Bachelor of Arts
Applied Psychology
Develop experiential and practical applications of psychology in government, business, and helping settings.
Program Overview
Preparation for a successful career using applied psychology requires a broad knowledge base in the major elements of psychological sciences. The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology degree equips students with professional knowledge and practical skills in general psychology and specialized emphasis areas. Students will study these psychological principles through a Christian worldview.
Program Highlights
- Focuses on experiential, applicable, and practical approaches to psychology
- Emphasis on professional knowledge AND practical skills
- Learn to evaluate ethical behavior and decision making within the profession
- Integrate a Christian worldview
Potential Careers
Graduates of the program are armed with the knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in a variety of roles in related industries:
Adolescent Residential Care Counselor
Probation or Corrections Officer
Human Resources Generalist
Course Requirements
Students must complete the following degree components at LAPU or via applicable transfer credits.
See the catalog for more details.
General Education Requirements
28 Credits
General Education (28): see catalog for more details
28 Credits
Program Requisities
12 Credits
PSYC 105Introduction to Psychology
3 Credits
PSYC 285Abnormal Psychology
3 Credits
PSYC 295Human Growth and Development
3 Credits
STAT 280Applied Statistics
3 Credits
Major Requirements
45 Credits
PSYC 300Research Methods in Psychology
3 Credits
PSYC 315Integration of Psychology and Christianity
3 Credits
PSYC 320Personality Theory
3 Credits
PSYC 325Learning Theory
3 Credits
PSYC 330Cognition
3 Credits
PSYC 335Fundamentals of Testing and Assessment
3 Credits
PSYC 340Interviewing and Counseling Techniques
3 Credits
PSYC 350Social Psychology
3 Credits
PSYC 405Physiological Psychology
3 Credits
PSYC 410Psychology of Emotions
3 Credits
PSYC 430Cultural Psychology
3 Credits
PSYC 475Professional and Ethical Issues in Psychology
3 Credits
PSYC 485Undergraduate Applied Psychology Capstone I
3 Credits
PSYC 490Undergraduate Applied Psychology Capstone II
3 Credits
PSYC 370Topics in Psychology: Psychopharmacology
3 Credits
PSYC 465Topics in Psychology: Marriage
3 Credits
Electives
35 Credits
Electives (35): choose from 100-400 level courses in the catalog
35 Credits
Total Credits
120 Credits
Recommended Concentrations
A concentration is similar to a minor, but more integrated and with no extra units added to the degree. Each program allows you to choose a concentration to sharpen your skills and specialize in a focused area of study.
Applied Pastoral Couseling
Integrate biblical principles with counseling and interviewing skills to be applied in a pastoral care or lay ministry setting.
The Applied Pastoral Counseling concentration enables students to develop critical skills that can be applied to a pastoral care setting. Students engage in fundamental theories, concepts, and principles providing a basis for psychology. In addition, students learn how to integrate biblical principles with counseling and interviewing skills, as well as theoretical concepts. Students may choose to pursue a master’s degree in counseling or psychology to obtain counseling licensure but desire a more Christian emphasis or a Master in Divinity (M.Div.) for those interested in chaplaincy.
PSYC 425 – Crisis Counseling and Intervention (3 Credits)
PSYC 450 – Family Systems (3 Credits)
PSYC 455 – Conflict Management (3 Credits)
PSYC 460 – Motivation (3 Credits)
PSYC 470 – Positive Psychology (3 Credits)
Business Psychology
The study of organizational behavior, motivation, and conflict management.
The Business Psychology concentration provides a foundation for motivating and understanding organizational behavior, conflict management, and gender issues. Focus on psychological theory, concepts, and business-related strategies effectively prepare the student for a career in the business arena. This is also a valuable foundation if students plan to get a master’s degree in business.
PSYC 455 – Conflict Management (3 Credits)
PSYC 460 – Motivation (3 Credits)
PSYC 470 – Positive Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 480 – Group Processes (3 Credits)
BUSN 485 – Management and Organizational Behavior (3 Credits)
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Providing a framework for working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings.
The Child and Adolescent Psychology concentration provides a framework for working with children and adolescents, as opposed to concentration areas that may focus on other populations. Students have the opportunity to observe children and apply psychological theory, principles, and methodology within assignments geared toward this population. Graduates of the concentration may choose to pursue a master’s degree and beyond, and potentially a marriage and family therapy license.
