Psychology Undergraduate Majors, Concentrations, and Degrees
Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences offers Liberal Arts Majors and Minors in Psychology and Psychology/Human Development, and Standard Teaching Concentrations in Psychology/Human Development - Early Childhood Education and Psychology/Human Development Elementary Education, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with emphasis in one of three tracks: Developmental Psychology, Family and Community Psychology, and Social and Organizational Psychology.
Psychology Major 45 QH
Contact Gale Stam GStam@nl.edu or Jose de Vincenzo JdeVincenzo@nl.edu for detailed information concerning undergraduate psychology options.
Required courses
Students will select a minimum of one 5 quarter-hour course in each of the following areas in consultation with a Psychology Department adviser: (Total: 20-25 quarter hours.)
- General Psychology 5
An introductory course in general psychology is required for all psychology majors except for students in teacher certification programs or the psychology-human services dual major. - Developmental Psychology 5
A minimum of one course is required. - Social and/or Personality/Clinical Psychology 5
A minimum of one course is required. - Cognitive and/or Experimental Psychology 5
A minimum of one course is required. - Community Psychology 5
A minimum of one course is required.
Total Minimum Hours 25
Elective courses
Students will select additional psychology courses from the above areas or from special topics, seminars, or research in psychology to complete a total of 45 quarter hours, with the approval of a psychology department adviser.
Total elective courses (minimum) 20
Return to top of page.
Standard Teaching Concentration in Psychology/
Elementary Education
Students in elementary education should select a minimum
of 35 quarter hours in psychology, including psychology courses elected as general education requirements in consultation with a psychology department adviser. Two additional electives may be selected in psychology or other liberal arts areas.
Psychology Minor Requirements 30 QH
Required courses
Students will select a minimum of one 5-quarter-hour
course in three of the following areas in consultation with a
Psychology Department adviser: (Total: 15 quarter hours.)
- General Psychology 5
An introductory course in general psychology is required for all psychology majors except for students in teacher certification programs or the Psychology and Human Services dual major. - Developmental Psychology 5
- Social and/or Personality/Clinical Psychology 5
- Cognitive and/or Experimental Psychology 5
- Community Psychology 5
Total Minimum Hours 15
Elective courses
Students will select additional psychology courses from the
above areas or from special topics, seminars, or research in psychology to complete a total of 30 quarter hours, with the approval of a Psychology Department adviser.
Total elective courses (minimum) 15
Return to top.
Psychology/Human Development Major
The Psychology Department offers the Psychology/Human Development major. This major prepares students to apply concepts and theories about the biological, social, and psychological maturation of the person throughout the life cycle and provides a foundation for further graduate study. Students may apply their knowledge in a variety of settings.
Psychology/Human Development Major Requirements 45 QH
Required courses
Students will select required courses in each of the following areas in consultation with a Psychology Department adviser: (Total: 30-35 quarter hours).
- General Psychology 5
An introductory course in general psychology is required
for all psychology/human development majors except for
students in certification programs in Early Childhood or
Elementary Education. - Developmental Psychology 15
General requirement:
Three developmental psychology courses, including Life Span Development are required. Students should complete Psychology of Early Childhood (LAP201), Life-Span Development (LAP315) and one other developmental psychology course. - Social and/or Personality/Clinical Psychology 5
A minimum of one course is required.
Students in Early Childhood Education should take the course, Psychology of Play and Therapeutic Applications (LAP325) or Psychological Assessment of the Young Child— Parts I and II (LAP320, LAP321) to fulfill this requirement. - Cognitive and/or Experimental Psychology 5
A minimum of one course is required.
Students in Early Childhood Education should take the course, Psychology of Learning (LAP401) to fulfill this requirement. - Community Psychology 5
A minimum of one course is required.
Students in Early Childhood Education should take Cross-Cultural Communications (LAP348) or Culture and Self(LAP350) to fulfill this requirement.
Total Minimum Hours 30-35
Elective courses
Students will select additional elective courses from the above areas or from special topics, seminars, and research in psychology to complete a total of 45 quarter hours, with the approval of a psychology department adviser.
Total elective courses 10-15 Hours
Return to top.
Psychology/Human Development Minor 30 QH
Required courses:
Students will select required courses in each of the following areas in consultation with a Psychology Department adviser: (Total: 15-20 quarter hours).
- General Psychology 5
An introductory course in general psychology is required for all Psychology/Human Development concentrators except for students in certification programs in Early Childhood or Elementary Education. - Developmental Psychology 15
General requirement: Three developmental psychology courses, including Life-Span Development required.
Total Required Hours 15-20
Elective courses
Students will select additional elective courses from the following areas to complete a total of 30 quarter hours, with the approval of Psychology Department adviser.
- Social and/or Personal/Clinical Psychology 5
A minimum of one course is recommended. - Cognitive and/or Experimental Psychology 5
A minimum of one course is recommended. - Community Psychology 5
A minimum of one course is recommended.
Total elective courses (minimum) 10-15
Return to top.
Standard Teaching Concentration in Psychology/Human Development — Early Childhood Education
Students in Early Childhood Education should select a minimum of 40 quarter hours in Psychology/Human Development, including psychology courses elected as general education requirements in consultation with a Psychology Department adviser. One additional elective may be selected in psychology or other liberal arts areas.
NOTE: All students in Early Childhood Education are required to take the Psychology/Human Development concentration. Education students should consult the Preservice Teacher Education Handbook and their advisers to be in compliance with specific certification requirements.
