Psychology (B.A., B.S.)

The Department of Psychology offers both B.A. and B.S. degrees as well as a minor. Many courses also are available to students majoring in other fields.

Students with a degree in Psychology have the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level professional responsibilities in a variety of settings, and a firm foundation for graduate study in Psychology or related fields. Psychology graduates work in a wide variety of community, business, government, and educational settings. They may teach, consult, counsel, or conduct research. Graduate training is required for advanced work in the field.

The Psychology major consists of a core of required courses plus completion of specialized coursework chosen by students to reflect their interests and career aspirations. Current specialized emphasis areas are:

The Business emphasis is intended for those interested in human resource functions, working with mental health planning organizations, or marketing settings.
The Developmental Psychology emphasis is suggested for students who are interested in human development across the life span. It may also be appropriate for students who are interested in education but do not elect the Education emphasis.
The Education: PK-3 emphasis may be selected by students interested in teaching at this level. Completion of the required emphasis and general studies courses leads to licensure eligibility at the PK-3 level. This program is approved by the Virginia State Department of Education. NOTE: If a student in this emphasis is not admitted to the PK-3 licensure program before the beginning of the senior year, the student would then switch to another emphasis (usually Developmental Psychology or Human Services) and complete the requirements of that emphasis during the senior year.
The Education: LD emphasis is designed for students who wish to pursue a license to teach students with learning disabilities. This program is pending state approval and will not be available for completion until at least May 2006.
The Health Sciences emphasis is designed for students who are interested in careers and/or graduate study in the health sciences, and provides the background in science necessary for admission to graduate programs in allied health professions. Students in the Health Sciences emphasis earn a B.S. in Psychology.
The Human Services emphasis is designed for those who are interested in the provision of helping services in a variety of mental health settings, including substance abuse programs, family and child services, crisis counseling centers, and welfare agencies.
The Pre-Physical Therapy emphasis is intended for students interested in pursuing the combined program in Physical Therapy and Psychology at Marymount. NOTE: If a student in this emphasis is not admitted to the Physical Therapy program during the spring of the junior year, the student would then switch to another emphasis (usually Health Sciences) and complete the requirements of that emphasis during the senior year. Students in this emphasis earn a B.S. in Psychology.
The Social Psychology emphasis is designed for students who are interested in individual behavior in its social context. It may include courses in Sociology as well as Psychology.

The Major

Liberal Arts Core requirements: All Liberal Arts Core requirements must be fulfilled. It is recommended that students work with an advisor to ensure compliance.

Freshman-Sophomore major requirements: (All courses listed here must be completed with a grade of C- or better.) PSY 101 General Psychology; PSY 201 Statistics for the Social Sciences; PSY 202 Research Design for the Social Sciences; two courses chosen from PSY 210, 220, 230, or 240; and two courses chosen from PSY 250, 260, or 270. Students also should complete PSY 300 Research and Writing for the Social Sciences by spring of sophomore year, if possible. Ideally, PSY 300 would be taken concurrently with PSY 202.

Junior-Senior major requirements: (All courses listed here must be completed with a grade of C- or better.) Four upper-level emphasis courses (see description of emphasis areas), two additional 300- or 400-level electives, PSY 400 Internship, and PSY 497 Senior Seminar.

Business emphasis courses must include MGT 304 Organizational Management, HRM 335 Human Resource Management, PSY 323 Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and one additional business-related course to be selected in conjunction with the student's advisor.
Developmental Psychology emphasis courses must include PSY 311 Early Childhood Development, PSY 312 Adolescent Psychology, PSY 313 Adulthood and Aging, and one additional course chosen in conjunction with the student's advisor.
Education: PK-3 emphasis courses must include ED 245E Exploring Teaching; ED 300 Reading, Writing, and Language Acquisition; ED 310 Reading and the Language Arts; ED 320 Assessing and Guiding Students in Early Childhood Settings; PSY 311 Early Childhood Development; PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Disabilities; ED 400 Teaching Mathematics and Science; ED 410 Teaching History and Social Studies; and ED 460E Student Teaching (in place of PSY 400).
Education: LD emphasis courses must include ED 245E Exploring Teaching; ED 205 Issues in Educating Students with Learning Disabilities; ED 219 Legal Issues and Research Methods in Special Education; ED 300 Reading and Language Acquisition; ED 312 Teaching in Content Areas for Students with Learning Disabilities; ED 327S Curriculum Design: Secondary Education; PSY 310 Psychoeducational Assessment and Diagnostic Practices; PSY 333 Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology; ED 341 Transition, Family, and Community Services for Individuals with Disabilities; ED 360D Student Teaching (in place of PSY 400 Internship). A minimum grade of C is required in ED 245E. A minimum grade of C- is required for all other courses.
Health Sciences emphasis courses must include BIO 152; eight credits drawn from CHM (151, 152, 221 or 222), NU (above 110), BIO (above 152) or HPR 202. Health Sciences concentrators must complete BIO 151 as part of their Liberal Arts Core requirements. They must elect PSY 250 and PSY 260 as part of their Psychology major.
Human Services emphasis courses must include SOC 202 Social Problems, PSY 331 Human Service Agencies, PSY 322 Group Dynamics, and PSY 330 Counseling Theory and Process.
Pre-Physical Therapy emphasis courses must include CHM 151-152 Principles of Chemistry I & II, BIO 151-152 General Biology I & II, BIO 161-162 Anatomy & Physiology I & II, MA 141 Precalculus II, PHYS 171-172 General Physics I & II, HPR 202 Exercise Physiology, PH 210 General Ethics, PT 702 Health Care Delivery and Contemporary Society. If the student is admitted to the Physical Therapy program, the following courses are taken during the senior year: PT 700 Clinical Neuroscience; PT 710 Gross Anatomy; PT 701 Applied Pathophysiology; PT 711 Foundations of Physical Therapy Examination, Evaluation and Diagnosis; PT 712 Critical Assessment of Information. Note: If a student in this emphasis is not admitted to the Physical Therapy program during the spring of the junior year, the student would then switch to another emphasis (usually Health Sciences) and complete the requirements of that emphasis during the senior year. Pre-PT students must elect PSY 210, 220, 250, and 260 as their 200-level required Psychology courses.
Social Psychology emphasis courses must include PSY 321 Psychology of Gender, PSY 322 Group Dynamics, PSY 324 Psychology and the Media, and 1 additional course chosen in conjunction with the student's advisor.

When other requirements are successfully completed in the senior year, the student is placed in an internship (PSY 400) for 280 hours (6 credits). 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, a minimum of 12 credits earned at Marymount, and completion of the prerequisite courses required for each emphasis.

The Minor

Minor requirements: PSY 101; 2 courses from PSY 210, 220, 230, and 240; 2 courses from PSY 250, 260, and 270; and an additional 6 elective credits in Psychology.