Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology - 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.

Psychology Department Learning Goals and Associated Outcomes

Goal 1: Knowledge Base in Psychology
Students should demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems.   Students completing Foundation courses should demonstrate breadth of their knowledge and application of psychological ideas to simple problems; students completing a baccalaureate degree should show depth in their knowledge and application of psychological concepts and frameworks to problems of greater complexity. 

Goal 2:  Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking
The skills in this domain involve the development of scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods.  Students completing Foundation courses should learn basic skills and concepts in interpreting behavior, studying research, and applying research design principles to drawing conclusions about psychological phenomena; students completing a baccalaureate degree should focus on theory use as well as designing and executing research plans.

Goal 3:   Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World
The skills in this domain involve the development of ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity.  Students completing Foundation courses should become familiar with the formal regulations that govern professional ethics in psychology and begin to embrace the values that will contribute to positive outcomes in work settings and in building a society responsive to multicultural and global concerns.  Students completing a baccalaureate degree should have more direct opportunities to demonstrate adherence to professional values that will help them optimize their contributions and work effectively, even with those who don’t share their heritage and traditions. This domain also promotes the adoption of personal and professional values that can strengthen community relationships and contributions.

Goal 4:   Communication
Students should demonstrate competence in writing, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.  Students completing Foundation courses should write a cogent scientific argument, present information using a scientific approach, engage in discussion of psychological concepts, explain the ideas of others, and express their own ideas with clarity. Students completing a baccalaureate degree should produce a research study or other psychological project, explain scientific results, and present information to a professional audience. They should also develop flexible interpersonal approaches that optimize information exchange and relationship development.

Goal 5:  Professional Development
The emphasis in this goal is on application of psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation.  Foundation outcomes concentrate on the development of work habits and ethics to succeed in academic settings. The skills in this goal at the Baccalaureate level refer to abilities that sharpen student readiness for postbaccalaureate employment, graduate school, or professional school.  These skills can be developed and refined both in traditional academic settings and extracurricular involvement.  In addition, career professionals can be enlisted to support occupational planning and pursuit. This emerging emphasis should not be construed as obligating psychology programs to obtain employment for their graduates, but instead encourages programs to optimize the competitiveness of their graduates for securing places in the workforce.

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

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 (15-16 credits)


In addition to the four core courses listed above, all Psychology majors must satisfy the requirements below for a total of 15-16 credits.

A. Human Development


Choose one of the following:

B. Biological Bases of Behavior


Choose one of the following:

C. Learning & Cognition


Choose one of the following:

D. Individual Differences


Choose one of the following:

E. Sociocultural Perspectives


Choose one of the following:

Electives (6 credits)


Choose any two courses either from those not taken as part of the distribution requirement and/or from the courses listed below:

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 Statistics and Research Methods (PSY 201, 202) as well as courses 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 completed.

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.

Psychology Sample Program


FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 Health and Wellness course 0
FYS course (taken with ACS 101) 3 Foreign Language (with Lab) 4
PEQ 1 - Math 3 PEQ 3 - Science (with Lab) 4
ENGW 101 Exposition    3 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
PEQ 2 - Social Science
PSY.Q 110 Introduction to Psychological Science  
3 PEQ 4 - Literature/English 3
Foreign Language (with Lab) 4 PSY 221 Development I: Infancy and Childhood  (Area A) 3
TOTAL CREDITS 17 TOTAL CREDITS 17
       
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
PSY 201 Statistics and Research Methods I     3 PSY 202 Statistics and Research Methods II   4
PSY 228 Social Psychology  (Area E) 3 PEQ 5
PHL.Q 101 Philosophical Inquiry  
3
Integrative Studies (IS) course 1 3 Liberal Arts Elective 3
Optional
PSY 103 Making the Most Out of the Psychology Major  
1 PEQ 6
RES.Q 101 Exploring Religion  
3
Liberal Arts Elective 3    
Psychology Elective 1 3    
TOTAL CREDITS 16 TOTAL CREDITS 13
       
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
PSY 214 Sensation and Perception  (Area B) 3 Experiential Learning Pathway (EL) 3
Integrative Studies (IS) course 2 3 Integrative Studies (IS) course 3 3
Psychology Elective 2 3 PEQ 8 - History 3
PEQ 7 - Visual & Performing Arts 3 Liberal Arts Elective 3
Liberal Arts Elective 3 Elective 3
TOTAL CREDITS 15 TOTAL CREDITS 15
       
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0 PSY 473 Senior Seminar   3
PSY 345 Psychology of Personality  (Area D) 3 PSY 351 Behavior Modification  (Area C) 3
Liberal Arts Elective 3 Liberal Arts Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Optional Psychology Elective 3
Optional Psychology Elective 3 PSY 499 Psychology Comprehensive   0
TOTAL CREDITS 15 TOTAL CREDITS 15
       
Note - this sample includes six Liberal Arts elective courses plus two optional Psychology electives, leaving ample room for a minor or for selected second majors.

 

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