PSYCHOLOGY

The psychology program assists students in developing the theoretical insight and professional skills that enable them to enter graduate study and to serve in a variety of psychology-related careers and professions. The program involves the student in learning the principles of the humanistic, biological, behavioral, cognitive and psychoanalytic approaches to psychology. The purpose of the program is to develop students equipped with psychological insight informed by a biblically based Christian perspective.

As an integral dimension of this purpose, students are introduced to a variety of training experiences in psychological research and in clinical/counseling practice. In addition, a supervised field education or advanced research practicum experience is required for all psychology majors. Students may complete the field education requirement by participating in the Chicago Semester program and may earn up to nine hours of psychology credits. Psychology majors will meet the communication arts requirement through oral presentations distributed among several courses offered in psychology.

All students intending to major in Psychology must apply to the Psychology Department for admission to the Psychology program. Application forms can be found at the Psychology Web site. The department also offers minors in general psychology and biopsychology. Neuroscience is a rapidly expanding area in both biology and psychology. The biopsychology minor is designed to provide coursework tailored to students planning on pursuing graduate studies in behavior, cognitive, or clinical neuroscience as well as for those preparing for medical school with an interest in neurology and/or psychiatry. This minor is not available for Psychology majors.