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Psychology Major (Mountain View & Salem, MO campuses)

Earn a degree in psychology at SBU-Mountain View or SBU-Salem

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The psychology degree program from SBU gives you a scientifically based exploration of the behavioral and mental processes of individuals, preparing you for a variety of career paths. Our psychology courses are people-focused and emphasize applied, hands-on learning opportunities.

We offer a wide variety of psychology courses from which to choose, allowing you to add breadth and depth to your program while choosing courses that best fit your needs and interests. You also can choose to add a minor in criminal justice or sociology.

SBU's people-focused psychology program will equip you with the interpersonal and servant leadership skills that will prepare you for endless career opportunities. You will learn from faculty with a wide range of first-hand real-world experiences in multiple careers.

Want to learn more?

Visit the SBU-Mountain View campus page or the SBU-Salem campus page to learn more about the campus, admissions process, cost and financial aid, and more.

Mountain View Campus Information

Salem Campus Information

SBU students

The SBU Advantage

  • Be equipped for a lifetime of success by a school that is committed to doing what it takes to help you graduate and succeed.
  • Receive a high-quality, Christian higher education close to home.
  • Further your education while remaining active in the workforce through afternoon and evening classes that work with your schedule.
  • Benefit from small class sizes that provide opportunities for individualized instruction, academic guidance and networking.

Faith Integration

Southwest Baptist University is a Christ-centered university and is committed to the integration of faith and academics in all programs and degrees. Class discussions include open dialogue about how faith impacts the academic discipline. Students are encouraged to consider their own faith and how they will incorporate their faith in their chosen career paths. SBU's goal is to produce academically qualified career professionals who are also servant leaders in today's global society.

Outcomes

Students who receive a bachelor's degree in psychology at Southwest Baptist University are well-equipped to pursue a wide variety of potential career paths, including:

  • Case worker
  • Clinical and counseling psychologist
  • Counselor
  • Group home worker
  • Human resources
  • Industrial/organizational psychologist
  • Mental health case worker
  • Ministry and mission worker
  • Nonprofit organizational worker
  • Psychologist
  • School counselor
  • Social services worker

Full-Time Faculty

 

Philip Rohrer

Philip Rohrer, Coordinator of Behavioral Sciences for Mountain View/Salem
 

Clubs and Organizations

Join SBU's chapter of Psi Chi, a national honor society for students of psychology who excel in scholarship, display high standards of personal behavior, and seek to advance the science of psychology.

Psychology Four-Year Plan

Freshman

Fall Semester

ENG 1113 English Composition I 3
PSY 1013 General Psychology 3
BIB 1013 Old Testament History 3
CIS 1103 Computer and Information Management 3
MAT 1243 Algebraic Reasoning and Modeling 3
UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
SOC 1003 Introduction to Sociology 3
BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
FAR 10_3 Intro. to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre 3
HIS 2213/2223 U.S. History I or II 3
UNI 1121 Critical Thinking 1
Total hours 16
 

Sophomore

Fall Semester

PSY 2063 Systems of Psychology 3
BEH 2001 Writing for the Behavioral Sciences 1
COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

PHS 1004 Physical Science or Earth Science 4
PSY 3063 Human Growth and Development 3
ECO 2003 LIFE Economics 3
BEH 2233 Introduction to Research 3
SPF 2012 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 2
General elective 3
Total hours 15
 

Junior

Fall Semester

SOC 2012 Human Diversity 2
PSY 3033 Abnormal Psychology 3
  Upper Level Research Core 3
  Upper Level Developmental Core 3
  Upper Level Psychology Core 3
  General Electives 3
Total hours 17

Spring Semester

BEH 3243 Elementary Statistics 3
BEH 3001 Career Exploration and Preparation 1
  Upper Level Applied Core 3
  Upper Psychology Electives 3
  Electives in minor 6
Total hours 16
 

Senior

Fall Semester

BEH 4001 Professional Ethics in Behavioral Sciences 1
  Electives in minor 6
  General Electives 9
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

  Internship (Elective) 6
  Electives in minor 3
  General Electives 6-9
Total hours 15-18

This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements. Southwest Baptist University reserves the right to make changes to degree plans without advanced notice or obligation. The student is responsible for understanding and completing all general education, degree, departmental and graduation requirements.

The B.A. degree in Psychology requires: (1) Two semesters of a foreign language (6-8 hours), and (2) Thirty-six hours in Psychology. The B.S. degree in Psychology requires the completion of 36 hours in Psychology and completion of one of the following three options: (1) 8-9 hours of upper level sociology, or 8-9 hours of upper level natural science; OR (2) Complete the requirements for a minor within the department OR (3) Complete the requirements for a second major as listed in the catalog. Note: The approved second major from this department would be either Social Work or Criminal Justice.

Download in PDF format:
Psychology plan (PDF)