School of Humanities & Behavioral Science

How can I get involved in the psychology program?

Major

• Psychology (liberal arts emphasis): This major is for students not planning to attend graduate school in psychology. Classes vary according to the individual but typically include classes such as General Psychology, General Psychology Laboratory, Psychology Propaedeutics, Interpersonal Relationships, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Counseling and Psychotherapy, Personality Theory, Philosophical Issues for the Psychologist, and an independent study course or research project.
• Psychology (pre-professional emphasis) (37 hours): The pre-professional psychology major is a recommended sequence geared toward the student who is majoring in psychology and plans to attend graduate school in psychology. The recommended program consists of psychology courses such as General Psychology, General Psychology Laboratory, Applied Statistics and Introduction to Research, Critical Issues and Theory in Psychology, and at least 26 hours from upper-division psychology courses.

Complementary Major

The 26-hour complementary major in psychology combines courses in psychology and varying hours from a primary field. The program includes General Psychology, General Psychology Laboratory, and at least 12 hours from upper-division psychology courses.

Minor

The psychology minor (16 hours) requires General Psychology and at least six hours from upper-division psychology courses. Students have the opportunity to be a part of Psi Chi, National Honor Society for Psychology.

What courses will I take?

• Professional Issues for the Psychologist
• Social Psychology
• Personality Theory
• Abnormal Psychology

View the courses required for the Psychology Major.

View the courses required for the Psychology Complementary major.

To gain valuable experience, students have an opportunity to work in the psychology department and the local mental health facilities, and to pursue relevant summer employment or internships.

Independent-study opportunities are available, including the chance to do original research and/or be involved in leading or facilitating assertiveness skills training programs for a variety of personnel, including Girl Scouts, individuals in an abuse shelter, or college leaders.

What kind of jobs can I anticipate after graduation?

• Caseworker
• Child Development Specialist
• Teacher or Professor
• Criminal Investigator

After taking Interpersonal Relationships Class her sophomore year, Denisse knew the class had an impact on her life and her relationships so much that she wanted to take the material back to Mexico City and let it impact other people’s lives as well. She worked alongside Dr. Wayne Priest, professor of psychology, in bringing her idea to fruition by spending a semester translating the material of the Interpersonal Relationships Class from English to Spanish. Dr. Priest recommended Denisse pairing with Dr. Tim Fox, professor of Spanish, in the translation of all the practical materials including flowcharts of the skills, PowerPoint presentations, and the observations and feedback sheets.

Throughout the process, Denisse kept in touch with her pastor at Fuente de vida Toluca in Toluca, Mexico State, as he was interested in the project and helped her figure out the logistics of the event.  Denisse spent the summer in Mexico and taught the skills to approximately 72 people which consisted of 9 groups of 8 people each.

Along the way there were complications and challenges but I know that the preparation I have received from the department of psychology at Anderson University gave me the necessary skills to overcome all of those. I feel so privileged that the professors trusted and encouraged me throughout the process. I am also very honored to have witnessed the material of the class impacting people across the border and being a small part of that impact.

Denisse Bastida Ramirez BA ’18

• Christian Ministries
• Criminal Justice
• Family Science
• History
• Information Security
• National Security Studies
• Pre-Law
• Political Science
• Social Work
• Spanish
• Youth Ministries
• Youth Leadership Development