Bachelor of Science - Psychological Sciences

The Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Sciences, earned as either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science provides students with opportunities for focused study in this quintessential behavioral science and builds research skills necessary for scientific inquiry within this discipline. Both the Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Sciences degrees have proven useful for careers in many areas including law, entertainment, writing, journalism, government, education, business, and the arts. Additionally, the language requirement of the Bachelors of Arts builds further understanding of the ways in which the mind works and learns.

The Department of Psychological Sciences enables students to develop understanding and knowledge about human behavior from several perspectives in psychological science, the ability to apply and synthesize that knowledge within specific psychological domains (research and statistics, developmental processes, social and personality, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, learning theory and behavioral health), and research method skills in order to become critical evaluators and producers of knowledge of human behavior.

The course of study in psychology focuses on understanding the methods, ethics, and sociocultural context of research in psychological science through coursework, associated laboratory experience, and opportunities for application. Students develop the ability to critically evaluate existing psychological knowledge, assumptions, and application in order to demonstrate literacy, proficiency, and efficacy in informational, technological, and communication (written and oral presentation) skills. The ability to engage in critical analyses of psychological ideas and scientific evidence constitutes a valuable personal asset and is a key to success in many professions, including academic and clinical psychology, business, education, law, medicine, behavioral health, and human services. Further, the Department strives to tie the departmental goals explicitly to learning outcomes in such a way that students are aware of the skills they have developed and how these skills are relevant to their professional success. To accomplish these goals, the Department engages in the timely and relevant assessment of student learning outcomes at all levels of the curriculum and uses those data for program refinement.