B.S. Psychology

Program
Overview Career
Opportunities Course
Requirements

Program Overview

The Psychology program welcomes all those interested in learning about human behavior and how it is studied. The B.S. in psychology provides students with broad exposure to various topical areas in psychology and allows students the flexibility to choose courses based on their interests within psychology. Students must complete a set of core requirements, all of which are rigorous and grounded in the principles and methods of basic science. Beyond these core courses, however, students have a great deal of choice in the kinds of academic experiences they have. Students may also take part in the Student Career Internship Program to obtain hands-on experience in a field of the student’s choice, or they may enroll in our Undergraduate Research course that allows them to conduct original research under the guidance of a faculty member. Students of psychology at High Point University can expect to receive individualized attention from faculty members and the freedom to pursue their long-term goals in a supportive and flexible academic environment.

Our program of study is designed to prepare students for a variety of post graduation options, including employment in business, human services, personnel offices, graduate school, and professional fields such as law, business, medicine, education and sub areas of psychology including clinical, developmental, counseling, social, cognitive, and industrial/organizational psychology. All students should consider their career options early in their academic program and seek appropriate information and resources from the psychology faculty and the University Career Development Center.

Career Opportunities

Psychology majors at High Point University receive more than just a solid education. They also receive practical training through their research, internships and participation in professional meetings. Many of our graduates are currently pursuing masters and/or doctoral degrees in:

Neuroscience
Social Psychology
Social Work
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Communication
School Psychology
School Counseling

Some graduates go on to work as Mental Health Support Specialists or to provide care and mental health services for those in residential and group homes. Other graduates are employed by school systems or are pursuing management in national organizations.

Psychology courses provide students with training in critical thinking and analytic skills. Our program provides students with a range of skills and abilities including, a broad knowledge base in psychology, research methods and statistical skills, thinking and problem solving skills, information acquisition and synthesis skills, computer literacy, communication and intrapersonal skills, and adaptability.

Featured Graduate Profiles:

Alex Ortowski, ’15 – Psychiatric Assistant at Johns Hopkins Hospital

“I’ve had some wonderful mentors at HPU! On the educational side, Dr. Leder Elder was amazing. I took many of her classes and did research with her. She really helped me enjoy learning and find what I really liked in psychology.”

Amanda Szymanski, ’15 – Neurodiagnostic Technician at Duke University Medical Center

The psychology department at HPU is very comprehensive in teaching students all aspects of the field, such as research and clinical. Because of the rigorous coursework & excellent faculty, I discovered my passion for research. My professors have been instrumental in advising me, guiding me in conducting my own research project, and overall being sources of inspiration. Thanks to my advisor, I landed an internship at Cornerstone Healthcare, which made me a very competitive candidate for my position at Duke.“

Grace Brinkley, ’15 – account coordinator at Endicott & Company Public Relations

“High Point University helped me achieve my career goals by providing me with an amazing support system of mentors and professors and allowing me to exercise my education and professional skills in real-world situations. I firmly believe that attending a smaller university accelerated my education and enabled me to make connections and experiences I would be lacking at a larger school. Throughout my four years, I fostered relationships and received one-on-one attention from my professors and various members of other departments, which helped me to identify a career path and create a foundation of networking contacts I plan to utilize far into the future.”

Caitlin Hines, ’14 – Pursuing her M.B.A. in the Communications Strategy tract at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Brandcenter

“HPU helped me get here by having amazing faculty and staff that motivated me to succeed. Not only were professors always helpful and pleasant, but nearly any member of the HPU family was courteous, joyful and an amazing role model.”

The Most Desirable Qualities in Prospective Employees

Communication Skills: Writing, public speaking, and social skills
Motivation/Influence: Commitment to lifelong learning, ability to meet challenges
Teamwork Skills: Ability to work with others
Leadership Abilities: Ability to lead groups, communicate, and work effectively with others
GPA/Academic Skills: Broad education, good grades
Interpersonal Skills: Interacts well with others, has social skills
Flexibility/Adaptability: Can cope with change and tolerate stress
Technical Skills: Computer skills, internet skills
Honesty/Integrity: Ethics, personal responsibility
Analytic/Problem Solving Skills: Reasoning and thinking abilities

Qualities of Psychology Graduates

Knowledge of Psychology

Psychology is a very broad field encompassing subfields of biology, development, perception, cognition, personality, and others. An undergraduate education in psychology provides an understanding of the major facts, theories, and issues in the discipline. A Bachelor’s degree serves as a base for a lifetime of learning about human behavior.

Research Methods & Statistical Skills

Psychology students begin by asking questions about human behavior and become familiar with research methods used to answer these questions. They develop a basic understanding of research design, ethics, and analysis and interpretation of data.

