BA in Psychology

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals. It is a modern science that studies the diverse subject matter and has applications to all academic fields of study. Psychology investigates topics as causes of depression, how the brain responds to drugs, management of daily stressors, how people effectively interact with each other, and ways in which gender, age, and culture influence behavior. Psychology majors are offered a solid foundation that prepares them for careers in mental health, research, and related fields. A major emphasis is a preparation for graduate school.

Degree Requirements

• Program Credits: 35
• Required Courses General Psychology, Research Methods, Experimental Psychology, Fieldwork: Internship, History, and Systems of Psychology, and Senior Seminar. A minimum of five (5) psychology elective courses can be taken in the following subject areas: developmental psychology, clinical counseling psychology, diversity issues (including Cross-Cultural Psychology, Psychology of Gender, LGBT Studies), biological psychology (including Drugs & Behavior; Health Psychology, Human Sexuality), and social psychology.
• Required Auxiliary Courses: MT 120 Applied Statistics; one Biology lab course (Department approval required)

Additional Information

Psychology students take a rich combination of theory and practitioner-based courses and experimental design courses as part of the major and minor. Students are able to design their own research studies, as well as work with faculty on faculty research projects. Many psychology students participate in regional psychology conferences.

Psychology students gain experiential learning through internship experiences at a variety of Milwaukee area agencies supporting mental health. These include Pathfinders , The Women's Center, The Youth, and Family Project, Gilda's Club, the Boys' and Girls' Club of Greater Milwaukee, and many others.

The Psychology Department has an active Psychology Club and a chapter of the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology.

Faculty advisors work with students to develop and monitor a four-year graduation plan.

A minimum GPA of 2.75 (B/B- average) in combined psychology courses is required to graduate with a psychology major or minor.

Courses

• PS 101 - General Psychology
• PS 150 - Life Choices: Personal Growth for the College Student
• PS 190 - Life Span Human Development
• PS 205 - Selected Topics in Psychology
• PS 220 - Child Psychology
• PS 221 - Adolescent Psychology
• PS 223 - Psychology of Adulthood and Aging
• PS 250 - Drugs and Behavior
• PS 260 - Psychology of Gender
• PS 265 - Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Studies
• PS 270 - Human Sexuality
• PS 275 - Cross-Cultural Psychology
• PS 280 - Health Psychology
• PS 290 - Social Psychology
• PS 303 - Psychological Research Methods and Advanced Statistics
• PS 304 - Experimental Psychology
• PS 308 - Personality Theory
• PS 309 - Psychopathology
• PS 320 - Counseling and Psychotherapy
• PS 325 - Psychological Testing
• PS 354 - Biological Psychology
• PS 400 - Independent Study
• PS 403 - Fieldwork: Internship in Psychology
• PS 404 - Independent Study: Research
• PS 405 - History and Systems of Psychology
• PS 410 - Senior Seminar
• PSY 500 - Clin Psych Continuous Enrollment
• PSY 510 - Forensic Issues
• PSY 533 - Research Methods and Statistics
• PSY 536 - Ethics, Professional Standards, and Legal Issues
• PSY 538 - Personality Psychology
• PSY 541 - Psychopathology
• PSY 542 - Theories of Psychological Treatment
• PSY 543 - Foundations of Psychology
• PSY 545 - Assessment I
• PSY 547 - Theories and Techniques of Individual Psychotherapy and Counseling
• PSY 549 - Assessment II
• PSY 550 - Substance-Related Disorders
• PSY 551 - Multicultural Issues in Clinical Psychology
• PSY 552 - Internship Seminar I
• PSY 553 - Internship I
• PSY 555 - Theories and Techniques of Group Psychotherapy and Counseling
• PSY 556 - Internship Seminar II
• PSY 557 - Biological Bases of Behavior
• PSY 559 - Internship II
• PSY 570 - Career Development
• PSY 572 - Crisis and Trauma Counseling
• PSY 580 - Practicum
• PSY 590 - Independent Study
• PSY 595 - Supervised Research
• PSY 599 - Thesis

Cardinal Stritch University was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in 1937 and was chartered by the State of Wisconsin as a fully-accredited, degree granting institution. Today, Stritch is one of the largest Franciscan institutions of higher education in North America. We offer more than 60 exceptional undergraduate and graduate degree programs that help students develop new skills, gain career-related experience and build professional networks. These academic programs prepare students of all ages, faiths, races and socio-economic backgrounds to succeed in the communities where they live, work, serve and lead.

Stritch is known as an excellent choice for studying business, education, liberal arts, leadership, nursing and the sciences. Students with diverse faith and cultural backgrounds embrace and live our core Franciscan values of creating a caring community, showing compassion, reverencing creation and making peace.