BA in Psychology

Students in APU’s B.A. and B.S. in psychology programs learn about human behavior and how to help people with their psychological and emotional needs.

48 units

The BA in Psychology program helps students learn about human behavior through the development of critical thinking skills, and gives them experience in methods of research and conducting scientific inquiries. Students who complete the program are well equipped to pursue graduate education and/or careers in clinical/counseling areas of psychology and child life, and in a variety of applied psychology and allied areas (e.g., organizational psychology, educational psychology, and social work).

Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is ideal for students interested in clinical/counseling or other applied areas of psychology. The core requirements (Domain 1) give students grounding in the discipline and an understanding of the basics of human behavior. The career-focus electives (Domain 2) provide students with clear applications of psychology, clustered by common themes and areas of employment. And the applied-learning electives (Domain 3) provide students with internship and/or research experience. 

Prerequisite Courses
Introduction to Statistics 1
Choose one of the following:
Biology and Society (recommended) 2
General Biology I 2
Domain 1: Core Courses27
General Psychology 3, 4
Data Analysis in Psychology
Writing 2: Psychology Subdisciplines and Career Trajectories 5
Abnormal Psychology
Research Methods in Psychology
Writing 3: Senior Seminar in Psychology and Christian Integration 6
Developmental
Choose one of the following:
Human Growth and Development 4
Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development 4
Psychology of Adult Development
Neurocognition
Choose one of the following:
Introduction to Brain and Behavior
Cognition
Psychology of Learning
Neurological and Behavioral Disorders
Sociocultural
Choose one of the following:
Global-Local Cultural Psychology Integration I
and Global-Local Cultural Psychology Integration II
Social Psychology
Multicultural Psychology 7
Domain 2: Career Focus18
Choose any six courses (18 units) from any of the following clusters. A course may be used to meet the requirement of one domain only.
Business and Community Cluster
Global-Local Cultural Psychology Integration I
Global-Local Cultural Psychology Integration II
Social Psychology
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Psychology of Conflict Management and Mediation
Community Psychology
Multicultural Psychology 7
Political Psychology 8
Clinical and Counseling Cluster
Introduction to Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor Credentialing
Psychology of Personality
Psychology of Suicide
Group Process
Intervention Strategies with Children
Psychology of the Family
Counseling Theory
Interventions in Counseling
Counseling in the Christian Community
Substance Use Assessment and Interventions
Case Management in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
Theories of Counseling and Therapy
Advanced Developmental Psychology
Development and Education Cluster
Human Growth and Development 4
Educational Psychology
Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development 4
Psychology of Adult Development
Psychology of Exceptional Children
Psychosocial Interventions in Pediatric Health Care
Advanced Child Development 9
Family Systems Theory and Applications 9
Theories and Practices of Grief and Loss 9
Introduction to Child Life 9
Coping Strategies for Children Experiencing Stress and Trauma 9
Methods Cluster
History of Psychology
Research Methods II
Research Experience 10
Psychological Testing and Measurement
Theory, Research and Practice in Psychology 9
Experimental Research Methods 9
Non-Experimental Research Methods 9
Analysis of Variance 9
Neurocognition Cluster
Introduction to Brain and Behavior
Cognition
Psychology of Learning
Bilingualism, Biculturalism, and Cognition
Cognitive Neuroscience
Neurological and Behavioral Disorders
Restoring Wholeness Cluster
Sports Psychology
Health Psychology
Psychology of Religion
Drugs, Behavior, and Society 11
Stress and Coping
Domain 3: Applied Learning3
Field Experience 10, 11, 12
Total Units48
1

Meets the General Education Quantitative Literacy requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Natural Sciences requirement.

3

An AP Psychology score of 3, 4, or 5 will be accepted for PSYC 110.

4

Meets the General Education Social Sciences requirement.

5

Meets the General Education Writing 2 requirement. 

6

Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement. 

7

Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.  

8

Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.

9

Requires senior standing and departmental permission.

10

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

11

Can be double-counted toward the alcohol and drug counseling minor.

12

Students may petition to take PSYC 475 instead of PSYC 455.