The mission of the psychology program is to provide a foundation as students develop their capacities for work in the helping professions in both secular and sacred settings.
The psychology degree prepares students for the soul care dimensions of work with individuals and families. The foundational assumption of the program is that human beings are designed to live in committed relationships from cradle to grave. Thus, healthy attachment is foundational to restoring individuals to wholeness.
The program equips individuals with critical thinking skills that are scriptually based and methods that are culturally relevant and clinically sound. For some, the major will provide foundational studies in preparation for graduate school in the helping professions. Graduates who seek advanced education, typically choose advanced studies in psychology, counseling, or social work. Others will apply this degree to work within mental health settings immediately after graduation and/or utilize the relational skills gained in this program in a wide range of careers, including business, human services, and ministry.
Leaders in the psychology department value the development of a Christian world view in all graduates, academic excellence in teaching and learning, and continuous transformation toward wholeness in both the professors and the students.
In order to accomplish the program mission, the faculty is committed to:
| 1. | Offering a curriculum that reflects the importance of responsible integration considering the wisdom available in both special and general revelation. |
| 2. | Exposing students to relevant theoretical frameworks that provide clarity and guidance for understanding the human condition. |
| 3. | Mentoring students in the development of skills that are considered state of the art in the application of both a psychological and theological knowledge base. |
| 4. | Challenging students toward personal wholeness, relationally, psychologically, and spiritually. |
| 5. | Assisting students as they find direction for their personal and professional lives. |
| 6. | Motivating students toward a life of service. |
A graduate should demonstrate:
| 1. | Integration of their faith and knowledge of scripture with the study of human needs. |
| 2. | Understanding of the process of human growth and development in the context of family, community, culture, and ethnicity. |
| 3. | Knowledge of basic theoretical frameworks, empirical findings, and historical trends in the study of human personality and problems. |
| 4. | Understanding and application of basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation, demonstrating information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes. |
| 5. | Utilization of critical thinking skills, unbiased inquiry, and a creative approach to problem solving related to understanding behavior and mental processes. |
| 6. | A responsible approach to the application of psychology within a Christian worldview. This will include the abilities to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, and act ethically. |
| 7. | Skillful communication with both individuals and groups. |
| 8. | An ability to interview, assess, develop treatment plans, carry out interventions, and evaluate progress in helping relationships, utilizing community resources appropriately and effectively as part of the helping process. |
| 9. | Recognition of the limitations of their training and the ability to refer to specialized helping professionals when appropriate. |
| 10. | Increased self-awareness, self-understanding, and growth in personal wholeness, emerging from the major with ideas about how to pursue their calling in academia and/or occupational settings. |
Foundational Studies
| General Education | 48 units |
| Bible and Theology | 20 units (9 units for transfer students) |
| Free Electives | 10 units (21 units for transfer students) |
The following courses are part of the requirements for this major and it is recommended that students take these to fulfill General Education requirements or as part of their elective choices. If students aren’t able to take these to fulfill General Education requirements, they must be chosen as psychology electives.
| Interpersonal Processes (PSYC 222)(Communication) | 3 |
| Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 100) (Behavioral Science) | 3 |
The following are courses that may be taken as a part of the general education program to enhance learning within the major.
| Advanced Academic Writing (Humanities) | 3 |
| Human Biology, Physiology, or Anatomy (Physical & Biological Sci) | 7 |
Cultural Geography is recommended for the International Psychology concentration
Wisdom Literature, Psalms, or Jeremiah (elective)
Sociology, World Religions, and Perspectives on the World Christian Movement are recommended electives for the International Psychology concentration.
Psychology Major
All students in this department will earn a BA in Psychology. Students may earn either a general psychology degree or choose a concentration.
Required Core Courses
| Developmental Psychology (PSYC141) | 3 |
| Psychology and Christian Thought (PSYC102) | 3 |
| Psychology of Relationships (PSYC230) | 3 |
| Personality Theory and Therapy (PSYC300) | 3 |
| Counseling Skills (PSYC331) | 3 |
| Human Sexuality (PSYC333) | 3 |
| Abnormal Psychology (PSYC351) | 3 |
| Field Work in Psychology I & II (PSYC475) | 4 |
| Research Methods and Statistics (PSYC490) | 3 |
| Applied Integration (PSYC498) | 3 |
| Electives (Choose 9 units) | 9 |
Electives can be chosen from any of the concentrations and/or the following courses:
| Advanced Statistics for the Social Sciences (PSYC 491) | 3 |
| History and Systems of Psychology (PSYC 310) | 3 |
| Psychology of Learning (PSYC 400) | 3 |
| Grief and Loss (PSYC 432) | 2 |
| Career Development (PSYC 442) | 3 |
| Anger Management (PSYC 231) | ½ |
| Dealing with Difficult People (PSYC 232) | ½ |
| Conflict Resolution (PSYC 233) | ½ |
| Premarital Counseling (PSYC 234) | ½ |
| Marriage Counseling (PSYC 235) | ½ |
| Additional occasional short courses | units to be determined |
| Special Studies in Psychology (PSYC 299) | units to be determined |
Psychology Concentrations
Students choose one of the following concentrations:
General Psychology
| Choose any | 12 |
The general psychology concentration is directed toward students who desire training in the field of psychology, but because of their unique career interests, goals, or life needs, are best served by selecting courses throughout the concentrations.
Clinical Psychology
| Biopsychology (PSYC450) | 3 |
| Psychological Testing & Assessment (PSYC492) | 3 |
| Small Group Dynamics (PSYC322) | 3 |
| Marriage and Family (PSYC200) | 3 |
Developmental Psychology
| Marriage and Family (PSYC200) | 3 |
| Child and Adolescent Psychology (PSYC342) | 3 |
| Adult Development and Aging (PSYC346) | 3 |
| Gender Studies (PSYC345) | 3 |
Community Mental Health
| Social Psychology (PSYC 203) | 3 |
| Community Psychology (PSYC 430) | 3 |
| Psychology of Addiction (PSYC 451) | 3 |
| Cross Cultural Issues in Psychology (PSYC 431) | 3 |
International Psychology
| Cultural Anthropology (ICS 202) | 3 |
| Social Psychology (PSYC 203) | 3 |
| Psychology of Religious Experience (PSYC308) | 3 |
| Cross Cultural Issues in Psychology (PSYC 431) | 3 |
| Total units for the Program | 130 |
