Psychology Major

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The Department of Psychology and Criminology offers a general major course of study and a minor course of study. At completion of the major, the student should demonstrate: A) a knowledge base in psychology; B) the development of scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods; C) ethical and social responsibility in a diverse world; and D) competence in writing and in oral communication skills. The program entails completion of a core set of psychology requirements. The core courses include general psychology, explorations in the behavioral sciences, a two semester sequence in research methods and data analysis (BSC 201 and PSY 202 ), the senior capstone, and the junior experience. The junior experience courses emphasize a more hands-on approach to the study of psychology, and provide students with a high impact experience in the field that will transfer to postgraduate opportunities for employment and/or further graduate study. Beyond the core courses, majors are expected to choose five additional psychology courses, depending on personal interest, from two separate categories, basic and applied research, with at least one chosen from each category. However, no more than 48 semester hours in psychology can be applied toward graduation.

Major Requirements (35 semester hours):

PSY 101 - General Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 202 - Research Methods and Data Analysis II 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 491 - Classical, Contemporary, and Ethical Issues in Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s) (Capstone)
BSC 200 - Explorations in the Behavioral Sciences 1 Credit Hour(s)
BSC 201 - Research Methods and Data Analysis 4 Credit Hour(s)
Five electives from two categories, Basic Research and Applied Research.

At least three credits from one of the following:

BSC 370 - Internship 0-15 Credit Hour(s)
BSC 371 - Independent Research Project 1-3 Credit Hour(s)
BSC 372 - Study Abroad 3 Credit Hour(s)

Select one course from:

PSY 316 - Cognition 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 321 - The Brain and Behavior 3 Credit Hour(s)
CRM 320 - Evolution and Crime 3 Credit Hour(s)

Select at least one course from each catergory:

Students must take at least one course from each category, and at least three of the five courses must be at or above the 300 level.

Basic Research:

PSY 206 - Child Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 207 - Adolescent Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 269 - Human Sexuality 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 305 - Adult Development 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 309 - Psychology of Women and Gender Development 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 310 - Social Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 316 - Cognition 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 317 - Psychology of Personality 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 407 - Multicultural Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)

Applied Research:

PSY 209 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 212 - Sport Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 321 - The Brain and Behavior 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 337 - Positive Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 413 - Psychopharmacology 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 416 - Counseling and Clinical Methods 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 426 - Advanced Clinical Methods 3 Credit Hour(s)

Counseling Bridge Concentration (9 semester hours)

The Department of Psychology and Criminology also offers a Counseling Concentration Bridge Program. Eligible applicants must currently be enrolled at Heidelberg with successful completion of at least 90 undergraduate credit hours, including PSY 101, BSC 201, PSY 202, PSY 209 & PSY 416; with a major in Psychology before applying to this program. Applications will be approved or rejected by the Chair of the School of Behavioral Sciences, in consultation with the Director of the MAC Program. Accepted applicants may then take up to 9 credit hours of Masters in Counseling coursework for credit toward their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The Counseling Concentration Bridge Program provides sufficient prerequisites coursework for admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling graduate program. Students wishing to pursue graduate study in other graduate programs should consult with their academic advisor, as prerequisite coursework varies by program and institution. The Counseling Concentration Bridge Program is designed for those students planning to complete the Master of Arts in Counseling program at Heidelberg University.

Counseling Bridge pathway course options (9 hours):

COU 502
COU 503
COU 504
COU 512
COU 518
COU 611
COU 637
COU 654