Psychology Department

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Department Faculty

David A. Washburn
Carole L. Yue

Department Goals

The psychology program consists of content areas and courses designed to provide students with breadth and depth in a fundamental comprehension of the methods used in making knowledge claims about psychological phenomena, major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings. Moreover, students are equipped with knowledge of both historic and contemporary trends in the integration of psychology and Christianity. For students majoring in psychology, the goals of the Psychology Department are:

1. Students will demonstrate a foundational knowledge base in the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical methodology in psychology
2. Students will demonstrate competency in scientific inquiry and critical thinking
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively within a psychological science context
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the presuppositions inherent in both Christian and non-Christian worldviews and how they shape what scientific data are examined, what conclusions are drawn.

These goals are accomplished, in part, through the following sequences of courses:

1. a survey of modern psychology,
2. the methods used by psychologists in the investigation and analysis of psychological phenomena,
3. the theories and data of the subfields within psychology,
4. the foundational biblical beliefs that inform a Christian perspective of psychology.

The psychology major consists of 43 hours of coursework, 19 of which are taken from a core of psychology courses. The remaining credit hours are taken from three content areas: cognitive, clinical, and developmental/social. Additional course work may be taken in these content areas or other electives. Transfer credit for PSY 100 General Psychology  is granted for equivalent classes with a “B” or higher letter grade completed in the last three years.

Programs

• Psychology

• Psychology Minor

Courses

• PSY 100 General Psychology
• PSY 110 Knowing Our Own Minds
• PSY 200 History and Systems of Psychology
• PSY 220 Christian Issues in Psychology
• PSY 261 Introduction to Research Methods
• PSY 492 Capstone Project in Psychology

• PSY 306 Cognitive Psychology
• PSY 372 Sensation and Perception
• PSY 373 Physiological Psychology

• PSY 344 Abnormal Psychology
• PSY 345 Counseling and Psychotherapy
• PSY 353 Psychological Assessment
• PSY 383 Addiction

• PSY 303 Lifespan Development
• PSY 331 Psychology of Personality
• PSY 333 Cross-Cultural Psychology
• PSY 357 Human Sexuality
• PSY 360 Psychology of Religion

In addition to the courses described above, psychology majors must take an additional 6 hours of electives.  Students may select additional courses from the content areas or from the courses below.

• PSY 302 Special Topics in Psychology
• PSY 310 Psychology Field Trip (Convention)
• PSY 399 Independent Study
• PSY 440 Advanced Research
• PSY 441 Psychology Internship

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