9.38. Psychology

Programs offered:

  • B.S. in Psychology (TU)
  • Minor in Psychology (TU)
  • Minor in Psychology (ADP)

The Department of Psychology endorses a view of psychology as the use of scientific methods to study a broad range of factors that often interact to produce human behavior, including cognitive, developmental, personality, physiological and social variables. Therefore, students who major in Psychology are expected to:

  • Learn to apply empirical methods to understand human and animal behavior. Students should be able to use and critique a variety of research methods, ranging from controlled laboratory experiments to naturalistic observations. Specific skills to be acquired include the ability to operationally define concepts for empirical study; to collect, analyze and interpret empirical data; to clearly communicate findings to larger audiences through oral and written presentations (for example, APA style research papers, posters and presentations).
  • Learn major theoretical and empirical advances in a variety of disciplines within the field of Psychology. This objective should include the ability to compare and contrast explanations offered by different schools of thought within each discipline. It also should include an understanding of both current and historically prominent developments in the various disciplines.
  • Learn ways in which psychological concepts can be applied for the benefit of oneself and society. Students will learn about clinical, educational and organizational applications of psychological research and will consider ways in which psychological principles may be relevant to personal life and civic participation. In addition, students are expected to become more precise and tolerant observers of human behavior and individual differences.

The Psychology program has a strong tradition of student achievement in research and internships. Many students collaborate with faculty on research projects or develop and complete their own research projects with the help of faculty mentors. Each year, Oglethorpe is represented at regional and national psychology conferences by psychology students presenting their original work. Psychology students have completed internships in a variety of settings including: private clinical practices, adoption agencies, law enforcement agencies, law firms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Marcus Autism Center, Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Zoo Atlanta, Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center and the Georgia Psychological Association.

B.S. in Psychology (see Sec. 8.5.4. for a complete list of B.S. graduation requirements)

  1. Completion of all of the following foundation courses:
    • PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
    • PSY 209 Behavioral Neuroscience
    • PSY 320 Psychological Statistics and Research Methods I
    • PSY 321 Psychological Statistics and Research Methods II
    • PSY 322 Advanced Experimental Psychology
    • PSY 405 History and Systems
  2. Completion of one of the following clinical Psychology courses:
    • PSY 205 Theories of Personality
    • PSY 206 Abnormal Psychology
    • PSY 290 Special Topics in Psychology (depending on the topic; requires departmental pre-approval)
    • PSY 303 Psychological Testing
    • PSY 490 Advanced Special Topics in Psychology (depending on the topic; requires departmental pre-approval)
  3. Completion of one of the following cognitive/developmental Psychology courses:
    • PSY 201 Developmental Psychology
    • PSY 207 Adolescent Development
    • PSY 290 Special Topics in Psychology (depending on the topic; requires departmental pre-approval)
    • PSY 307 Cognitive Psychology
    • PSY 490 Advanced Special Topics in Psychology (depending on the topic; requires departmental pre-approval)
  4. Completion of one of the following Biopsychology courses:
    • PSY 290 Special Topics in Psychology (depending on the topic; requires departmental pre-approval)
    • PSY 308 Sensation and Perception
    • PSY 310 Drugs, Brain, and Behavior
    • PSY 490 Advanced Special Topics in Psychology (depending on the topic; requires departmental pre-approval)
  5. Completion of one of the following social Psychology courses:
    • PSY 202 Organizational Psychology
    • PSY 204 Social Psychology
    • PSY 290 Special Topics in Psychology (depending on the topic; requires departmental pre-approval)
    • PSY 490 Advanced Special Topics in Psychology (depending on topic; requires departmental pre-approval)
  6. Completion of any additional Psychology elective excluding the following courses:
    • PSY 200 Independent Study in Psychology
    • PSY 400 Advanced Independent Study in Psychology
    • PSY 406 Directed Research in Psychology
    • PSY 495 Internship in Psychology
  7. Completion of at least one semester of a foreign language, at the second-semester elementary (meaning the 102) level or higher.
  8. Additional requirements and things to note:
    • A grade of C- or better is required in both PSY 101 and PSY 209.
    • Oglethorpe students contemplating taking any of the courses required for the major as transients at other post-secondary institutions are cautioned to follow Oglethorpe’s transient student policy (see 6.8.6.).
    • Transfer courses may satisfy major requirements if shown on an official transcript and approved by Psychology faculty.

Minor in Psychology (TU)

  1. Completion of PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
  2. Completion of any four additional Psychology electives, excluding the following:
    • PSY 200 Independent Study in Psychology
    • PSY 207 Adolescent Development
    • PSY 400 Advanced Independent Study in Psychology
    • PSY 406 Directed Research in Psychology
    • PSY 495 Internship in Psychology
  3. Additional requirements and things to note:
    • A grade of C- or better is required in PSY 101.
    • Oglethorpe students contemplating taking any of the courses required for the minor as transients at other post-secondary institutions are cautioned to follow Oglethorpe’s transient student policy (see 6.8.6.).
    • Transfer courses may satisfy minor requirements if shown on an official transcript and approved by Psychology faculty.

Minor in Psychology (ADP)

The requirements are identical to those for the Minor in Psychology (TU) (see above).