Bachelors (BA) in Psychology & Mental Health Studies
Overview
The Psychology & Mental Health Studies program provides learners with knowledge, skills, and abilities to pursue opportunities in these fields of study. Graduates of this program work in a variety of helping professions as well as enter into graduate programs of study in psychology, counseling, school psychology, and education.
Degree Outcomes
- Learn social science frameworks for interpreting the patterns and dynamics that operate in groups and families.
- Gain an appreciation for cultural and individual variety and uniqueness in how groups and families develop their patterns of interaction.
- Identify theories, concepts, contextual variables, etc., which contribute to effective communication and demonstrate a growing sensitivity to cultural variables.
- Articulate the diversity of contributions to the contemporary fields of psychology regarding theories and principles of psychology, particularly with respect to their historical foundations and cultural backgrounds.
- Explore the historical and contemporary pioneers responsible for a diverse approach to understanding human behavior and mental health.
- Explore personal and professional ethics in the helping professions. Students will examine and develop systems for making ethical decisions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the biosocial, psychosocial, cognitive, and emotional development of infants, children, adolescents, and adults.
- Examine and explore quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Provide an introduction to the types, nature, and causes of major behavioral disorders.
- Articulate an understanding of physical health problems, psychological effects, social effects, and make recommendations about addiction education, as well as outpatient and inpatient treatment.
- Discuss how faith influences one's worldview, the influence of Christianity upon society, and how the Christian faith relates to helping people.
- Develop the student’s understanding of the historical and modern accomplishments of cognitive psychology, the many aspects of memory, and the development and application of the study of language.
- Provide an overview and analysis of the concepts of acute stress, trauma, and how to cope with stress and trauma.
- Prepare for graduate programs in psychology, counseling, school psychology, social work, and education.
Course Requirements
Students are required to obtain a minimum grade of C- in all courses taken for the major.
Major Requirements
Psychology & Mental Health Studies Coursework (36 credit hours)
Complete the following:
In this course, students will investigate concepts of worldview as it relates to personal identity, cultural assumptions, interpersonal communication, individual decision-making, and faith. Students will explore the roots of the Christian faith and the influence of Christianity on society, seeking to construct a personal worldview that informs their understanding of the meaning of life.
This course will introduce students to the theoretical and developmental approaches to child and adolescent development. Emphasis on a biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive approach to development in childhood and adolescence is explored. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
This course will introduce students to specific developmental issues and changes during early, middle, and later adulthood. Emphasis on a biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive approach to development in adulthood and aging is explored. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
The course introduces students to concepts in family relationships and dynamics. Historic and contemporary family theories are explored as a framework to better understand families. Presents family and group dynamics from a systems perspective.
This course is an introduction to the basic methods of qualitative and quantitative research. Focus is on the basic concepts of scientific inquiry as applied to social services. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics.
This course offers an introduction to the types, nature, and causes of major behavioral disorders. Provides insight into behaviors that can have an impact on relationships. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
This course investigates the role communication plays in creating healthy group relationships. Emphasis is placed on intentional interviewing strategies, verbal and nonverbal communication, effective listening, constructive feedback, and assertiveness in communication. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics.
This course is an exploration of personal and professional ethics in the helping professions. Students will examine and develop systems for making ethical decisions. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics.
This course provides an overview of screening, intake, and assessment. It includes recognizing physical health problems, psychological effects, social effects, making recommendations about addiction education, outpatient and inpatient treatment. Topics include, but are not limited to, drug, gambling, and sexual addictions. Prerequisites: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics, PMHS 427 Abnormal Psychology
This course will introduce students to the history and foundations of psychology with an emphasis on the cultural and global understanding of this discipline. Students will explore schools of thought in psychology including structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, Gestalt, and psychoanalysis. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
This course will explore the vast fields of cognitive psychology, memory, and language. Emphasis will be on developing the student’s understanding of the historical and modern accomplishments of cognitive psychology, the many aspects of memory, and the development and application of the study of language. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
This course will provide an overview and analysis of the concepts of acute stress, trauma, and how to cope with stress and trauma. An emphasis will be placed on crisis management, self-care, building safe relationships, generational trauma, and cultural implications of stress and trauma. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics
(Optional - by arrangement with the School of Professional Studies) Active internship in the social services field in which the student is employed or seeks employment. Prerequisite: PMHS 421 Family & Group Dynamics