Psychology
Program Overview
The psychology major is designed to provide coursework and experience central to a basic understanding of the discipline and profession. Human behavior is examined from modern and historical perspectives in both the practical and theoretical realms. The purpose of the major is to prepare students for graduate education or vocational opportunities with a mature, uniquely Christian approach.
The psychology program at Simpson University is designed to meet the diverse needs of students and prepare them for a variety of career paths. Because of an increased demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, mental health centers, social service agencies, substance abuse treatment clinics, and private companies, your degree from Simpson University can help you move toward a career you’ve always dreamed of. In addition to providing you with the foundation for graduate work that can lead to a career as a psychologist, your degree will also prepare you for a wide variety of careers within and beyond psychology.
THE MIND’S JOURNEY: A FASCINATING EXPLORATION INTO THE DEPTHS OF THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS, UNRAVELING THE TAPESTRY OF THE HUMAN PSYCHE.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
- PLO 1: KNOWLEDGE BASE While recognizing the complexity of human behavior and brain processes and interacting with the material from biblical, Christian perspective, students will be able to identify and describe various psychological theories and how these theories have been and can be applied within various sociocultural contexts, subfields of psychology, and historical contexts.
- PLO 2: RESEARCH SKILLS Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretations, while evaluating and applying ethical research standards.
- PLO 3: CRITICAL THINKING Students will be able to decipher between evidence-based research versus anectodatal and or pseudoscientific material, while being able to evaluate the plausibility of multiple potential outcomes.
- PLO 4: COMMUNICATION Students will be able to produce written research , adhering to APA Style, and orally communicated research that demonstrates knowledge of primary versus secondary, peer reviewed versus non-reviewed, and empirical versus non-empirical sources.
- PLO 5: ETHIC OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Recognizing that all people are made in the image of God, students will engage in thoughtful civil discourse both in oral and written communication, recognizing and respecting differences, while identifying, exploring, and working on their own personal assumptions and generalizations related to diversity (e.g. gender, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, disabilities, mental health, etcetera).
- PLO 6: ETHIC OF SERVICE Reflecting SImpson University’s motto of Gateway to World Service, students will cultivate an ethic of service by serving one another inside and outside of the classroom, developing and awareness of to appropriately apply their psychological knowledge when considering underserved and international populations, and facilitating education appropriate interventions within the local community.
REQUIRED COURSES
- Abnormal Psychology
- Research Methods
- Experiencing Psyc & Social Work
- Lifespan Development
- Applied Psychology
- Multicultural Psychology
- Theories of Personality
- Senior Seminar
INTERNSHIP AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Behavior specialist
- Career counselor
- Case manager
- Child development specialist
- College resident director
- Correction officer
- Family preservation caseworker
- Psychiatric technician
- Rehabilitation specialist
- Advertising
- Business
- Communications
- Community Services
- Consulting
- Government
- Human Resources
- Labor Relations
- Law Enforcement
- Market Research
- Media
- Ministry
- Relief / Aid Work
- Teaching
PSYCHOLOGY MINOR
MINOR
- REQUIRED (6)
- Intro to Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- ELECTIVES (15)
- Take 15 credits from department PSYC; 12 must be upper division.