Psychology

Program

To earn a B.A. in Psychology, you must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including:

• General Education courses
• Psychology core courses (30-31 credits)
• Psychology electives (5-6 credits)
• Optional focus area courses (9-18 credits)

For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.

Courses

Psychology Core:

• Choice of courses (pick one):
  • PS111 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  • PS113 Foundations of Psychology (3)
• PS214 Intermediate Issues in Psychology (3)
• Choice of courses (pick one):
  • PS221 Child & Adolescent Development (3)
  • PS224 Adult Development (3)
  • PS227 Lifespan Development (3)
• Choice of courses (pick one):
  • PS223 Psychopathology (3)
  • PS245 Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3)
• PS232 Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
• Choice of courses (pick one):
  • PS332 Psychology of Learning (3)
  • PS360 Cognitive Psychology (3)
• PS334 Social Psychology (3)
• PS341 Biological Psychology (3)
• PS430 Research Methods & Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
• Choice of courses (pick one):
  • PS431 Experimental Psychology (4)
  • PS450 Internship in Psychology (3)
  • PS455 Senior Seminar (3)
  • PS456 Internship in Psychology: Addictions Treatment (3)
• Electives (5-6 if focus area is not chosen)

Mental Health & Human Services Focus Area:

• PS235 Dynamics of the Group I (3)
• PS270 Theories of Personality (3)
• PS331 Basic Counseling (3)
• PS425 Clinical Methods (3)

Note: Students selecting this area are strongly encouraged to take PS433 and PS450. Students who intend to enter doctoral programs in psychology are strongly encouraged to take PS440 or PS460/461.

Human Development Focus Area:

• PS221 Child & Adolescent Development (3)
• PS225 Educational Psychology (3)
• PS270 Theories of Personality (3)
• PS433 Behavior Modification (3)

Note: Students selecting this area are strongly encouraged to take PS245. Students who intend to enter doctoral programs in psychology are strongly encouraged to take PS440 or PS460/461.

Business & Industry Focus Area:

• PS315 Introduction to Career Psychology (3)
• PS330 Industrial Organizational Psychology (3)
• BU213 Management Theory & Organizational Behavior (3)
• BU411 Human Resource Management (3)

Note: Students selecting this area are strongly encouraged to take PS450. Students who intend to enter doctoral programs in psychology are strongly encouraged to take PS440 or PS460/461.

Applied Behavior Analysis Focus Area:

• PS221 Child & Adolescent Development (3)
• PS332 Psychology of Learning (3)
• PS333 Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (3)

Addictions Counseling Focus Area:

• PS270 Theories of Personality (3)
• PS281 Introduction to Addictions & Recovery (3)
• PS282 Foundations of Addictions Treatment (3)
• PS331 Basic Counseling (3)
• PS380 Professional Issues of Addiction Counseling (3)
• PS456 Internship in Psychology: Addictions Treatment (3)

Note: Meets eligibility to apply for the Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) license once supervised experience requirements of the Division of Consumer Affairs of New Jersey are met. Students who plan on entering doctoral programs are strongly encouraged to take PS440 or PS460/461.

For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.

Teaching Credentials

• Early Childhood Education (P–3) with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement
• Elementary Education (K–6) with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement
• Teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL) with Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement

For required professional courses in education, please refer to the School of Education.

Gain a deeper understanding of human behavior and develop skills in counseling, intervention, and critical thinking with a minor in psychology from GCU.

Program

To earn a minor in psychology, you must successfully complete 18 credits in psychology courses including:

• Choice of courses (pick one):
  • PS111 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  • PS113 Foundations of Psychology (3)
• PS214 Intermediate Issues in Psychology (3)

Note: At least 9 credits must be completed at GCU, and at least 6 credits must be earned in courses at the 300 or 400 level.

For more information on program requirements, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.