Major in Psychology

Psychology Major

The University of Trine offers a variety of degree programs in which students can major in. During my time at the University of Trine, I will major in psychology. Trine’s psychology major is popular for the solid education that it offers through a variety of courses that are related to behaviour science.

For an individual to be able to satisfactorily complete a psychology major at Trine University he is required to have studied, understood and taken examinations in forensic psychology, marriage and family, personality, psychology of addiction, abnormal psychology, human sexuality and counselling. Furthermore, the university has a career department that is rich in staffs that are knowledgeable in different fields. Their interest is to ensure that they provide the necessary guidance to students to enable them make informed carer and major decisions. A psychology major from Trine University prepares an individual not only for a graduate degree but also for jobs that are in an eclectic diversity of community settings.

A psychology major equips an individual with the skills necessary in understanding different behavioural traits in different people and the provision of necessary help to the said individual. Some of the career opportunities available in this major include mental and behaviour health counselling, civic organizations administration and substance abuse counselling and treatment among other opportunities. My career choice is substance abuse counselling and treatment programs. This will serve my interests as a counsellor and I will be able to provide guidance to a large number of youth who have an addiction in the use of drugs.

A psychology major is the best for me since it will play an essential role in not only putting my skills into practice, it will also enhance my personal skills to ensure that I become a better counsellor in the future. I am a team player. This skill is important in the major because, psychology as a science that seeks to understand human behaviour will require team effort, among learners and professionals, to ensure that proper research is conducted on various factors that influence human behaviour. My good communication and interpersonal skills will also be essential in my major since they enhance better relationships not only among students but also between a counsellor and a patient (Bate & Stevenson 3-4). The major challenge will encompass a proper understanding of human behaviour and the reasons why an individual chooses to acquire certain behavioural traits. Man is a dynamic being with numerous aspects influencing his behaviour. The ability to have a correct diagnosis of any given behaviour will prove to be a challenge. However, through different subject and research initiatives offered by the university I will develop important knowledge on human behaviour.

My goal is to become a knowledgeable and reliable counselling psychologist in the area of drug and substance abuse by the end of my four years taking my major in psychology at Trine University. This goal is only achievable by determination in my studies to ensure that I excel and qualify as a counselling psychologist. In addition constant research on the dynamics of human behaviour will also be essential. Research and dedication in any field of study is the best way through which a professional will not only enhance his or her expertise but also be relevant to the current problems in the society (Vescio, et al 13).

Degree Course Requirements

Adult and Online students 120 hours of course work with 42 hours of Psychology essential course work.

Bachelor of Science – Psychology Major 120 hours

Hours

Written Communication ENG 103 English Composition 1 3

ENG 113 English Composition II 3

Oral Communication SP 203 Effective Speaking (3) orCOM 163 Interpersonal Communication 3

Social Science- Humanities ECO 213 Microeconomics orECO 223 Macroeconomics 3

GOV 113 Introduction to Government 3

Humanities Electives 6

Mathematics and Science MA 103 Business Algebra orMA 113 College Algebra orMA 153 Finite Mathematics 3

General Education Electives 9

Psychology core PSY 113 Principles of PSychology 3

PSY 303 Research Methods in Psychology 3

PSY 473 Psychology Capstone Demonstration 3

Choose Two PSY 323 Abnormal Psychology 3

PSY 403 Human Sexuality 3

PSY 413 Psychology of Addiction 3

PSY 423 Counselling Theories & Practices 3

Choose Two (6)

PSY 333 Psychology of Personality 3

PSY 343 Social Psychology PSY 373 Political Psychology 3

PSY 313 Topics in Psychology (3) Choose One (3)PSY 353 Child & Adolescent Psychology 3

SOC 323 The Family 3

18 hours PSY or SOC 300/400 level not already chosenAdditional Program Requirements UE111 Adult Learning Orientation (1)HIS 103 American History I  and 3

HIS 113 American History II  or 3

HIS 203 World Civilization I  and 3

HIS 213 World Civilization II 3

SOC 103 Introduction to Sociology 3

Electives

26

Works cited

Bates, M & Stevenson, P. Good Counselling is Just Excellent Communication Skills! Or is it?

New York: Holt Reinhart & Wiston. 1998, pp. 3-4. Available at HYPERLINK “http://www98.griffith.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/handle/10072/12563/8374.pdf;jsessionid=2C96DB098545E6DAD625015577FCEDCB?sequence=1” http://www98.griffith.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/handle/10072/12563/8374.pdf;jsessionid=2C96DB098545E6DAD625015577FCEDCB?sequence=1 (Accessed on March 27, 2014)

Vescio, V., Ross, D. & Adams, A. A Review of Research on Professional Learning

Communities: What Do We Know? NSRF Research Forum. 2006, pp. 13- 14. Available at HYPERLINK “http://www.nsrfharmony.org/research.vescio_ross_adams.pdf” http://www.nsrfharmony.org/research.vescio_ross_adams.pdf. (Accessed on March 27, 2014).