Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

 

WVPU’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program comprehensively examines the human mind and behavior, providing students with a solid foundation for further studies and careers in the field of psychology. Students undergo a rigorous program of scholarly training that prepares them to carry out requisite levels of research and proceed into more advanced studies. They obtain advanced knowledge of psychological concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical studies and develop the necessary skills to use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena, design studies, and undertake basic psychological research independently using statistical analyses.

Students of WVPU’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program explore psychology from multiple perspectives including biological and evolutionary, clinical and counseling, lifespan development, learning and cognitive, social and cross-cultural perspectives, and neuroscience and thus gain key insights into the innerworkings of the mind and of behavioral processes. Through exposure to and participation in faculty research, students gain valuable hands-on experience studying cognitive and affective neuroscience and behavior. Using university laboratories students learn to code and analyze facial expressions and use physiological recording devices to record and measure the activity of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Students learn to work independently as well as to collaborate with others on collecting and analyzing scientific research data, participating in larger research projects, and formulating conclusions about human behavior and response patterns, which serve to advance our understanding of individual behavior and social interaction in line with WVPU’s profile and objectives.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program possess an in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of psychology and can therefore perform tasks at a very high professional level. They are critical, independent thinkers capable of collaboration and leadership, able to deal with comprehensive challenges in changing contexts, able to take on and manage projects, and take responsibility for decision-making. The program’s strong focus on research, methods, and analysis ensures that its graduates can develop innovative approaches to solve known and unforeseen problems. They are thus fully qualified for the degree they earned, professionally ready to begin their careers and make a difference, and they possess the scholarly foundation necessary to pursue an advanced degree. As a result, the program’s graduates go on to pursue careers in teaching, social service, nonprofit organizational settings or corporations, while others successfully complete to graduate and professional training programs.

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this program will be able to:

1. Describe the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology;
2. Implement the use of scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena and demonstrate the ability to interpreted design and conduct basic psychological research using statistical analyses;
3. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice and apply those standards to build and enhance interpersonal relationships locally and globally;
4. Demonstrate effective writing, exhibit effective presentation skills and interact effectively with others; and
5. Discuss the occupational pursuits available in a variety of settings given their psychological knowledge, skills and values.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program learning outcomes align closely with those of NQF Level VI in all areas of knowledge, skills and competence.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Learning Outcomes

 

 

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology curriculum is organized into five modules and a thesis. The five modules include the Common Core Module (72 ECTS)[1], four discipline specific Core Modules (60 ECTS), a discipline Enrichment Module (18 ECTS), and a Free Electives Module (82 ECTS). The program is concluded with the successful completion of a thesis (8 ECTS).

Full time students working toward the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology will usually carry a course load of five courses per semester (30 ECTS). For most courses in the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program, a notable exception being the thesis and the career development components of the Discipline Enrichment Module, students attend 36 hours of courses and respectively conduct an additional 114 hours of self-learning.

Each of the core Competency Courses (CC), Discipline Courses (DC), and Enrichment Courses (EC) are offered on a regular basis, usually at least once a year. Full course descriptions, individual learning outcomes, details about ECTS, weekly study schedules, and assessment criteria are available in each course syllabus, available via WVPU’s publicly accessible course schedule.

Curriculum Overview

Common Core Module (Up to 72 ECTS)

Please refer to the Bachelor's Degree Programs overview page for detailed information about the CCM. 

Discipline Core Modules  – Psychology (60 ECTS)

Students are required to complete all courses (60 ECTS) in four Discipline Core Modules.

Discipline Core Module 1 (16 ECTS)

Discipline Core Module 2 (12 ECTS)

^{* These courses (12 ECTS) count toward the overall 24 ECTS requirement of the Methods Road Map.}

Discipline Core Module 3 (30 ECTS)

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology must also complete 30 ECTS in total, 6 ECTS each from 5 content areas: 

Biological and Evolutionary Perspectives (6 ECTS). Students must select at least one course among:

Clinical and Counseling Perspectives (6 ECTS). Students must select at least one course among:

Lifespan Development Perspectives (6 ECTS). Students must select at least one course among:

Learning and Cognitive Perspectives (6 ECTS). Students must select at least one course among:

Social and Cross-Cultural Perspectives (6 ECTS). Students must select at least one course among:

Discipline Core Module 4 (2 ECTS)

In preparation for a career in psychology, students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology must also attend two assessment sessions to evaluate their progress in their 4th and 8th semesters and provide a means for students to demonstrate their knowledge of the field and apply psychological knowledge.

