An undergraduate degree in psychology prepares the successful graduate for a variety of careers in health and human services, business and administration, public and community relations, marketing and retail, and more.
The program is also designed to help the highly successful student in the pursuit of graduate work, not only in psychology, but also in other disciplines, such as law, business, medicine, and social work.
In concordance with the American Psychology Association’s guidelines (2012) for best practices in psychology majors, the undergraduate major in psychology is expected to:
1. Demonstrate Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking Skills
1.1 Use scientific reasoning to interpret behavior
1.2 Demonstrate psychology information literacy
1.3 Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem-solving
1.4 Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research
2. Practice Ethical and Social Responsibility
2.1 Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice
2.2 Promote values that build and enhance academic integrity
2.3 Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels 164
3. Communicate Effectively
3.1 Demonstrate effective writing
3.2 Exhibit effective presentation skills
3.3 Interact effectively with others
4. Engage in Professional Development
4.1 Apply psychological content and skills to career goals
4.2 Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation
4.3 Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation
5. Demonstrate a Knowledge Base in Psychology
5.1 Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology
5.2 Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s content domains
5.3 Describe applications of psychology
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS1 | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|
| Humanities and Fine Arts |
6 |
| Behavioral and Social Perspectives | 6 |
| Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning | 7 |
| ENGL 101 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | 3 |
| Approved Mathematics | 3 |
| Approved Foreign Language | 3 |
| LINK 101 | 1 |
| FALS 101 (15 FALS-approved events) | 0 |
| Approved General Education Electives2 |
10 |
| Total General Education Requirements | 42 |
1 For approved courses see the General Education section
2 Students are required to take at least one Global Issues and Cultures course prior to graduation
| MAJOR PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|
| PSYC 102 | 3 |
| PSYC 190 | 1 |
| PSYC 203 | 3 |
| PSYC 261 | 6 |
| PSYC 330 | 4 |
| PSYC 499 | 2 |
| MAJOR PROGRAM ELECTIVES | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|
| PSYC | 3 |
| PSYC (300-level or above) | 3 |
| PSYC (300-level or above) | 3 |
| PSYC (300-level or above) | 3 |
| PSYC (300-level or above) | 3 |
| MAJOR PROGRAM AREA REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|
| Counseling and Well-Being PSYC 212, PSYC 251, PSYC 312, PSYC 362 or PSYC 416 |
3 |
| Developmental PSYC 303, PSYC 314, PSYC 315, PSYC 405 or PSYC 416 |
3 |
| Physiological/Cognitive/History PSYC 304, PSYC 333 or PSYC 358 |
3 |
| Social/Personality PSYC 301, PSYC 302, PSYC 306 or PSYC 360 |
3 |
| Experiential Learning PSYC 221 or PSYC 299 |
1 |
| PSYC 421, PSYC 490 or PSYC 300-level elective | 3 |
| Total Major Program Requirements | 50 |
| Additional Electives | 28 |
| TOTAL FOR BS DEGREE | 120 |
- Coursework must include at least 30 hours earned in 300 or above level courses, of which 12 hours must be in the major.
- See the 4-year major guide for recommended order in which to take courses
