Your Psychology Faculty
Programs
Webpage: Psychology Catalog
Mission Statement
The vision of the Department of Psychology is summed up in one word: “Relevance.” The Department of Psychology, housed in a University serving one of the world’s most diverse urban regions, is committed to excellence in teaching, research and service to the community. Our mission is to provide students with a strong academic background in psychology, as well as to help them develop professional competence.We encourage students to develop critical-thinking skills, creative abilities, interpersonal skills, ethical values and integrity in an inclusive community in which teaching and mentoring of students is valued. Our courses encourage scholarship, intellectual inquiry, professional achievement and service to the community. Students acquire many skills through field work and service learning as well as involvement in research projects guided by our faculty. We encourage students to gain knowledge and comprehension of the theories, concepts and empirical approaches used in psychology and their application to the human condition. Our Program offers a broad spectrum of theoretical approaches, including biological, developmental, behavioral, individual and social systems, as well as learning and cognitive processes. As part of their academic training, students gain knowledge and understanding of research methodology and the statistical analysis of empirical data. Through the Department’s commitment to applied social science research, students obtain the critical core skills necessary to meet the needs of the region, as well as to be competitive in the multicultural marketplace as either members of the workforce or as graduate students.
The Major
The course of study and the requirements for the B.A. Degree in Psychology provide an opportunity for students who (a) desire to extend their education in the liberal arts with an emphasis in psychology, (b) wish to prepare themselves for graduate work in psychology, or (c) plan to enter one of several professional or occupational fields for which a substantial background in psychology is essential.
Minors Associated with Psychology
- Minor in Psychology. Students whose major is in another area may complete a Minor in Psychology, selecting course work that complements their major field. Consult a psychology undergraduate advisor for details.
- Interdisciplinary Minor in Human Sexuality. Students wishing to develop an undergraduate specialization in this area may complete a part of their course work in Psychology. Consult the Human Sexuality section of the Catalog for details.
- Interdisciplinary Minor in Gerontology. Students interested in the processes of aging or careers in gerontology should consider this minor. Consult the Gerontology section of the Catalog for details.
Careers
Most careers in psychology require graduate study at the Master’s or Doctoral level. However, there are increasing opportunities in business, education and health care for Bachelor’s-level psychologists. Appropriate Master’s Degree Programs can lead to a wide range of careers, including school psychology, behavior analysis, business applications (human factors psychology and industrial-organizational psychology), clinical psychology (if one receives appropriate education and obtains a license), and a variety of other careers found in school settings (counseling, testing, research and administration), as well as community mental health clinics, prevention and/or high risk programs for health/lifestyle issues, programs using applied behavior analysis, rehabilitation centers and other health facilities. Psychologists also are employed by nearly all levels of governmental agencies, such as the Department of Education, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as state, county and local mental health services. Psychologists who receive their Doctorate may become professors, researchers, consultants, public policy analysts and licensed clinical psychologists.