Mission

The Psychology program shares the University's commitment to develop ethical leaders for a culturally diverse world, and contributes to the liberal education of students. Through a comprehensive education in the science of psychology, the Psychology Department seeks to educate the whole person, pursue academic excellence, advance scholarship, promote service and justice, and encourage life-long learning.

Description

The Psychology Department provides a high quality curriculum emphasizing excellence in teaching and learning. Students majoring in psychology examine in depth many aspects of human and animal behavior, along with the biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of behavior. Students are provided the opportunity to apply these perspectives to a variety of individual, family, and community contexts. As students progress through the curriculum, they have opportunities to assist faculty with research, and engage in their own research with faculty supervision. The program prepares students for graduate study in psychology and related fields, or careers in other professions.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1. Theory and Methodology in Psychology
Students should:

• Understand the role of psychology as a discipline that uses an empirical approach to knowledge; and
• Use, respect, and value skeptical inquiry, critical thinking, and the scientific approach to understanding behavior.

Knowledge areas students will study/learn:

• Basic research methods and ethics
• History and systems and philosophy of science
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Scientific and critical thinking
• Scientific writing and communication

Goal 2. Mastery of Content (Discipline Specific Knowledge)
Students should be familiar with:

• Core theoretical approaches and research findings that reflect a biopsychosocial understanding of behavior ; and
• More in-depth theoretical approaches and research findings within at least one subject area in psychology.

Core knowledge areas students will study/learn:

• Biological foundations of behavior
• Psychological foundations of behavior
• Social and cultural foundation of behavior
• Biopsychosocial development across the lifespan

Goal 3. Application of Knowledge and Scientific Method
Students should demonstrate the application of psychological theory, methodology, and findings to:

• An understanding of the whole person, as an individual and as a member of a large community, society, and culture; and
• The promotion of social justice in these contexts.