Psychology, Pre-Professional BA

Major: Core Requirements - 16

• Introduction - 3

• PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
• PSYC 105 - Careers and Plans for the Psychology Major Credits: 0

•  

• Developmental - 3

• PSYC 301 - Human Development Credits: 3
• Or  other developmental course

•  

• Professional Convention - 1

• PSYC 405 - Midwestern Psychological Association Meeting Credits: 1

•  

• Methodology - 9

• PSYC 432 - Research Methods II: Introduction Credits: 3
• PSYC 433 - Research Methods III: Advanced Research Design Credits: 3
• PSYC 434 - Research Methods IV: Advanced Statistical Analysis and SPSS Credits: 3

Major: Concentration Requirements-15

• Learning, Memory, and Brain - 6

• PSYC 465 - Physiological Psychology Credits: 3

•  

• Choose one of the following two courses:

• PSYC 364 - Learning and Behavior Credits: 3
• PSYC 445 - Cognitive Psychology Credits: 3

•  

• History, Social, Personality, & Abnormal

• Choose a minimum of two of the following four courses:

• PSYC 269 - History and Systems of Psychology Credits: 3
• PSYC 450 - Social Psychology Credits: 3
• PSYC 454 - Theories of Personality Credits: 3
• PSYC 460 - Psychology of Abnormal Behavior Credits: 3

•  

• Capstone 1-3
  Choose one of the following four options:

• Option 1:

• PSYC 405 - Midwestern Psychological Association Meeting Credits: 1 (with a presentation at the meeting)
• PSYC 498 - Research Project in Psychology Credits: 0–3

•  

• Option 2:

• PSYC 405 - Midwestern Psychological Association Meeting  Credits: 1 (without a presentation at the meeting)
• PSYC 485 - Professional Portfolio Credits: 0

•  

• Option 3:

• PSYC 480 - Field Experience Credits: 1–8 (minimum of 2 credits required)

•  

• Option 4:

• PSYC 490 - Practicum in Psychology Credits: 3

•  

• Electives
  Electives may be chosen from psychology courses not required within the core concentration requirements, or those approved by the advisor/chair, to meet the minimum of 31 credits in psychology.

Cognates: 19-35

• PHIL 224 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 3
• BHSC 230 - Research Methods I: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Credits: 3
• RELT 340 - Religion and Ethics in Modern Society Credits: 3 (Honors students who take HONS105H, HONS106H, and HONS415H will meet the RELT340 requirement)

•  

• Choose one of the following three options:

• Option 1:

• BIOL 221 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
• BIOL 222 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4

•  

• Option 2:

• BIOL 221 Anatomy and Physiology I  Credits: 4
• PSYC 465 - Physiological Psychology Credits: 3

•  

• Option 3:

• BIOL 165 - Foundations of Biology Credits: 4,5
• BIOL 166 - Foundations of Biology Credits: 4,5

•  

• Choose one of the following two courses:

• SOCI 119 - Principles of Sociology Credits: 3

•  

• Choose one of the following sociocultural awareness classes or experiences:

• 3 Credits of  BHSC 440 - Topics: Credits: 1–4 Cultural Psychology

• 3 Credits of PSYC 475  Topics in Psychology: Cultural Psychology Credits: 1-4 

• An International student missionary experience

• Attending Adventist Colleges Abroad

• An AU tour which deals with cultural concepts

• ANTH 200 - Cultural Anthropology  Credits: 3

• 3 Credits of PSYC 475  Topics in Psychology: Community Psychology Credits: 1-4 

• BHSC 225 - Global Social Issues Credits: 3

Recommended

Field Experience and a reading knowledge of a foreign language are strongly recommended, particularly for students who plan to take graduate studies in Psychology.

Major Field Test

Majors are required to take the Major Field Test in Psychology. The exam assesses the following areas: memory and thinking, sensory and physiology, developmental, clinical and abnormal, social, and measurement and methodology.

Computer Policy

In the behavioral sciences, the computer is an indispensible tool for collecting and working with data, accessing scientific reports, and for writing and critical thinking. As a result, the Department of Behavioral Sciences requires students to have a laptop computer in order to meet the requirements of the curriculum; this computer must be purchased by the student’s second year in the program or the semester of the first research class, whichever is earlier. Students are responsible for maintaining their computer with the required software appropriate for the courses that they are enrolled in as they progress through the curriculum. A list of required software and minimum specifications that a laptop must meet is available in the Department of Behavioral Sciences office; use of the computer varies by course.

Occupational Therapy

For those interested in occupational therapy, the following psychology classes are often required for entry into occupational therapy programs: PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology , PSYC 301 - Human Development , PSYC 450 - Social Psychology , Statistics BHSC 230 - Research Methods I: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences  and PSYC 434 - Research Methods IV: Advanced Statistical Analysis and SPSS , Research Design PSYC 432 - Research Methods II: Introduction  and PSYC 433 - Research Methods III: Advanced Research Design , SOCI 119 - Principles of Sociology , and ANTH 200 - Cultural Anthropology . Other classes from disciplines outside our department often include: Anatomy and Physiology BIOL 221 - Anatomy and Physiology I  BIOL 222 - Anatomy and Physiology II , and English ENGL 115 - College Writing I  and ENGL 215 - College Writing II . Some programs may want a class (or classes) in other areas such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or others. If you know which program(s) you may be interested in for graduate school, it is recommended that you look at their program and see which prerequisite classes they require. It is recommended that students consult with their advisors in regards to which courses should be taken.