Psychology, BA

Curriculum

Curriculum Sequence

Honors in Psychology

Psychology majors who have demonstrated excellence in course work (minimum GPA of 3.5 in psychology and 3.2 overall) are eligible to apply for the Honors in Psychology program for PSY 409–410. As preparation to begin an honors senior research project, students must first complete three laboratory-based research courses: PSY 385 Statistics with Laboratory, PSY 387 Research Methods with Laboratory, and a psychology elective with laboratory. Students complete an independent, empirical, research project under the supervision of a psychology department faculty member. For their senior research project, students choose a topic in psychology, review the scholarly literature, and prepare a formal research proposal. Upon approval of the research proposal by the psychology department faculty member, and the Widener University Institutional Review Board if necessary, students collect and analyze data and write a full APA-style research report. Students also present their research to the psychology  department faculty in a formal, conference-style setting. A minimum grade of B+ is required in this two-semester course series to satisfy the requirement for Honors in Psychology. A grade lower than B+ will fulfill the psychology capstone requirement but without the honors distinction. Students interested in obtaining Honors in Psychology must submit an application during preregistration in the semester prior to beginning the research project. The application must be signed by the student’s academic advisor and approved by the psychology department.

Pre-Clinical/Counseling Psychology

The pre-clinical/counseling curriculum is an advising guide that lists courses for students who are interested in pursuing careers in clinical or counseling psychology. The curriculum prepares students to take the bachelor-level state certification examination, pursue careers in psychology, and matriculate into graduate programs in clinical or counseling psychology.

Pre-Clinicial/Counseling Psychology Courses

• PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• PSY 205 - Personality 3 Credit(s)
• PSY 225 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• PSY 375 - Counseling Psychology 3 Credit(s)

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• PSY 293 - Careers in Psychology 3 Credit(s)

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• PSY 394 - Applied Psychology Practicum 3 Credit(s)

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• PSY 395 - Clinical-Counseling Psychology Practicum 3 Credit(s)

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• PSY 396 - Advanced Practicum 3 Credit(s) (optional)
• PSY 423 - Psychology Internship 3 Credit(s)
• PSY 424 - Psychology Internship 3 Credit(s)

Pre-Occupational Therapy Pathway

Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Identified majors within the College of Arts and Sciences have an opportunity to pursue a pre-physical therapy pathway. Humanities and social science students can do so by completing their major requirements along with meeting the general prerequisite courses for the graduate program in physical therapy (see list below). Simply completing the specified courses does not guarantee admission into a graduate program. Students should consult with their undergraduate academic advisor or the Institute for Physical Therapy Education Program Director for details about minimum grade requirements and conditions for completing a reserved seat admissions program.

Please Note: Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway

Students from another major who no longer have a reserved seat for the graduate physical therapy program may not transfer into the psychology pre-physical therapy concentration. Existing psychology majors in the pre-physical therapy concentration who no longer have a reserved seat for the graduate physical therapy program must drop the pre-physical therapy major designation. If a student has their reserved seat reinstated, he or she must also apply to the chair of psychology for reinstatement into the psychology pre-physical therapy concentration. Refer to the Institute for Physical Therapy Education section of this catalog for information about the reserved seat program.