Psychology Curriculum
The
psychology curriculum is designed to enhance opportunities for students to take
a multi-disciplinary and inquiry-based approach to learning about
psychology. The courses in the first year
and early in the second year expose students to broad areas of knowledge in the
humanities, mathematics, writing, and sciences. Foundational
psychology courses and our orientation course focus on establishing a knowledge
base upon which the student can begin to build an inquiry-based experience. Advisors work with students to initiate the Psychology Portfolio and explain the Research and Capstone Experiences
required of all students in the major.
In the
second year, students begin to develop applied research experience during our
8-credit course sequence in research design and statistics. Throughout the second and third years, students
are exposed to the Core disciplines
of psychology and may choose to focus their major curriculum by developing an academic concentration area or minor
and research skills. The student works with his or her faculty advisor to
develop the minor or concentration area, selecting from approved University
minor programs or suggested program concentration areas. Students are not required to develop a
concentration area or minor.
The
inquiry-based approach is emphasized in the third and fourth years. In
consultation with a faculty advisor, students select psychology and elective courses
that best satisfy personal interests and career goals. By the end of year three (i.e., the sixth
semester), the Capstone Project must
be approved and may be initiated as early as the spring semester of the third
year. The Psychology Program
offers three choices of capstone class experiences: research, Internship, advanced independent study.
In year four, the Capstone
Project is completed and advanced program electives embrace and build upon core
disciplines of psychology and related areas introduced in the first three years. All 4th
year students participate in a 4th year senior seminar that includes
review, analysis, discussion, and formal oral presentation of the Capstone Projects.
The following is a typical curriculum for psychology students entering University of the Sciences in Fall 2013; current students should refer to their academic advisor for their curricula.
First Year
Psychology Orientation I
Introduction to Psychology
General Education Mathematics
General Biology I, II
General Education Communication
Philosophy of Psychology
Physical Education I, II
Second Year
Psychology of Human Development
Biological Psychology
Research Design and Statistical Analysis I, II
Intellectual Heritage I, II
Cognitive or Health Psychology
General Education Social Sciences
General Education Humanities
Third Year
Cognitive or Health Psychology
General Education Humanities
General Education Electives
General Education Communication
Psychology Core Requirements
Advanced Psychology Requirement
Fourth Year
General Education Electives
Psychology Core Requirements
Advanced Psychology Requirement
Advanced Electives
Capstone Requirement
Senior Seminar
Additional general education courses are required as part of the program.
For detailed course descriptions and other information about the psychology curriculum, see the University Catalog.