Department of Psychology
Title:
Revision of the Bachelor of Arts (Applied Option)
Sponsor:
Department of Psychology
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Description:
1.
Add Psch 330 to the list of optional courses for the Applied Psychology Major. The Applied Psychology major
requires 36 credit hours, which is 9 credit hours more than the General Psychology major. In brief, the Applied
major requires 3 additional courses that have a specific “applied” component. Program requirements are
provided below. We want to add Psch 330 (Industrial/Organizational Psychology) to the list of optional applied
courses. This change does not alter the number of hours required. This change does not alter the General option.
2.
Modification of Catalog Statement. Though not a program change, we wish to update the introductory comments
in the catalog.
Justification:
1.
Add Psch 330 to the list of optional courses for the Applied Psychology Major. The critical component of the
Applied Option is the completion of courses that prepare students for a “mini-internship” (via Psch 385). The
current list of optional courses includes courses related to clinical and community psychology. Adding Psch 330
(Industrial/Organizational Psychology) to the list will provide students with the opportunity to learn about
human resources from a psychological perspective. In Psch 330, students learn how psychological principles are
“applied” in business settings (e.g., human resources management, decision teams). Many businesses are
required to have a human resources specialist; therefore, students who complete this class will acquire skills that
make them more marketable in business settings.
Note that the present catalog statement reading “At least one from 262, 350, 351, 352, 353, 360, 361, 363” is
wrong (listed under Option II—Applied Psychology). The statement lists these courses as 3 credits when Psch
351, 353, and 363 are 2-credit courses. The proposed catalog statement corrects this error.
2.
Modification of Catalog Statement. The name of department administrators was updated and several sentences
were clarified.
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Catalog Statement:
Present
Proposed
Chairperson of the Department: Alexander J. Rosen
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Joseph P. Stokes
Chairperson of the Department: Gary E. Raney
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Bonnie Spring
Students interested in a liberal education that emphasizes
an understanding of the why’s and how’s of people’s
behavior should consider a major in psychology.
Psychology is a popular major/minor and can lead to a
broad range of career possibilities. An education that
focuses on behavior principles is valuable for anyone
whose future involves interacting with others.
Psychologists pursue careers in such areas as clinical
services, business, industry, testing, education, and
behavioral research. Career opportunities in some
specializations may require a master’s degree, while career
opportunities in others require a doctorate. Therefore,
students should take time to examine their own interests,
values, and goals in addition to job requirements and
career potentials in their area of interest before embarking
on an educational journey in psychology. There are plenty
of career opportunities for students with a bachelor’s
degree in psychology, particularly in the areas of social
work, health care and human resources; just take a look in
the Sunday paper.
Students interested in an education that emphasizes
understanding human behavior should consider a major
in psychology. Psychology as a major/minor can lead
to a broad range of career possibilities. An education
that focuses on behavior principles is valuable for
anyone whose future involves interacting with others.
Psychologists puruse careers in such areas as clinical
services, health services, business, industry, testing,
education, and behavioral research. There are many
career opportunities for students with a bachelor’s
degree in psychology, particularly in the areas of social
work, health care, research, business, and human
resources. Career opportunities in some specializations
may require a master’s degree, while career
opportunities in others require a doctorate. Therefore,
students should take time to examine their own
interests, values, and goals in addition to job
requirements and career options in their areas of
Interest before embarking on an educational journey in
psychology.
The Department of Psychology offers programs leading
to the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Psychology. A
student has the option of completing a general or
applied psychology program. Both options require
students to take an introductory course in psychology,
as well as courses in research methods, writing and
statistics.
The Department of Psychology offers programs leading
to the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Psychology. A
student has the option of completing a general or applied
psychology program. Both options require students to take
an introductory course in psychology, as well as courses in
research methods, writing and statistics.
The general psychology option for majors is appropriate
for students who want to emphasize psychology within the
context of a general liberal arts education. This option
provides a strong base for the student in the curriculum in
psychology. Many students choose this option when they
are considering continuing their education beyond the
bachelor’s level.
The general psychology option for majors is
appropriate for students who want to emphasize
psychology within the context of a general liberal arts
education. This option provides students with a strong
base of knowledge needed for understanding theories
and scientific methods of psychology. Many students
choose this option when they are considering
continuing their education beyond the bachelor’s level.
The Department also offers the applied psychology
option for majors. This option is designed to give a student
not only a strong base in the core curriculum of
psychology, but also provides the student with an
opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field.
Students under the applied option take an additional three
courses to fulfill their requirements: These include testing,
field work, and a course in interviewing, interventions, or
group dynamics.
The Department also offers the applied psychology
option for majojrs. This option is designed to give a
student not only a strong base in the core curriculum of
psychology, but also provides the students with an
opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field.
Students under the applied option take an additional
three courses to fulfill their requirements. These
include testing, field work, industrial/organizational,
and a course in interviewing, interventions, or group
dynamics.
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Students may also minor in psychology. A minor is
structured very much like the general psychology major,
except that fewer courses are required. A psychology
minor can be beneficial to anyone who values a basic
understanding of behavior.
