The Psychology major concentrates on the behavior and mental processes of human beings as individuals, members of groups, and as part of the larger social culture. Psychology students investigate the intricacies of human development, consider the effects of mental illness on individuals, confront issues of competition, cooperation, and conformity within social settings, and explore mechanisms of influence in the media and their environments. The Psychology program places special emphasis on the psychology as a science whereby the understanding of human behavior is directed by empirical investigation, theory, and data.
The program is writing-intensive with an emphasis on critical thinking. Coursework in the major challenges students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world issues and experiences. Students receive a strong foundation in psychological theory and application that successfully prepares them to continue their education at the graduate school level and enables development of the skills necessary to design, implement, statistically analyze, and write research studies. At the same time, the program’s emphasis on critical thinking and social behavior is designed to complement any career path involving human interaction. A capstone Senior Thesis Project completes the curriculum, providing the student with the opportunity to synthesize and put into practice the knowledge and skills learned in the program.
The Department of Psychology offers students in other majors the opportunity to complete a minor in psychology. A minor helps focus the skills developed in another major by adding additional layers of analytical thinking, strategic problem solving, effective writing, and persuasive communication abilities. A communication minor is recommended for psychology majors, but students are encouraged to discuss other options with their advisor that may better meet their career goals.
Mission
Mission
The mission of the Woodbury University Psychology program is to develop critical thinkers who are introspective and proactive lifelong learners, and who are demonstrably learned in the field. The program values a practical perspective with which students are encouraged to apply their knowledge to novel situations and to the amelioration of social problems.
Students are well-prepared by the program to demonstrate these skills in a variety of arenas, such as graduate school or public service.
Additional Learning Opportunities
Woodbury’s Career Development Office offers a variety of programs, services, and resources to assist students in exploring careers and securing internships. The staff works with students one-on-one to develop successful internship search strategies and help students connect with employers through internship postings, résumé collections, on- and off-campus interview opportunities, alumni connections, and employer outreach in the United States.
It is the philosophy of the Psychology Department that students be exposed to both theoretical and professional aspects of the discipline. Students will become acquainted with current psychological theories and emerging trends and movements in the field.
Internship/Field Experience
All students at Woodbury University are required to complete an internship in an area closely related to their career or educational goals. For the Psychology major, the internship provides an opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in specific areas in which they may be planning careers or may intend to specialize during graduate school. This allows students a “try before you buy” opportunity to make sure that a particular area of psychology is a good fit. Prior to graduation, students must complete 120 hours of internship or field experience at a relevant and pre- approved venue.
Professional Research Conferences
Students are required to submit their Senior Thesis projects for presentation at a professional, peer- reviewed psychological conference.
Professional Affiliations
The Woodbury University Psychology program is a member chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology. Students meeting academic and service eligibility requirements are inducted annually into lifetime membership in Psi Chi.
Technology and Computer Requirements
Computer Literacy Requirements
The Psychology Department requires its graduates to be literate in the use of computers in a variety of capacities:
- Proficiency in email through regular communication with school administrators and course instructors.
- Proficiency in internet research through completion of all writing-intensive courses requiring research papers. These courses include especially PSYC 200, Introduction to Psychology; PSYC 330, Foundations in Research Methods; PSYC 402, Advanced Research Methods; and PSYC 410, Senior Thesis.
- Proficiency in word processing, as verified through research assignments and essays that are submitted as .doc or .pdf files (specific examples can be found in almost all 300-level Psychology courses).
- Proficiency in the use of statistical analysis software, specifically the SPSS data-processing program, through the completion of PSYC 221, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences; PSYC 331, Advanced Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences; PSYC 402, Advanced Research Methods; and PSYC 410, Senior Thesis.
- Proficiency in the use of PowerPoint and other presentation software through the completion of courses including, but not limited to, PSYC 402, Advanced Research Methods; and PSYC 410, Senior Thesis.
- Proficiency in searching databases for research articles and books, as verified through research assignments and essays that are submitted in almost all 300-level (and above) Psychology courses.
Student Computer Requirements
Students are responsible for maintaining University email and ISP accounts; student-owned computers used on campus should have network and/or Wi-Fi cards for access to the University’s Wi-Fi network. SPSS is available on all on-campus computers.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Content Knowledge
- Demonstrate strong content knowledge across the breadth of the psychology discipline.
- Develop the ability to design, conduct, and evaluate scientific research.
Critical Thinking
- Exhibit sound critical-thinking skills, including the systematic weighing of evidence and analysis of arguments.
Collaboration and Application
- Apply the knowledge of psychology creatively to real-world problems.
- Develop the ability to design, conduct, and evaluate scientific research.
Communication
- Display practiced, discipline-specific writing skills.
- Demonstrate computer application skills in acquiring, organizing, analyzing, and presenting data and information.
Assessment Process
Placement Exam Requirements
Psychology students who have not received transfer credit for a 200-level math course are encouraged to take the Math Placement Exam, but it is not required. See the Academic Proficiencies and Placement Section of the Academic Journey chapter of this catalog for more information.
