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| AQ Difference |
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| The Psychology Department draws much of its
structure and curriculum from recommendations presented by the
American Psychological Association (APA). These standards are
then incorporated into the overall Mission of Aquinas College,
resulting in a unique and high-quality program that is well-respected
by employers, graduate schools, and our own graduates. |
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| European Roots of Psychology & Sociology |
| European Roots of Psychology and Sociology is a new course developed by Drs. Lorraine Straw (Psychology) and Kathy Kremer (Sociology). The course combined a spring semester class with travel to central Europe in May where students participated in programs and lectures presented by European academics and experts. >>More Information & Photo Gallery |
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| Departmental
Mission Statement |
| Higher education is preparation for lifelong
learning, thinking, and action. To be a successful student,
a good citizen, a happy and productive person, requires nurturance
of all intelligences -- abstract, social, practical, and aesthetic
(APA). The mission of the Department of Psychology is to contribute
to the students' intellectual development and resulting liberal
education by providing a knowledge of psychology, its research
findings, its major problems, its theoretical integration, and
its contributions (APA). This mission is accomplished through
our Philosophy of Education and our Major Curriculum. |
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| Philosophy Of
Major |
| The discipline of Psychology focuses on an
understanding of the material human being as its object of study
for the transmission, synthesis, and generation of information,
which are the three general purposes of college education. The
body of knowledge in psychology is firmly based in the method
of the experiment, thus defining it as a scientific discipline.
The undergraduate psychology major curriculum, therefore, adopts
the scientific method in its philosophy of education for accomplishing
the purpose of a liberal arts education. |
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| The Major curriculum emphasizes the science-research
model of psychology. This curriculum serves the Mission of the
Department through the development of specific coursework based
on the application of a model of standards and values, following
guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association.
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| Major Curriculum
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| In order to function as a professional psychologist,
a student must obtain an advanced degree -- usually a PhD. The
ability to communicate effectively and conduct research is an
integral part of any such program. Students not only need to
develop an appropriate knowledge base within psychology, but
must have critical thinking skills, and the ability to generate
and test original ideas and synthesize information from a variety
of sources. Development of these skills and the attendant knowledge
base are the general goals of the curriculum. |
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| The Major Curriculum is derived from the
following set of goals which are adapted from our Mission statement
and from the guidelines of the APA. |
- Knowledge Base - There are significant
facts, theories, and issues in psychology that a student
needs to know, but these must be in the context of helping
students develop a conceptual framework and a basis for
lifelong learning.
- Thinking Skills - Students need to develop
skills in learning, critical thinking, and reasoning; to
develop a command of quantitative and qualitative methods;
to be able to evaluate statements and conclusions made about
the causes of behavior; and to think critically about themselves
and others.
- Language Skills - Students need to learn
how to read, write, and think, using the language of the
discipline, i.e., scientific language.
- Information Gathering and Synthesis Skills
- Students need to learn how to complete comprehensive and
organized literature searches.
- Research Methods and Statistical Skills
- Students need to know the complete scientific method including
problem formulation, design and analysis of experiments,
and the drawing of conclusions.
- Interpersonal Skills - Students need
to develop the ability to monitor their own behavior; to
be sensitive to differences and similarities in the way
people are treated because of gender, race, ethnicity, culture,
and class; and to work effectively in groups.
- History of Psychology - More than names,
dates, systems, and theories, students need to know the
development of psychology in the context of its theoretical
conflicts, its sociopolitical uses, and its place in the
broader intellectual traditions of the humanities, sciences,
and social sciences.
- Ethics and Values - Students need to
know the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and evaluate
them according to their personal system of ethics and values.
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| Careers |
| Psychologists provide psychological services
to individual persons and to groups, and engage in research,
teaching, consultation, and administration. Most psychologists
devote themselves to more than one of these activities. For
example, most research psychologists also teach; many teachers
also engage in some applied or service functions; and some practitioners
also do research. |
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| To pursue a career as a professional psychologist
requires an undergraduate degree as well as a graduate degree,
either a Master's or Doctorate. |
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| On the other hand, an undergraduate degree
in psychology is highly valued in many career paths, because
psychology students are trained in critical thinking, observation,
and the complexities of human functioning. Therefore, the opportunities
are limited only by the individual's interests, and willingness
to explore the options. |
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| Examples of career options for bachelor-level
psychology graduates include: |
- Aides in educating or caring for the emotionally disturbed
or developmentally disabled
- Aides and activity specialists in day care or respite
setting for children or older adults
- Community mental health workers
- Computer analysts for survey research
- Substance abuse program workers
- Social service agency workers
- Organization managers
- Customer service and customer relations employees
- Legal aides
- Police officers, probation officers and court employees
- Authors and editors
- Personal trainers or image consultants
And many more! |
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