Psychology
Is a Psychology Major for Me?
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology major focuses on an essential and fundamental understanding of major elements in the field of psychology. Learners in this major will evaluate psychological theories and research while examining ethical issues in the practical application of psychological theories. Individuals enrolled in this major can enrich their skills and abilities in organizational life and choose to pursue employment in a variety of organizational roles, including but not limited to, intake workers, child care workers, social service workers, and administrative support personnel. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology major is designed for individuals who wish to complete a general degree in psychology or prepare for an advanced degree in psychology.
Program Outcomes
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology major focuses on an essential and fundamental understanding of the major elements in the field of psychology. Learners in this major will evaluate psychological theories and research while examining ethical issues in the practical application of psychological theories. Individuals enrolled in this major can enrich their skills and abilities in organizational life and choose to pursue employment in a variety of organizational roles, including but not limited to, intake workers, child care workers, social service workers, and administrative support personnel. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology major is designed for individuals who wish to complete a general degree in psychology or prepare for an advanced degree in psychology.
Program Outcomes:
- Demonstrate breadth and depth of key concepts and generally accepted theories, research, and practical applications in psychology (such as human development, cognition, psychological disorders, learning, history and theories, emotions, and personality).
- Describe the skills necessary for competency in understanding and working with people, including personality types and roles of psychology professionals applicable to preparation for a career in psychology related fields.
- Apply critical thinking to the completion of class projects and assignments associated with the field of psychology
- Show an understanding of how to effectively lead people in complex environments.
- Craft documents that showcase an understanding of the use of technological tools related to the field of psychology.
- Explain and understanding of ethical reasoning in the application of psychological theories and practices.
- Prepare documents using effective written communication.
Required and Core Courses
Foundation Courses
CORE101 Developing Academic and Professional Strengths
ENGL101 Composition I
ENGL102 Composition II
CORE110 Information Literacy
MASC115 College Algebra (or other approved college mathematics)
CLO 415 Professional Communication
Required Prerequisites
MASC110 Statistics & Probability
PSY 110 General Psychology
Required Major Courses
PSY 252 Developmental Psychology
PSY 262 Social Psychology
PSY 332 Biological Foundations of Psychology
PSY 352 Cognition
PSY 362 Personality Theories
PSY 400 Psychological Research methods
PSY 410 Emotion
PSY 420 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 430 History & Systems of Psychology
CAPS495 Senior Capstone
Competency Courses
As a part of your degree program, you will be required to complete competency courses in the following areas:
- Exploratory Courses
- Institutional Outcomes
The remainder of the requirements to reach graduation will come from your Competency Courses. See an admissions counselor for specific transfer credit substitutions.
Course Descriptions
PSY 110 General Psychology
This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Special attention is placed on the scientific method and the exploration of consciousness, learning, motivation, emotion, development, personality, mental disorders, biological factors, social-psychological phenomena, and cognitive processes.
MASC110 Statistics and Probability
This course provides an introduction to statistics and probability with emphasis on applications. Topics include numerical and graphical displays of data, linear regression, hypothesis testing, and elementary probability, including counting methods, conditional probabilities, and probability distributions.
PSY 252 Developmental Psychology
Learners will gain a basic understanding of the biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development in humans from birth through adolescence, with an additional emphasis on young adult through death.
PSY 262 Social Psychology
The course explores the social factors in behavior of individuals and groups, including attitudes, leadership, and personality and culture.
PSY 332 Biological Foundations of Psychology
The course offers an introduction to the study of the anatomy, physiology, and function of the nervous and endocrine systems, and their relationship to psychological issues.
PSY 352 Cognition
The psychological study of attention, pattern recognition, memory, language, reasoning, problem solving, and creativity.
PSY 362 Personality Theories
The course provides an in-depth examination of the contemporary approaches to the psychological study of personality.
PSY 400 Psychology Research Methods
The course is designed to provide learners the opportunity to study the theory and methodology of psychological research design, execution, and presentation of scientific research in psychology.
PSY 410 Emotion
The course offers a survey of the major historical and contemporary theories of human emotion, including biological, developmental, cognitive, and social perspectives.
PSY 420 Abnormal Psychology
The course provides an introduction to personality disorders and major psychiatric disorders. The emphasis of the course is on theories of pathology and treatment.
PSY 430 History & Systems of Psychology
The course is a study of the evolution of psychology as a science through an examination of philosophical and physiological history, major systems and schools of thought, and contemporary approaches.
PSY 440 Psychological Assessment
The course offers an examination of classic and current theories and methods of psychological assessment, including personality assessment, interviewing, projective techniques, and observation and behavioral techniques.
CAPS 495 Senior Capstone
This course is for human resource development, psychology, and strategic leadership majors. Learners will be required to develop a portfolio project that demonstrates their knowledge, presentation of evidence and artifacts from their major courses as well as recent research relevant to their specific program outcomes. The purpose of the final portfolio project is to document learner achievement and to ensure learning outcomes are met.
All classes are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.
Admission Requirements
Entering learners must have earned at least 6 college credits from previous college coursework or ACE evaluated military training, a GPA of 2.0, and have three years of work experience. Transfer hours accepted for Professional Studies admittance should include English Composition I and II, and mathematics (college algebra preferred). These courses may be considered in transfer or completed at Southwestern College.
Contact a program representative to evaluate your options.
Graduation Requirements
A total of 124 credit hours must be earned to graduate. You must have at least 60 credit hours from a four-year university or college and at least 30 hours from Southwestern College (does not include prior learning experience credits). Of the 30 hours required from Southwestern, 15 of the last 30 hours earned toward your degree must be at Southwestern College. Contact your Academic Success Coach for more information.
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The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology major focuses on an essential and fundamental understanding of major elements in the field of psychology.
