Click here to download the Psychology Curriculum Map.

Students of psychology often find that their studies overlap with other disciplines in the social sciences. Psychology provides well-balanced that connects to other fields. The curriculum includes introductions to the basic concepts utilized in psychology, foundations of clinical practice, appreciation of societal issues and culture, and development across stages of the lifespan. Students may graduate with a minor in psychology by taking six courses which include two upper-level electives from the upper-level elective (300-level and beyond) in courses relevant to the field of psychology.  These elective courses do not necessarily need to be taken in Psychology, however, and can include courses from other programs such as social work, education, criminal justice, music therapy, etc.

Psychology Minor Curriculum Requirements (18 credits total)

1. PSY 101 General Psychology (3 credits)
2. One Developmental Psychology Course (3 credits)
   1. PSY 207 Child Development
   2. PSY 215 Adolescent Development
   3. PSY 217 Human Development Across the Lifespan
3. One Clinical Psychology Course (3 credits)
   1. PSY 306 Abnormal Psychology
   2. PSY 313 Personality Theory
4. One Sociocultural Psychology Course (3 credits)
   1. PSY 322 Social Psychology
   2. PSY 324 Cultural Psychology
5. Two Upper-Level Elective Courses (6 credits total)

Students have the option of taking two courses from one content area and use the additional course as an elective.  For example, students could take PSY 306 Abnormal Psychology and PSY 313 Personality Theory, and they could apply PSY 306 to their Clinical Psychology requirement and PSY 313 as one of their upper-level elective courses.  Please consult with your academic advisor for guidance on fulfilling the minor requirements.

 Forensic Psychology Minor 

Forensic psychology explores the intersection of professional psychology, criminal justice, and the legal and judicial systems. Forensic psychologists, for example, have expertise in how clinical issues have implications with the legal system and vice versa (e.g. Incompetent to Stand Trial or Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity rulings). Students in the Forensic Psychology minor will become versed in the legal context in which psychology occurs, and they can use this minor as a springboard to advanced study later in their academic careers. 

• CRJ 210 Constitutional Law or CRJ 212 Criminal Law (pre-requisite CRJ 101)
• CRJ 385 Mental Health & the Criminal Justice System
• PSY 306 Abnormal Psychology
• PSY/CRJ 407 Forensic Psychology
• Upper-Level Elective #1
• Upper-Level Elective #2

Additional information about this minor can be found HERE.

Students interested in learning more about the field of forensic psychology can look at the American Psychological Association’s website: https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/forensic 

Internship

Students pursuing internship for licensure will need to meet the BSAS internship standards including supervised clinical work at an addiction site (e.g. a detox unit).  Students will need to take a seminar corresponding with the semester in which they complete their internship hours.

The Psychology Program at Anna Maria College aligns its learning goals and outcomes with the undergraduate psychology guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association (APA).

• Students will describe key psychological concepts and principles and will apply these psychological concepts to themselves and to society.
  
• Students will use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena, and they will demonstrate information literacy in psychology. They will build these skills by designing, conducting, and interpreting their own psychological research.
• Students will apply ethical standards to psychological science and to clinical practice.
• Students will exhibit effective communication through writing and presentation skills.
• Students will apply psychological content to specific professional skills and to career goals such as getting into graduate school, working as a research assistant, or finding a job in the field of human services. As such:
  • • Students will improve their capacity for teamwork.
    • Students will enhance interpersonal relationships with diverse populations.
    • Students will explain sociocultural values that build communities.
    • Students will refine project-management skills.