Psychology, B.A.

About the Program

• Real-world internships and fieldwork
• Hands-on research required of all majors
• An internship-based or original research-based capstone project by all seniors
• Core Liberal Arts Track
• Pre-Professional Track
• Ph.D. Track
• Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities around the world

Arcadia offers several different Psychology tracks designed to accommodate students’ interests and career objectives. Psychology coursework is unique in three ways. Many courses offer hands-on experience through laboratory or fieldwork.

Tracks

In accordance with individual interests and career goals, Psychology majors can select courses in one of three directions.

Core Liberal Arts Track

Major in Psychology. The liberal arts direction may be selected by students who want a basic foundation in psychology and a broad preparation in the liberal arts. Since only two courses per year are required for the major in Psychology (four courses during the sophomore year), the Psychology major can be combined with other majors or minors. This direction fulfills the requirements for graduate study in psychology, as well as for careers open to liberal arts graduates without specific pre-professional preparation. Students might have careers in marketing, healthcare, communications, or business.

Pre-Professional Track

Major in Psychology, supplemented with courses in a pre-professional specialization. The pre-professional direction is designed for students who want to pursue a specialized profession. The Psychology major is sufficiently open in requirements so that it can be integrated easily with pre-professional preparation. Correlative courses prepare students for professional work or graduate study in the following areas:

• Pre-Health Professions: Students preparing for one of the health professions often find the Psychology major a useful center for their pre-professional studies. In fields such as physical therapy, medicine, health education, nursing, public health, health administration, or veterinary medicine, professionals who regard their task as dealing with human beings who have difficulties can find psychology a meaningful source of guidance. Coursework in Biology, Chemistry, or Computer Science is combined with the major to provide appropriate background. (See separate listings for these pre-health programs.)
• Secondary Education: Psychology majors seeking certification for secondary teaching in Social Studies must notify their advisers and the Director of Secondary Education. State certification requirements are very specific, so the earlier students plan for this option, the easier it is to develop appropriate programs.
• Psychology and Business: Students who are interested in positions in human resources management and who want to combine preparation in psychology and business can combine the major in Psychology with a minor in Business. This program is good preparation for students who want to pursue graduate study in psychology or business administration.
• Pre-Art Therapy: Students may want to combine Psychology and Art Therapy courses in preparation for graduate study. This can be accomplished through a major in Psychology with an Art Therapy emphasis, a major in Art and Design with an Art Therapy emphasis and coursework in Psychology, or a combined major in Art and Design (B.A. program) and Psychology with an Art Therapy emphasis.
• Individualized Options: Students who are interested in careers such as school psychology, psychiatric social work, working with children, counseling and guidance in schools, music therapy, or psychometrics must continue their education at the master’s level. Appropriate preparatory courses at the undergraduate level should be selected in consultation with the Department adviser.

Ph.D. Track

Major in Psychology, supplemented with cognate courses in preparation for master’s and Ph.D. programs in psychology. The graduate studies direction is designed for students interested in postsecondary teaching, research, clinical or counseling psychology, or other specialized areas of psychology. Undergraduate psychology coursework should be supplemented with cognate courses relevant to students’ particular interests, selected in consultation with the Department Chair or adviser. Students should also consider courses aimed at increasing skills in quantitative methods (such as advanced statistics courses, e.g., MA 201, MA 242, PY 275), public speaking (e.g. CM 110, TH 101, TH 140, TH 141, TH 150, US 248), and/or visual presentation (e.g., CM 268, CS 107). PhD programs do not require any specific set of such courses, but may give weight to students who have such training.

Study Abroad

Psychology majors are encouraged to study abroad. The Department works with students to devise the best combination of international coursework to complement their studies. Psychology majors who plan to study abroad can do so during the summer or during their sophomore or junior years. Study abroad is not permitted during the senior year because of the required yearlong Psychology internship.

Study abroad can be coordinated with required major courses in one of two ways. Students may be able to find replacement courses for major courses overseas.  Alternatively, in many cases, space can be cleared in a given semester so that no overseas psychology courses are necessary. To create the best study abroad plan, students should consult with their advisers as soon as possible and make their intentions known to the study abroad office. Visit the University’s website for more information.

Senior Capstone Experience

Major courses are sequenced, so every student is at the same experience level, and all seniors participate in Senior Seminar, an individually supervised research or internship project.

Master of Arts in Counseling

Arcadia University Psychology majors who meet the criteria for admission will be given preferential consideration for admission. The graduate program in Counseling is designed to allow a student to sit for the NCE and to apply for Pennsylvania licensure once mandated supervised work experience is acquired. (See Graduate Catalog.)

Degree Requirements

(48 credits as listed below, with Undergraduate Curriculum requirements and electives to total 128)

Related Graduate Study at Arcadia University

• Master of Arts in Counseling
  • Child/Family Therapy
  • Community Counseling Psychology
  • Trauma: Clinical Bases of Treatment and Recovery
• Master of Education with a concentration in Secondary Education with Certification in Social Studies
• Masters of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution
• Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Community Health