Thinking & Problem Solving Skills

Students are exposed to a diverse set of perspectives within psychology. This exposure trains them to think flexibly and to accept some level of ambiguity. Psychology students acquire skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and evaluation.

Information Acquisition & Synthesis Skills

Psychology is a continuously changing field. Students learn how to use a range of sources to gather information and synthesize it coherently.

Communication & Intrapersonal Skills

Psychology students are exposed to research on variety of issues such as culture, race, class, and ethnicity that allow them to become aware of, and sensitive to, others. They develop intrapersonal awareness and are able to monitor and manage their own behavior.

Computer Literacy

Psychology students develop familiarity with a wide variety of computer programs. They can effectively use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and statistical analysis software.

Reading & Writing Skills

Psychology students develop reading, writing, and presentation skills required for effective written and oral communication. They are able to structure coherent arguments for a variety of situations.

Adaptability

Psychology students quickly learn that there is no perfect experiment exists. They learn how to design the best research study possible and to adapt to changing demands on the way.

(Appleby, 2000; Edwards & Smith, 1988; Grocer & Kohout, 1997; Landrum, Davis, & Landrum, 2000; Lloyd & Kennedy, 1997; Sheetz, 1995; National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2000)

Helpful Websites

http://careersinpsychology.org/

http://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/index.aspx

http://www.psichi.org/

Helpful Books

Kuther, K.L. (2011). The psychology major’s handbook (3^rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Kuther, T.L., & Morgan, R.D. (2012). Careers in psychology: Opportunities in a changing world (4^th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage.

Kuther, T.L. (2006). Your career in psychology: Clinical and counseling psychology. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Kuther, T.L. (2005). Your career in psychology: Industrial/organizational psychology. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Kuther, T.L. (2004). Your career in psychology: Psychology and the law. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Course Requirements

The Department of Psychology offers a B.S. degree in Psychology. To graduate from High Point University with this degree, students must complete the following:

B.S. in Psychology

Major Requirements	44 credits
University Core Requirements	50 credits
Electives	34 credits
TOTAL	128 credits

Requirements for the B.S. in Psychology (44 credits):

Required Core Courses (16 credits)

PSY 2000 – Introduction to Psychology
PSY 2100 – Statistics for Psychology
PSY 3100 – Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 4100 – Advanced Research Methods in Psychology

Required Electives: (28 credits)
Select 3 courses from Area A, 2 courses from Area B, and 8 credits from Area C

A. Survey of Psychology
Choose 3 of the following courses (12):

PSY 2200 – Personality Psychology (4)
PSY 2250 – Abnormal Psychology (4)
PSY 2300 – Lifespan Development (4)
PSY 2400 – Social Psychology (4)
PSY 2500 – Cognitive Psychology (4)
PSY 2600 – Biopsychology (4)
PSY 2880 – Special Topics (4)

B. Psychological Processes
Choose 2 of the following courses (8):

PSY 3210 – Person Perception (4)
PSY 3310 – Child Development (4)
PSY 3320 – Adolescent Development (4)
PSY 3410 – Social Cognition (4)
PSY 3420 – Close Relationships (4)
PSY 3450. Industrial/Organizational Psychology (4)
PSY/GBS 3470 – Cross-Cultural Psychology (4)
PSY 3510 – Language and Thought (4)
PSY 3520 – Sensation and Perception (4)
PSY 3610 – Health Psychology (4)
PSY 3620 – Human Sexuality (4)
PSY 3710 – Career Development & Psychology (4)
PSY 3880 – Special Topics (4)

C. Applications of Psychology
Choose 8 credits from the following courses:

PSY 4110 – Undergraduate Research (no more than 4 credits will count toward the Psychology major)
PSY 4120-4130 – Independent Study (4)
PSY 4190 – Psychological Testing (4)
PSY 4200 – Counseling and Psychotherapy (4)
PSY 4210 – Personality and Psychopathology (4)
PSY 4301 – Family Dynamics (4)
PSY 4311 – Cognitive Development (4)
PSY 4342 – Cognitive Aging (4)
PSY 4430 – Social Influence (4)
PSY 4450 – Organizational Behavior (4)
PSY 4510 – Learning and Memory (4)
PSY 4610 – Drugs and Human Behavior (4)
PSY 4710-4750 – Student Internship Program (no more than 4 credits will count toward the Psychology major)
PSY 4880 – Special Topics (4)

Required supporting courses: BIO 1100, BIO 1399, or BIO/EXS 2060

Note: PSY 2100 has a prerequisite of MTH 1130 or higher.

Note: All psychology majors are expected to complete the Psychology Department Assessment Packet, including the Major Field Test, during their final semester before graduation. Please see your advisor for details.