Mar 28, 2024  
2004-2005 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2004-2005 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


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Psychology



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(130 semester hours)

Springfield College remains in the forefront of psychology education by providing the community with broadly trained, practically experienced professionals who are prepared to enter the workplace. As undergraduates, psychology students explore child psychology, motivation and learning, abnormal psychology, educational psychology, and interviewing and counseling. The goals of Springfield College’s undergraduate psychology program are to introduce students to the primary areas of importance in psychology and to prepare them for ever-growing career opportunities.

Career opportunities for psychology majors can be as varied as health and wellness programs, stress management programs, employee relations, childcare assistance, or mental health services in hospitals, residential treatment centers, nursing homes, and mental health agencies. Psychology majors may also opt to seek licensure as an early childhood teacher for students with and without disabilities (PreK-2).

For additional information about the undergraduate psychology major, contact Dr. Marjie Marcotte, director of undergraduate psychology programs, at (413) 748-3075, or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257. For more information about the early childhood teacher licensure program, contact Dr. Linda Delano, director of teacher preparation programs, at (413) 748-3155.

 


Download an Psychology Program Checksheet


CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS


I. General Education Program


Non-teacher licensure students take 47 s.h. in addition to requirements for their major, licensure students take 16 s.h. in addition to requirements for their major and program.

To integrate the humanics philosophy into their lives, Springfield College students engage in the search for knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of values through a variety of courses in the sciences and humanities. In addition to those General Education courses, students must complete 6 s.h. of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses. For more information see the General Education Program and WAC courses. In the major requirements listed below, selected courses which fulfill General Education categories are marked with an asterisk; selected WAC courses are marked with a “W”.

II. Major Requirements (30 s.h.)


Psychology Selectives


Psychology majors must select courses from the categories below to complete the 30 s.h. of psychology requirements. Specific selectives are required for students seeking licensure as an early childhood teacher—see Section V for more information.

If necessary, select 1 additional s.h. of psychology elective to complete the 30 s.h.

Select one of the following natural science psychology courses:


Select two of the following social psychology courses:


Select two of the following applied psychology courses:


Select 5–6 s.h. from the following psychology in the larger world courses:


III. Optional Specializations (6-18 s.h.)


In addition to the core requirements and selectives, a student may select one of the following four specializations when completing the bachelor’s degree in psychology.

A. Individually Designed Psychology (6 s.h.)


This specialization is designed for students who wish to seek employment in human welfare occupations, such as community mental health, special training schools, opportunity centers, or probation services; students who view psychology primarily as an opportunity for personal growth; and students who want to prepare for particular careers, professional programs, or graduate schools whose programs are not represented by the other three concentrations. Requirements for this specialization are 6 s.h. of additional psychology electives at the 400-level.

B. Experimental Psychology (6 s.h.)


This specialization is primarily for those who intend to pursue advanced training in such areas as learning, perception, motivation, or one of a number of expanding areas in experimental psychology.

As part of the required selectives:


In addition:


C. Industrial/Organizational Psychology (18 s.h.)


This specialization focuses on training and development in two major areas of industrial psychology: organizational psychology and personnel psychology. The program of courses should be especially appealing to those who plan to enter the world of business. Students electing this specialization are strongly advised to earn an official minor in business management.

D. Clinical Counseling Psychology (6 s.h.)


This specialization is designed for those who have a special interest in the field of clinical psychology, counseling, guidance, social work, and related fields. Courses deal with clinical assessment, therapeutic treatment, the psychological process of normal human lifespan development, and psychological evaluation.

In addition:


  • PSYC ___ - Psychology Electives Credits: 6 s.h.

IV. Electives


Non-licensure students must complete up to 53 s.h. of electives to total 130 s.h. They are encouraged to complete an optional psychology specialization and/or a minor. Early childhood licensure students must complete 2 s.h. of electives to total 130 s.h.

V. Optional Early Childhood Teacher Licensure Program (81.5 s.h.)


Psychology majors may elect to seek licensure as an early childhood teacher for students with and without disabilities (PreK–2). Students seeking licensure should begin their program upon their admission to the College, but in order to be considered teacher candidates and to complete the professional preparation requirements, they must apply for official admission to the teacher preparation program and be accepted. Application to the teacher preparation program typically occurs prior to the junior year.  More information about requirements for admittance to the teacher preparation program can be found in the early childhood teacher licensure section.  Psychology students seeking licensure must complete all requirements for the major, plus the additional requirements listed below.

Licensure students must take the following courses to satisfy their required psychology selectives:


Required to fulfill the natural science psychology category:


Required to fulfill the social psychology category:


Select two of the following to fulfill the applied psychology category:


In addition:


Licensure students must take the following courses to complete the 30 s.h. of major requirements. Their psychology in the larger world category is fulfilled through their early childhood practicum.

Arts and Sciences Requirements for Early Childhood Licensure (46.5 s.h.)


VI. Sample Program by Year


The program listed below is a sample—courses are not guaranteed to be offered during the semester or year listed. It is the student’s responsibility to insure that all requirements are met on a timely basis and that needed prerequisite courses are completed before taking upper-level requirements; therefore, they should consult carefully with an advisor when planning their program. Students must average a minimum of 16.25 s.h. a semester to complete this program in four years.

Non-licensure students will need to insure that the following General Education categories are fulfilled: Natural Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Health, Physical Education, English, Literature, Second Language/Culture, Visual and Performing Arts, History, Social Science, Social Justice, Philosophy, and Religion. Early childhood licensure students will need to insure that Computer Science, Physical Education, Literature, Second Language/Culture, Philosophy, and Religion are fulfilled. Courses marked with an * fulfill or partially fulfill a General Education category. Those marked w may fulfill a WAC requirement, depending on the year taken.

A. Sample First Year


B. Sample Second Year


  • PSYC ___ - Psychology selectives at the 200-level
  • General Education courses, specialization requirements (if applicable) and/or electives to total at least 33 s.h. for both semesters
  • C. Sample Third Year


    Early childhood licensure students should include:


    D. Sample Fourth Year


    • PSYC ___ - Psychology selectives at the 400-level
    • Any uncompleted General Education courses, program requirements, specialization requirements (if applicable), and electives to total 130 s.h.

    Early childhood licensure students should include:


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