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.
Data Analytics: Through coursework in statistics, research methods, data management, data visualization, and basic programming, students gain an understanding not only of how to manage and analyze data but also how to use data to inform practice (e.g., consumer trends, mental health outcomes and planning). This track helps prepare students for positions such as analytics consultant, data analyst, statistician, and project manager or other business management positions.
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 child life 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 36 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.
ENTERING AND COMPLETING THE MAJOR or minor
In order to earn a degree, you must complete an academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, and students are not required to enter a major immediately upon admission to the University; however, you will be expected to enter a major by the end of your sophomore year to help ensure your timely completion of a degree. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should identify and enter their major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you wish to enter a major or minor in this department, you may select a program by using the online Major or Minor Application form. You will receive an email notification of acceptance.
- If you are a continuing SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, use the online Major or Minor Application form to select your major or minor before the end of the second week of classes in the Autumn, Winter, or Spring quarters. You will receive an email notification of acceptance. Students on academic probation (with an SPU cumulative GPA below 2.0) will not be permitted to enter a new major or minor until they regain good academic standing.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major or minor.
- 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.