Psychology - B.A. Requirements

Psychology Program (B.A.)

Students in the Psychology Program must complete a total of 180 credit hours: a 69 quarter-hour liberal arts general education core, a 50 quarter-hour psychology core, a 30 quarter-hour specialization in either Developmental Psychology, Family and Community Psychology, or Social and Organizational Psychology, and 31 quarter hours of electives.

General Education Requirements 69 QH

The Psychology Department requires a minimum of 69 quarter hours or the equivalent in general education coursework for the completion of the B. A. degree. This will include demonstration of competency in all ten core areas below and include the specific courses or equivalents in the seven Fields of Knowledge Areas. The Psychology Program accepts as equivalent to general education coursework at NLU appropriate courses transferred from other accredited institutions, appropriate CLEP and DANTES examination credit, AP credit (with scores of 3, 4, or 5) and appropriate credit by proficiency. To determine which equivalent credits or exams are appropriate, contact your Psychology Department advisor or the Assessment Center.

Fields of Knowledge

1. Communications

LAE101	English Composition I	5
LAE102	English Composition II	5

2. Humanities

	Philosophy elective	5
	Humanities elective	5

3. Fine Arts

LAA110	Introduction to Art of Art elective	2
LAU110	Introduction to Music or Music elective	2

4. Quantitative Reasoning

LAM110	College Mathematics	5
LAM106	Basic Statistics OR
LAM216	Statistical Methods	5

5. Physical and Life Sciences

LAN110	General Biology	5
LAN150	Survey of Physical Science	5
	Science elective	5

6. Social Sciences

	Introductory Social Science course	5
LAS200	U. S. History and Culture, 1492-1828 OR
LAS201	U. S. History and Culture, 1828-1898 OR
LAS203	U. S. History and Culture, 1898 - present	5
LAS300	Contemporary World Cultures	5

7. Behavioral Science

LAP100

General Psychology

5

 

Integrated Competencies

The following skills, knowledge and abilities are integrated throughout the student's academic experience in the university. Students may demonstrate attainment of these competencies through successful completion of one course for each of the following competencies. Students should consult their psychology advisors for other ways to demonstrate attainment of the integrated competencies.

Information and Technology Literacy

LAP499	Psychology Seminar
INT310	Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
LAP402	Experimental Psychology
	Any psychology or social science course delivered on-line.

 

Analytical Skills

LAM106	Basic Statistics
LAM216	Statistical Methods
LAH120	Logic and Effective Thinking
LAP305	Memory and Cognition
LAP401	Psychology of Learning
LAP402	Experimental Psychology
LAP499	Psychology Seminar

 

Ethics, Values and Respect for Human Diversity

LAH305	Philosophy of Values and Ethics
LAP315	Life Span Development
LAP350	Culture and Self
LAP420	Social Psychology
LAS300	Contemporary World Cultures

 

Required Core Courses in Psychology 50 QH

LAP315	Life Span Development	5
LAP305	Memory and Cognition OR
LAP401	Psychology of Learning	5
LAP306	Theories of Personality	5
LAP307	Abnormal Psychology	5
INT310	Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences OR
LAP402	Experimental Psychology	5
LAP350	Culture and Self	5
LAP420	Social Psychology	5
LAP425	Mental Health	5
LAP450	Human Sexuality	5
LAP499	Psychology Seminar: Contemporary Issues in Psychology	5

One course in General Psychology or Introduction to Psychology should be included in General Education requirements. General Psychology is required as part of all three specializations in the Psychology Program.

Track I: Emphasis on Developmental Psychology

Required courses 30 QH

LAP201	Psychology of Early Childhood	5
LAP202	Psychology of Middle Childhood-Adolescence	5
LAP300	Adult Development and Learning Assessment	5
	Psychology electives under advisement*	15

 

Track II: Emphasis on Family and Community Psychology

Required courses 30 QH

LAP340	Effective Interpersonal Relationships	5
LAP342	Interpersonal Helping Skills	5
LAP352	Children and Families Under Stress	5
	Psychology electives under advisement*	15

 

Track III: Emphasis on Social and Organizational Psychology

Required courses 30 QH

LAP310	Introductions to Industrial/Organizational Psychology	5
LAP348	Cross-Cultural Communications	5
INT450	Dynamics of Group and Organizational Behavior	5
	Psychology electives under advisement*	15

*Students must consult with their advisors to select courses that match an identified area of specialization.

Liberal Arts Electives to complete a minimum of 180 quarter hours required for the B.A. degree. Additional psychology courses or courses from other appropriate disciplines may be taken as electives to satisfy this requirement. Students should have electives approved by their advisor.

English competency must be documented by passing the English Competency examination or by passing English Composition I (LAE101) and English Composition II (LAE102) at National-Louis University with a grade of "C" or better.