The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed to prepare students for employment in a wide variety of settings or for further study at the graduate level.

Community Based Cooperative Education Program

The Co-Op Program is an option for students to have a paid professional experience and benefit from experiential learning, used for elective credit. Students earn 3 credits for working 85 hours at a local human service organization. In addition, they take a seminar class that provides support throughout this experience and facilitates connections for theory and practice. The Co-Op Faculty Advisor works closely with students to place them at sites that match their interests. The kinds of work responsibilities vary from site to site, but typically include: research projects, creating resource materials for staff and families, and direct care with clients in residential or after-school programs. Students are paid a stipend for working at their sponsoring site.

This highly selective program is available to qualified students at the sophomore or junior level, and is conducted during the spring semester. Applications are available from the Psychology department.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program offers the following majors:

Student Learning Outcomes

By completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a successful student should have the following competencies:

1. Content Knowledge and Applications

• Describe key concepts, principles, and theories in psychological science.
• Develop a working knowledge of psychology's major subfields.
• Portray significant aspects of the history of psychological science.
• Apply psychological context to solve practical problems.
• Provide examples of psychology's integrative themes.

2. Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking

• Exercise scientific reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena.
• Interpret, design, and evaluate psychological research.
• Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific research practices.
• Use statistics to evaluate quantitative research findings.

3. Values in Psychological Science

• Employ ethical standards in research, practice, and academic contexts.
• Develop and practice interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness.
• Apply psychological principles to strengthen community and improve quality of life.

4. Communication, Psychological Literacy, and Technology Skills

• Interact effectively with others.
• Write and present effectively for different purposes.
• Provide evidence of psychological literacy.
• Exhibit appropriate technological skills to improve communication.

5. Personal and Professional Development

• Exhibit effective self-regulation.
• Refine project management.
• Display effective judgement in professional interactions.
• Cultivate workforce collaboration skills.
• Demonstrate appropriate workforce technological skills.
• Develop direction for life after graduation.