Psychology

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology

Psychology involves the scientific study of individual behavior and mental processes. The psychology Bachelor of Arts Degree is a generalist program emphasizing the breadth of psychology. Completion of this degree program provides education for students who wish to pursue graduate study in the subfields of psychology (e.g., counseling, child development, or educational psychology). Students are also prepared for entry-level occupations in human services including therapeutic, industrial, educational, or governmental positions. Unique aspects of the psychology degree program include an introductory psychology course with a laboratory component for hands-on experience, a one-semester practicum in a community agency, and a capstone senior seminar in which students produce original research. In order to graduate with this degree, a student must earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses required for the major.

The student who graduates with a major in Psychology will:

1. Understand the breadth and depth of psychology’s subfields.
2. Understand the historical development of the discipline and its paradigms.
3. Be knowledgeable of women’s contributions to psychology both as leaders and as participants in the scientific process.
4. Think critically about human diversity and the impact of gender, ethnicity, culture, age, sexual orientation, and social class on human behavior.
5. Understand the ethics of the discipline and apply those ethics in psychological work.
6. Have a working knowledge of statistics and data analysis.
7. Conceive, design, and carry out original psychological research.
8. Communicate clearly in both written and oral forms within and across disciplines, using APA style as the basis.
9. Perform satisfactorily in a supervised work environment serving community psychological needs.   

The formal application is made in November of the student’s second year, assuming completion of all pre-Equine/Psy courses. At the time the formal application is made, the student will submit the documentation listed below:

1. Application for admission in to the Equine Assisted Learning Program
2. Transcripts from all college work (a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 is required)
3. ACT scores (a minimum ACT of 21 is required)
4. Specific documentation of horsemanship experience including documentation of six months of hands-on experience working directly with horses
5. Documentation of the ability to restrain and handle a horse
6. Certification in First Aid by the American Red Cross

As part of the formal application process, applicants must also complete a personal interview with designated faculty in the Psychology program and the Equine Studies program. The personal interview explores areas including experience and knowledge of the profession of EAL, horsemanship skills, initiative and motivation, leadership and responsibility, communication skills, service orientation and professional potential.

Once accepted into the professional phase, the student will begin professional courses in EAL during the junior year. These courses stress an in-depth knowledge of EAL and include a senior research project and two semesters of field practica under the supervision of a practicing therapist. In addition to the professional courses, the student will complete the remainder of required Equine Studies, Psychology and general education courses during the third and fourth years.

In addition to the completion of required coursework and in order to graduate, the student must pass the Level I Certification awarded by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).

Along with the goals for the Psychology major, students with a concentration in Equine will:

1. Possess the practical horse experience and technical background necessary to gain employment as a member of an EAL mental health team.
2. Perform satisfactorily in a supervised mental health work environment serving community psychological needs.
3. Understand the anatomy and physiology of the horse as related to its care and management.
4. Effectively communicate with horse industry professionals in regard to horse health, nutrition and management.

Minor in Psychology

The minor in psychology requires a minimum of 18 semester hours selected from the following courses. Twelve of the 18 hours must be selected from courses numbered 300 or higher. Choose from the following courses.