PSYC 425 – Crisis Counseling and Intervention (3 Credits)
PSYC 440 – Child Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 445 – Adolescent Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 450 – Family Systems (3 Credits)
PSYC 455 – Conflict Management (3 Credits)
Clinical Psychology
Training in psychological theory, concepts, and methodology in order to prepare for a career in the clinical arena.
The Clinical Psychology concentration is geared toward those interested in the mental health profession. Students are effectively trained in psychological theory, concepts, and methodology in order to prepare them for a career in the clinical arena. Concentration courses provide the opportunity for practical application and building a critical skill set needed within this profession. Students are prepared for graduate education if the desire is for licensure as a counselor through a master’s in counseling or psychology, as well as prepared for opportunities to work in the social service or mental health industries.
PSYC 400 – Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 425 – Crisis Counseling and Intervention (3 Credits)
PSYC 450 – Family Systems (3 Credits)
PSYC 455 – Conflict Management (3 Credits)
PSYC 480 – Group Processes (3 Credits)
Criminal Behavior
Explores criminal behavior, group dynamics (such as gangs), forensics, and conflict management.
The Criminal Behavior concentration acquaints the student with criminal behavior, group dynamics (such as gangs), forensics, and conflict management (such as how to defuse an irate inmate). Courses provide the fundamental foundation of principles, concepts, theories, and skills required to work with this particular population. Students may choose to build a profession working with those displaying criminal behavior or extend their studies to law school or perhaps a master’s in criminal justice or criminal behavior. This degree also provides a foundation for higher-level government jobs.
PSYC 345 – Criminal Behavior (3 Credits)
PSYC 415 – Forensic Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 445 – Conflict Management (3 Credits)
PSYC 455 – Motivation (3 Credits)
PSYC 480 – Group Processes (3 Credits)
Cultural Psychology
Preparing for a profession associated with human services working with diverse populations.
The Cultural Psychology concentration provides a foundation to study, through the lens of psychology, the world’s rapidly changing culture. Psychological cultural sensitivity and training are critical when working with diverse populations. Students in this concentration engage material to guide thinking and skill related to cultural phenomenon impacting society at large, as well as particular populations. Fundamental psychological theories, concepts, and strategies will prepare students for a profession associated with human services working with diverse populations.
PSYC 435 – Gender Issues in Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 450 – Family Systems (3 Credits)
PSYC 455 – Conflict Management (3 Credits)
PSYC 480 – Group Processes (3 Credits)
BUSN 485 – Management and Organizational Behavior (3 Credits)
Educational Psychology
Hones in on particular concepts, theories, and methodologies that are fundamental for working in the fields of education and social services.
The Educational Psychology concentration provides students with specific knowledge related to special needs and educational advocacy, in addition to the child, adolescent, and family needs. This concentration hones in on particular concepts, theories, and methodologies that are fundamental for working in the fields of education and social services. This concentration also sets a solid foundation if students want to pursue a master’s degree in teaching education but want job opportunities broadened by having degrees in two fields, rather than getting an undergraduate education degree.
PSYC 360 – Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (3 Credits)
PSYC 440 – Child Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 445 – Adolescent Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 450 – Family Systems (3 Credits)
PSYC 460 – Motivation (3 Credits)
General Psychology
For those who want a broad, general psychology emphasis offering versatility in the job market.
The General Psychology concentration is designed for those who want a broad, general degree offering versatility in the job market. Concentration courses provide a distinct framework to study broadly, including theories and methods related to clinical foundations, systems approach, as well as current trending psychological theories.
PSYC 400 – Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 450 – Family Systems (3 Credits)
PSYC 460 – Motivation (3 Credits)
PSYC 470 – Positive Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 480 – Group Processes (3 Credits)
Human Services
Provides foundations in pivotal applied psychological theory and methodologies geared toward helping people.
The Human Services concentration utilizes a more general approach and sets students up for a broad scope of career opportunities. Designed to aid students in creating a clear set of skills for helping people, this concentration provides foundations in pivotal applied psychological theory and methodologies geared toward aiding people while understanding their framework of experience.
PSYC 425 – Crisis Counseling and Intervention (3 Credits)
PSYC 435 – Gender Issues in Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 445 – Adolescent Psychology (3 Credits)
PSYC 460 – Motivation (3 Credits)
PSYC 480 – Group Processes (3 Credits)