Apr 19, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology, BA


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. 

The Psychology Major does not have formal entrance requirements. However, students majoring in Psychology should meet individually with one of the undergraduate faculty members to discuss goals and plans for graduate school or post-graduate employment. This is best done in the first semester of the junior year or earlier.

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), Exercise Science (EXSC), Geography (GEOG), 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

Pre-Major Requirements: 3


Pre-Major requirements may be applied to the Core Curriculum requirements or General Electives

Social Sciences


Psychology Major: 51


Choose Practicum or Thesis:


Psychology Concentrations: 9


Select from one of the following concentrations, detailed below

Research: 9


General Psychology: 9


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

  • PSYC xxxx - Psychology Electives

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

General Electives: 14


Any college-level courses or additional Psychology Concentration

Total: 125 Semester Credits