Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B.A.) provides a core curriculum that emphasizes psychological theory, critical thinking, research methodology, psychology processes, and the application of psychological principles to diverse areas of human behavior. Students take required core courses that provide the student with the essentials of psychological science and thought. The program has a senior capstone, where students apply psychological research and theories to real world applications of global issues that influence psychological challenges and inequitable systems.
In addition to the core courses, students have choices of concentration areas, which offer a variety of options to meet students’ interests and educational and career goals, while providing content from biological, evolutionary, behavioral, psychoanalytic, cognitive, sociocultural, and humanistic perspectives.
All courses taken in the major program must be passed with a letter grade of “C” or higher. Courses may be used to fulfill both major and general education requirements. In addition to PSYU 101, students can receive credit for passing scores on CLEP and DANTES for up to 6 lower-division credits in the psychology elective area.
Overall, the psychology undergraduate curriculum is designed for students who want to prepare for graduate study in psychology or related disciplines, graduate study in fields where knowledge of human behavior would be beneficial, professional careers in psychology, or baccalaureate-level careers in human services or in psychological support settings.
Program Mission Statement
The mission of the undergraduate psychology program at University of Massachusetts Global is to foster student success and academic excellence with the goal of facilitating personal and professional growth by providing relevant knowledge about major psychological concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical and contemporary trends in psychology. The rigorous and supportive atmosphere enables students to initiate and manage their own learning, build critical and creative thinking skills, improve communication skills, instill personal and professional ethics, develop community and people centered values, understand individual differences, and build awareness of cultural diversity in order to develop cross cultural competence and acceptance.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Application of Theory: Connect psychological theory to real life applications.
- Human Behavior: Examine psychological principles of human behavior from a historical and contextual perspective.
- Research Methods and Statistics: Demonstrate methodology and statistical techniques related to behavioral science research.
- Scientific Writing: Apply appropriate methods of scientific writing in APA format.
- Life Span Development: Apply the major theories related to the entire lifespan from prenatal development through childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle-age, and late adulthood.
- Cultural Understanding: Describe how diversity, inclusivity, and equity shape values and ethics across cultures.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Foundation in Psychological Science (Required) | ||
| PSYU 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| MATU 203 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| PSYU 301 | Scientific Writing in Behavioral Social Sciences | 3 |
| PSYU 304 | Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| PSYU 306 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| PSYU 320 | Human Development across the Lifespan | 3 |
| PSYU 328 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 333 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 336 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 351 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 421 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 480 | Psychology Capstone | 3 |
| Core Foundation in Psychological Science Subtotal | 36 | |
| Concentration | 12 | |
| Students will select a concentration from the options below. * | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | |
Concentrations
Each concentration allows for students to delve deeper into a specific subject matter. Before determining which concentration track to complete, students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor or faculty mentor.
Preparation for Advanced Study in Counseling Concentration
The preparation for advanced study in counseling concentration is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in counseling, which requires a higher level of education specific to this field. The students who choose this concentration will be provided with a variety of courses that address the study of counseling. In addition, clinical issues specific to mental health will be explored. This concentration provides students with a strong background to proceed to a graduate degree in counseling, including University of Massachusetts Global's Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Master of Arts in Professional Clinical Counseling.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYU 450 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| PSYU 455 | Family Systems and Dynamics | 3 |
| PSYU 418 | Community Mental Health | 3 |
| PSYU 471 | Issues in Aging | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Preparation for Advanced Study in Psychology Concentration
The preparation for advanced study in psychology concentration is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a higher level of education in various fields of psychology. The students who choose this concentration will be provided with a variety of courses that address the study of human behavior from biological, evolutionary, psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, sociocultural, and humanistic perspectives, giving them a strong background to proceed to a graduate degree in different psychological domains.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYU 310 | Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| PSYU 317 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 322 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| PSYU 432 | Introduction to Psychological Measurement | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Industrial/Organizational Concentration
Students who are interested in applying their psychology degree in a business setting will thrive in the Industrial/Organizational Concentration. This concentration gives students the ability to take theoretical perspectives and use them in a practical and applied manner in a variety of workplace settings. Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology is a high demand field designed to promote employee productivity and retention support organizations in dealing with diversity issues, job selection, training, performance feedback, coaching and other issues related to personnel in organizational settings.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYU 432 | Introduction to Psychological Measurement | 3 |
| PSYU 460 | Introduction to Career Development | 3 |
| PSYU 462 | Personnel Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 481 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Child Psychology Concentration
The child psychology concentration is designed for students interested in working with all children with a specific emphasis on children with various developmental challenges. The Child Psychology Concentration provides students with a greater depth of study in child development, learning, and current treatment options for children with autism and other disabilities. It addresses child development from biological, evolutionary, behavioral, psychoanalytic, cognitive, sociocultural, and humanistic perspectives and provides applied courses on how to enhance child development and learning.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYU 323 | Child Development | 3 |
| PSYU 398 | Pediatric Neuropsychology | 3 |
| PSYU 464 | Applied Behavioral Analysis | 3 |
| PSYU 466 | Preferred Behavior Enhancement | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
General Psychology Concentration
The General Psychology Concentration is designed for students who are interested in addressing a broad range of topics in psychology, without being tied to one particular focus. Students are able to select any psychology elective classes they desire in order to build a diverse basis of psychological theory and application, giving students the opportunity to explore multiple domains of psychology. A student who graduates with a general psychology concentration may consider careers that demand an understanding of human behavior and cognition. The general psychology concentration can offer a student a better understanding of various specialties that can be pursued at the graduate level if desired.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following approved electives: | 12 | |
| PSYU 310 | Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| PSYU 317 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 322 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| PSYU 323 | Child Development | 3 |
| PSYU 324 | Adolescence | 3 |
| PSYU 355 | Media Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 398 | Pediatric Neuropsychology | 3 |
| PSYU 418 | Community Mental Health | 3 |
| PSYU 428 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 432 | Introduction to Psychological Measurement | 3 |
| PSYU 437 | Spirituality and Mental Health | 3 |
| PSYU 450 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| PSYU 455 | Family Systems and Dynamics | 3 |
| PSYU 460 | Introduction to Career Development | 3 |
| PSYU 462 | Personnel Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 464 | Applied Behavioral Analysis | 3 |
| PSYU 466 | Preferred Behavior Enhancement | 3 |
| PSYU 468 | Case Management | 3 |
| PSYU 470 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| PSYU 471 | Issues in Aging | 3 |
| PSYU 472 | Health Care and Aging | 3 |
| PSYU 473 | Social Aspects of Aging | 3 |
| PSYU 481 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 496 | Survey of Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| PSYU 499 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
*Note: Electives satisfied in transfer must be upper division or equivalent