Psychology

The mission of the Behavioral Science and Human Services Department is to foster intelligent and compassionate students capable of critical thinking.

The mission of the Kansas Wesleyan University Psychology program is to develop ethical and analytical students, skilled in communication and knowledgeable in psychology and the human experience for the purpose of improving human well-being and addressing social concerns.

Students who complete the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of theory and research central to the major domains of the field.
• Demonstrate knowledge of theory and research associated with domains beyond the core subjects.
• Demonstrate knowledge of overarching themes, broad or enduring controversies and major problems in psychology.
• Identify and explain the scientific foundations of psychology, a use and evaluate scientific evidence for psychological claims.
• Demonstrate ethical knowledge and skills appropriate to the level of experience and education.
• Recognize existence of universal and culture-bound psychological principles, exhibit sensitivity and develop appreciation for all dimensions of human diversity.
• Develop skills in writing in APA style, teamwork and collegial participation in discussions or debates in diverse groups, constructing and interpreting graphs and tables and giving effective formal (i.e. professional) and informal presentations of research.
• Understand the basic subject areas of psychology and employment of psychologists and establish a plan to accomplish personal career goals.

Psychology Major

KWU’s Psychology Major is designed with the flexibility to allow students to pursue one of three general career directions:

• A competitive Psychology curriculum for those preparing for graduate education in any of the experimental branches of psychology.
• A Mental Health and Clinical curriculum for those desiring work or graduate education in human service areas.
• A general curriculum in Psychology for a broadly skilled bachelor’s degree.

Addictions Counseling

The Psychology Major with an emphasis in Addictions Counseling integrates work in psychology, mental health/human service areas and in counseling skill development to prepare the student for employment and/or graduate education in the field of addictions. This concentration is approved by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) and fulfills educational requirements for students seeking licensure as a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Kansas.

All course requirements and descriptions for KWU’s Psychology program can be found in the most recent version of the course catalog.

View Course Catalog

You will have the opportunity to explore the rich field of psychology and tailor your program to your interests and career goals. Working closely with your professors, you can customize your psychology curriculum to meet your education and career goals. A psychology degree from KWU provides graduates with interpersonal and research skills that can be applied to a variety of careers. The Psychological Services and Psychology majors allow students to:

• Complete an internship, independent study or independent thesis project in a setting or topic area of your choosing.
• Learn to use SPSS software, the major statistical tool used in social science fields.
• Gain leadership experience by participating in Kappa Psi Upsilon, KWU’s psychology club.
• Develop a professional network by attending regional psychology conferences, joining the Pi Gamma Mu honor society for the Behavioral Sciences or becoming a student affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Association for Psychological Science (APS).

Psychology is an incredibly flexible degree and prepares you to use your interpersonal and quantitative skills for good. Many of KWU’s psychology graduates have pursued graduate studies in research psychology, clinical psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, criminal justice and law. Others have gone on to work in mental health settings, businesses and hospitals. Recent alumni have attended graduate programs at Kansas State University, University of Kansas, Washburn University, Wichita State University, Emporia State University and Fort Hays State University.