Honoring our roots in Humanistic Psychology, our mission is to provide an undergraduate educational experience that allows our students to gain a working understanding of the field of psychology generally and of human-science approaches to psychology more specifically. This mission includes working closely with students to help them (a) develop a deep understanding of the dominant themes, conflicts, and perspectives within the discipline, as well as the ability to employ, critically evaluate, and shift among various perspectives when required; (b) apply psychological concepts and perspectives to the major domains of life outside the classroom; (c) develop a keen awareness of the ways that culture and history have shaped the discipline and affect its practitioners; (d) gain clarity about their identity, values, aspirations, emotions, strengths, and weaknesses; (e) understand the major career areas in psychology and gain an intimate knowledge of their own inclinations and vocations toward a particular area of work in service of the common good, and (f) strengthen their capacity to read, write, and speak effectively, especially with regard to psychological ideas.
Students wishing to major in Psychology must declare before completing 90 hours of academic credit and cannot declare until completing at least 15 hours of academic credit. Students wishing to major in Psychology must have a GPA of at least 2.5 at the time of declaration.
Learning Outcomes
The Undergraduate Program seeks to achieve the following outcomes for all majors:
Knowledge Base in Psychology–Students will
a. articulate and employ the major perspectives of psychology including biological/neuroscientific, behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, humanistic, transpersonal/contemplative, and critical;
b. critically evaluate and shift among the major perspectives when required.
Communication–Students will
a. demonstrate effective writing skills, especially with regard to psychological ideas.
Discernment, Vocation, & Mentorship-Students will
a. articulate their values, aspirations, emotions, strengths, and weaknesses;
b. apply psychological concepts to personal, social, and professional life;
c. describe preferred career paths based on their inclinations and vocations toward an area of work in service of the common good.