Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Psychology > Program Requirements

Major Requirements
The major in psychology consists of 39 credit hours. Thirty-five hours of psychology courses must be successfully completed, plus MATH 211—Elementary Statistics. These 35 hours of psychology courses include 26 hours of required courses, plus nine additional elective hours.

A student who graduates from Thiel College with a major in psychology will:
• understand the scientific method and be able to apply it to test hypotheses and psychological theories.
• understand psychological theories; be able to compare, contrast and evaluate historical and theoretical perspectives; and be able to select elements of theoretical perspectives for practical application.
• understand and be able to apply professional ethical principles in research and the clinical/counseling context.
• demonstrate an awareness of the values, attitudes, and cognitions that underlie an understanding of oneself and the self in relation to others.
• understand the influence of culture on psychological processes.

Suggested Sequence Major Requirements
PSY 150 General Psychology (fall, freshman year)
PSY 240 Child Development (freshman or sophomore year)
PSY 270 Neuropsychology (spring, sophomore year)
MATH 211 Elementary Statistics (spring, sophomore year)
PSY 222 Research Methods (sophomore or junior year)
PSY 300 Abnormal Behavior (sophomore or junior year)
or
PSY 310 Personality Theory (sophomore or junior year)
Any 300 level laboratory course (junior or senior year) (PSY 340, 342, or 343)
PSY 430 History and Philosophy of Psychology (junior or senior year)
One additional 400 level psychology course (PSY 410, 420, 440 or 450) (junior or senior year)

Nine additional hours of psychology electives must be taken to complete this major. Included in the acceptable electives are REL 250—Psychology of Religion and EDUC 112—Educational Psychololgy.

Psychology majors must earn a grade of at least C in the 26 hours of courses required for the major and maintain a 2.0 overall average for all psychology courses. Majors are expected to choose an adviser within the psychology department and to work conscientiously with the adviser to insure appropriate course selections and timely progress toward fulfilling major requirements and general college requirements.

Psychology majors are encouraged to elect courses in related fields, such as biology, sociology, political science, philosophy, neuroscience and other courses in the humanities and sciences.

Psychology majors may wish to concentrate in one of the following: (1) development across the lifespan; (2) counseling psychology; (3) experimental psychology; (4) cognitive psychology. A student may select one of these tracks, or a combination, in accordance with the student’s interests and goals as a psychology major. Consult with a faculty member for course suggestions.

Minor Requirements
The minor in psychology consists of six psychology courses (19-20 credit hours) plus MATH 111. The following courses comprise the minor requirements.
PSY 150 General Psychology
MATH 211 Elementary Statistics
PSY 222 Research Methods
PSY 240 Child Development
or
PSY 242 Adolescent Development
or
PSY 244 Adulthood and Aging
PSY 300 Abnormal Behavior
or
PSY 310 Personality Theory
PSY 430 History and Philosophy of Psychology
One additional 300-400 level Psychology course

Neuroscience
The neuroscience program at Thiel College is an interdisciplinary program that capitalizes on and further develops the interface between biology and psychology. Thiel’s program has a very strong emphasis on experiential learning with laboratory experiences, field trips, and a required internship and senior research project. The program is intended to prepare students for graduate programs in neuroscience, psychology and biology and professional programs in a variety of areas of allied health, including traditional medicine as well as entry level positions as technologists or sales representatives.