Psychology B.A.
- Apply principles of cognitive, behavioral, biological, socio-cultural, and spiritual perspectives on human nature to practical issues such as personal, social and/or organizational issues.
- Apply core principles of empirical research, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation, to critically evaluate scholarly research.
- Practice professional ethics (as defined by American Psychological Association), cultural competency, and citizenship with the focus on core principles of beneficence, responsibility, integrity, justice, and respect.
- Develop oral and written products that demonstrate information literacy skills in established scientific format (APA).
- Apply psychological knowledge, skills and values to various careers and/or postgraduate study.
- Integrate Christian worldview with knowledge of psychology.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 44 | |
| Psychology Major Requirements | 49 | |
| General Electives | 27 | |
| Total Units | 120 | |
Psychology Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Survey of the Field | ||
| PSYC-103C | Introduction to Psychology 2 | 3 |
| PSYC-221 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC-332 | Psychological Disorders | 3 |
| PSYC-345 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| or PSYC-462 | Counseling Theories | |
| Research Component | ||
| PSYC-220C | Researched Writing/Psyc Majors 2 | 3 |
| or ENGL-220C | Researched Writing | |
| PSYC-265C | Introduction to Behavioral Statistics 2 | 3 |
| or MATH-265C | Intro to Statistical Methods | |
| or MATH-270C | Health Professions Statistical Methods | |
| or SOC-265C | Introduction to Behavioral Statistics | |
| PSYC-381 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| Psychological Perspectives | ||
| Cognitive: | ||
| PSYC-449 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| Behavioral: 4 | ||
| PSYC-351 | Principles of Behavior | 3 |
| or PSYC-420 | Behavior Modification | |
| Biological: | ||
| PSYC-340 | Biological Psychology | 3 |
| Sociocultural: | ||
| PSYC-324 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| Spiritual: | ||
| PSYC-477C | Psychology and Christianity | 3 |
| Career and Grad Readiness | ||
| PSYC-384 | Next Steps: Career and Grad Readiness | 1 |
| Application (3 or more units) | ||
| Select three or more units from the following: | 3 | |
| Field Research Lab/Seminar | ||
| Field Practicum | ||
| Psychological Research I | ||
| Psychological Research II | ||
| Research in Neuroscience | ||
| Upper Division Electives | ||
| Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Forensic Psychology | ||
| Death, Grief, and Loss | ||
| Adolescent Psychology | ||
| Multi-Cultural Psychology 3 | ||
| Social & Psychological Aspects of Aging | ||
| Managing Crisis | ||
| Child Psychology | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Principles of Behavior | ||
| Survey of Human Services | ||
| Intro to Industrial/Organizational Psyc Organizational Psychology | ||
| Psychology of the Family | ||
| Mental Illness in Society | ||
| Addiction Studies | ||
| Group Dynamics | ||
| Sport Psychology | ||
| Psychology Teaching Internship | ||
| Field Practicum | ||
| Counseling Theories 3 | ||
| Counseling Methods 3 | ||
| Special Topic: | ||
| Psychological Research I | ||
| Psychological Research II | ||
| Introduction to Social Work | ||
| Total Units | 49 | |
- 1
Number of units required from the Core Curriculum not included in the major requirements below.
- 2
Course fulfills Core requirements
- 3
Students considering graduate work in counseling psychology or clinical psychology are strongly encouraged to take the indicated courses.
- 4
For the Behavioral component of Psychological Perspectives one class will meet the requirement and the second option may be used to fulfill the upper division elective.
Disclaimer: This sample Four Year Plan is provided as a guide for the recommended sequencing of courses. Vanguard University requires that students complete a minimum of 120 units of required course work as outlined on the Requirements tab in order to receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is the student's responsibility to confirm with the department the course rotation before enrolling in courses. If applicable, please note the footnotes at the bottom of the page for additional information related to courses listed in a particular year and term. Questions, contact the Department of Psychology.
Study Abroad Participation: Students interested in participating in the university's Study Abroad programs are encouraged to reach out to the Global Education and Outreach Office for more information and collaboration in their academic course planning. Students using Education and Training Benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs are encouraged to also reach out to the School Certifying Official for more information regarding how benefits can be applied.
| Year 1 Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC-103C | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| CORE-100C | Cornerstone | 1 |
| THEO-101C | Foundations of Christian Life | 3 |
| HSPS-PLCR | History/Political Sci Core Requirement | 3 |
| ENGL-120C | Persuasive Writing | 3 |
| KINE-148C | Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Lecture | 3 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 1 Term 2 | ||
| PSYC-221 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC-265C | Introduction to Behavioral Statistics | 3 |
| NT-101C | New Testament Survey | 3 |
| SOC-PLCR | Social Science Core Curriculum Reqm't | 3 |
| PSYC-220C | Researched Writing/Psyc Majors | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 Term 1 | ||
| PSYC-332 | Psychological Disorders | 3 |
| OT-201C | Old Testament Survey | 3 |
| HIST-PLHD | History Core Requirement | 3 |
| NSCI-PLCR | Science Lec/Lab Requirement | 4 |
| PSYC-PLHD | Upper Division Psychology Elective | 3 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 Term 2 | ||
| PSYC-345 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| PSYC-324 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| FINA-PLCR | Fine Arts Core Curriculum Requirement | 3 |
| PSYC-381 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| ELCT-PLHD3A | General Elective 3 Units | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 3 Term 1 | ||
| PSYC-340 | Biological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC-PLBEH | Behvior Mod Or Princ of Behav | 3 |
| ENGL-230C | Literature and the Human Experience | 3 |
| ELCT-PLHD3A | General Elective 3 Units | 3 |
| PSYC-PLHD | Upper Division Psychology Elective | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 3 Term 2 | ||
| COMM-201C | Speech Composition and Presentation | 3 |
| PSYC-449 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| THEO-300C | Developing a Christian World View | 3 |
| PSYC-384 | Next Steps: Career and Grad Readiness | 1 |
| ELCT-PLHD3A | General Elective 3 Units | 3 |
| PSYC-PLHD | Upper Division Psychology Elective | 3 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 4 Term 1 | ||
| PSYC-PLPRRE | Psyc Field Prac., Research, Neuro Rsch | 3-4 |
| ELCT-PLHD12 | Electives 12 Units | 12 |
| Units | 15-16 | |
| Year 4 Term 2 | ||
| PSYC-477C | Psychology and Christianity | 3 |
| CHIS-400C | Christian Heritage | 3 |
| ELCT-PLHD6 | Electives 6 Units | 6 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Total Units | 120-121 | |