Psychology
Professor Lori Schmied, Chair, Division of Behavioral Sciences
Psychology is concerned with the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The Major in Psychology provides the student a broad curricular experience in psychology as preparation for graduate school. For students who do not plan to go beyond the B.A. degree, the psychology curriculum is useful preparation for any career in which the understanding of individual and group behavior would be beneficial.
The Major in Psychology requires 46 credit hours with 36 hours in major courses and 10 hours in related areas. Required are 101, 299, 312, 344, 351-352, and 18 additional hours in psychology electives, at least 6 hours of which must be at the 300 or 400 level. Psychology electives must include 3 hours from each of four domains: Cognitive (306, 314, 315, 327), Developmental (211, 218, 222, 306, 334), Social (221, 224, 301), and Clinical (301, 331, 333). Note that some courses fall into multiple domains but may be counted toward fulfilling the requirement for only one domain. The 10 hours in related courses include Biology 113, Mathematics 221, and either Sociology 101 or 211. A double major in Psychology and Child Development and Learning is not permitted.
The Major in Child Development and Learning is designed for students who plan to work with children in a variety of settings or enter a graduate program in Child Development and consists of 44 credit hours, 32 credit hours in psychology and 12 hours in related fields. Required are Psychology 101, 211, 218, 299, 306, 315, 331 or 333, 334, and 351-352, and 3 additional hours in psychology. Related courses are PHR 236 and 331, Sociology 215, and Business 201. The Standard First Aid and Community CPR certifications as offered by the American Red Cross are required for graduation in this major.
The Major in Child Development and Learning for Teacher Licensure is designed for students who plan to teach in the elementary grades and consists of 42 credit hours, 29 credit hours in psychology and 13 credit hours in related fields. Required are Psychology 101, 211, 218, 299, 306, 315, 334, 351-352, and 3 additional credit hours in psychology. Related courses are PHR 236 and 331, Sociology 215, and Mathematics 307 and 308. Additional liberal studies are English 212; History 111, 112, or 203; Sociology 271, and Biology 311. Students pursuing this major must complete 26 hours of professional courses in teacher education. The professional courses are listed under Education in this catalog. A physical science must be taken for the Science 150 general education requirement, and Fine Arts 340 must be taken for the Fine Arts general education requirement. Standard First Aid and Community CPR certifications as offered by the American Red Cross are required for graduation in this major.
The Minor in Psychology consists of 15 hours in psychology with no fewer than two 300-level courses. The Minor in Psychology is not open to students majoring in Child Development and Learning.
CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
The Major in Child Development and Learning or the Major in Psychology provides preparation for certification as a Child Life Specialist. Certification through the national Child Life Council is obtained by completing a major in Child Development and Learning or Psychology that includes a relevant practicum, an internship under the supervision of certified Child Life Specialists and passing the Child Life Professional Certification Examination. Careful planning of one’s degree program is necessary and internship placements are competitive.
