The Psychology Program's goal is designed to prepare students for both advanced and applied work in the professional and scientific areas of psychology and related fields including health, business, law, education and human services. Students receive broad training in the science and application of psychological methods and principles, as well as opportunities to gain knowledge and hands-on experience in specialized areas.
Many people believe Psychology is a field that requires students to get an advanced degree in order to pursue a career related to the field. Although advanced degrees are required for direct Counseling and Clinical practice, the knowledge of human behavior and the skills that Psychology graduates possess are applicable to a diverse array of jobs.
Individuals with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology often pursue jobs as case workers, technicians or counselors in health and human service agencies, including non-profit, government and independent agencies. These graduates provide clients with mental, emotional and physical support in the form of recreational activities, social skills training and group therapy while working under the supervision of a specialist. Clients may include people of all ages who are experiencing mental health issues ranging from behavioral and emotional disorders to physical complications. These graduates work in the clients’ personal homes, group homes, mental health centers, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers and hospitals where they use their knowledge of human nature and behavior to assist people in need. Others assist in educational settings, helping children as Academic Advisers, Daycare Teacher’s Aides or Therapeutic Support Staff.
Some of our students also pursue jobs in Industrial/Organizational fields. Retailers, Businesses and Corporations are in constant need of Marketing and Advertising personnel, Research Assistants, Human Resource staff, Recruiters and Public Relations Officers. For example, managers often have a degree in Psychology, and they use their knowledge to interact with customers and to foster a healthy and efficient work environment for the employees they supervise.
Other Psychology Majors wish to pursue a career in Justice Administration. These individuals (who often also pursue a Political Science, Criminology or Sociology Minor) become Corrections Officers, Parole Officers and Law Enforcement Officers. They are hired by Law Enforcement Agencies at all levels, but they may also serve in social services as Child Protection Workers and in similar roles.
The opportunities for students of Psychology are quite diverse (also see the jobs listed below). Even a Psychology Minor may demonstrate to potential employers that you have an enhanced understanding of human interaction and behavior. If you have questions about these or other job opportunities, stop by the Psychological Science Department: We have several informational resource packets, and our faculty are always willing to help and advise in any way they can.
Human Services:
Possible Jobs: Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselor, Family Services Worker, Rehabilitation Advisor, Mental Health Technician, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Youth Counselor
Who’s Hiring?: Federal and State Governments (Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Veterans’ Administration), Mental Health Centers, Senior Citizens’ Centers, Hospitals, Non-profit Organizations (United Way, YMCA, Religiously Affiliated Service Organizations)
Justice Administration:
Possible Jobs: Corrections Officer, Parole Officer, Law Enforcement Officer, Child Protection Worker
Who’s Hiring?: Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, Group Homes, Social Services
Community Relations:
Example Jobs: Director of Volunteer Services, Urban Planning Assistant, Community Outreach Worker, Public Affairs Coordinator, Public Information Specialist
Who’s Hiring?: Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies, Non-profit Organizations (United Way, YMCA, Religiously Affiliated Service Organizations)
Research:
Possible Jobs: Behavior Analyst, Statistical Assistant, Historical Research Assistant
Who’s Hiring?: National Institute of Education, Federal Government (Department of Health and Human Services), Non-profit Organizations
Industrial/Organizational:
Possible Jobs: Administrator, Human Resources Recruiter, Director of Fundraising, Occupational Analyst, Public Relations, Advertising Agent, Marketing Representative/Researcher, Managers
Who’s Hiring?: Human Resources Departments of Companies, Government Personnel Agencies, Marketing Firms, Corporations, Retailers
Education:
Possible Jobs: Academic Adviser, Daycare Teacher’s Aide
Who’s Hiring?: Daycare Centers, Schools
Major Requirements (35 credits)
The required courses and internship within the major provide for a breadth of knowledge about the various fields of psychology. The courses also provide a background in scientific research methodology as applied in psychology.
The required course work for the Psychology Major is as follows:
PY 100 Introduction to Psychological Science - 3 credits
PY 203 Statistics I - 3 credits
PY 204 Statistics II - 3 credits
PY 212 Child Development - 3 credits
PY 243 Abnormal Psychology - 3 credits
PY 260 Social Psychology - 3 credits
PY 308 Cognitive Psychology - 3 credits
PY 309 Learning - 3 credits
PY 331 Biological Psychology - 3 credits
PY 341 Research Methods in Psychological Science and Lab - 4 credits
PY 550 Psychology Internship- 1-3 credits
One of the following two courses:
PY 401 Capstone: Research Review and Analysis - 3 credits
PY 405 Capstone: Research Thesis I - 3 credits**
**PY 405 requires a minimum 3.5 grade point average in all courses taken in the Psychological Science Department and students who register for PY 405 should do so with the expectation that they will complete PY 406 (Capstone: Research Thesis II).
In addition to these required courses, students in the Psychology Major are encouraged to take additional elective courses within psychology as well as to choose Core Curriculum courses that will best prepare them for their future careers.
Mental Health Concentration (24 credits):
The Concentration in Mental Health is an optional add-on available only to those completing a psychology major. It provides students with an academic background in a variety of areas related to mental health, including mental disorders, family dynamics, counseling, assessment, and ethical issues, among others.
Required:
PY 219 Introduction to Counseling
PY 230 Positive Psychology
PY 243 Abnormal Psychology
PY 251 Family Systems
PY 343 Abnormal Psychology II
PY 370 Ethical Issues in Psychology
One of the following two courses:
PY 320 Forensic Psychology
PY 382 Psychological Assessment
One of the following two courses:
PY 250 Addictive Behaviors
PY 322 Health Psychology
All students desiring a minor in psychology must complete 18 credits within the department. The requirements are as follows:
Required:
PY 100 Introduction to Psychological Science - 3 credits*
Two of the following three courses:
PY 212 Child Development - 3 credits
PY 243 Abnormal Psychology - 3 credits
PY 260 Social Psychology - 3 credits
One of the following four courses:
PY 308 Cognitive Psychology - 3 credits
PY 309 Learning - 3 credits
PY 322 Health Psychology - 3 credits
PY 331 Biological Psychology - 3 credits
Any two additional three-credit courses offered by the department
The certificate requires 27 credits (or 18 additional credits for Psychology majors). At least 12 credits must be earned at Saint Vincent College. The curriculum is based on the assumption that the student has had Introduction to Psychology or an equivalent course.
Required Courses:
One of the following two:
One of the following two:
Saint Vincent College Psychology faculty members and/or students are members of and participants in the following organizations:
Association for Psychological Science (APS)
American Psychological Association
Eastern Psychological Association
Psi Chi: The International Honor Society for Psychology
National Association of School Psychologists
The following are only some of the agencies/institutions where Saint Vincent College Psychology Majors have recently completed internships:
Students will: