Psychology (B.A.)

Program: B.A.
Department of Psychology
College of Arts and Sciences

Neff Hall 388 ~ 260-481-6403 ~ ipfw.edu/psychology

The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows:

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major theoretical approaches, findings, and historical trends in psychology.
Students will demonstrate the ability to understand the major research methods in psychology, including design, data analysis, and interpretation.
Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically and to use the scientific approach to understand behavior.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a science (e.g., value of empirical evidence, tolerance for ambiguity, ethics in research, teaching, and practice).
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply concepts, information, and skills learned in psychology courses to their lives and work.
Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively locate and evaluate sources of information.
Students will demonstrate the ability to express themselves effectively in the discourse of the discipline.
Students will demonstrate the ability to understand people from a diverse range of backgrounds and varying demographic characteristics such as age, race, disability, sexual orientation, class, ethnicity, religion, and cognitive abilities.
Students will demonstrate the ability to make decisions about future employment or graduate education.

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology is for the person seeking a career in psychology or a closely related field. The degree program provides a liberal-arts education in psychology as well as preparation for graduate school. A current IPFW student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to declare psychology as a major. After two consecutively-enrolled semesters in which a psychology major’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, the student will no longer be eligible to be a psychology major. Two subsequent consecutive semesters with the cumulative GPA at or above 2.0 will permit a student to petition for reinstatement as a psychology major.

To earn the B.A. with a major in psychology, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW (see Part 8 ) and the College of Arts and Sciences (see Part 4 ), in addition to fulfilling the following requirements:

IPFW General Education Requirements Credits: 33

See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

English Writing

ENG W233 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.
(or other approved writing courses)

Core and Concentration (Major) Courses

Three of the following: Credits: 9

PSY 23500 - Child Psychology Cr. 3.
Credit not given for both PSY 23500 and PSY 36900
PSY 24000 - Introduction to Social Psychology Cr. 3.
PSY 35000 - Abnormal Psychology Cr. 3.
PSY 36900 - Development Across the Lifespan Cr. 3.
Credit not given for both PSY 23500 and PSY 36900
PSY 42000 - Introduction to Personality Theory Cr. 3.

One of the following: Credits: 3

The capstone course is a culminating experience in the senior year in which the student develops a major project (literature review, research proposal, empirical study, or service learning project) that demonstrates characteristics of critical thinking, including the ability to identify a problem, evaluate evidence, and use information to analyze existing conclusions, draw new conclusions, or contribute to real-world applications or understanding of larger issues.

Prerequisites:
1. Senior standing (90 credits) or completion of 33 credits in psychology.
2. Successful completion of PSY 20300 with a grade of C- or better.

PSY 43100 - Advanced Psychobiology Cr. 3.
PSY 44100 - Advanced Research in Personality and Social Psychology Cr. 3.
PSY 49000 - Practicum in Psychotherapy Cr. 3.
PSY 49900 - Honors Thesis in Psychology Cr. 3.
PSY 54000 - History of Psychology Cr. 3.

Additional credits in psychology at the 200 level or above Credits: 9

In the case of courses which can be repeated for credit (e.g., PSY 39200; PSY 49600), more than one section of the same course number must have substantially different content, as approved by the department chair, if both are to be used toward meeting this requirement. Three credits must be taken at IPFW.

Successful completion of the Major Field Test in Psychology

General Elective Courses

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Total Credits: 120

Honors in Psychology

A student may earn an honors degree in psychology by completing all of the requirements toward the B.A., achieving an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher, and conducting a two-semester independent research project. In the first semester of independent research the student is to complete three credits of PSY 49800 or PSY 59000. In the second semester, the student is to complete an honors thesis, PSY 49900. As part of the honors thesis, an oral presentation to the department is required.