Department of Psychology
Mission: The Department of Psychology seeks to enhance students’ understanding of human nature proceeding from a Christian understanding of humans created in the image of God. The psychology major explores multiple perspectives of human nature, including cognitive, behavioral, biological, social-cultural, and spiritual. All students learn the skills necessary to conduct research and to evaluate carefully others’ research, with the goal of increasing students’ understanding of human nature. Students interested in counseling are introduced to basic theories and methods relevant to providing counseling services. The psychology major prepares students either to secure employment immediately following graduation or to continue on to pursue advanced study in psychology or counseling at the graduate level.
Both a major and a minor in Psychology are offered through the Professional Studies Psychology Department. Courses are offered both on-ground and online.
Undergraduate students at Trinity Bible College (TBC) may complete a Dual Degree program, earning both a BA in Biblical Studies from TBC and a BA in Psychology from Vanguard University. Vanguard University is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission of the United States of America. Trinity Bible College is accredited by the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).
Program Learning Outcomes
- 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.
This course focuses on the process of writing in APA style. Students will be taught how to read and comprehend research in psychology and to write research papers from a place of understanding the context, process, and audience for research writing. This course also serves as an introduction to the major, informing students of scholastic expectations and of opportunities within their undergraduate experience. Additionally, students will be guided in thinking about and moving toward future educational and career pursuits. Must be passed with a "C" (not "C-") or better to fulfill the GE English Composition requirement. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
An exploration of human development through the biological behavioral, cognitive, sociocultural, and spiritual perspectives in a lifespan approach (from conception through death). This course is recommended early in the major and is a prerequisite for other psychology courses. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYD-366 OR PSYC-103/103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
A course in basic statistical concepts and methods of collecting, summarizing, presenting, and interpreting data in the behavioral sciences: including descriptive statistics (use of graphs and charts), normal distribution curve, measures of central tendency, deviation and dispersion, hypothesis testing, statistical fallacies, correlation and topics in probability. Students are advised to take Math 105 and Math 109 in preparation for this course. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
A study of the period of life from puberty to the emergence from the teens, emphasizing the physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and personality development of the individual. Diversity issues are considered. (School for Professional Studies Course).
A study of human behavior in terms of the nervous system and its control of the activity of the muscles, glands, and the biochemistry of the body, with special emphasis on perception, sensory and motor functions, motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. Neurological impairment and disorders are examined.
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYD-366 OR PSYC-103/103C
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Investigate how general psychological knowledge from the areas of personality, assessment, cognitive, and social psychology can be applied and further developed in organizational contexts. Issues such as matching jobs and individuals, training, performance evaluation, stress, leadership, and development are discussed in the context of multilevel cultural influences, from organizational cultures to global business demands. (meets Social Science requirement). (School for Professional Studies Course).
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Designed to introduce students to the advanced skills needed for academic writing in the social sciences. Students will also be introduced to advanced academic research techniques. *This course must be passed with a "C" or better to fulfill requirements for graduation. A student receiving a "C-" or lower must retake the course to earn the required grade for graduation.
Explores the ways in which care is provided for the whole individual, surveying community resources and developing an understanding of the ways in which human services are carried out in various settings. Ethical issues in human services practice are also examined. Each student will identify an appropriate human service agency for a field practicum placement and will develop a plan to meet the requirements for Field Practicum.
Examines the physical, cognitive, social and emotional adjustments of adult life from adulthood through death. Focuses on the process of development rising from physical aging, continuing socialization and environmental changes involved in these life phases. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYD-366 or PSYC-103C/103
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Explores the institution of the family from a multigenerational developmental perspective. Psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual perspectives are also explored. Students will be introduced to family systems theory as a method of understanding family dynamics and to theoretical orientations of family therapy. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYD-366 or PSYC-103/103C
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Provides an introduction to research design, including purposes and procedures of descriptive, quasi-experimental, and experimental research. Literature review strategies and writing of APA-style research papers will be covered. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Examines the applications of cognitive and learning theories to a broad range of problems and settings, including child rearing, education, psychotherapy, and industrial settings. Integration of theological aspects of therapy is also addressed. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYD-366 or PSYC-103/103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Examines interpersonal behavior as it is influenced by social processes, culture, face-to-face interactions, and personality characteristics. Among the topics covered are interpersonal and group behavior in relationship to social values, diversity issues, norms, attitudes, roles, and social needs. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYD-366 AND PSYD-367
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Introduces students to various types of groups used in clinical settings and to the theoretical orientations commonly utilized in group practice. The stages of group work, leadership skills, and work with special populations are explored. Students are introduced to ethical issues, and multicultural issues that apply to group work.
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYD-366 or PSYC-103C/103
Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.
A study of psychological disorders using a biopsychosocial perspective. Course includes description, patterns of development, assessment, and treatment methods
Addresses the study of human cognitive processes including perception, memory, problem solving, thinking, and hemispheric specialization. Cognitive aspects of psychological and learning disorders are also addressed. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYD-366 or PSYC-103/103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Students apply concepts learned in the major as a student intern/volunteer at a human services agency or research facility. All practicum sites must be approved by the Field Practicum Coordinator for the PS Psychology major prior to beginning the practicum. Students accrue hours over the course of the program; hours must be completed by the start date of the course. Students will accrue a minimum of 90 hours for 3 units of course credit. Coursework includes a written and oral presentation. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYD-366 or PSYC-103/103C
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Studies the various theoretical approaches to counseling, the personhood of the counselor, and ethical issues in clinical practice. Major counseling theories are introduced by covering key concepts, the nature of the therapeutic relationship, and techniques associated with each theory. The worldview underlying each theory is examined as it relates to a Christian worldview, and the integration of biblical principles in counseling theories is introduced. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE: PSYD-366 or PSYC-103/103C
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Students apply concepts learned in the major as a student intern/volunteer at a human services agency or research facility. This course allows students to earn credit for additional field experience beyond PSYD 460; 30 hours of field experience will be required for each credit hour. Students may register for from 1-5 units of credit. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Pre- or Co-Requisite: PSYD-460
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Study of a special topic in psychology. May be repeated for credit. (School for Professional Studies Course).
Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.
Examines human nature from the perspective of psychology and Christian belief. The major approaches to the integration of psychology and Christianity will be examined, utilizing a range of issues such as the relationship between mind, body, and soul; the nature of human freedom; Christian prayer; conversion; the relationships between people's attitudes and their behavior; and contemporary Christian counseling and pastoral care. (School for Professional Studies Course).