Psychological Sciences, Bachelor of Arts

In addition to University Requirements:

• At least 46-47 units of major requirements
• At least 16 units of language requirements
• At least 18 units of minor requirements

• Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

• Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion	120
Major GPA	C
Highest Mathematics Required	MAT 125
Emphasis, Minor, or Certificate Required	Required
Foreign Language	Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship	Optional
University Honors Program	Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A	Recommended
Progression Plan Link	View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Sciences, earned as either a Bachelors of Arts or a Bachelor of Science provides students with opportunities for focused study in this quintessential behavioral science and builds research skills necessary for scientific inquiry within this discipline. Both the Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Sciences degrees have proven useful for careers in many areas including law, entertainment, writing, journalism, government, education, business, and the arts. Additionally the language requirement of the Bachelors of Arts builds further understanding of the ways in which the mind works and learns.
 
The Department of Psychological Sciences enables students to develop understanding and knowledge about human behavior from several perspectives in psychological science, the ability to apply and synthesize that knowledge within specific psychological domains (research and statistics, developmental processes, social and personality, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, learning theory and behavioral health), and research method skills in order to become critical evaluators and producers of knowledge of human behavior.
 
The department’s learning goals for the undergraduate major in Psychology reflect the American Psychological Association’s Learning Goals (2013) and NAU’s Thematic Global Learning Outcomes. To accomplish these goals, the course of study in psychology focuses on understanding the methods, ethics, and sociocultural context of research in psychological science through coursework, associated laboratory experience, and opportunities for application. Students develop the ability to critically evaluate existing psychological knowledge, assumptions, and application in order to demonstrate literacy, proficiency, and efficacy in informational, technological, and communication (written and oral presentation) skills. The ability to engage in critical analyses of psychological ideas and scientific evidence constitutes a valuable personal asset, and is a key to success in many professions, including academic and clinical psychology, business, education, law, medicine, behavioral health, and human services. Further, our Department strives to tie our departmental goals explicitly to learning outcomes in such a way that students are aware of the skills they have developed and how these skills are relevant to their professional success. To accomplish these goals, the Department engages in timely and relevant assessment of student learning outcomes at all levels of the curriculum and uses those data for program refinement.

Student Learning Outcomes are Aligned with Guidelines for Undergraduate Education from the American Psychological Association (Version 2.0)
 
Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, students will be prepared in content related to the eight learning goals described below. In addition students will have the opportunity to develop transferable skills (e.g., read with comprehension and identify major points, write in a particular style, work as a productive member of a team) that will provide further preparation for workforce entry or continued education at the graduate level.

• Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings in psychology and be able to apply this knowledge.
  • Describe key concepts principles, and overarching themes in psychology
  • Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s content domains
  • Describe applications of psychology
• Demonstrate the ability to design, conduct and interpret basic psychological research and to use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena
  • Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomenon.
  • Demonstrate psychological information literacy
  • Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving
  • Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research
  • Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry
• Develop ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in an increasingly diverse landscape
  • Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice
  • Build and enhance interpersonal relationships
  • Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels
• Demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes
  • Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes
  • Interact effectively with others
• Demonstrate student readiness for postbaccalaureate employment, graduate school, or professional school.
  • Apply psychological content and skills to career goals
  • Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation
  • Refine project management skills
  • Enhance teamwork capacity
  • Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation
• Environmental Sustainability: Understand and apply psychological principles to environmental sustainability issues.
  • Demonstrate understanding of environmental sustainability concepts and issues, and the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing environmental issues.
  • Develop creative, adaptive, solutions to environmental sustainability challenges using psychological theories, principles and research findings.

• Global Education: Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of globalization and international diversity.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the interpersonal and international contexts that influence individual differences and human behavior.
  • Describe the psychological, physical, cognitive, sexual, gender, and social development of humans within varied global contexts.
  • Explain how different empirical and theoretical strategies in psychology are employed to study human behavior within varied global contexts and cultures and the limitations of each approach.

• Diversity Education: Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of psychosocial and cultural diversity and incorporate this awareness into the understanding of psychological phenomena, application of psychological science, and the process of scientific inquiry.
  • Identify both the commonalities and diversity of humans in today's multicultural society (intrapersonal and interpersonal).
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the sociocultural contexts that influence individual differences and anticipate that psychological explanations may vary across populations and contexts.
  • Challenge claims that arise from myths, stereotypes, or untested assumptions related to culture and diversity.

See the full list of Student Learning Outcomes

 

Major Requirements

• Take the following 46 - 47 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:

  • PSY 101, PSY 202, PSY 230 (8 units)
  • PSY 255 or PSY 260 (3 units)
  • Select two from: (PSY 227 or PSY 250), PSY 240, PSY 215 (6 units)
  • PSY 302W (4 units)
  • Select three or more from: PSY 320, PSY 326, PSY 340, PSY 344, PSY 350, PSY 355, PSY 370, PSY 375, PSY 401, PSY 403, PSY 406, PSY 411, PSY 432, PSY 461, PSY 491 (9 units)
  • Select one capstone course: PSY 404C, PSY 408C, PSY 450C, PSY 460C PSY 480C, PSY 486C, PSY 490C. To fulfill the capstone requirement, you must also complete an online survey while you are enrolled in one of these capstone courses. (3 units)
  • MAT 125 or MAT 136 (4 units)
  • Select one course with a BIO, CHM, ISM, CS, or PHY prefix. BIO 100, BIO 154, BIO 300, CHM 130, recitation courses, and courses used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements cannot count toward this Psychology requirement.  (3-4 units)
  • Additional psychology coursework (6 units)

• Please note that of the 46-47 units required for this major, 15 units must be upper-division courses. In addition, individualized courses (PSY 485 and PSY 497) will not meet this 15-unit upper-division requirement. Three units of PSY 408C will count toward the 15-unit upper-division requirement. Finally, you can only count up to 6 units of individualized courses within the 46-47-unit major.
  
  In addition, at least 15 of the 46-47 units required for this major must be from courses offered by Northern Arizona University. These 15 units may not include individualized courses.

Minor Requirements

• You must complete a minor of at least 18 units from those described in this catalog. In consultation with your advisor, you should select a minor that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs. Your minor advisor will advise you about this part of your academic plan.

Foreign Language Requirement

• You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or through credit by exam.

General Electives

• Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

  You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
  
  We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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