Bachelor of International Liberal Arts: Psychology

We are excited to announce the launch of our new Psychology major, a reflection of our commitment to deepening the understanding of human behavior and cognition. This program, firmly anchored in our mission, recognizes the evolving needs of our world, particularly the importance of addressing and promoting mental health and well-being awareness.

Our Psychology program breaks conventional boundaries by adopting an interdisciplinary approach. It seamlessly integrates insights from diverse fields such as neuroscience, data science, humanities, and social sciences. This structure not only enriches the study of human behavior but also fosters versatile thinkers, adept at bridging disciplines and innovating in their respective fields. We believe that education in this field is crucial in fostering a compassionate, empathetic society that can better understand and address mental health concerns.

This program aligns with iCLA’s dedication to interdisciplinary learning, drawing on the resources of various academic fields to provide a rich, nuanced perspective of psychological theories and practices. We believe that by understanding and harnessing the complexities of the human mind, our students can make significant contributions to society, whether they choose to further their studies or apply their skills directly in the job market.

Why study Psychology?

In an ever-evolving society, the essence of a liberal arts education—to nurture a free mind—remains constant. Today, grasping the intricacies of the mind and behavior is as pivotal as understanding numbers, making psychology integral to modern education. As the scientific exploration of the brain and behavior, psychology spans various subfields, from cognitive to social psychology, offering invaluable insights and diverse career opportunities.

Benefits of Studying Psychology:

• Multidisciplinary Applications: Psychology applies to various fields, including health, education, data science, human resources, social work, marketing, and sales. This multidisciplinary nature offers numerous professional possibilities for graduates.
• Skill Development: The curriculum hones critical skills like research proficiency, analytical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning. These universally applicable skills equip graduates for varied career trajectories.
• Research Opportunities: Students have the unique opportunity to either participate in faculty-led research endeavors or spearhead original projects, enriching their academic and professional profiles.
• Academic and Professional Pathways: While a bachelor’s degree in psychology offers a broad understanding and opens doors to varied roles in sectors like social services, marketing, and research, it’s essential to note that becoming a chartered or professional psychologist typically requires further study at the postgraduate level. Majoring in psychology is often the foundational step and a prerequisite for accredited master’s and doctoral programs. Those aspiring to delve into specialized fields like health, clinical, or sports psychology should anticipate pursuing these advanced degrees to achieve professional status.

The psychology major is designed for students interested in learning the theory and application of human behavior, providing them with a deep understanding of the complexities of human behavior and preparing them for a wide range of careers and further education opportunities.

Register for iCLA's April 6th Virtual Open Campus

Choose liberal arts. In Japan.

The International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA) is a four- year, American style liberal arts college where the primary language of instruction is English. Students can choose from a wide array of courses as part of an innovative curriculum which leads to a bachelor’s degree in International Liberal Arts. Just 90 minutes west of Tokyo, iCLA combines a multi-cultural learning environment with a beautifully traditional Japanese setting in the shadow of Mt Fuji. iCLA offers students the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the very essence of Japanese culture, whilst acquiring a contemporary and globally relevant education at our state of the art facilities. Register for iCLA's April 6th 2024 Virtual Open Campus All iCLA undergraduate students share a liberal arts college curriculum experience in studying towards our innovative Bachelor of International Liberal Arts degree. The iCLA curriculum was designed to cultivate critical, creative, independent, and global thinking. iCLA students learn how to acquire and analyze knowledge in order to create their own answers to age-old questions.

Our residential campus provides a cross-cultural living experience, ensuring that the themes of internationalization and globalization run throughout life at iCLA, not just in the classroom. Small interactive classes are at the core of our pedagogical approach. Low faculty-to-student ratios foster close connections between instructors and students and enhance communication and collaboration among students themselves.

The first-year common experience includes a focus on foundation courses and omnibus courses that is a great way for students to find what is interesting for them and make an informed decision on their major area of study.

In the second year, students take a closer look at their major while taking a variety of courses and experiential learning workshops. The traditional majors in Global Business and Economics and Political Science are enriched by integration with courses in Data Science, Psychology, and Sociology providing depth and breadth. Courses in Arts, Music, Language Arts, Performing Arts, are given a symbiotic relationship in the majors of Japan Studies and Interdisciplinary Arts. The unique nature of Humanities is brought out by “design your own major” philosophy where students can choose a wide variety of courses from different disciplines and design their own major.

In the third year, students have a good sense of their field of specialization and can pursue an in-depth study in their major area of study. Students can take study abroad experience (optional for International students) in one of over 60 partner schools spread across 30 countries.

In the final year, the senior seminar and Graduation Research Project (GRP) are the focus of study. GRP allows students to showcase their writing, critical thinking and problem-solving skills they have learned during college. Students develop independent thinking by discussing and sharing their research with the peer group and get ready to decide next steps after college.