Formative Assessment Experiences
The Psychology program runs on a five-year cycle of assessment and review. The purpose of this is to maintain the highest academic standard and ensure that the program continues to meet the needs of the students it serves. Assessment of program learning outcomes is an ongoing part of that process. Assessment of student success in meeting these criteria occurs throughout the curriculum, but most particularly in the major’s capstone courses. The majority of upper-division Psychology courses include written projects that ask students to demonstrate their ability to apply and critically think about what they have learned. In addition, students engage in both individual and group research projects.
Marker Courses
There are two marker courses in the major designed to measure student progress in acquiring knowledge and abilities related to the field. These courses are rigorous and writing intensive, requiring students to produce an extensive written project. In the Psychology major, the marker courses are PSYC 300, Social Psychology, and PSYC 402, Advanced Research Methods.
Summative Assessment Experiences
The capstone course of the major is the Senior Thesis (PSYC 410), for which students complete an extensive research project, applying what they have learned in psychology to a real-world problem or question of their choosing. Seniors present their completed projects in a public forum to be evaluated by members of the Woodbury community as well as professionals in the field. Students must also apply to present their final projects at a national or regional research conference.
Program Specific Academic Standards
A minimum grade of “C” is required for PSYC 200, Introduction to Psychology; PSYC 300, Social Psychology; PSYC 221, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences; PSYC 330, Foundations in Research Methods; PSYC 402, Advanced Research Methods; and PSYC 410, Senior Thesis. A Psychology major receiving a grade below the standard must successfully repeat that course prior to enrollment in succeeding courses.
The University reserves the right to retain student work for archival, exhibition, and promotional purposes, including print and web formats.
Curriculum Summary
Program Major Curriculum
| Unit Type (UT) |
Number of Units (U) |
| Major (MA) |
59 |
| General Education (GE) |
40 |
| Unrestricted Electives (UE) |
18 |
| Internship (IN) |
3 |
| Minimum Total Units Required |
120 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
First Year
Fall Semester
| WRIT 113 | First-Year Academic Writing | 3 |
| MDST 120 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| PSYC 102 | Foundations in Critical Thinking | 1 |
| PSYC 103 | Careers and Pathways in Psychology | 1 |
| PSYC 104 | History of Psychological Science | 1 |
| MDST 2__ | Communication Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| PSYC 200 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PHIL 210 | Ethical Systems | 3 |
| LSCI 105 | Information Theory and Practice | 1 |
| INDS ___ | Interdisciplinary Core Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | General Education Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Type:
PSYC 200: MA.
PHIL 210, LSCI 105, INDS (Interdisciplinary Core Elective), and General Education Elective: GE.
Unrestricted Elective: UE.
Second Year
Fall Semester
| PSYC 210 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| ENVT 220 | Environmental Studies | 3 |
| WRIT 313 | Advanced Academic Writing | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Social Science Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| PSYC 305 | Personality | 3 |
| PSYC 300 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Natural Science with Lab Elective | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | Upper Division General Ed. Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
PSYC 305 and PSYC 300: MA.
Natural Science with Lab Elective and Upper Division General Ed. Elective: GE.
Unrestricted Elective: UE.
Third Year
Fall Semester
| PSYC 3__ | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| PSYC 3__ | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| PSYC 3__ | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| MDST 2__ | Communication Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
PSYC (Upper Division Major Elective) and MDST (Communication Elective): MA.
Unrestricted Elective: UE.
Spring Semester
| PSYC 309 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 330 | Foundations in Research Methods 1 | 3 |
| PSYC 221 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| PSYC 3__ | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
PSYC 309, PSYC 330, and PSYC (Upper Division Major Elective): MA.
PSYC 221 and Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective: GE.
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| PSYC 331 | Advanced Statistics Behavioral Sciences | 4 |
| PSYC 402 | Advanced Research Methods | 4 |
| PSYC 3__ | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Type:
PSYC 331, PSYC 402, and PSYC (Upper Division Major Elective): MA.
Unrestricted Elective: UE.
Spring Semester
| PSYC 490_ | Internship | 3 |
| PSYC 410 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| PSYC 3__ | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| PSYC 3__ | Upper Division Major Elective | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | Upper Division General Ed. Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
PSYC 490 (Internship): IN.
PSYC 410 and PSYC (Upper Division Major Elective): MA.
Upper Division General Ed. Elective: GE.
Minor Curriculum
Students completing a minor in psychology must complete 15 units from the courses listed below.
PSYC 200: This course is required.
PSYC 300, PSYC 305, PSYC 306, PSYC 309, PSYC 311, PSYC 313, PSYC 314, PSYC 316, PSYC 317, PSYC 318, PSYC 319, PSYC 320, PSYC 321, PSYC 322, PSYC 323, PSYC 324, PSYC 325, and PSYC (Topics in Psychology): Students must take four of these courses.
Optional Psychology Concentrations
Students can choose to declare a concentration in the following areas: Clinical or Media. Listed below are the course requirements for each. Once fulfilled, the concentration designation will be listed on the student’s official transcript. Each senior thesis is required to reflect the student’s declared concentration.
Clinical Concentration*
Choose four of the following:
Media Concentration*
*Course substitutions are possible upon approval of the chair.