Psychology, BA

Introduction

Psychology is the systematic study of the behavior and experiences (such as thoughts, desires and emotions) of humans and other animals. It is a multidimensional discipline within which a variety of specialties have developed. Psychologists study the structure and function of the nervous system; basic processes such as sensation, perception and cognition; and complex phenomena such as personality dynamics, abnormal behaviors, and behaviors in social settings, the workplace and the environment. The program offers an array of courses reflecting the breadth of the field. Courses such as Physiological, Social, Cognitive, Developmental, and Abnormal Psychology are from the traditional core of the discipline as these processes affect behaviors in all settings. Other courses, such as Theories of Counseling, Health Psychology, Industrial/ Organizational Psychology, Perception, Learning: Theories and Research, and Adult Development and Aging allow students to explore more specialized areas of interest. Both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in Psychology. There is no minor offered in Psychology, but there are four concentrations: Education, Empirical Research, Forensic Psychology and Mental Health. There are also four interdisciplinary minors housed in Social and Behavioral Sciences which contain heavy concentrations of Psychology courses and/or topics: Behavioral Neuroscience, Childhood Studies, Gerontology, and Victimology and Victim Services. 

Program Organization

Four basic courses, required of all majors, provide a foundation for the understanding of psychology: PSYC 1100 Introduction to Psychology, PSYC 2100 The Psychology of Race and Racism, PSYC 2241 Statistical Methods, and PSYC 3242 Experimental Psychology. Students must also select courses from two core areas of the discipline: Natural Science Core (Group 1) and Social Science Core (Group 2). All students must complete at least one senior seminar (PSYC 36XX) or research tutorial (PSYC 37xx) prior to graduation, but more than one may be taken and applied as program electives or cognates. Additional requirements exist for students completing the B.S. degree, including Advanced Statistics, History and Systems, and other research and science courses. Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to work closely with faculty members in seminars, tutorials and independent studies, which require students to be active, responsible participants while examining various theoretical, empirical, and applied topics. Seminars always involve regular class meetings and discussion; research tutorials are often more flexible, with additional time spent in independent investigation and inquiry. Field placements allow students to apply what they have learned in their courses and gain experience working in educational, social services, and other professional settings. 

Admission to the Program

Any Stockton student with an interest in psychology may seek a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology. All students should declare their major and obtain a Psychology faculty preceptor as early as possible, but no later than the beginning of their junior year to help ensure that they can meet all program requirements in a timely fashion. 

Graduation Requirements

All Psychology majors are expected to have passed PSYC 1100 Introduction to Psychology, PSYC 2100 The Psychology of Race and Racism, and PSYC 2241 Statistical Methods by the end of their sophomore year or no later than one year following their declaration as Psychology majors. (Statistics courses from other disciplines such as Math and Computer Science and Information Systems are not acceptable substitutes for the program’s statistics course; nor are 3 credit statistics courses from other colleges.) PSYC 3242 Experimental Psychology should be completed prior to the senior year since it is a prerequisite to some advanced courses in the program. Additional requirements are listed below. In addition to fulfilling requirements for either the B.A. or B.S., students must satisfy all other University-wide requirements in effect at the time of their matriculation. 

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts Degree

The B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) degree in Psychology requires a minimum of 64 credits of program and cognate courses and an additional 64 credits in General Studies and courses At-Some- Distance from the major. A minimum of 40 credit hours (ten courses) must be in Psychology. The remaining 24 credits are cognate courses. Cognates are courses from other programs that are related to the major in some way. Those from other Social and Behavioral Sciences programs include: ANTH, CRIM, ECON, GERO, SOCY, SOWK, POLS or additional PSYC courses above the 40-credit minimum. Disciplines outside of Social and Behavioral Sciences, such as EDUC, MATH, CSIS, BIOL, CHEM, HLTH, PHIL, MGMT, MKTG, and PHYS, may sometimes, but not automatically, be counted as cognates. They must be selected after careful consultation with the student’s preceptor and based upon the student’s particular interests and career aspirations. 

In addition to PSYC 1100, PSYC 2100, PSYC 2241 and PSYC 3242, students must choose two core courses, one from the Natural Science Core (PSYC 2215, 3323, 3324, 3331, 3332), and one from the Social Science Core (PSYC 2211, 2301, 3302, 3322). Three additional Psychology electives and at least one PSYC senior seminar (3600-3699 Level) or research tutorial (3700-3799 Level) complete the required course work for the B.A. degree. 

Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degree

The B.S. degree in Psychology requires a minimum of 80 credits of program and cognate courses, of which at least 40 credits must be in Psychology, as well as at least 48 credit hours in fulfillment of the University’s General Studies requirements. Since the B.S. requirements are more specific and extensive than those for the B.A., it is strongly suggested that B.S. students begin planning with their preceptors by the start of the sophomore year. In addition to the three foundation courses required of all Psychology majors (PSYC 1100, PSYC 2100, PSYC 2241 and PSYC 3242), B.S. students must complete the three core courses, one from the Natural Science Core, one from the Social Science Core (see above under B.A.), and a third core from either category. They must also complete the following: three senior seminars (PSYC 3661, PSYC 3641 and PSYC 36XX), 8 credits of PSYC research courses* (PSYC 3740, 37XX, 4810, 4815, 4820 or 4825, 4895 or 4899), BIOL 1200/1205 and 8-10 credits from a specified group of science and math cognates (MATH 1100, 2215, BIOL 1400/05, CHEM 2110/15, 2120/25, PHYS 2110/15, 2120/25, 2220/25, 2230/35, CSCI 2101, 2102) Additional cognates or electives will need to be selected to reach 80 program/cognate credits. 

*Students who co-author a manuscript or conference presentation and/or complete PSYC 4820/4825 Project for Distinction may also meet the requirements for the Empirical Research Concentration. 

Psychology Degree Concentrations

Students completing the B.A. or the B.S. degree can complete the general degree, as described above, or may elect to concentrate their coursework in one of five areas:

• Education Concentration (B.A. only)

• Early Childhood Education Concentration (B.A. -only)

• Empirical Research Concentration (B.A. or B.S.)

• Forensic Psychology Concentration (B.A. or B.S.)

• Mental Health Concentration (B.A. or B.S.) 

Education Concentration

Elementary certification (K-6) with Specialization (6-8)

See the Education Program for details on this concentration. 

Early Childhood Education Concentration

Early Childhood certification (P-3)

See the Education Program for details on this concentration. 

Students seeking teacher certification in the Education or Early Childhood Education concentrations must meet both the requirements for graduation in the B.A. in Psychology degree and the state requirements for teacher certification. Since individual courses may meet both program and state requirements, it is highly recommended that students meet regularly with their Psychology program preceptors as well as their education program preceptors. Psychology majors must still take 40 credits in program courses for the B.A., but their Psychology preceptor may recommend the best choices for core courses and free electives. Students should reserve ALL cognates for required EDUC courses and should seek recommendations from their education preceptor for appropriate At-Dome-Distance and General Studies courses to meet additional New Jersey Department of Education requirements.  

Empirical Research Concentration

This concentration provides a structured curriculum for those students who are interested in pursuing a research-focused graduate education in psychology or a closely related discipline. Students will develop their ability to read, comprehend and critically evaluate primary research articles. They will also receive systematic training which will enable them to conduct research projects independently. Students will be required to complete an advanced statistical analysis course, one seminar course that heavily requires the reading of primary research articles, multiple research projects, and at least one formal experience in disseminating research findings to professional researchers. Completing this concentration would strengthen students’ graduate school applications and improve their chances of being accepted into competitive graduate programs. The structure of this concentration is flexible enough that students (including transfers) could complete it in two years; it is open to both B.A. and B.S. students. A minimum of 16 credits is required. 

Students will take Advanced Statistics (PSYC 3641, an elective for BA, already required for BS) and a second senior seminar (PSYC 36XX, an elective for BA, already required for BS). In addition, students will take two research courses (PSYC 27XX, 3705, 3718, 3740, 3754, 4810, 4812, 4815, 4895, 4899) and must complete one of the following:

• PSYC 4820 Project for Distinction (4 credits)

• PSYC 4825 Project for Distinction Neuroscience (4 credits)

• Author (or co-author) of Regional, National or International Conference Presentation

• Author (or co-author) of Peer-Reviewed Publication 

Forensic Psychology Concentration

Forensic psychology is a rapidly growing field within psychology and criminal justice. Courses that comprise the concentration at Stockton University were selected so students will understand an overall relationship between psychological principles and criminal offending. The criminal offender is continually influenced by multiple systems within the psychosocial environment. By taking courses in forensic psychology concentration, students will synthesize selected components in criminal justice and psychology that will result in a better understanding of how developmental patterns result in criminal behavior. Students will develop insight into how criminals think relative to the choices they make. These courses are also designed to allow a student to continue easily studying forensic psychology in the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program at Stockton, to continue studying in a psychology master’s degree program in another institution of higher education, or to pursue a variety of career opportunities. Criminal Justice and Psychology majors may enroll in the Forensic Psychology concentration at any time. 

Students in this concentration take two prerequisite courses (CRIM 1100, PSYC 1100), three foundation courses (CRIM 2114, PSYC 2211, CRIM/PSYC 3120), and two electives (CRIM 2111, 2327, 2610, PSYC 3145, 3618, 3646, 3648).  

