Psychology |
The psychology program provides courses in the science of behavior. Drake offers a strong research mentorship program focused on undergraduates, enabling them to get involved hands-on in new scientific discoveries. The program provides students with experience and recognition, which make them better candidates for graduate school.
The undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in psychology is intended for students planning careers in areas other than psychology or related sciences. It is designed to permit students to develop one or more specific areas of interest within the major. This program offers considerable flexibility to students who want to focus their study on human or animal behavior. The Bachelor of Arts program can be completed as part of many pre-professional programs of study, including pre-business, pre-law or pre-social work.
The program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in psychology is intended for students who anticipate attending graduate school in psychology or related sciences.
DEGREE OPTIONS
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in psychology
FACULTY
All 8 faculty members of the psychology department hold their doctorates, and several completed postdoctoral study before joining the faculty. They represent the major areas of the discipline and are committed teachers and scholars.
ACADEMIC PREPARATION
Although no specific high school classes are required, a challenging high school curriculum consisting of science, mathematics and English courses is strongly recommended.
REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES FOR A MAJOR
Bachelor of Arts students must complete 33 hours of coursework in psychology:
PSY 1-- Introductory Psychology (with lab)
PSY 15 -- Research Methods and Statistics
One laboratory course is required from among:
PSY 120/121-- Conditioning and Learning
PSY 123-- Biological Basis of Behavior
PSY 125-- Cognitive Psychology
PSY 130-- Experimental Social Psychology
At least 12 hours of additional upper-division psychology courses and 6 hours of psychology electives also must be taken. Laboratory courses beyond the one course required for the major may be selected to fulfill these requirements.
Bachelor of Science students must complete 34 hours of coursework in psychology:
PSY 1-- Introductory Psychology with lab
PSY 15 --Research Methods and Statistics
PSY 151-- History and Systems of Psychology
One laboratory course is required from among:
PSY 120/121-- Conditioning and Learning
PSY 123-- Biological Basis of Behavior
PSY 125-- Cognitive Psychology
PSY 130-- Experimental Social Psychology
At least one course must be completed in each of the following 3 areas:
PSY 28 -- Drugs and Behavior
PSY 120/121 -- Conditioning and Learning
PSY 122 -- Sensation and Perception
PSY 123-- Biological Basis of Behavior
PSY 124-- Health Psychology
PSY 125-- Cognitive Psychology
PSY 128 -- Hormones and Behavior
PSY 60 -- Principles of Behavior
PSY 76 -- Abnormal Psychology
PSY 85 -- Organizational Psychology
PSY 133-- Psychological Assessment
PSY 145 -- Applied Ethics in Professional Psychology
PSY 162-- Applied Behavior Analysis
PSY 176-- Advanced Psychopathology
PSY 177-- Theories of Psychotherapy
PSY 183-- Industrial Psychology
PSY 30 -- Social Psychology
PSY 42 -- Child and Adolescent Psychology
PSY 130-- Experimental Social Psychology
PSY 132-- Theories of Personality
PSY 134-- Ethnopolitical Conflict and Peacemaking
PSY 136 -- Stereotyping and Prejudice
PSY 137-- Psychology of Gender
REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES OUTSIDE MAJOR
The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership.
The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.
The College of Arts and Sciences requires that psychology majors seeking the Bachelor of Science degree take 12 hours of natural science courses outside the department. These hours can be fulfilled by taking courses in astronomy, biology chemistry, computer science, environmental science, geography/geology, mathematics or physics. At least one of these courses must include a laboratory.
REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS AND COURSES FOR A MINOR
A minimum of 20 credit hours of courses offered by the Psychology Department, which must include:
PSY 1-- Introductory Psychology (with lab)
PSY 15 -- Research Methods and Statistics
At least one upper-division course
A minimum GPA of 2.0 in psychology courses must be achieved, and courses taken on a credit/no credit basis may not be used for the minor.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES/INTERNSHIPS
Internships are of great importance, particularly if a student is interested in applied psychology (clinical, counseling, industrial/organizational specialties). Student involvement in research is offered in laboratories and through individualized studies. Bachelor of Science students are encouraged to take a research seminar (PSY 198) and/or independent study (PSY 190, 191). Drake has excellent human and animal research facilities, including a microcomputer laboratory and a completely equipped EEG laboratory. Internships are also available at a number of hospitals, mental health/social service agencies and businesses in the Des Moines area.
CAREER OPTIONS
The psychology major prepares students for careers in psychology, law, medicine, social work, business, education and research. Psychologists work as psychotherapists, consultants, teachers, researchers and administrators in a variety of settings including community mental health agencies, elementary schools, universities and corporations.
ORGANIZATIONS
Psi Chi National Honor Society and the Psychology Club.
NOTED ALUMNI
- Srdan Kobsa, AS'03, MD/PhD program, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Alan Antecyic, AS'04, PhD program, Clinical Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
- Ellen Rozek, AS'07, PhD program, Cognitive Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
- Molly Larson, AS'04, PhD program, Clinical and Cognitive Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Visit the Psychology Department website