SAME
For more information on the Department of Psychology
here at UIC, see the Web page:
http://www.uic.edu/depts/psch.
For more information on the Department of
Psychology here at UIC, see the Web page:
http://www.psch.uic.edu
Present
.
Preparatory Courses
Preparatory Courses
After declaring psychology as a major, students must
complete the following preparatory courses, which are
required for enrollment in many upper-level psychology
courses:
SAME
Engl 161–English Composition II
Math 090–Intermediate Algebra or
Math 118–Mathematical Reasoning or the
equivalent
Psch 100–Introduction to Psychology
Psch 242–Introduction to Research in Psychology
Students must earn a minimum 2.40 grade point average in
these courses with no grade in any of these courses less
than a C. Students who do not meet these requirements will
be put on probation in the major. To be reinstated to full
status in the major, students must complete two other
psychology courses at UIC and earn a 3.0 GPA in those
two courses to remain in the major. Students must
complete the two additional courses within one semester of
being notified that they are on probation. If a student has
completed additional psychology courses while taking the
four required preparatory courses, those additional courses
will be counted as courses needed to be removed from
probation.
Major in Psychology
For the Bachelor of Arts,
Major in Psychology___________________
SAME
Option I—General Psychology, 27 semester hours
Option II—Applied Psychology, 36 semester
hours
as distributed below. In addition to the specified course
work below, the student must fulfill certain other course
requirements to be awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree.
For additional graduation requirements and information on
admission and academic regulations in the college, see
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
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Option I–General Psychology
Psch 100, 242, 303, 343
Option I—General Psychology
Hours
13
SAME
Psch 303 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement. Psch 343
also fulfills the LAS Quantitative Reasoning Requirement.
At least one from 262, 350, 351, 352, 353, 360,
361, 363
At least one from 210, 231, 270, 312, 313, 320,
321, 331
Additional psychology courses for a minimum of
27 semester hours
3
2–3
8–9
Total Hours
27
Students preparing for a postgraduate degree in psychology should
follow the program for departmental distinction.
Option II–Applied Psychology
Option II—Applied Psychology
Hours
Psch 100, 242, 303, 340, 343, 385
Hours
19
SAME
Psch 303 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement. Psch 343
also fulfills the LAS Quantitative Reasoning Requirement.
At least one from 262, 350, 351, 352, 353, 360,
361, 363
At least one from 210, 231, 270, 312, 313, 320,
321, 331
At least one from 381, 382, 383
Additional psychology courses for a minimum of
36 semester hours
Total Hours
3
At least one from 262, 350, 351, 352, 353,
360, 361, 363
SAME
2–3
3
At least one from 330, 381, 382, 383
SAME
8–9
2-3
2-3
3
8-9
36
Total Hours
Students preparing for a postgraduate degree in psychology should
follow the program for departmental distinction.
36
SAME
Major with Departmental Distinction
Major with Departmental Distinction
For the Bachelor of Arts, 27 semester hours, as
distributed below. In addition to the specified course work
below, the student must fulfill certain other course
requirements to be awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree.
For additional graduation requirements and information on
admission and academic regulations in the college, see
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Hours
Psch 100, 242, 303, 343
13
SAME
Psch 303 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
Psch 343 also fulfills the LAS Quantitative Reasoning Requirement.
At least one from 262, 350, 352, 360
At least one from 210, 270, 312, 320
At least two from 313, 321, 331, 351, 353,
361, 363
Additional psychology courses for a minimum
of 27 semester hours
Total Hours
3
3
4–5
3–4
27
4
Present
Proposed
Required Collateral Courses for Distinction
Required Collateral Courses for Distinction
Hours
3 or 5
Math 150 or 180
SAME
Math 150 and 180 also fulfill the LAS Quantitative Reasoning
Requirement.
Two semesters of laboratory courses in biological
sciences, chemistry, and/or physics.
8–10
Distinction
Distinction_
Departmental Distinction: A candidate for departmental
SAME
distinction must earn a 3.50 (A=4.00) grade point average in
psychology courses and a 3.40 overall grade point average.
The actual awarding of distinction is made when credentials
are evaluated for graduation.
High Departmental Distinction: The candidate for high
SAME
departmental distinction must complete the requirements for
departmental distinction. In addition, the student must complete
an independent research project in Psch 399 under the supervision
of a faculty adviser. The student’s proposal for and final report of
the independent research must be reviewed and accepted by the
Departmental Honors Committee. The proposal for a high
distinction project should be submitted to the director of
undergraduate studies by the faculty member supervising the
project.
Minority Impact Statement: These changes will not have any negative impact upon minority students.
Budgetary and Staff Implications: These changes do not implicate the budget or staff. We do not foresee any negative impact
on other departments. .
Library Resource Implications: These changes have no implications for Library resources.
Space Implications: None
Department approval date: September 26, 2003
LAS Educational Policy Committee approval date: January 26, 2004
Faculty approval date:
February 11, 2004
Proposed Effective Date: Fall 2004
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