Psychology (B.A.)
Each of the degrees in Psychology help students develop a more sophisticated understanding of the person. Psychology students will examine such mental phenomena as consciousness, perception, learning, memory, intelligence, interpersonal relations, motivation, and development in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
Students who want more flexibility in their degree may choose to pursue a B.A. degree. Students who wish to earn a degree that is more directly related to science may choose to pursue a B.S. degree. Students who may wish to become counselors or seek an entry-level position in counseling-related field may choose to pursue the B.A. with a clinical concentration. Some graduate schools prefer applicants who have a B.S. degree while other schools do not have a preference between the B.A. or the B.S. Students are encouraged to talk with their advisor at Messiah so that he or she can help them make the best decision about which degree to choose.
The Department of Psychology, Criminal Justice and Sociology offers both clinically oriented courses such as personality, counseling theories, psychological testing, and counseling skills, and experimentally oriented courses such as biological basis of behavior, sensation and perception, cognition, and social psychology. In addition, courses in statistics, research methods, and experimental psychology provide students with the experiences and knowledge necessary to either continue their study in graduate school or seek employment immediately following graduation.
Psychology Majors can choose from a variety of minors such as Bible, business, communication, early childhood education, Christian ministries, gerontology, human development and family science, sociology, criminal justice, or anthropology. Students in our majors are encouraged to spend a semester studying abroad and/or participate in a practicum or internship off campus. Opportunities are available for professionally supervised participation in community mental health centers, retirement facilities, hospitals, prisons, crisis intervention centers, drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities, and other service agencies in the area.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates from Messiah’s Psychology program can:
- Identify and explain the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology, developing a sophisticated understanding of individual human behavior.
- Input and analyze data using appropriate SPSS methods;
- Design, execute, analyze, and systematically report research results
- Integrate and interpret multiple test data to make appropriate clinical recommendations.
- Reflect on experiences (academic/ volunteer/internship/employment) that shaped their current sense of vocation and articulate how those experiences impact future vocational goals.
- Articulate how faith connects to Psychology and to potential career options in the field of Psychology
Major Requirements
Complete the following for your major:
Three credits from the following:
Three credits from the following:
Twelve Credits of the Following:
QuEST Requirements
| Experiential Learning requirement |
0 |
| QuEST requirements |
Credits |
| First Year Seminar |
3 |
| Oral Communication |
3 |
| Created and Called for Community (W) |
3 |
| Mathematical Sciences |
3 or 4 |
| Laboratory Science (BIOL 158) |
met/major |
| Science, Technology & the World |
3 |
| Social Science (PSYC 101) |
met/major |
| European History or U.S. History |
3 |
| Literature |
3 |
| Philosophy and Religion |
3 |
| Arts |
3 |
| First Semester of Language |
3 |
| Second Semester of Language |
3 |
| 3rd Semester of Language/Cross Cultural |
3 |
| Non-Western Studies |
2 or 3 |
| Bible |
3 |
| Christian Beliefs |
3 |
| Wellness |
1 |
| Ethics, World Views or Pluralism |
3 |
| QuEST requirements |
48-50 |
| Major requirements |
47 |
| Free electives |
28-26 |
| Total credits |
123 |