Home > Majors and Programs > Psychology

  • School of Social Sciences, Communication, & Education

    The Psychology Program

    • Students are active researchers, with 7 students presenting research at the 2012 Eastern Psychological Association conference, one student receiving the 2011 Psi Chi Allyn and Bacon Research Award (First Place), 12 students graduating over the past 5 years being published in scholarly journals as undergraduates, and 6 poster awards at professional psychology conferences over the past 6 years.

       
    • Students are successful in applying to graduate school, with 91% of students applying to doctoral programs in psychology and related fields in the past 5 years gaining admittance and approximately 75% of those receiving full financial support. Nearly all students applying to masters programs in psychology and related fields have gained admittance.

       
    • Students can combine the major with a variety of certificates and minors including the Psychology Scholars Program, the Addictions Specialist Certificate, and the new interdisciplinary minor in Children’s Studies.

       
    • Students complete exciting internships that provide valuable experience. Internship sites during 2011-12 included Allegheny General Hospital, The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh, Adelphoi Village, the Latrobe Police Department, Lifeway Pregnancy Center, 84 Lumber Company, and NHS Human Services, among others.

       
    • The Department expands expertise with two new hires for the 2012-13 academic year. Areas of expertise now include Clinical, Developmental, Biological, School, Educational, Cognitive, Experimental, Social, and Learning Psychology
    • Bachelor of Science Degree Program emphasizes the scientific study of human behavior and thought.
    • Flexible degree requirements enable you to select electives in psychology and other departments or pursue minors that are relevant to your future career.
    • Advanced seminars prepare students for graduate study by focusing on discussion of primary sources, theory, and practical applications.
    • Internship requirement ensures students gain practical experience outside the classroom.
    • Capstone requirement encourages integration of skills and knowledge obtained throughout the college career.
    • Faculty specialized in developmental, clinical, cognitive, biological, experimental, school and educational psychology.
    • Career guidance provided throughout the college career through individual faculty advising, guest speakers, and workshops offered through the department and Career Services.
    • Addiction Specialist Certificate may be completed contiguously with the major.
    • Psychology Learning Objectives (from Saint Vincent College Bulletin):
      • Students will develop written communication skills that enable them to communicate effectively and in a professional manner
      • Students will develop the oral communication skills that are needed to make professional presentations that are appropriate to the audience
      • Students will develop technological skills that enable them to locate sources, conduct statistical analyses, and construct effective graphs and written documents. Students will also be able to use Blackboard, Excel, and PowerPoint
      • Students will have an understanding of the major ethical issues associated with psychological research, application, and professional behavior
      • Students will be prepared for employment and graduate study in psychology related areas; they will be familiar with the variety of career and graduate school options
       

    Requirements for Psychology Major (41-43 credits)

    The required courses and internship within the major provide for a breadth of knowledge about the various fields of psychology. The courses also provide a background in scientific research methodology as applied in psychology.

    The required course work for the Psychology Major is as follows:
    PY 100 Introduction to Psychology - 3 credits*
    PY 203 Statistics I - 3 credits*
    PY 204 Statistics II - 3 credits
    PY 243 Abnormal Psychology - 3 credits
    PY 244 Theories of Personality - 3 credits
    PY 260 Social Psychology - 3 credits
    PY 331 Biological Psychology - 3 credits
    PY 341 Research Methods in Psychology - 4 credits
    PY 382 Psychological Assessment - 3 credits
    PY 390 History and Systems of Psychology - 3 credits
    PY 550 Psychology Internship- 1-3 credits

    One of the following three courses:
    PY 212 Child Development - 3 credits
    PY 214 Adolescent Development - 3 credits
    PY 216 Psychology of Adult Development - 3 credits

    One of the following two courses:
    PY 308 Cognitive Psychology - 3 credits
    PY 309 Learning - 3 credits

    One of the following two courses:
    PY 401 Capstone: Research Review and Analysis - 3 credits
    PY 405 Capstone: Research Thesis I - 3 credits

    * Introduction to Psychology and Statistics I are three-credit courses that count toward fulfilling the Social Sciences Core requirements.
    * PY 405 requires a minimum 3.5 grade point average in all courses taken in the Psychology Department and students who register for PY 405 should do so with the expectation that they will complete PY 406 (Capstone: Research Thesis II).

    In addition to these required courses, students in the Psychology Major are encouraged to take additional elective courses within psychology as well as to choose Core Curriculum courses that will best prepare them for their future careers.

     

    Requirements for Psychology Minor (18 credits)

    All students desiring a minor in psychology must complete 18 credits within the department.  The requirements are as follows:

    Required:
    PY 100 Introduction to Psychology - 3 credits*
    PY 243 Abnormal Psychology - 3 credits
    PY 260 Social Psychology - 3 credits

    One course from the following (3 credits):
    PY 308 Cognitive Psychology
    PY 309 Learning
    PY 331 Biological Psychology
    PY 390 History and Systems of Psychology 

    Any two courses offered by the department (6 credits)