGRAMS A-Z