Prepare for Research Positions or Graduate School
Bachelor of Art Degree in Psychology
If you are drawn to understanding human behavior and mental processes, our psychology major is designed for you. As a psychology major, you will develop an understanding of how and why people feel and behave the way they do and how to conduct psychological research. Courses will provide you with a solid background in many areas of psychology. You'll also have one-to-one research experiences with faculty and complete an independent research project that you'll present to the campus community. You may be interested in a helping profession such as counseling or clinical psychology, or perhaps you'll be drawn to the scientific aspects of the field such as basic and applied research, education and testing, or how to help organizations function more effectively. Whatever your area of interest, you'll be well prepared to pursue an advanced degree or work in positions in health and human services and business.
Required Courses in Your Major
General Psychology
This course will provide you with the scientific exploration of human behavior and mental processes. The goal of this course is to survey the basic concepts and research in the field.
Child Psychology
In this course, you will study physical, cognitive, social and emotional development from conception through adolescence.
Lifespan Development
In this course, you will study physical, cognitive, social and emotional development from conception through old age.
Statistics
In this course, you’ll collect and tabulate data, averages and measures of disbursement, correlation and regression analysis, probability and sampling, and hypothesis testing.
Research Methods
In this course, you will learn the basic methods of designing, conducting and evaluating psychological research and how to write in APA style.
Social Psychology
In this course, you will examine the psychological forces such as social interaction and cognition underlying human behavior in social situations. The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the interaction between self-directed behavior and the influence of the social situation.
Experimental Research Lecture/Lab
In this course, you will conduct independent research with an emphasis on experimental design.
Abnormal Psychology
In this course, you will consider the etiology and dynamics of abnormal behavior in relation to normal behavior. Emphasis is placed upon the principles of learning, motivation, perception and quantitative classification as related to deviant behavior.
An Integrative Approach to Psychology
This course will encourage integration of previous semesters of psychology courses into a coherent whole. This course will also emphasize application of psychological concepts to one’s life.
Senior Seminar
In this course, you will complete an independent project of original thought. You will design a research study and follow it through to completion. The results of the research will be both written and presented to the CSM community at the end of the semester.
Psychology Electives
You will also take nine credit hours of psychology electives.
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
To earn your bachelor of art degree in psychology, you must complete 128 total credit hours. Of that, 47 credit hours must be general education, 34 credit hours must be major courses, 18 credit hours must be minor courses, nine credit hours must be supporting courses, and 20 credit hours must be electives.
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Requirements for Admission to College of Saint Mary
- High school transcript with GPA and class rank (unofficial transcripts may be reviewed for admissions purposes, but official transcripts are required before you start classes)
- A minimum GPA of 2.0
- ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 860 – 890 (verbal + math) or higher
- Personal interview (if applicable)
- Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students (students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfers)
- $30 application fee
Academic Description
Prepare for Research Positions or Graduate School
Bachelor of Art Degree in Psychology
If you are drawn to understanding human behavior and mental processes, our psychology major is designed for you. As a psychology major, you will develop an understanding of how and why people feel and behave the way they do and how to conduct psychological research. Courses will provide you with a solid background in many areas of psychology. You'll also have one-to-one research experiences with faculty and complete an independent research project that you'll present to the campus community. You may be interested in a helping profession such as counseling or clinical psychology, or perhaps you'll be drawn to the scientific aspects of the field such as basic and applied research, education and testing, or how to help organizations function more effectively. Whatever your area of interest, you'll be well prepared to pursue an advanced degree or work in positions in health and human services and business.
Accreditation
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Admissions Requirements
Requirements for Admission to College of Saint Mary
- High school transcript with GPA and class rank (unofficial transcripts may be reviewed for admissions purposes, but official transcripts are required before you start classes)
- A minimum GPA of 2.0
- ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 860 – 890 (verbal + math) or higher
- Personal interview (if applicable)
- Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students (students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfers)
- $30 application fee
Curriculum
Required Courses in Your Major
General Psychology
This course will provide you with the scientific exploration of human behavior and mental processes. The goal of this course is to survey the basic concepts and research in the field.
Child Psychology
In this course, you will study physical, cognitive, social and emotional development from conception through adolescence.
Lifespan Development
In this course, you will study physical, cognitive, social and emotional development from conception through old age.
Statistics
In this course, you’ll collect and tabulate data, averages and measures of disbursement, correlation and regression analysis, probability and sampling, and hypothesis testing.
Research Methods
In this course, you will learn the basic methods of designing, conducting and evaluating psychological research and how to write in APA style.
Social Psychology
In this course, you will examine the psychological forces such as social interaction and cognition underlying human behavior in social situations. The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the interaction between self-directed behavior and the influence of the social situation.
Experimental Research Lecture/Lab
In this course, you will conduct independent research with an emphasis on experimental design.
Abnormal Psychology
In this course, you will consider the etiology and dynamics of abnormal behavior in relation to normal behavior. Emphasis is placed upon the principles of learning, motivation, perception and quantitative classification as related to deviant behavior.
An Integrative Approach to Psychology
This course will encourage integration of previous semesters of psychology courses into a coherent whole. This course will also emphasize application of psychological concepts to one’s life.
Senior Seminar
In this course, you will complete an independent project of original thought. You will design a research study and follow it through to completion. The results of the research will be both written and presented to the CSM community at the end of the semester.
Psychology Electives
You will also take nine credit hours of psychology electives.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
To earn your bachelor of art degree in psychology, you must complete 128 total credit hours. Of that, 47 credit hours must be general education, 34 credit hours must be major courses, 18 credit hours must be minor courses, nine credit hours must be supporting courses, and 20 credit hours must be electives.
