The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at OCU leads to a broad foundation of knowledge in the discipline of psychology. Through the integration of a biblical worldview, students intellectually approach the study of psychology with a deep awareness of the challenges they will encounter in graduate school, the workplace, or ministry. At the completion of this major of study, students will possess a foundational understanding of human behavior and mental processes as well as basic psychology terminology and concepts used in: statistical and research methods, physiological psychology, and history and systems.
Objectives:
On completion of this major, students should be able to:
- Articulate a basic understanding of the principles of human development and behavior.
- Understand contemporary psychological theory.
- Attain a basic knowledge of psychological research methodology.
- Integrate the connection between the Bible and psychological principle into a model applicable to the student’s professional context.
MAJOR39 Hours
Students must have 33 credit hours at the 3000-level or above in order to graduate.
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PSY1020 Introduction to Psychology*3
A survey of the field of psychology, including historical and theoretical foundations, with special emphasis on contemporary scientific research and empirical applications within a Christian perspective and a biopsychosocial approach.
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PSY2450 Principles of Behavior3
A concentrated look at the behavioral approach to counseling and human development. This course provides practical knowledge and experience with a critique from the Christian viewpoint.Prerequisite: SOC1020, PSY1020
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PSY3010 Lifespan Psychology3
A holistic study of the individual in the total span of life from birth through senior adulthood as a foundation for understanding human development, including the process of human growth and development, the needs in the major life stages and the biblical perspective of human development.
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PSY3020 Theories of Personality3
Critical thinking about the major personality theories, focusing on major features and underlying assumptions of each theory, with attention to the use of new and long-standing theories as they apply to modern thinking and behaviors in light of the principles of Scripture.Prerequisite: any introductory psychology course.
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PSY3030 Social Psychology3
Social group influences on individual behavior, including behavioral expressions such as aggression, prejudice, attitude change, and affiliation, examined from the viewpoint of social science and Scripture.Prerequisite: any introductory psychology course.
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PSY3060 Statistics for Social Sciences3
An introduction to basic psychological research techniques and methodology including collecting, organizing, and analyzing psychological data for quantitative research, and an introduction to statistical reasoning with a focus on fundamental concepts and statistical methods for psychological research. (Recommendation: prior college level math course)
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PSY3600 Abnormal Psychology3
Abnormal behavior as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, with analysis of ideology and behavioral abnormality, methods of therapy, and emphasis on cultural and demographic variables impacting mental illness.
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PSY4010 Cognition and Perception3
This course introduces concepts and theories related to cognitive psychology, historical and current cognitive research, and cognitive functioning through the lens of a Biblical worldview. An overview of cognition, perception, memory, attention, and language and information processing demonstrates the human mind’s fragility, plasticity, and resilience.Prerequisite: PSY1020
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PSY4020 Perspectives on Diversity in Psychology3
Understanding and counseling people from culturally diverse populations, including examination of cultural backgrounds, the acculturation processes, and personal perspectives in the counseling setting, with approaches for meeting counseling problems with these groups, and application of current theory and research.Prerequisite: Any introductory psychology course
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PSY4050 Research Design3
Methods of research used in the social sciences, the appropriateness of conclusions derived from research, and the ability to generalize research appropriately based on particular research methods. Students design and conduct basic research and disseminate findings to their peers.Prerequisite: MAT1410
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PSY4210 Physiological Psychology3
The physiological foundation for behavior and mental processes, including the biochemical, anatomical, and neurological basis for psychological functions such as emotion, learning, cognition, and pathology.Prerequisite: PSY1020
Psychology elective3
Choose from the following courses:
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PSY4500 Integrative Research Seminar3
A capstone experience in which the psychology major utilizes learning from previous coursework, working with primary and secondary materials to craft an essay on a topic aligned with the psychology major outcomes.Prerequisite: Completion of major courses
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PSY4900 Undergraduate Thesis3
A capstone experience in which the psychology major will utilize what he or she has learned in previous courses, working with primary and secondary materials to craft an extended essay under the guidance of a faculty mentor.Prerequisite: 30 earned hours of psychology coursework
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PSY4950 Practicum in Psychology3
This capstone course offers the student opportunity to learn in a supervised field experience through seminars, small group experiences, research papers, written verbatim work and lectures by professional resource persons. The practicum includes venues such as prisons, mental health clinics, mental hospitals, general hospitals, and community- and church-related counseling centers, or other human services organizations.Prerequisites: PSY3010, PSY3020, PSY3030
*This course may be applied toward the Social & Behavioral Sciences requirements in the GenEd core.
