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Purpose
The Bachelor of Science degree program in Psychology provides a solid, broad-based education. Psychology addresses behavior, thought, and intelligence. It includes the study of the brain, learning, and development in children, adolescents, and adults, and social interactions and group behavior. Because psychology spans the natural and social sciences, it provides an excellent domain in which to learn skills in analytic reasoning, problem solving, statistics, and working with people. The major gives all students a solid grounding in research and writing along with the opportunity to learn from current professionals in the field.
A degree in psychology builds cutting edge skills through courses on the most profound of all questions: the why and how of human behavior and thought. For those students interested in becoming psychologists, the requirements for the psychology major have been established to provide a sound foundation for graduate work in psychology and other related fields such as social work, education, and family science.
Not all psychology majors become psychologists. Students who major in psychology enter cutting-edge careers in business, information technology, marketing, health care, law, research, education, social work, and beyond.
Program of Study
The program includes courses in the theory and application of psychology and psychological principles. Students will develop an understanding of the following: life span development, personality development, abnormal psychology, prevention, group behavior, cultural variations, research methods and design, and ethical and professional issues. Students will develop specific knowledge and skills that have broad application to many working environments. In addition, knowledge from other disciplines will enhance and broaden the student’s perspective and capabilities as a working practitioner.
Overall, the classroom courses provide a blend of theory and application. Students also have the option to explore internship opportunities in a wide variety of professional settings that provide experiences in applying knowledge and skills. In addition, the General Education Requirements courses, required of all Wilmington University undergraduates, provide a well-rounded academic foundation. The program is offered with day and evening classes in Delaware at New Castle, Dover, Dover Air Force Base, and Georgetown; the program is also offered in New Jersey at Cumberland and Mt. Laurel, as well as online.
Program Competencies
Goal 1: Knowledge Base in Psychology
Students should demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems.
1.1 Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology
1.2 Develop a working knowledge of psychology's content domains
1.3 Describe applications of psychology
Goal 2: Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking
Students should demonstrate the ability to do scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods.
2.1 Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena
2.2 Demonstrate psychology information literacy
2.3 Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving
2.4 Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research
2.5 Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry
Goal 3: Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World
Students should understand ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity.
3.1 Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice
3.2 Build and enhance interpersonal relationships
3.3 Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels
Goal 4: Communication
Students should demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills.
4.1 Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes
4.2 Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes
4.3 Interact effectively with others
Goal 5: Professional Development
Students should be able to demonstrate the ability to apply psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation.
5.1 Apply psychological content and skills to career goals
5.2 Exhibit self- efficacy and self- regulation
5.3 Refine project- management skills
5.4 Enhance teamwork capacity
5.5 Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation
Experiential Learning Options
The Office of Experiential Learning takes a 360◦ approach to experiential learning. Whether you come to Wilmington University with a vast amount of professional experience and are awarded Credit for prior learning (CPL), or you participate in a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunity (Internships or Cooperative Education) embedded in your curriculum for credit, we provide a pathway to completing your degree.
Elective Guidelines
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences recommends that students who transfer in six or more core courses and all 18 credits of core electives use any remaining electives to increase their subject knowledge by taking upper level electives in their field. These will include the interdisciplinary electives identified from the other academic colleges.
Minimum Grade Policy
The Psychology program has set a minimum passing grade of “C-” for program core courses. Students receiving a grade lower than “C-” in any required course must retake that course.
CTA 206 Computer Applications
ECO 105 Fundamentals of Economics
ENG 121 English Composition I
ENG 122 English Composition II
ENG 131 Public Speaking
ENG 310 Research Writing
MAT 205 Introductory Survey of Mathematics
PHI 100 Introduction to Critical Thinking
PHI 302 Ethics and Values in Behavioral Science
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
HIS 381 Contemporary Global Issues
OR
POL 300 American Politics
BIO 253 Anatomy and Physiology I (with Lab)
SCI 335 Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab)
MAT 308 Inferential Statistics
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSY 300 Theories of Personality
PSY 301 Social Psychology
PSY 305 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 324 Applying Psychology in Professional Contexts
PSY 334 Biological Basis of Behavior
PSY 340 Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 351 Learning and Cognition
PSY 420 Introduction to Trauma-Informed Approaches
PSY 409 Seminar in Psychology
PSY 490 Internship in Behavioral Science (Psychology Majors)
ORG 304 Survey of Human Dynamics
PSY 452 Multicultural Psychology
PSY 329 Life Span Development
PSY 330 Infant and Toddler Development
PSY 332 Adolescent Development
PSY 336 Child Development
PSY 401 Adult Development and Aging
Six courses beginning with the prefix “PSY”.
Please note: Psychology majors are strongly encouraged to take PSY 490 - PSY 494 (Internship) as part of their psychology core electives or as free electives. Also, PSY 290 - PSY 291 (Guided Practicum) is available.
Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.
The Concentration in Children and Families will give students the opportunity to focus their elective credits on courses that will help prepare them for careers working with children and families. This concentration provides students with information and skills in understanding and working with children and families, including both theory and practice. In completing this concentration, students will identify the roles commonly played by family members and assess the impact of these roles using an assets, strength-based perspective as well as a global/diversity perspective. Students will also examine various models for helping and empowering families and will examine how various elements of the ecological systems theory influence child/adolescent/adult development within the family context.
The “General Education Requirements” and “Psychology Core” curriculum for the concentration remain unchanged. The only difference is the PSY electives are limited to courses required for the concentration
PSY 319 Family Systems
PSY 453 Families and Crisis
PSY 454 Children and Families in Context
PSY 455 Adolescents, Adults and Families in Context
PSY 499 Internship in Family Science
SOC 302 Marriage and the Family
SOC 311 Parenting Perspectives
SOC 425 Child Abuse: Recognition and Investigation
SOC 469 Step-Parenting & Blended Families
Undergraduates who major in Psychology can choose to focus their studies on learning more about factors that contribute to emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing for children, adolescents, and adults. In addition, students will learn about mental health counseling and the influence it can have on well-being. A concentration in Mental Health & Wellness will help prepare students who want to pursue a career in mental health by providing a solid background in the factors and issues that can affect individuals’ well-being. Students who complete this concentration can also build knowledge and skills that can help them improve their quality of life. The Mental Health & Wellness concentration can also be beneficial to students preparing to work in entry level professions in the field of psychology.
PSY 418 Mental Health and Wellness
PSY 304 Survey of Human Dynamics
PSY 412 Crisis Intervention
PSY 417 Mindfulness Based Wellness
PSY 421 Trauma and Self-Care
PSY 451 Health Psychology
PSY 483 Addictive Behavior
PSY 484 Losses and Grief Journey
SOC 317 Applied Emotional Intelligence
This Dual-Credit ADVANTAGE™ accelerated option will allow eligible PSY or SOC students to have the opportunity of taking up to two selected graduate level courses in place of selected PSY or SOC courses and the opportunity to be formally accepted into the AFM program prior to completion of the B.S. in Behavioral Science or Psychology degree.
In order to be eligible, students must have completed 90 undergraduate credits, including PSY 101. Furthermore those students seeking approval for the PSY/SOC to AFM Dual-Credit ADVANTAGE™ accelerated option must have obtained an overall GPA of 3.50 or better. Courses taken at the graduate level will fulfill the requirements for both programs.
Students interested in making applying may secure the necessary forms and begin the approval process with the Chair of the graduate Applied Family Science program.
This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2024-2025 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2023 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.
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