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Social and Behavioral Sciences

Undergraduate Symposium

The Undergraduate Student Symposium, sponsored by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, presents student projects and performances through oral presentations, paper submissions, and poster displays.
Psychology Major

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Psychologists work in a variety of fields, with many different types of individuals and organizations. For those interested in mental health, clinical psychology assists people who are experiencing psychological and emotional distress. Industrial/organizational psychologists work in businesses and companies, using psychological principles to aid in the productivity of those organizations. Sports psychologists work with athletes and those involved in athletics to obtain optimal effectiveness. School psychologists work with students and teachers to increase the learning potential of students. Forensic psychologists work in conjunction with the legal system in exploring human behavior. Developmental psychologists explore how people change over the life span.

NSU's psychology program allows each student to tailor his/her own program according to ultimate career goals and interests. Built on a core foundation of courses that will provide a solid understanding of psychology, students are able to take extended coursework in areas of interest such as developmental, clinical, or experimental psychology. Students will be able to work closely with psychology faculty members to gain a more in-depth exploration of the field. One of the main benefits of NSU's psychology program is that students are able to apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom through one of several practicum experiences the program has to offer.

Description

The psychology major provides students with a solid grounding in the knowledge base of psychology. It encourages students to integrate and apply knowledge, and allows flexibility in course selection to help students meet their career goals. The major emphasizes scientific research and application to significant areas of human activities.

Students planning to work in the mental health field are encouraged to take Abnormal Psychology, a counseling course, Behavior Modification, psychological assessments, and at least one substance abuse studies course. Students who plan to enter a graduate program should take the GRE during their junior year. Students should take Statistics, Research Methods, and Practicum in Psychological Research in consecutive order. Further, it is recommended that students planning to attend a doctoral program should take the Advanced Practicum, Experimental Psychology, and as many of the foundation courses as possible. Students who are hoping to become substance abuse counselors should take the substance abuse minor courses.

Students majoring in psychology may also qualify for entrance into NSU's master's in occupational therapy program. Students interested in this career objective should work closely with their academic advisor to ensure that proper prerequisites are met.

Students not sure about which specialty they are most interested in should take as many of the foundation courses as possible at the start of their program of studies. Division advisors will help students design individual courses of study that will help them meet their career goals.

The psychology major is offered during the day and evening on NSU’s main campus, as well as off-campus at NSU’s Student Educational Centers in Jacksonville and Miami/Kendall. It is also available as an online program.

Learning Outcomes

A successful psychology graduate is expected to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the major theories, principles, and concepts that underlie the following core areas of psychology:
    1. Learning, Memory, & Cognition
    2. Sensation, Perception, and Biological Bases of Behavior
    3. Human Development
    4. Clinical, Abnormal, and Personality
    5. Social influences on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
    6. Research Measurement, Design, and Methodolog
  2. Integrate and apply the major theories, principles, and concepts of psychology to address research and/or applied issues in the field of psychology using critical thinking skills, skeptical inquiry, and when possible, the scientific approach.
  3. Present written psychological information in a clear, concise manner that is consistent with professional standards (e.g., APA format).

Dual Admissions Option

Please refer to Dual Admissions Web site for additional information.