Psychology (PSY)

Professor Williford, Chair
Assistant Professor Kelly

Psychology (PSY)

Professor Williford, Chair

Assistant Professor Kelly

The department of psychology seeks to introduce all students to the study of human behavior and mental processes within a Christian context. The major is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge in the major subfields of psychology and to prepare students for future study in the field of psychology. Emphasis is placed on developing the students' abilities to understand and to apply psychology in their everyday lives. An important goal in all psychology courses is to help students in their ability to appropriately interrelate their study of psychology and the Christian faith. This major requires students to gain the core knowledge of scientific psychology along with learning about the sub-fields in psychology that apply this knowledge. 

The B.S. in psychology degree is designed to prepare students to meet the typical requirements for acceptance into graduate study and/or for working with a bachelor's degree.  For students coming to Belhaven with a passion and gifting in a particular art form, we have developed a unique track B.A. in Psychology major with a Creative Arts Therapy Concentration that will help students to utilize their artistic passion in the service of helping others.  Students will take 12 hours in their chosen art form (creative writing, dance, music, theater ministry or visual arts) as well as courses in creative arts therapies.  This concentration is designed for students who might wish to use the arts to help others in careers such as Child Life Specialist, Recreation or Activities Directors, cross cultural mission work or to prepare for graduate school in an area such as Dance/Movement Therapy, Art Therapy, Creative Writing Therapy or Music Therapy. The B.S. in Global Psychology is for students coming to Belhaven with a desire and goal to use psychology for international service or in a cross-cultural context, we have developed a unique track that emphasizes the role of culture in understanding people and applying psychology's insights in diverse cultural contexts.

Psychology Major (B.S.) - 44 hours to include:

1. Required Major Courses (17 hours)
1. PSY 203, 303, 305, 312, 341, and 460
2. Additional Courses (21 hours)
1. 21 hours of PSY electives
3. Diversity (6 hours)
1. 6 hours of foreign language or 6 hours from PSY 420, IST 300, CAS 302, BIB 210, BIB 360, BIB 408, BIB 411, PSY 342 and SOC 220. 

Psychology Major with a Creative Arts Therapy Visual Arts Concentration (B.A.) – 54 hours to include:

1. Required Major Courses (48 hours)
1. Psychology - PSY 203, 240, 241, 303, 305, 312, 331, 340, 341, 460 (29 hours)
2. Creative Arts Therapy – PSY 346, 347, and 348 (7 hours)
3. Creative Arts - ART 120, 125, 215, and PHI 275 (12 hours)
2. Diversity (6 hours)
1. 6 hours of foreign language or 6 hours from PSY 420, IST 300, CAS 302, BIB 210, BIB 360, BIB 408, BIB 411, PSY 342 and SOC 220.

Psychology Major with a Creative Arts Therapy Creative Writing Concentration (B.A.) – 54 hours to include:

1.       Required Major Courses (42 hours)

1. Psychology - PSY 203, 240, 241, 303, 305, 312, 331, 340, 341, 460 (29 hours)
2. Creative Arts Therapy – PSY 346, 347, and 348 (7 hours)
3. Creative Arts – CWR 211 and 306 (6 hours)

2.       Diversity (6 hours)

1. 6 hours of foreign language or 6 hours from PSY 420, IST 300, CAS 302, BIB 210, BIB 360, BIB 408, BIB 411, PSY 342 and SOC 220.

3.       Writing Workshop (6 hours)

1. 6 hours CWR courses

Psychology Major with a Creative Arts Therapy Dance Concentration (B.A.) – 54 hours to include:

1. Required Major Courses (45 hours)
1. Psychology - PSY 203, 240, 241, 303, 305, 312, 331, 340, 341, 460 (29 hours)
2. Creative Arts Therapy – PSY 346, 347, and 348 (7 hours)
3. Creative Arts – DAN 120, 170, 185, 270, 375  (9 hours)
2. Diversity (6 hours)
1. 6 hours of foreign language or 6 hours from PSY 420, IST 300, CAS 302, BIB 210, BIB 360, BIB 408, BIB 411, PSY 342 and SOC 220.
3. Dance choice (3 hours)
1. 3 hours  from DAN B01 – B04 or M01 – M04

Psychology Major with a Creative Arts Therapy Music Concentration (B.A.) – 54 hours to include:

1.       Required Major Courses (44 hours)

1. Psychology - PSY 203, 240, 241, 303, 305, 312, 331, 340, 341, 460 (29 hours)
2. Creative Arts Therapy – PSY 346, 347, and 348 (7 hours)
3. Creative Arts – MUS 121, 122, 123, 124  (8 hours)

2.       Diversity (6 hours)

1. 6 hours of foreign language or 6 hours from PSY 420, IST 300, CAS 302, BIB 210, BIB 360, BIB 408, BIB 411, PSY 342 and SOC 220.

3.       Private lessons (4 hours)

1. 4 hours  from applied music lessons in guitar, piano or voice (1 credit hour per semester)

Psychology Major with a Creative Arts Therapy Theatre Concentration (B.A.) – 54 hours to include:

1. Required Major Courses (48 hours)
1. Psychology - PSY 203, 240, 241, 303, 305, 312, 331, 340, 341, 460 (29 hours)
2. Creative Arts Therapy – PSY 346, 347, and 348 (7 hours)
3. Creative Arts – THE 200, 300, 151 and 280 (12 hours)
2. Diversity (6 hours)
1. 6 hours of foreign language or 6 hours from PSY 420, IST 300, CAS 302, BIB 210, BIB 360, BIB 408, BIB 411, PSY 342 and SOC 220.

Global Psychology Major (B.S.) - 59 hours in psychology and 15 hour minor in Intercultural Studies to include:

1. Required Major Courses (38  hours)
1. PSY 203, 303, 305 ,312, 331, 341, 420, 460, IST 202, 300, 305, 444, 456, and BIB 408.
2. Additional courses (15 hours)
1. 15 hours of PSY electives
3. Diversity (6 hours)
1. 6 hours of foreign language or 6 hours from, IST 300, CAS 302, BIB 210, BIB 360, BIB 408, BIB 411, PSY 342 and SOC 220.
   

Psychology Minor: 18 hours to include PSY 203, and at least 6 hours from the 300-400 level and/or 240 OR 241.