Psychology

Description of the program

The Department of Psychology features a faculty with diverse training, expertise and teaching styles. The Psychology major is consistently one of the most popular majors at AU. This flexible major provides solid preparation for a variety of careers and graduate programs, and is easily combined as a double major with complementary areas such as Criminal Justice or Christian Ministries.

Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. It crosses many disciplines including biology, sociology and religion. Students elect to major or minor in psychology to prepare for working with people. Students will be prepared for graduate work in psychiatric social work or psychiatric nursing, professional training in clinical or counseling psychology, working with families, personnel work in industry, pre-ministry, careers in the not-for-profit sector, working with retarded or handicapped persons, or for careers in teaching and research.

Majors

Psychology
Psychology (complementary major)
Psychology (liberal arts emphasis)
Psychology (pre-professional emphasis)
Youth Leadership-Development

Minors

Psychology

Facilities

The Department of Psychology occupies two large labs, eight smaller lab rooms, a reading room, and four offices in Hartung Hall, which is a state-of-the-art science building. A specially constructed room with one-way glass is available for observing or small group interactions. The John Roys Reading Room in the psychology department is available for study, seminars, or reference materials.

Job Placement

Recent graduates have acquired positions in halfway houses for the mentally ill, detention centers for juvenile delinquents, homes for the mentally or physically disabled, ministry organizations, volunteer organizations, and general business.

Special Opportunities

Independent study opportunities are available, including the chance to do original research in a well-equipped biological psychology laboratory. Students have also had the opportunity to publish their studies in professional journals or present papers at professional meetings. To gain valuable experience, students are encouraged to work part time in the psychology department, to work for local mental-health facilities, and to pursue relevant summer employment or internships.