Program Learning Outcomes for the BA Degree with a Major in Psychology
Upon completing the BA degree with a major in Psychology, students will be able to:
Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology, drawing on a broad knowledge base in psychology and its content domains.
Understand research methods, and develop and apply research skills. They will be able to explain different research methods used by psychologists, and design and conduct scientific studies to address psychological questions using appropriate research methods. Students will follow the APA Ethics Code in the treatment of human and nonhuman participants in the design, data collection, interpretation, and reporting of psychological research. Students will be able to generalize research conclusions appropriately based on the parameters of particular research methods.
Understand the applications of psychology. They will be able to describe major areas (e.g., clinical, cognitive, counseling, human factors, industrial/organizational) and emerging applied areas (e.g., health, forensics, media) of psychology. They will be able to identify appropriate applications of psychology in solving problems, such as: the pursuit and effect of healthy lifestyles, the origin and treatment of abnormal behavior, psychological tests and measurement, psychology-based interventions in areas such as clinical, cognitive, counseling, educational, human factors, and industrial/organizational psychology, and the resolution of interpersonal and intercultural conflicts. Students will be able to articulate how psychological principles can be used to explain social issues and inform public policy. Students will be able to apply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings as these relate to everyday life.
