Psychology
Area of Social Learning
The mission of the psychology major at Milligan College is related to the objectives of the college. Students who pursue the study of psychology are challenged to display sound scholarship in the field through their reading and analyzing sources within the realm of psychology. The students should be familiar with and able to communicate their familiarity and analyses clearly and effectively. The students should be able to use this knowledge base in psychology to appreciate the areas of the Lord’s creation and to understand the inter-relatedness of all learning. Students of psychology should display a sense of ministry through their knowledge of psychology and a willingness to use their knowledge in service and ministry to others.
The specific objectives of the psychology major are:
- When completing the program of study, students should be familiar with the knowledge bases within the study of psychology. Examples of these bases include, but are not limited to, lifespan development, research methodology, statistical tools, personality, systems and history of the field.
- Students should be reading and appreciating research in the fields of psychology at increasing levels of sophistication as the students progress through the psychology program.
- Students should be able to communicate in written and verbal media their knowledge and comprehension of psychology. Students should be able to generate research.
- Students should develop a tolerance and appreciation of persons who differ from themselves in culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, gender, and other characteristics.
The psychology curriculum emphasizes the principles and applications of substantive psychological knowledge both as a natural science and as a social science. The major and minor provide a broad background in psychology and offer students the opportunities, if desired, to pursue specialization in an interest area.
The field of psychology has been undergoing rapid change. New professional opportunities are constantly evolving. In response to this change, students may choose one of two emphases to fulfill the requirements for a degree in psychology. The general psychology emphasis offers flexibility while also ensuring that students have a broad understanding of the field and its applications. Students who plan to pursue teaching licensure or careers in areas other than psychology (e.g., youth ministry) may find this emphasis appealing.
The pre-professional emphasis is designed to prepare students for post-graduate education in psychology or related fields (e.g., occupational therapy). Students who pursue this emphasis are required to demonstrate proficiency in research by completing an independent research project. In addition, students choosing the pre-professional emphasis will learn about the available careers in psychology and the kinds of graduate programs available. This is accomplished through both a specific course (PSYC 200) and the requirement of an internship. Students are strongly encouraged to talk with their adviser before selecting either of the two emphases.
Psychology major – B. A. or B.S.
Required courses in the General Emphasis:
Students completing this emphasis must demonstrate facility in the usage of computers in research and statistics; this is typically accomplished through the PSYC 259 course.
Required courses in the Pre-professional Emphasis:
Students in this emphasis must demonstrate facility in the usage of computers in research and statistics. This is typically accomplished through the courses PSYC 259 and PSYC 359.
Students in the pre-professional emphasis are expected to maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75.
The following general education requirements are fulfilled in both emphases of the major:
Total number of required hours:
To earn a bachelor’s degree, a student must complete 128 semester hours in courses with course numbers at the 100 level or above. In addition to courses in the major (and minor, if chosen), students must complete the requirements for a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree as described on Pages 39-43 of the 2012-2013 catalog. The B.A. degree requires foreign language through the intermediate level.
Senior Major Exam
The senior major exam, which is required of all baccalaureate degree-seeking students and evaluates the students in their major fields of study, is administered during the semester in which the student plans to graduate. Students pursuing double majors must complete a majors exam in each major. The senior major exam for Psychology is the Major Field Test. All Psychology majors must complete this test prior to graduation.
Licensure
For additional information about the teacher licensure program, including a list of courses required for licensure, see the Education: Licensure Programs section of the Catalog.
Secondary (grades 9-12) teaching licensure
Psychology major (general emphasis) with modification – B.A. or B.S. (36 hrs)
Psychology minor
Required courses in the minor:
The following general education requirement is fulfilled in the minor:
Total number of required hours in the minor: 18