Return to top.
Standard Teaching Concentration in Psychology/Human Development — Elementary Education
Students in Elementary Education should select a minimum of 35 quarter hours in Psychology/Human Development, including psychology courses elected as general education requirements in consultation with a psychology department adviser. Two additional electives may be selected in psychology or other liberal arts areas.
Return to top.
Psychology Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A.)
Students in the Psychology Program must complete a total of 180 credit hours: a 69 quarter-hour liberal arts general education core, a 50 quarter-hour psychology core, a 30 quarter-hour specialization in either Developmental Psychology, Family and Community Psychology, or Social and Organizational Psychology, and 31 quarter hours of electives.
The Psychology Program prepares students to use psychological concepts and theories and provides a foundation for further graduate study. Students may apply their knowledge in a number of settings, including but not limited to community and private mental health centers, the business sector, and a variety of other careers. Students should consult Psychology Department advisers for additional options.
Contact Gale Stam GStam@nl.edu or Jose de Vincenzo JdeVincenzo@nl.edu for detailed information concerning undergraduate psychology options.
General Education Requirements 69 QH
The Psychology Department requires a minimum of 69 quarter hours or the equivalent in general education coursework for the completion of the B. A. degree. This will include demonstration of competency in all ten core areas below and include the specific courses or equivalents in the seven Fields of Knowledge Areas. The Psychology Program accepts as equivalent to general education coursework at NLU appropriate courses transferred from other accredited institutions, appropriate CLEP and DANTES examination credit, AP credit (with scores of 3, 4, or 5) and appropriate credit by proficiency. To determine which equivalent credits or exams are appropriate, contact your Psychology Department adviser or the Assessment Center.
Fields of Knowledge
- Communications
LAE101 English Composition I 5
LAE102 English Composition II 5 - Humanities
Philosophy elective 5
Humanities elective 5 - Fine Arts
LAA110 Introduction to Art of Art elective 2
LAU110 Introduction to Music or Music elective 2 - Quantitative Reasoning
LAM110 College Mathematics 5
LAM106 Basic Statistics OR
LAM216 Statistical Methods 5 - Physical and Life Sciences
LAN110 General Biology 5
LAN150 Survey of Physical Science 5
Science elective 5 - Social Sciences
Introductory Social Science course 5
LAS200 U.S. History and Culture, 1492-1828 OR
LAS202 U.S. History and Culture, 1828-1898 OR
LAS203 U.S. History and Culture, 1898 – present 5
LAS300 Contemporary World Cultures 5 - Behavioral Sciences
LAP100 General Psychology 5
Integrated Competencies
The following skills, knowledge and abilities are integrated throughout the student's academic experience in the university. Students may demonstrate attainment of these competencies through successful completion of one course for each of the following competencies. Students should consult their psychology advisers for other ways to demonstrate attainment of the integrated competencies.
Information and Technology Literacy
LAP499 Psychology Seminar
INT310 Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
LAP402 Experimental Psychology
Any psychology or social science course delivered on-line.
Analytical Skills
LAM106 Basic Statistics
LAM216 Statistical Methods
LAH120 Logic and Effective Thinking
LAP305 Memory and Cognition
LAP401 Psychology of Learning
AP402 Experimental Psychology
LAP499 Psychology Seminar
Ethics, Values and Respect for Human Diversity
LAH305 Philosophy of Values and Ethics
LAP315 Life Span Development
LAP350 Culture and Self
LAP420 Social Psychology
LAS300 Contemporary World Cultures
Required Core Courses in Psychology 50 QH
LAP315 Life Span Development 5
LAP305 Memory and Cognition OR
LAP401 Psychology of Learning 5
LAP306 Theories of Personality 5
LAP307 Abnormal Psychology 5
INT310 Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences OR
LAP402 Experimental Psychology 5
LAP350 Culture and Self 5
LAP420 Social Psychology 5
LAP425 Mental Health 5
LAP450 Human Sexuality 5
LAP499 Psychology Seminar: Contemporary Issues in Psychology 5
One course in General Psychology or Introduction to Psychology should be included in General Education requirements. General Psychology is required as part of all three specializations in the Psychology Program.
Track I: Emphasis on Developmental Psychology
Required courses 30 QH
LAP201 Psychology of Early Childhood 5
LAP202 Psychology of Middle Childhood-Adolescence 5
LAP300 Adult Development and Learning Assessment 5
Psychology electives under advisement* 15
Track II: Emphasis on Family and Community Psychology
Required courses 30 QH
LAP340 Effective Interpersonal Relationships 5
LAP342 Interpersonal Helping Skills 5
LAP352 Children and Families Under Stress 5
Psychology electives under advisement* 15
Track III: Emphasis on Social and Organizational Psychology
Required courses 30 QH
LAP310 Introductions to Industrial/Organizational Psychology 5
LAP348 Cross-Cultural Communications 5
INT450 Dynamics of Group and Organizational Behavior 5
Psychology electives under advisement* 15
*Students must consult with their advisers to select courses that match an identified area of specialization.
Liberal Arts Electives to complete a minimum of 180 quarter hours required for the B.A. degree. Additional psychology courses or courses from other appropriate disciplines may be taken as electives to satisfy this requirement. Students should have electives approved by their adviser.
English competency must be documented by passing the English Competency examination or by passing English Composition I (LAE101) and English Composition II (LAE102) at National-Louis University with a grade of "C" or better.
Return to top.
