Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology, BA


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College Social and Behavioral Sciences
Academic Award Bachelor of Arts
Credits Required 125 semester credits
Faculty Lead Kevin Leach
CIP Code 42.0101

The Psychology major enhances our understanding of the human condition in light of a distinctive Christian worldview. Our theoretical framework synthesizes broad-based knowledge drawn from the fields of psychology, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies to provide the student with a sound social sciences foundation. Students are challenged and equipped to become change agents, accepting the responsibility to truly make a difference in the lives of hurting individuals within a global context.

The Psychology major prepares individuals for post-baccalaureate occupations including work in human services across cultural settings, and for graduate work in the social sciences.

Graduates with a degree in Psychology will be able to:

  • Apply the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings of psychological principles to behavioral problems.
  • Analysis psychological phenomena through interpreting behavior, examining research, and applying scientific methodology.
  • Demonstrate research, writing, and presentation skills applicable to the field of psychology, specifically using APA style.
  • Evaluate the impact of cross-cultural differences on psychological development.
  • Critique the interaction between spirituality and psychological theories.
  • Integrate the psychology-specific aspects of self-reflection, project management, teamwork, and career preparation into their personal and professional lives. 

Entrance to the Psychology Major

Entrance to major has several critical objectives:

  • the formal process assists students in clarifying educational and professional goals;
  • students are better able to organize their course schedule; and
  • students learn to identify their academic and vocational strengths and weaknesses.

Freshmen, sophomore, and transfer students who desire to major in psychology formally apply to the Psychology Department for entrance to major during their sophomore year. 

Entrance Steps

  1. Obtain an Entrance into the Psychology Major packet, available in the Psychology Department main office or online at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences web site.
  2. Fill out the Completion of Class Requirements form in the Entrance packet.
  3. Submit the above forms to the Administrative Assistant of the Psychology Department.
  4. The Administrative Assistant of the Psychology Department will then contact you to schedule an entrance meeting with at least two departmental professors.
  5. Schedule and attend an interview appointment with the Psychology Department.
  6. The student must complete the above Entrance Steps prior to his or her junior year of study or during the junior year of study for students who transfer into Northwest University with junior standing.

Core Curriculum Requirements: 60


Humanities: 9


6 credits in this area must be from Writing Practice courses* (see Course Descriptions    for applicability)

  • ENGL xxx3 Any Literature course 3 credits
  • HIST   xxx3 Any Course in History 3 credits
  • 3 additional credits selected from the following 3 credits
    • Art (ARTE), Bible (BIBL), Drama (DRAM), English (ENGL), History (HIST), Language (LANG), Music (MUSI), or Theology (THEO)

Social Sciences: 9


6 credits in this area must be from Writing Practice courses* (see Course Descriptions  for applicability)

  • Select a minimum of two disciplines from the following: 9 credits
    • Business Administration (BUSM), Communication (except COMM 1213), Economics, Education (EDUC), Geography (GEOG), Health & Fitness (PEDU), Information Technology (INTC), Management (BMGT), Marketing (BMKT), Philosophy (PHIL), Political Science (PSCI), Psychology (PSYC), Sociology/Anthropology (SOCI), or User Experience Design (UXDE)

Science and Mathematics: 7


  • MATH xxxx - College-level Mathematics 3 credits
  • SCIE xxxx - Science course with Lab 4 credits

Formation and Calling: 6


Professional Readiness: 2


Two Core Curriculum elective credits are required to be Career Readiness credits. These credits can be earned by taking a combination of Career Readiness Courses and introductory internship and/or job shadowing experiences. 

  • This two-credit requirement is waived for students who transfer 60 or more credits to NU
  • Students with 47-59 transfer credits are required to take one Career Readiness credit

Core Electives: 6


Select any college-level courses

Psychology Major: 57


Choose Practicum or Thesis: 3


Psychology Concentrations: 12


Select from one of the following concentrations, detailed below

Counseling Studies: 12


Cultural Psychology: 12


Marriage and Family Studies: 12


Organizational Psychology: 12


Research: 12


General Psychology: 12


Select four (3-credit) Psychology courses or listed within the Psychology Concentrations**, unduplicated from the major requirements

  • PSYC xxxx - Psychology Electives

* Taken as part of major core

**GLST courses may also be permitted as fulfilling the Psychology Elective requirements.

General Electives: 8


Any college-level courses or additional Psychology Concentration

Total: 125 Semester Credits


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