Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Overview

Bloomsburg University's Department of Psychology features an undergraduate and minor program with all courses taught by faculty possessing terminal Ph.D. degrees in psychology, nearly all with a doctorate in their specialty.

Psychology majors study all key discipline areas from statistics to experimental methodology and applications to advanced theory, as well as independent research, practicum, and teaching assistantships.

By majoring in psychology, the scientific study of mental functions and behaviors, you are prepared for the challenges you will encounter as a worker, family member and concerned citizen in this global world. At BU, you are provided with the workplace skills needed in this information-driven age; a solid academic background for advanced study in a wide range of fields; and the knowledge, skills, and values to succeed in the workforce and thrive in everyday life.

Exercise your major through ...

• opportunities for collaborative research with faculty
• involvement with one of the more active student organizations on campus
• high student placement in the career field and graduate school programs

Psychology provides a quality undergraduate education

Students know how to learn

Knowing how to learn includes using learning strategies such as spacing study sessions; processing information for meaning; generating responses to enhance memory; explaining concepts; using visual-spatial, verbal, and kinesthetic strategies; and becoming actively engaged in the effortful process of learning. Students can reasonably expect faculty and support staff at their institution to assist them in learning to learn.

Students assume increasing responsibility for their own learning

Students need to develop the skilled habit of metacognition, which includes knowing when they need help with learning and when they are learning well on their own. Early in the semester, students who need assistance with learning should seek help from their professors and others on campus who can support learning (e.g., the staff at student learning centers).

Students take advantage of the rich diversity that exists in college

Projections suggest that there will be no single majority group in the United States by the year 2050 (U. S. Census Bureau, 2008) when most of today’s students will still be in the workforce. Demographers expect other regions of the world to become increasingly diverse as well. People vary in multiple ways, including the extent of ability and differences in race, ethnicity, country of origin, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, and socioeconomic status. The diverse characteristics of other students and faculty members provide learning experiences for the real-world tasks of understanding people who view events in the world from varying perspectives. Learning from diverse students and faculty members is an important component of a quality education.

Students are responsible for seeking advice for academic tasks

Such as selecting courses in the approved sequence that satisfy the institution’s requirements for the major and general education. They are also responsible for seeking advice about planning for a career that is realistic and tailored to their individual talents, aspirations, and situations. A corollary of this principle is that faculty and staff will be available to students and knowledgeable about requirements for the major and career options for majors in psychology.

Students strive to become psychologically literate citizens

The goal of becoming psychologically literate citizens is to prepare students for the demands of a global 21st century. Psychological literacy includes having a basic knowledge of the subject matter of psychology, valuing scientific thinking, acting ethically, recognizing and fostering respect for diversity, and being insightful about one’s own and others’ behavior and mental processes. Access to information from distant countries has made students global citizens, even if they have never traveled outside their hometowns, and enhances their ability to see issues from multiple perspectives. Thus, psychologically literate citizens value international perspectives on psychology and willingly engage with citizens from countries other than their own.

Source: American Psychological Association

As a psychology major, you will ...

• demonstrate great communication skills: oral, written and interpersonal.
• understand fundamentals of psychology (content and theories).
• understand the scientific method, quantitative thinking, and problem-solving.
• apply knowledge and methods of psychology to diverse situations.
• demonstrate skills in using technology.
• become a curious, active, flexible and confident learner.
• develop ethical-moral sensitivity.
• integrate knowledge of psychology and other disciplines.
• be prepared for your next transition in life.

The curriculum requires 36 hours of psychology courses comprised of a core sequence founded on basic psychological principles and upper-level requirements from among a number of courses. With the guidance of an academic psychology advisor, students can tailor their schedule meet their individual needs or interests.

Why major in psychology?

Simply ... it's intrinsically interesting, enabling you to study how and why people do the things they do. Plus, a psychology degree opens the door to a variety of careers, such as a school psychologist, clinical psychologist, neuroscientist or community psychologist.

Founded in 1839, Bloomsburg was built on the vision that higher education should be available to anyone who is ready to work for a better life. Today that tradition continues, with limitless opportunities for our students across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Bloomsburg University is an inclusive comprehensive public university that prepares students for personal and professional success in an increasingly complex global environment. Building on a rich history of academic excellence as one of 14 public universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Bloomsburg University prepares and inspires students to become dynamic and confident leaders. As the university on the hill, Bloomsburg University overlooks the Town of Bloomsburg and is situated a few hundred yards from the community's business district with Bloomsburg Hospital across the street from a cluster of residence halls.