The Bachelor
of Arts and Bachelor of Science Psychology majors are rigorous yet flexible
programs designed to meet the American Psychological Association Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology major while also fulfilling SPU’s mission to provide students with a
transformative and holistic experience grounded in Christian faith.
As such,
these programs prepare you with extensive knowledge of the field;
scientific and critical thinking skills; an awareness of diversity, ethics in
practice, and social responsibility; effective oral and written communication
skills; and professional-level training and experiences (e.g., research and
internship opportunities) for both careers and graduate school in psychology.
The BA in Psychology is designed for students with a broad range of career and graduate school interests such as, but not limited to, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, school counseling, and industrial and organizational psychology.
Tracks for Psychology BA
Psychological Science: This track is designed for students with a broad range of career and graduate school interests such as, but not limited to: Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, School Counseling, and Industrial and Organizational Psychology. This track has the fewest credits required (minimum of 62 credits, 36 upper division, and at least 20 credits while in residence at SPU), and as such, it provides students with the most flexibility in taking additional courses in Psychology or other disciplines as well as maximizing research or internship experiences.
Animal Behavior: Designed for students interested in
training animals, working with owners and their pets, or seeking to become a
certified applied animal behaviorist.
Clinical-Counseling Psychology: For students interested in working within a
therapeutic context, this track focuses information and experiences relevant to
clinical psychology, counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, as well
as related graduate programs or jobs providing or researching the effectiveness
of therapy or counseling.
Community Psychology and Behavioral Mental Health: Focuses
on social justice, community development, and social services for students
wanting to pursue further training or work in social work, nonprofit, community
development, social justice, public health, community behavioral health.
Developmental Psychology: Coursework and experiences focus on change across the lifetime; best prepares students for graduate education and jobs in related areas
such as early childlife specialist.
Social-personality Psychology: Emphasizes information and skills in social and personality psychology; prepares students for jobs or graduate programs in research, data analysis, program development, and review.
Sports Psychology: For students interested in working with athletes or
teams, this track focuses on sports psychology; it is designed for students
hoping to pursue a job or graduate work in a related area.
- A minimum 62-77 credits are required for tracks in the BA Psychology major, including 36 upper-division credits.
- Each track requires students to fulfill the core requirements for the BA while also completing specific or additional courses within a given track.
- Of your major, at least 20 credits must be earned at SPU.
The BS in Psychology is designed for students that are passionate about integrating psychology and natural sciences with the goal of pursuing careers or graduate programs such as but not limited to clinical psychology, behavioral or cognitive neuroscience, and animal behavior.
The BS program also prepares students for further study or employment in fields such as behavioral neurobiology, health psychology, and behavioral medicine.
Tracks for the Psychology BS
Psychological Science: This track is designed for students with a broad range of career and graduate school interests but who are also passionate about integrating psychology and natural sciences. Students considering this track would be best prepared for careers or graduate programs such as, but not limited to: Clinical Psychology, Behavioral or Cognitive Neuroscience, and Animal Behavior. This track has the fewest credits required of our BS degrees (minimum of 88 credits, 50 upper division, and at least 20 credits while in residence at SPU). This lower credit requirement provides students with the most flexibility to take additional, strategic courses in Psychology or other disciplines as well as maximize research or internship experiences.
Animal Behavior: Through a biological and psychological perspective on behavior,this track is designed for students interested in jobs or graduate programs researching animal behavior.
Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience: Provides students with the knowledge and skills for graduate work or jobs in the
research or application of neuroscience and neuropsychology.
- A minimum 88-92 credits are required for tracks in the BS Psychology major, including 50 upper-division credits.
- Each track requires students to fulfill the core requirements for the BS while also completing specific or additional courses within a given track.
- Of your major, at least 20 credits must be earned at SPU.
The
Psychology minor is designed to be flexible such that students can take
elective courses that best fit their career or graduate school goals. As such,
the Psychology minor is an excellent accompaniment to many majors.
- A minimum 31 credits are required for this minor, including 15 upper-division.
- Of your minor, at least 15
credits must be earned at SPU, including 10 upper-division.
Apply to the major or minor
Apply for a major or minor before the end of the second week of classes in the Autumn, Winter, or Spring quarters using the online Major or Minor Application form. You must complete the major or minor requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the major or minor.
For currently enrolled SPU students, formal application and admission to the BA in Psychology, BS in Psychology, or minor in Psychology are required prior to
enrollment in many PSY courses. Admission is selective and based on prior
academic performance and vocational congruence.
To meet the minimum
requirements for admission to the psychology majors or minor, you must:
- Successfully complete PSY 1180 General Psychology and PSY 1200 Psychology as Vocation, earning a minimum grade of C- in each course.
- Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA from all institutions and a minimum combined GPA of 2.7 in all psychology courses.
- Demonstrate vocational congruence determined by performance in PSY 1200, and the vocational statement on the application to the major or minor.
- Attend New Major-Minor Orientation (held one–two weeks after acceptance into the major or minor).
Transfer students