Academic Catalog 2023-2024 
    
    Sep 23, 2023  
Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Psychology Major


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The Psychology major within the College of Undergraduate Studies (CUS) seeks to develop students who can live out their faith within the context of the discipline of psychology.  Classroom instruction and experiences focus not only on the content of psychology (theoretical and experimental psychology), but also on the character development of our students challenging them to engage in personal spiritual formation which quite naturally impacts how they understand psychology.  This mixture of classes allows our students to understand, test, and apply current psychological theories within their personal lives and real situations.  The emphasis in the psychology major is to equip our students to think critically about current psychological theories, principles, and research through the lens of foundational Christian beliefs.

The Psychology major prepares students for careers in psychology and related fields. At the bachelor’s level, several job options exist for graduates in psychology, such as paraprofessionals in clinics, hospitals and schools, case workers in social service, and staff in church and parachurch ministries. Those intending to practice psychology professionally, however, will need graduate-level training toward the master’s degree or the doctorate. The undergraduate program develops a broad-based education that creates a deeper understanding of human functioning and equips students to succeed in graduate school. Elective courses allow students to “round out” their studies to prepare not only for graduate training but to enter life with key relational, spiritual, and emotional competencies.

Graduates of the Psychology major will be able to:

1. Analyze and evaluate Biblical evidence for the five themes of a Biblical and psychological view of human nature.

2. Define and evaluate the model of authentic sexual relationships and the model for Christian marriage.

3. Describe and differentiate various personality theories, psychological disorders, and clinical counseling methods.

4. Create and evaluate research that includes cognitive and physiological processes. 

5. Describe and explain the various sub-disciplines within psychology.

In collaboration with the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS), students majoring in Psychology can opt for one of three emphases:

  • B.A. Psychology with an Emphasis in Biblical Studies
  • B.A. Psychology with an Emphasis in Clinical Counseling
  • B.A. Psychology with an Emphasis in Criminal Justice

Students who choose one of the emphases above earn their Psychology major through the Dual Degree programs  may take graduate courses in their junior and senior years through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS) and complete up to 12 graduate-level credit hours that can be applied toward a master’s degree in CAGS. Additional information on the Psychology Dual Degree program is below.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (CUS) requires completion of the following 120 credits:
General Education Core (48 credit hours)
Psychology Major Required Core (33 credit hours)
Psychology Major Electives Core (6 credit hours)
General Electives (33 credit hours)

General Education Requirements (48 credit hours)


Arts and Humanities (9 credit hours)


Take one course from each of the following three academic disciplines:

Fine Arts (3 credit hours)


Choose one course from the following:

Philosophy (3 credit hours)


Biblical Studies (12 credit hours)


Take the following four courses (some courses are cross-listed and only one prefix needs to be taken):

Integrative Studies (3 credit hours)


Please see the First-Year Integration (FYI)  page for specific information about this required course.

Mathematics (3 credit hours)


Social Sciences (12 credit hours)


Take each of the following four courses:

Psychology Major (39 credit hours)


Dual Degree with Emphasis in Biblical Studies


Students accepted in the Dual Degree program complete their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree with an Emphasis in Biblical Studies, then complete their Master of Arts in Biblical Studies through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS). Included in the bachelor’s degree course requirements are 12 master’s level credit hours that satisfy both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. To satisfy CCU graduate program course requirements, students must earn a letter grade of B- or better in the master’s level courses taken in their undergraduate degree. (Cum GPA and letter grade requirements for the undergraduate degree remain the same.) All admissions requirements of the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies must be fulfilled. Information on admissions can be found on the CAGS admissions page.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Emphasis in Biblical Studies requires completion of the following 120 credits:
General Education (48 credit hours)
Psychology Major Required Core (33 credit hours)
Biblical Studies Emphasis (12 credit hours)
General Electives (27 credit hours)

After successful completion of the B.A. in Psychology with emphasis in Biblical Studies, only 27 credit hours of the required 39 credit hours remain to complete a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies .

Required Courses for the Emphasis in Biblical Studies (12 credit hours)


In addition to the General Education and Psychology Major Required Core courses listed above, students take the following master’s level courses in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies for the Biblical Studies emphasis.

Students must have a total of 60 earned credit hours prior to registration in a graduate-level course.

Dual Degree with Emphasis in Clinical Counseling


Students accepted in the Dual Degree program complete their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree with an Emphasis in Clinical Counseling, then may complete their Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling  through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS). Included in the bachelor’s degree course requirements are 10 master’s level credit hours that may be applied to the undergraduate degree requirements. To satisfy CCU graduate program course requirements, students must earn a letter grade of B- or better in the master’s level courses taken in their undergraduate degree. (Cum GPA and letter grade requirements for the undergraduate degree remain the same.) All admissions requirements of the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling must be fulfilled in order to be admitted into the master’s program. More information on admissions can be found on the CAGS admissions page.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Emphasis in Clinical Counseling requires completion of the following 120 credits:
General Education (48 credit hours)
Psychology Major Required Core (33 credit hours)
Clinical Counseling Emphasis (10 credit hours)
General Electives (29 credit hours)

With successful completion of the B.A. in Psychology with emphasis in Clinical Counseling, only 51 credit hours of the 60 required credit hours remain to complete a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling .

Required Courses for the Emphasis in Clinical Counseling (10 credit hours)


In addition to the General Education and Psychology Major Required Core courses listed above, students take the following master’s level courses in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies for the Clinical Counseling emphasis.

Students must have a total of 60 earned credit hours prior to registration in a graduate-level course.

Dual Degree with Emphasis in Criminal Justice


Students accepted in the Dual Degree program complete their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree with an Emphasis in Criminal Justice, then complete their Master of Science in Criminal Justice through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS). Included in the bachelor’s degree course requirements are 12 master’s level credit hours that satisfy both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. To satisfy CCU graduate program course requirements, students must earn a letter grade of B- or better in the master’s level courses taken in their undergraduate degree. (Cum GPA and letter grade requirements for the undergraduate degree remain the same.) All admissions requirements of the Master of Science in Criminal Justice must be fulfilled. Information on admissions can be found on the CAGS admissions page.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Emphasis in Criminal Justice requires completion of the following 120 credits:
General Education (48 credit hours)
Psychology Major Required Core (33 credit hours)
Criminal Justice Emphasis (12 credit hours)
General Electives (27 credit hours)

With successful completion of the B.A. in Psychology with emphasis in Criminal Justice, only 24 graduate credit hours of 36 credit hours remain to complete a Master of Science in Criminal Justice .

Required Courses for the Emphasis in Criminal Justice (12 credit hours)


In addition to the General Education and Psychology Major Required Core courses listed above, students take the following master’s level courses in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies for the Criminal Justice emphasis.

Students must have a total of 60 earned credit hours prior to registration in a graduate-level course.

Graduation Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Psychology


The faculty recommends students in the B.A. in Psychology to the Board of Trustees as candidates for graduation when they have completed the following requirements.

  1. Completion of a total of 120 credits, including all general education, electives and Psychology major program requirements.
  2. A letter grade of D or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all CCU coursework, and a GPA of 2.0 or higher for all courses specified for the major.
  3. Completion of 180 hours of ministry/community service and 180 chapel credits. Transfer students are required to complete 45 hours of ministry/community service and 45 chapel credits each year of attendance at CCU. For further details on ministry/community service, see the Life Directions Center (LDC)  section of this catalog. For further details on chapel credits, see the Student Life  section of this catalog.
  4. Meet the CCU Residency requirements 
  5. Acceptable performance on exit exams, as required by the faculty.
  6. Formal and timely application for graduation by the date specified by the University Registrar.
  7. No outstanding financial obligation to the University.

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