Psychology (B.A.)
The psychology degree consists of a core of required courses plus completion of coursework chosen by students to reflect their interests, career aspirations, or graduate study ambitions.
Students take courses that emphasize effective scientific reasoning (construction of knowledge), critical thinking (analysis of knowledge), communication (transmission of knowledge), and transfer (application of knowledge).
Students earning an undergraduate degree in psychology will gain the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level professional responsibilities in a variety of community, business, government, and educational settings. Examples include public relations, athletic training, college student services, human resources, public health services, family and child services, crisis counseling centers, substance abuse treatment, and community corrections.
The psychology degree also prepares students for graduate study in psychology, counseling, and related fields. Marymount offers graduate programs in counseling and forensic and legal psychology.
Upon successful completion of the psychology program, students will be able to
- demonstrate critical evaluation of a psychological topic through effective writing;
- apply psychological research methodologies and statistical techniques to a research question;
- apply specialized psychological knowledge in a professional setting; and
- demonstrate effective presentation skills within the discipline.
A minor in psychology is also available. A minor in forensic psychology is open to psychology majors only. Please see the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences minors section for details.
Internship Prerequisites: When other requirements are successfully completed in the senior year, the student closes the program with an internship (PSY 400). Prerequisites for the internship are a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better, a grade of C- or better in all courses required in the major, senior academic standing (90 completed credits), a minimum of 12 credits earned at Marymount, and completion of the required prerequisite courses (PSY 200 or CCS 399).
Minimum Grade Requirement: A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses in the major.
Degree Requirements - Psychology
This degree requires a total of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core Requirements
See the Liberal Arts Core for details.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core requirements.
| PSY 101 | General Psychology * | 3 |
| PSY 105 | General Psychology Laboratory | 1 |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 200 | Careers in Psychology | 1 |
| OR | |
| CCS 399 | Career Strategies and Success | 1 |
| | | |
| PSY 201 | Statistics for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| PSY 220 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 230 | Psychological Disorders | 3 |
| PSY 250 | Biological Bases of Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 260 | Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| PSY 302 | Research Design for Psychology | 3 |
| | |
| PSY 311 | Early Childhood Development * | 3 |
| OR | |
| PSY 363 | Primate Psychology * | |
| | | |
| PSY 400 | Internship | 3 or 6 |
| OR | |
| PSY 405 | General Psychology Laboratory Instructor Practicum | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 497 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| | Two (2) 300/400 level psychology electives | 9 |
Sample Degree Plan - Psychology
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One - Fall
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology * | 3 |
| PSY 105 | General Psychology Laboratory | 1 |
| HI | History (HI) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective (sociology recommended) | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
EN 101: WR core course
PSY 101: SS core course
Year One - Spring
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| MA | Mathematics (MT) core course * | 3-4 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
EN 102: WR core course
PSY 110: SS core course
TRS 100: TRS core course
Year Two - Fall
| PSY 201 | Statistics for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| PSY 220 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 260 | Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| | Philosophy (PH) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two - Spring
| CCS 399 | Career Strategies and Success | 1 |
| OR | |
| PSY 200 | Careers in Psychology | 1 |
| | |
| PSY 230 | Psychological Disorders | 3 |
| PSY 250 | Biological Bases of Behavior | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab (biology recommended) * | 4 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three - Fall
| PSY 302 | Research Design for Psychology | 3 |
| | One (1) 300/400-level psychology course | |
| | Literature (LT) core course * | 3 |
| | Depth in Faith and Reason core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three - Spring
| PSY 311 | Early Childhood Development * | 3 |
| OR | |
| PSY 363 | Primate Psychology * | |
| | |
| | One (1) 300/400-level psychology course | |
| | Depth in Humanities core course | 3 |
| | Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course * | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four - Fall
| PSY 400 | Internship | 3 or 6 |
| OR | |
| PSY 405 | General Psychology Laboratory Instructor Practicum | 3 |
| | |
| | One (1) elective (psychology recommended) | |
| | Two (2) or three (3) electives | |
Year Four - Spring
| PSY 497 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| | Four (4) electives, one (1) 300/400 level psychology course recommended | |
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core Requirements. See the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.