Mental Health Concentration

The majority of psychology majors are interested in careers in mental health and human services and often find employment in a wide variety of industries, including some bachelor’s level clinical positions, such as case managers, therapeutic support staff, or applied behavior analysts. In these positions, they interface with professionals and clinical populations in many administrative or therapeutic capacities. This concentration provides students with a framework to develop a general understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of clinical populations, the structure and functioning of the mental health system, and the basic skills necessary for interacting professionally in human service contexts. 

Students in this concentration take two foundation courses (PSYC -2211, 3392) and either an approved internship (PSYC 3900) and two electives or four electives (CRIM/PSYC 3120, PSYC 3145, 3323, 3324, 3355, 3398, 3605, 3619, 3626, 3635, 3646, 3648, 3652, PSYC/GERO 3616, GAH 1072/3616, GIS 3319, GSS 3612). Note that if students choose the internship option (which serves as two electives), they should be aware that they may need to secure their own placement. 

Graduation with Distinction

Both B.A. and B.S. students may apply to graduate with Distinction in Psychology. Students who have completed at least 24 credits of PSYC course work and obtain at least a 3.2 GPA in Stockton PSYC courses are strongly encouraged to seek Distinction. In addition to meeting the grade requirements, students must conduct a senior thesis that is judged by the program faculty. Distinction projects typically span two semesters. During the first semester, students must decide upon a general topic of investigation, obtain a faculty sponsor, and prepare a research prospectus/proposal. The research proposal must be approved by a committee of three Psychology faculty (including the faculty sponsor), which the sponsor will then submit to the program faculty for approval. During the second semester, the student completes the data collection and data analyses for the project. The student typically registers for a 4-credit independent study (PSYC 4820 or 4825 Project for Distinction) during the second semester. At the end of the second semester, students submit a final paper (at least 10 days prior to the end of the semester), and orally present their thesis to the program faculty. The Psychology faculty confer Distinction on those students who meet the University’s criteria and whose senior theses are judged academically excellent. 

Special Opportunities

Stockton’s Psychology faculty support field placements in Psychology in a variety of settings, including social service agencies, general hospitals, an on-campus rehabilitation hospital, schools, nursing homes and various businesses. Psychology students also participate in the Washington Internship program and have worked at settings which have included the National Institute of Mental Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Council on Aging, among others. Additionally, students are encouraged to participate in student-faculty research. 

Psychology students are encouraged to explore various minors in which program faculty members participate. These offerings include minors housed in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, such as the Behavioral Neuroscience minor, the Childhood Studies minor, the Gerontology minor, and the Victimology and Victim Services minor; those in General Studies, such as the Africana Studies minor, the Jewish Studies minor, and the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies minor. 

The program has an active Psychology Club as well as a chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology. In collaboration with the program faculty, the Psychology Club meets regularly for discussion about courses, careers, graduate school, conferences, and other special opportunities for undergraduates in psychology. All majors are urged to join the psychology club. Psi Chi membership is open to students who have completed at least one semester of full-time course work at Stockton (including a minimum of three courses in psychology), are registered as a Psychology major, and have maintained an overall GPA and a PSYC GPA of at least 3.6 for work completed at Stockton University. Each year Psi Chi and Psychology Club sponsor an undergraduate research conference showcasing student-faculty research collaborations, student independent projects, a keynote speaker, and a Distinguished Alumni Award. 

Students who elect to complete a senior project for distinction as well as others doing research in collaboration with program faculty are encouraged to apply for the Stockton Board of Trustees Fellowships for Distinguished Students program. Additionally, Psychology students enrolled in the Gerontology minor, or those wishing to specialize in health-related issues of Psychology, are encouraged to apply for South Shore Foundation Scholarships in Health Education. 

Career Opportunities

Since the major emphasis of psychology is the study of behavior, a wide variety of career options are open to students with a baccalaureate degree in this discipline. Psychology is a useful undergraduate major for medicine, teaching, business, law and other fields involving human interaction. Psychology graduates may proceed to further study at the graduate level in psychology or related fields such as social work, counseling and guidance, marriage and family therapy, occupational therapy, drug and alcohol counseling, etc. They may also choose to work with groups that have psychological problems (e.g., persons with mental disability, the juvenile delinquent, substance abusers), assume positions as research assistants for psychologists and related professionals, teach (if they obtain certification) or begin careers in business and corporate settings. To ensure proper planning, students interested in careers in psychology should consult with the Psychology faculty, the Psychology program web page, and the Psychology Handbook as well as the Office of Career Services. Students considering teacher certification should review the Education concentrations and make an appointment to meet with faculty or staff in the School of Education in their first semester at Stockton to discuss other available areas of certification. 

Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the Psychology website.