Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Academic Director: Carla Marquez-Lewis, PhD
CUNY School of Professional Studies
101 West 31^st Street, 7^th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Email Contact: psychology@sps.cuny.edu

Mission

The mission of the Psychology Program is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students to be psychologically literate citizens by offering instruction and guided experiences in research, activities that address real-world and theoretical questions, and competence in the communication, collaboration technology use, and problem-solving skills required for success in careers, service, and advanced studies.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the BA in Psychology will be able to:

1. Understand the major theories, concepts, and methodological practices within the field of Psychology Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology.
   • Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology.
2. Apply psychological concepts, theories, and methodological practices to contexts within and beyond academia.
   • Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
   • Demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes.
   • Emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.
   • Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social and organizational issues.
   • Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
3. Think analytically and ethically about the complexities of human behavior
   • Respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
   • Weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
   • Recognize, understand and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
   • Develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.

The Program

The online BA in Psychology investigates why people behave the way they do. Throughout the program, students gain insight into motivation, learning, social behavior, and development across the lifespan. Students learn how to conduct research, design surveys, interpret behavioral situations, and communicate effectively.

The online BA in Psychology provides a strong foundation in the four areas that underlie most work in Psychology: Developmental Psychology, Socio-Cultural Approaches, Learning and Cognition, and Biological Bases of Behavior, as well as hands-on experience in commonly used behavioral methods of psychologists. Students will select one of three tracks for their advanced coursework: Organizational Psychology, Psychological Development, or Psychopathology. All students complete a Senior Project, an in-depth exploration of a topic of particular interest and career relevance. Career planning is integrated and emphasized throughout the program.

Consistent with the American Psychological Association’s educational goals, the online Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology is designed to enable students to:

• Develop a strong knowledge base in psychology;
• Understand and apply research methods in psychology;
• Use critical and creative thinking skills in psychology;
• Understand and apply psychological principles; and
• Reflect the values in psychology.

Students will also develop competencies in information and technological literacy, communication skills, sociocultural and international awareness, personal development, and career planning and development.

General education courses complement this specialized study and emphasize critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, effective communication and the exploration of the foundations of knowledge and culture.

Admissions Criteria

Applicants must possess at least 24 transferrable credits from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants need to demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing, and math.

Note: A minimum grade of a C is required in all courses in the Psychology major and minor, as well as prerequisite courses. A student may not progress to the next course in the sequence without having a C in the prerequisite course.