Spring 2025
Classes Start
Jan 13
Session B
Classes Start
Mar 2
Program Overview
Are you interested in what makes people tick? A psychology major from RCU presents a broad study of human behaviors and insight into psychology as both a scientific discipline and a professional career. Though a graduate degree is required to certify for practice in most agencies or obtain a license to provide private therapy, this program can help you work in crisis intervention, counseling clinics, community service agencies, and other social service agencies. This major is primarily designed as preparation for graduate studies in psychology, psychotherapy, professional counseling, or social work. It may also support graduate work in experimental, applied, academic, theoretical, or professional psychology.
degree requirements
Our Psychology, BS will prepare you for a professional career by providing a broad study of human behavior and insight into psychology. As an undergraduate degree, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to work in crisis intervention, counseling, and community service agencies. You’ll also gain a strong foundation to pursue a graduate degree in psychology, psychotherapy, professional counseling, or social work, as well as graduate work in experimental, applied, academic, theoretical, or professional psychology. A graduate degree is required to practice psychology in most agencies and to receive a licensure as a private therapist.
The following learning outcomes are linked to assignments and activities throughout these programs based on the recommendations of the American Psychological Association (APA, 2013) and its guidelines for the program learning outcomes of undergraduate psychology programs (http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/undergrad/index.aspx).
- Knowledge Base in Psychology – Students will be able to identify, explain, and apply major concepts, theories, and findings in psychology and social work, including appropriately integrating knowledge within specific sociocultural contexts.
- Scientific Inquiry & Critical Thinking – Students will be able to use research design & analysis, scientific reasoning, and psychological theory to generate insights into and solve problems in behavioral and mental processes.
- Ethical & Social Responsibility in a Diverse World – Students will be able to identify and explain good practices that reflect ethical values contributing to positive outcomes, while discerning the relationship between faith and science and articulating their own view of the world.
- Communication – Students will be able to write clear and concise scientific arguments, present information using a scientific approach, engage in discussion of psychological concepts, and explain the ideas of themselves and others with clarity in different formats.
- Professional Development – Students will be able to reflect on their own and others’ behavioral and mental processes to apply effective strategies for self-management, self-improvement, and cooperation, while in consideration of sociocultural context and diversity.
Total Credit Hours: 120
- Major Core: 15 hours
- Major Core: Choose 9 hours
- Mental Processes: Choose 3 hours
- Laboratory Core: Choose 8 hours
- Early Childhood: Choose 3 hours
- Adult Development: Choose 3 hours
- Specialized Subjects: Choose 6 hours
- Electives: 35 hours
- PSI CHI
- Health and Wellness Club
Program Statistics
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Graduates hired within 6 months
Jobs filled by Rochester grads
Career Opportunities
Types of Jobs
- Crisis Intervention Centers
- Counseling Clinics
- Community Service Agencies
- Other Social Agencies
- Mental Health Technician
$60,000
$135,00
$150,000
Avg. Salaries post grad work
(Courtesy of Salary.com for Psychologist)
Market Trends
Projected Growth (2021-2031): 8-10%
Projected Job Openings (2021-2031): 5,100
According to The Economic Outlook for Oakland County in 2021-2023, where Rochester Christian University is located, jobs in health care and social assistance are expected to grow 9% by 2023 and have an average annual salary of $52,591.
student experience
Internships
Clubs
- PSI CHI
- Health and Wellness Club
Activities
alumni testimonial
I did exceptionally well in graduate school because I was ahead of most of my peers (even those who had graduated from big universities). When I started the program, many of my peers had not even heard of some of the concepts I learned in my classes at RCU. I was also confident enough to teach a two-hour lecture for one of my first class assignments because of the oral presentation practice I obtained at RCU.
Faculty
Associate Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
(248) 218-2157
jmatyas@rochesteru.edu
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
(248) 218-2157
jmatyas@rochesteru.edu
Professor of Psychology
