Psychology, B.A., General Liberal Arts Track

Go to information for

Department Contact:

Chair: Dr. Stephen Baker, sbaker@francis.edu

Program Description:

The Psychology program at Saint Francis University is grounded in the Goals of Franciscan Higher Education and the learning goals identified by the American Psychological Association. This program is designed to introduce students to natural and social scientific investigations of behavior and mental processes. A degree in psychology prepares students for their futures as responsible global citizens. The curriculum engages students in research and scholarly activity, while also encouraging them to apply coursework in internships, study abroad, and/or community service. Graduates of the psychology program are prepared for entry-level employment in the field and for advanced study in graduate or professional schools.

Students who major in psychology can choose from a number of degree options. The Psychology Department offers three tracks for completion of either the B.A. or B.S. degree in Psychology: (1) a General Liberal Arts Track; (2) a Pre-Professional Track; and (3) Ph.D. Track. Many students who have future plans for immediate employment or graduate education in any of a variety of fields will find the maximum flexibility of either the General Liberal Arts B.A. or B.S. track to best meet their goals. Students who plan to double-major or minor in psychology and a pre-professional field such as occupational therapy, criminal justice, business, social work, or education are likely to find that either the B.A. or B.S. Pre-professional Track works best for them. Some SFU Psychology majors, however, may wish to concentrate their coursework in Psychology to maximize skill development in research in preparation for Ph.D.-level graduate work in psychology. These students should consider the B.A. or B.S. Ph.D./Research track to help them develop competencies needed for future application to Ph.D. programs in psychology. Students who plan to seek admission to a graduate program in Psychology are strongly urged to complete a research project that is suitable for presentation or publication.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 4 years of full-time study

Certification and/or Licensure:

This program is not designed to lead to certification or licensure.

Total Credits Required:

128 credits minimum