Psychology

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The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology focuses on the development of skills that employers value, such as scientific reasoning and problem-solving, written and oral communication, ethical and social responsibility and professionalism. Equipped with these skills, psychology majors are well-prepared for both a wide range of occupations requiring only a bachelor’s degree or for professional training programs in psychology, counseling, social work and applied behavior analysis.

The mission of the psychology program at FranU is to cultivate Franciscan servant leaders with integrated knowledge of the science of psychology for community engagement. Through vocational discernment, learner-centered teaching and active-learning experiences such as independent research, practicums and internships, psychology graduates will be prepared for 21st-century careers and entry into advanced degree programs.

Students pursuing a BA in psychology have the option to embed within their degree program specialized training in the growing field of Applied Behavior Analysis, developing marketable skills applicable in many career settings. Courses in the psychology degree program include vocations in psychology, ethical issues in healthcare, psychology across the lifespan and abnormal or biological psychology.

School
School of Arts & Sciences
Career
Non-profit community advocacy, counseling and human services organizations or may gain acceptance into graduate programs/professional schools.
Program Contacts

Psychology Program Curriculum

The bachelor’s degree in psychology requires 120 credits to complete, which includes general education courses, psychology and psychology-related courses and general electives. Students may choose either a practicum or independent research for their capstone experience. There are an additional 6 credit hours of Service-Learning courses required.

Students select courses from four content domains identified by the American Psychological Association (APA): (1) developmental psychology, (2) sociocultural psychology, (3) psychology of learning and cognition and (4) biological psychology to achieve an integrated knowledge of psychology. Additional upper division courses from each domain can be selected to align with students’ career goals.

Curriculum Notes:

*General Education Requirement: Students completing a baccalaureate degree must complete 44 credit hours of general education coursework. See the academic catalog for information on general education requirements.

**General Elective courses may be selected from a variety of disciplines with departmental approval. Coursework to fulfill requirements for a minor may be used to meet this requirement.

PSYC Domain Knowledge: To achieve an integrated knowledge of the field, psychology majors will select one course from each of the following four domains of psychology:

1. Developmental Psychology Domain: PSYC 2330, PSYC 3310, PSCY 3320, PSYC 3325

2. Sociocultural Psychology Domain: PSYC 2340, PSYC 3335, PSYC 3340, PSYC 3345

3. Biological Psychology Domain: PSYC 3315, PSYC 3330, PSYC 4315, PSYC 4320

4. Learning & Cognition Domain: PSYC 2350, PSYC 3350, PSYC 4350, PSYC 4360

Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Program Features

Program Admissions Requirements

Students interested in applying to the BA in psychology program must be graduating or have graduated from high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.

For additional details on admission requirements, including test score and GPA requirements, visit the Freshman Admissions page.

Program Goals

The psychology bachelor’s degree program aims to:

  1. Educate students with an integrated knowledge of the science of psychology.
  2. Develop skills necessary for 21st-century careers and entry into graduate or professional training programs.
  3. Provide evidence-based educational experiences that promote integrated knowledge of the science of psychology, vocational discernment, community engagement and Franciscan core values.
  4. Provide educational experiences that meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology graduates will demonstrate the following competencies and skills:

  • Knowledge and application of psychological concepts and frameworks to complex behavioral problems.
  • Skills related to scientific reasoning and problem-solving, including theory use and executing research methods.
  • Ethical and socially responsible behaviors in professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity and personal and professional values that can strengthen community relationships and contributions.
  • Competency in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Application of psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills and career preparation.

FAQs

What will I learn in the psychology bachelor’s degree program?

Students in the psychology program take courses that firmly establish the scientific foundation of the discipline and provide opportunities to develop competencies in scientific inquiry and critical thinking, ethical and social responsibility, communication and professional development.

Our curriculum will foster connections across disciplines and encourage students to seek opportunities for exploring the intersections of psychology and biology, sociology and philosophy. Supported by our knowledgeable psychology faculty, students will feel empowered to pursue their research interests, make discoveries and communicate their findings.

Students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies will find that the psychology program at FranU provides a thorough curriculum that prepares students for the demands of graduate school, all while making room for students to embrace curiosity and overcome challenges.

What kind of learning experiences will I have outside of the classroom?

What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology?

Accreditation

For information about our SACSCOC accreditation, please visit our Institutional Accreditation page.

Curriculum