2009-2010 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

School of Social Sciences and Human Performance Psychology 156 Cedarville University 2009–10 Psychology Mission Statement The Cedarville University Department of Psychology seeks to: 1. Develop understanding of biblical content that has psychological impact and to investigate all psychological concepts in the light of scriptural truth. 2. Provide an analysis of the person from physical, emotional, rational, and spiritual levels. 3. Aid students in their personal adjustment to everyday life through an understanding of human behavior. 4. Prepare students for graduate study in psychology and related areas. 5. Train students desiring to use counseling in vocational ministry and in biblical counseling contexts. 6. Introduce students to the work world through internships, Christian ministries, guest lecturers, and advisement. 7. Provide courses in psychology necessary for teacher certification. Personal Requirements Some students who pursue a major in psychology are interested in providing human services to populations with special needs. Other psychology majors choose to focus on graduate school preparation, including research interests. Department Requirements All psychology majors must obtain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or higher in their major for graduation. Programs of Study The department of psychology offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in the following programs of study: Majors • Psychology • Applied Psychology with emphases in: • Family Studies • Counseling Minor • Psychology While significant flexibility exists in both the psychology and applied psychology majors, the latter program is particularly useful for students not intending to pursue graduate studies subsequent to earning the bachelor’s degree. The applied psychology major provides more in-depth coursework geared specifically toward human service jobs in child and family and counseling fields. The psychology program is particularly useful to students who wish to earn a minor field of study at Cedarville, earn a double major, or take a sequence of courses in preparation for graduate school. Co-Curricular Opportunities Psychology majors have the opportunity to present papers at the Mid-America Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference and the Ohio Undergraduate Psychology Conference. In addition, the department sponsors the Psi Kappa Theta (PKT) Psychology Club for qualifying psychology majors. Technical Resources Psychology students are able to conduct data analysis utilizing the University’s SPSS software system. Counseling skill courses involve participation in simulated role-playing experiences. Personality inventories are utilized as part of courses in personality and psychological measurement.