Psychology Major

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The major in psychology is designed around a broad liberal education whereby the humanities and the sciences are integrated through an emphasis on the study of human behavior. Students in psychology develop an approach to learning based on empirical, objective methodology and statistical data analysis. These skills enhance critical thinking and permit theory construction and analysis. Students who graduate from this program are expected to have the knowledge base and the data analysis skills to support graduate study in any of the specialty areas of psychology. They also should be well prepared for employment in positions that require understanding and motivating others. Examples of such employment areas include positions in personnel work, social service and mental health agencies, law enforcement, sales, and business.

The major in psychology aligns with goals established in the American Psychological Association Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major 3.0 (2023). These include acquisition of 1) content knowledge and applications; 2) scientific inquiry and critical thinking; 3) values in psychological science; 4) communication, psychological literacy, and technical skills; and 5) personal and professional development.

All undergraduate courses taken at The Citadel with a subject prefix of PSYC will count towards the major GPA.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will learn and demonstrate a broad knowledge of the field of Psychology. (Aligns with APA Goals 1 & 2)
Students will demonstrate an ability to write using clear and professional language in the APA editorial style. (Aligns with APA Goals 2 & 4)
Students will recognize and evaluate ethical issues and dilemmas in an applied context. (Aligns with APA Goals 3 & 4)
Students will practice professional skills in an applied disciplinary internship. (Aligns with APA Goal 5)
Students will develop a professional development plan. (Aligns with APA Goal 5)

Major Academic Map

Click here to view the Academic Map for this major, which shows the courses and sequence.

Minimum of 42 Hours of Coursework

The major program in psychology, which leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree, consists of a minimum of 36 hours of course work in psychology, including

PSYC 211 - Introduction to Psychology Science Credit Hours: 3
OR
PSYC 201 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 202 - Developmental Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 203 - Consumer Statistics & Research Applications Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 303 - Experimental Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 310 - Professional Development in Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 405 - History and Systems of Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 410 - Senior Capstone in Psychology Credit Hours: 3

Four Courses from Cluster A and Cluster B

Students also will choose two courses from both Cluster A and Cluster B classes. The total number of classes across both clusters will be four.

Cluster A: Experimental Courses

Cluster A consists of

PSYC 302 - Behavioral Neuroscience Credit Hours: 4
PSYC 311 - Comparative Cognition Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 314 - Nature and Nurture in Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 318 - Psychology of Drugs and Addictive Behavior Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 402 - Cognitive Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 403 - Practical Applications of Learning and Behavior Change Credit Hours: 3

Cluster B: Applied Courses

Cluster B consists of

PSYC 304 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 305 - Social Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 306 - Theories of Personality Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 312 - Psychology of Human Sexuality Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 313 - Psychology of Gender Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 315 - Military Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 316 - Sport Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 317 - Multicultural Issues in Psychology Credit Hours: 3

Elective

Students will also select one additional elective class from either Cluster A or Cluster B; alternatively, a special topics class (PSYC 463 ) may be used to satisfy this particular elective requirement.

Freshman Year

Freshman Fall

LDRS 101 - The First-Year Experience Credit Hours: 1
FSEM 101 - Freshman Seminar Credit Hours: 3
FSWI 101 - Freshman Seminar Writing Intensive Credit Hours: 3
STAT 160 - Statistical Methods Credit Hours: 3
Modern Language Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 201 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
1st Year Basic ROTC 101

Freshman Spring

PSYC 310 - Professional Development in Psychology Credit Hours: 3
Freshman Science Credit Hours: 4
Modern Language Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 202 - Developmental Psychology Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
1st Year Basic ROTC 102

Sophomore Year

Sophomore Fall

LDRS 211 - Sophomore Seminar Service Learning Lab Credit Hours: 0 (May be taken either semeser)
LDRS 202 - Principled Leadership in American Government and Society Credit Hours: 3
RPED 260 - Physical Fitness, Resiliency, & Wellness Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 203 - Consumer Statistics & Research Applications Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year Basic ROTC 201

Sophomore Spring

PSYC 303 - Experimental Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC - Cluster A Elective Credit Hours 3
Strand Course 1 Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year Basic ROTC

Junior Year

Junior Fall

LDRS 311 - Junior Ethics Enrichment Experience Credit Hours: 0
LDRS 371 - Leadership in Organizations Credit Hours: 3
PSYC - Psychology Elective Credit Hours: 3
Strand Course 2 Credit Hours: 3
RPED - Required Physical Fitness Credit Hours: 0
PSYC - Cluster B Elective Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
1st Year Advanced ROTC

Junior Spring

Strand Course 3 Credit Hours: 3
PSYC - Cluster A Elective Credit Hours: 3
PSYC - Cluster B Elective Credit Hours: 3
Humanities/Social Sciences Elective Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
1st Year Advanced ROTC

Senior Year

Senior Fall

LDRS 411 - Senior Leadership Integration Seminar Credit Hours: 0
Strand Course 4 Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 410 - Senior Capstone in Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC - Psychology Elective Credit Hours: 3
FNAR - Fine Arts Elective Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
RPED - Required Physical Fitness Credit Hours: 0
2nd Year Advanced ROTC

Senior Spring

PSYC 405 - History and Systems of Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC - Psychology Elective Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
General Elective Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year Advanced ROTC

Note:

See the General Education and Cadet Requirements section for a list of courses that will satisfy freshman math and science requirements.
Students must complete four strand courses, which may be completed in any order: English (ENGS 30X ), History (HISS 30X ), Social Science (SCSS 30X ), and Science (NTSS 30X ).

ROTC Course Requirements:

ROTC course requirements apply to members of the SCCC only:

Cadets contracted or pursuing a contract should take 8 semesters of ROTC.
Cadets not contracted or pursuing a contract should take 4 semesters of ROTC Basic and 4 semesters of ROTC fulfilment courses. Available ROTC fulfillment courses are published online annually by the department of Leadership Studies.
ROTC courses typically carry 1 to 3 hours of credit, depending on the level. ROTC fulfillment courses typically carry 3 hours of credit. See the course descriptions for specific information.

Required For Graduation:

Required Hours for graduation are 123 credit hours plus successful completion of all RPED, ROTC, and LDRS graduation requirements. ROTC hours (credits, lectures, and labs) vary each semester by military department.