Department of Psychological Science and Human Services
The Department offers majors in both Psychology and Human Services.
The Department offers minors in Child and Family Studies, Human Services, Pre-Social Work, and Psychology.
Psychological science provides the tools for a scientific analysis of human development, emotion, cognition, behavior, and psychopathology. Human services is an applied discipline focused on helping individuals and communities to solve problems, enhance their well-being, and improve their quality of life. The Department offers a major and a minor in psychology, as well as a major and minor in human services, and a minor in child and family studies.
Psychology Major
An undergraduate degree in psychology prepares the successful graduate for a variety of careers in health and human services, business and administration, public and community relations, marketing and retail, and more.
The program is also designed to help the highly successful student in the pursuit of graduate work, not only in psychology, but also in other disciplines, such as law, business, medicine, and social work.
Psychology core courses are PSYC 102, PSYC 199, PSYC 203, PSYC 330, and PSYC 499. To further the aim of graduating only competent students, a psychology major is required to take these core courses and earn a grade of “C” or better in each. Therefore, if a student does not make a “C” or better on the first or second attempt of PSYC 102, PSYC 330, or PSYC 499, that student will not be allowed to complete a degree with a major in psychology. It will be the responsibility of the student to change his/her major if these requirements are not met.
Students must have at least a 2.00 GPA in all psychology courses.
In concordance with the American Psychology Association’s guidelines (2012) for best practices in psychology majors, the undergraduate major in psychology is expected to:
1. Demonstrate Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking Skills
1.1 Use scientific reasoning to interpret behavior
1.2 Demonstrate psychology information literacy
1.3 Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving
1.4 Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research
2. Practice Ethical and Social Responsibility
2.1 Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice
2.2 Promote values that build and enhance academic integrity
2.3 Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels
3. Communicate Effectively
3.1 Demonstrate effective writing
3.2 Exhibit effective presentation skills
3.3 Interact effectively with others
4. Engage in Professional Development
4.1 Apply psychological content and skills to career goals
4.2 Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation
4.3 Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation
5. Demonstrate a Knowledge Base in Psychology
5.1 Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology
5.2 Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s content domains
5.3 Describe applications of psychology
Human Services Major
An undergraduate degree in human services prepares students for a career helping specific populations in the realm of social services in a role such as a case manager, counselor, or advocate within workplace settings such as a governmental agency, healthcare organization, or non-profit organization that provides human and social services.
The major combines the applied aspects of psychology and sociology and is designed to prepare students to work in settings such as group homes; correctional facilities; mental health facilities; family, child and youth service agencies; and programs related to alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, and aging.
Students must have at least a 2.00 GPA in all major courses. This includes all courses with the HUS, PSYC, and SOCI designations, including electives and courses taken as part of General Education requirements.