Discipline Enrichment Module (18 ECTS)

Students must select at least 18 ECTS from any of the discipline specific courses listed below including 6 ECTS from one of the 4000-level courses. Excess courses for each content area of Core Module 3 also count towards satisfying the requirements of this module.

Electives Module (82 ECTS)

Students may choose up to 82 ECTS among any of WVPU’s course offerings. Any excess ECTS from both the Discipline Enrichment Module and Core Module 3 content areas will be automatically considered as satisfying this category.

Thesis (8 ECTS)

Roadmaps and Course Sequencing

Students working toward the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology can complete the program in a minimum of 8 semesters. Curriculum in the program develops as students progress through their studies. For that reason, adhering to prescribed course sequencing is an essential component to success.

Advisors are available to assist students with degree planning to help ensure proper course sequencing. Though most students will adhere to their respective program roadmap, advisors can help develop individualized degree plans when the situation warrants deviation from the roadmap. Advisors must approve all course registration requests before they are processed. Advisors also consult on issues related to academic and career goals, and university resources. The Psychology Department reserves the right to waive or adjust course prerequisites as necessary.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program is subject to WVPU’s systematic Internal Quality Management System that incorporates continuous measures and involves the Executive Board, academic department heads, and the University Senate. This ensures that its learning outcomes and the content of its curriculum impart advanced knowledge in the discipline while delivering the skills and competencies requisite for a bachelor’s degree. WVPU’s quality management processes include a triannual program review and assessment of learning outcomes, course evaluations, an annual review of academic policies and processes, semi-annual performance reviews with units and employees and collected stakeholder feedback through semi-annual meetings and surveys supported by the university’s internal information systems.

At the course level, each syllabus (including criteria and methods of assessment) is reviewed and approved by the department at least one semester prior to being published on the university’s course offerings, ensuring that learning outcomes are clearly stated and appropriately paired to the course’s content and assessment criteria. All students have access to the syllabus before the course begins, and in addition, faculty are required to review the syllabus on the first day of class. During the running of any course students interact with both the faculty member and the department’s administration alerting them to any problems that might arise and triggering procedures based on academic policies and procedures, particularly with reference to disputes between students and faculty.

The base selection of course offerings for any academic year is determined two years in advance through regular planning sessions. The process includes consultation with representatives of student government and incorporates additional student feedback through face-to-face meetings, town halls, and anonymous course evaluations. Teaching assignments pairing faculty to courses are completed one year in advance. Prior to assigning a course to a faculty member, the department head verifies the individual’s qualifications and experience as an instructor. Students evaluate all first-time instructors in the third week of their course to provide feedback and allow for corrective measures if necessary.

Other continuous processes also play an important role in sustaining and enhancing the integrity of the program. The university solicits semiannual student feedback on degree programs through student focus groups involving 30-minute structured dialogues at the start of selected courses. The head of the department meets monthly via video conference with global partners to evaluate the program and suggest changes adding and shaping curricula and course content to meet WVPU student needs and national regulations while also integrating partner experiences from around the world. Department representatives participate in on-going process evaluation measures providing suggestions on how to improve subject relevancy, program competitiveness, research components and technology.

Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program follows follows the General Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Programs with the following additional restrictions:

• Transfer students can apply up to 36 ECTS of approved PSYC course work from other colleges/universities towards their degree.

WVPU confers the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree awarded by Webster University following the successful completion of all modules as stated in the Curriculum Overview and Workload and in accordance with the following rules:

1. Candidates must complete all modules (240 ECTS) as stated in section 3.1 Curriculum Overview.
2. Students must successfully earn 138 ECTS in residence at WVPU, including:

1. 1. all courses in the Common Core (72 ECTS)
   2. all required courses in the Discipline Core Modules 1 and 2 (28 ECTS)
   3. all required ECTS (30 ECTS) from Discipline Core Module 3
   4. a bachelor thesis (8 ECTS)

All required courses in the Discipline Core Modules as well as the Discipline Enrichment Module must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

The university reserves the right to approve and assign transferred credits as equivalencies to courses, which could result in fewer than 138 overall ECTS completed in residency.

WVPU policies support and maintain the highest quality of education and service level for students. All students attending WVPU are obliged to adhere to university academic policies, including the Study and Examination Guidelines and the Code of Conduct. Students are solely responsible for familiarizing themselves with all applicable university policies and procedures including those dictating academic standards.

Students are also fully responsible for managing their degree progress in compliance with the curriculum. This includes, but is not limited to: ensuring schedule accuracy each semester, adhering to all registration and payment deadlines, proactively addressing any issues that may interfere with degree progress, exclusively using the university assigned email address for all academic-related correspondence, and observing course-specific deadlines and policies.

WVPU retains the right to update policies and procedures. Students will be informed of any such changes in a timely manner.