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
MATH 130
Introduction to Statistics 1
Choose one of the following:
BIOL 101
Biology and Society (recommended) 2
BIOL 151
General Biology I 2
Domain 1: Core Courses27
PSYC 110
General Psychology 3, 4
PSYC 250
Data Analysis in Psychology
WRIT 260
Writing 2: Psychology Subdisciplines and Career Trajectories 5
PSYC 360
Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 362
Research Methods in Psychology
PSYC 496
Writing 3: Senior Seminar in Psychology and Christian Integration 6
Developmental
Choose one of the following:
PSYC 290
Human Growth and Development 4
PSYC 345
Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development 4
PSYC 355
Psychology of Adult Development
Neurocognition
Choose one of the following:
PSYC 292
Introduction to Brain and Behavior
PSYC 390
Cognition
PSYC 405
Psychology of Learning
PSYC 472
Neurological and Behavioral Disorders
Sociocultural
Choose one of the following:
PSYC 301
& PSYC 302
Global-Local Cultural Psychology Integration I
and Global-Local Cultural Psychology Integration II
PSYC 320
Social Psychology
PSYC 400
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
PSYC 301
Global-Local Cultural Psychology Integration I
PSYC 302
Global-Local Cultural Psychology Integration II
PSYC 320
Social Psychology
PSYC 370
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PSYC 375
Psychology of Conflict Management and Mediation
PSYC 386
Community Psychology
PSYC 400
Multicultural Psychology 7
PSYC 420
Political Psychology 8
Clinical and Counseling Cluster
PSYC 280
Introduction to Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor Credentialing
PSYC 380
Psychology of Personality
PSYC 383
Psychology of Suicide
PSYC 415
Group Process
PSYC 430
Intervention Strategies with Children
PSYC 445
Psychology of the Family
PSYC 450
Counseling Theory
PSYC 451
Interventions in Counseling
PSYC 454
Counseling in the Christian Community
PSYC 464
Substance Use Assessment and Interventions
PSYC 466
Case Management in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
PSYC 527
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
PSYC 532
Theories of Counseling and Therapy
PPSY 558
Advanced Developmental Psychology
Development and Education Cluster
PSYC 290
Human Growth and Development 4
PSYC 305
Educational Psychology
PSYC 345
Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development 4
PSYC 355
Psychology of Adult Development
PSYC 410
Psychology of Exceptional Children
PSYC 432
Psychosocial Interventions in Pediatric Health Care
PCLS 501
Advanced Child Development 9
PCLS 511
Family Systems Theory and Applications 9
PCLS 512
Theories and Practices of Grief and Loss 9
PCLS 521
Introduction to Child Life 9
PCLS 523
Coping Strategies for Children Experiencing Stress and Trauma 9
Methods Cluster
PSYC 340
History of Psychology
PSYC 462
Research Methods II
PSYC 475
Research Experience 10
PSYC 480
Psychological Testing and Measurement
PSYC 501
Theory, Research and Practice in Psychology 9
PSYC 511
Experimental Research Methods 9
PSYC 512
Non-Experimental Research Methods 9
PSYC 518
Analysis of Variance 9
Neurocognition Cluster
PSYC 292
Introduction to Brain and Behavior
PSYC 390
Cognition
PSYC 405
Psychology of Learning
PSYC 453
Bilingualism, Biculturalism, and Cognition
PSYC 470
Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 472
Neurological and Behavioral Disorders
Restoring Wholeness Cluster
PSYC 330
Sports Psychology
PSYC 385
Health Psychology
PSYC 440
Psychology of Religion
PSYC 463
Drugs, Behavior, and Society 11
PSYC 485
Stress and Coping
Domain 3: Applied Learning3
PSYC 455
Field Experience 10, 11, 12, 13
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.

13

PADM 399 counts for 3 units of PSYC 455 and 3 units of nonmajor elective credit, and meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. DISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE- Students demonstrate a working knowledge of psychology's content domains, key theories, concepts, principles, themes, and applications of psychology in society.
    2.
  2. CRITICAL THINKING, SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION- Students demonstrate effective expression of critical thought and scientific inquiry in their engagement with (a) psychology literature, (b) conduct of psychological research, and (c) written, (d) oral, and interpersonal communication.
    3.
  3. VALUES AND ETHICS- Students (a) demonstrate knowledge of the APA ethical (a.1) and multicultural ethical (a.2) standards for the practice of psychology and are able to utilize those standards in decision making and actions in scientific inquiry (a.3), sociocultural (a.4), and interpersonal contexts (a.5). Students (b) articulate and behaviorally express values that build and enhance interpersonal relationships and community engagement at local, multicultural, and cross cultural levels.
    4.
  4. APPLICATION TO VOCATION- Students demonstrate the ability to utilize and apply psychological knowledge and professional skills to: (a) develop vocational post-baccalaureate goals, (b) work collaboratively with diverse others, (c) serve others needs, (d) self-regulate and manage projects successfully, and (e) solve increasingly complex problems.
    5.
  5. FAITH INTEGRATION- Students demonstrate skill in the integration of Christian faith and theology with the science of psychology as it relates to the nature and content of: humanity (F1), knowledge (F2), values and ethics (F3), and vocational and spiritual formation (F4).