BA Degree

Melissa P. Clauson, PhD, Co-chair, Natural & Behavioral Sciences Division
Fugitte Science Center, Room 216
(270) 384-8229   clausonm@lindsey.edu 

D. Scott Dillery, PhD, Co-chair, Natural & Behavioral Sciences Division
Fugitte Science Center, Room 117
(270) 384-8105  dillerys@lindsey.edu 

David Ludden, PhD, Program Coordinator
Fugitte Science Center, Room 316
(270) 384-8080  luddend@lindsey.edu

Full-time Program Faculty:  Jon Fredrick, PhD; David Ludden, PhD; Steve Scott, EdD

Mission Statement

The mission of the Psychology Program is to prepare students for graduate and professional study in a variety of fields related to human behavior.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology is designed to help students develop a theoretical and applied understanding of individual and social behavior. The program offers courses for majors and non-majors. The courses emphasize writing, research, and critical-thinking skills necessary for a liberally educated person to function in a dynamic, changing world.

A psychology degree prepares students for graduate training in areas such as clinical, counseling, experimental, and social psychology. Additionally, a psychology degree is appropriate for students who plan to enter business or social services, or it can also serve as preparation for post-baccalaureate work in professions such as social work, theology, business administration, or law. Students with an interest in psychology but who have career aspirations elsewhere often choose a major in another field and minor in psychology.

Entrance Criteria

Students who wish to major in psychology must schedule an interview with the program coordinator to discuss program requirements and to select a psychology advisor.

Degree Requirements

A.  General Education Requirements:  36-47 hours

• Principles of Psychology (PSYC 1003) is a prerequisite for all PSYC courses - 3  hours
• Functions & Algebra (MATH 1013) is a prerequisite for PSYC 4703 unless waiver requirements are met - 3 hours

B.  Program Requirements:  24 hours

• Theories of Personality (PSYC 3203) - 3 hours
• Social Psychology (PSYC 3403) - 3 hours
• Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 3503) - 3 hours
• Behavioral Analysis (PSYC 3603) - 3 hours
• Physiological Psychology (PSYC 4403) - 3 hours
• History & Issues of Psychology (PSYC 4503) - 3 hours
• Research Methods (PSYC 4703) - 3 hours
• Research Practicum (PSYC 4903) - 3 hours

C.  Program Electives (select from the following):  12 hours

• Psychopathology (PSYC 3033) - 3 hours
• Life-Span Development (PSYC/HS 3103) - 3 hours
• Adolescent Psychology (EDUC 3303) - 3 hours
• Animal Behavior (BIOL 3513) - 3 hours
• Psychology of Language (PSYC 3703) - 3 hours
• Psychology of Religion (RELI 4393) - 3 hours

D.  General Electives:  45-56 hours

Note:   In addition to a major, a student may select a minor. Courses taken for a minor reduce the number of general electives a student must take. A minor is strongly recommended.

Note:   The major requires only 36 hours of 3000-4000 level course work, therefore the remaining 3000-4000 level hours will need to come from a minor, liberal arts elective studies in depth, and/or general electives.

Exit Assessment

All students design and conduct an individual research project. They present the results of their research during a symposium at the end of the spring semester; they also write up the results of their project as an APA-formatted research paper.

TOTAL:  128 credit hours