You are here:
Psychology
What makes people act the way they do? How do brain function and behavior go together? How do we react to our environment and how do we shape it? Psychologists pursue answers to these questions using careful observation, experiments, and analysis. What they discover helps those who practice psychology work more effectively with their clients and patients. Psychology is a varied field leading to career opportunities in health services, business, education, research and more. Many of our graduates go to medical or dental school, or they take a graduate program in counseling or clinical psychology.
Program Offered
Psychology
Bachelor of Arts
Quick Facts
Level
Undergraduate
Location
La Sierra Campus
Accreditation
WASC
- Curriculum Sheet
Description:
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology provides a rigorous foundation based in both the science and application of psychology. It prepares the student for graduate school through a series of courses that includes laboratory and extramural experiences while allowing sufficient options to pursue particular interests.
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how individuals relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.
Psychology
minor
Quick Facts
Level
minor
Location
La Sierra Campus
Duration
30 Units
Accreditation
WASC
- Curriculum Sheet
Description:
A minor typically consists of taking a portion of the classes required for a major in that same subject. To get an idea of what you would be studying, check out the corresponding major. The requirements for your minor will differ by program, so be sure to ask a counselor to know exactly what courses are in store for you.
| Select units in consultation with advisor. |
Health Psychology
minor
Quick Facts
Level
minor
Location
La Sierra Campus
Duration
28 Units
Accreditation
WASC
- Curriculum Sheet
Description:
A minor typically consists of taking a portion of the classes required for a major in that same subject. To get an idea of what you would be studying, check out the corresponding major. The requirements for your minor will differ by program, so be sure to ask a counselor to know exactly what courses are in store for you.
| PSYC251 | Social Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC456 | Sensation and Perception | 4 |
| PSYC482B | Physician–Patient Communication | 2 |
| PSYC482D | Eating Disorders | 2 |
| PSYC488F | Sports Psychology | 4 |
| HIST430A | Disease in History | 4 |
Career Outlook
6% Job Market Growth
$92,740 Median Salary
Demand for clinical and counseling psychologists will increase as people continue to turn to psychologists for help with their problems. Psychologists also will be needed to provide services to an aging population, helping people deal with the mental and physical changes that happen as they grow older. Psychological services will also be needed for veterans suffering from war trauma, for survivors of other trauma, and for individuals with autism.
Salary
The median annual wage for psychologists was $92,740 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $52,430, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $151,880.
Median annual wages for psychologists in May 2023 were as follows:
- Industrial-organizational psychologists $147,420
- Psychologists, all other $117,750
- Clinical and counseling psychologists $96,100
- School psychologists $84,940
Program Stats
Our Alumni Work in these Occupations
- Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists8
- Social and Human Service Specialists5
- Higher Education Teachers4
- Office Managers and Administrative Supervisors3
- Guidance, Career, and Academic Counselors3
- Lawyers2
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants2
Our Alumni Work Here
- Kaiser Permanente3
- Target Corporation1
- Chico Oaks Adventist Preschool1
- County of Orange1
- Care.com, Inc.1
- House Ear Institute1
- Inland Regional Center1
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding representing appropriate breadth and depth in selected content areas of psychology.
- Design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions, using appropriate research methods.
- Use critical thinking effectively.
- Identify appropriate applications of psychology in solving problems.
- Seek and evaluate scientific evidence for psychological claims.
- Tolerate ambiguity and realize that psychological explanations are often complex and tentative.
- Demonstrate information competence in relevant areas.
- Use information and technology ethically and responsibly.
- Demonstrate effective writing skills in various formats (e.g., essays, correspondence, technical papers, note taking) and for various purposes (e.g., informing, defending, persuading, arguing, teaching).
- Reflect on experiences and find meaning in them, including as they relate to their personal spiritual commitments and the Seventh-day Adventist orientation of the University.
Related Programs
A professional degree in Social Work prepares graduates of this program for beginning-level, generalist social work practice. Areas in which students are qualified to work include criminal justice , mental health, children and youth services,…
Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. They also study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace…
Students who study neuroscience analyze the brain, the nervous system, and the mental processes by which we perceive, act, learn, and remember. The knowledge of neuroscience has been pivotal to new treatments for cardiovascular disease, stroke,…
Partial information in this page was retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm (visited April 17, 2024).
