Psychology
Program Overview
The Psychology Program offers a 35-credit undergraduate major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as an 19-credit minor. The Psychology Graduate Program offers a Master's in Counseling Psychology with three specialization options, and a Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology.
The mission of the Psychology Program is to facilitate students' understanding of the science of psychology, as well as the values, knowledge, and skills required to pursue empowerment of self and others in a social justice context.
Students will acquire a broad understanding of the discipline of psychology, from both the natural and human science points of view, as well as a global awareness of issues affecting psychological knowledge and practice in other countries. At the same time, they will develop an appreciation of principles of ethical decision making, the importance of resilience, self-efficacy and self-advocacy as cornerstones of self-respect and self-determination, and the fundamental duty of social justice in working with underserved groups.
The Programs will prepare students to implement a range of empowerment strategies in their personal and interpersonal lives and work productively in their chosen fields.
Outcomes
Student learning outcomes for the B.A. in Psychology Program* include:
- Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, research methodology, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
- Demonstrate research and writing abilities, including scientific reasoning, identification and comprehension of peer-reviewed journals and journal articles, through critical analysis of methodology and content through research paper and essay writing.
- Develop knowledge of the range of specialties and sub-disciplines in the field of psychology, and identify which one(s) students have potential interest in pursuing further beyond the BA degree.
- Successfully complete a career development plan that includes students' professional goals.
- Develop leadership skills through co- and extra-curricular activities in and outside the major.
- Students will consider, and demonstrate comprehension and knowledge of, the orientation/approach/school of psychology with which they most strongly identify and believe to be most useful in understanding human behavior, thought, and emotion, and most applicable to their developing career objectives and goals in psychology and for promoting psychological well-being.
Graduates
Students who complete the degree in psychology will have a broad range of skills applicable to many human services as well as business employment settings. The Program provides a rigorous education in fundamental content areas such as human development and personality theory, but also teaches students to think critically and communicate effectively. These are skills that are highly sought after by employers in corporations, hospitals, schools, counseling centers, and group homes. With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Saint Elizabeth University, students are eligible for entry-level positions in the mental health field and have been hired in community agencies, hospital programs, and ingroup homes.
Students who complete the Program are also well prepared to pursue Master's and Doctoral degrees. Many of our graduates have earned these advanced degrees from a variety of private and public graduate institutions.
Many psychology majors choose to double major and/or minor in related disciplines such as business, education, criminal justice, and business,. Students are encouraged to discuss these options with their advisor because completing a second major and/or minor along with the major in psychology broadens students' career choices. The Minor in Psychology is also a good option to combine with a major in another discipline such as education ,business, or sociology. The minor may also give students the option to apply to graduate programs in psychology.