2002-2003 UAF Catalog

Degrees and Programs

Psychology

College of Liberal Arts
Department of Psychology
(907) 474-7007

Degrees: B.A., B.S., M.A.

Minimum Requirements for Degrees: B.A.: 120 credits, B.S.: 120 credits, M.A.: 48 credits

The Department of Psychology offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in psychology and an M.A. degree in community psychology. Doctoral study in psychology is only available through the interdisciplinary studies program of the Graduate School. Interdisciplinary programs in psychology are housed within the Department of Psychology.

The focus of this department is to provide breadth and depth in the science and profession of psychology with a commitment to honoring diversity and promoting human welfare. The curriculum develops cross-cultural knowledge, critical thinking, imagination, creativity, ethical principles, concern for social justice, as well as respect for and knowledge of diverse perspectives that include feminist, multicultural, indigenous, gay and lesbian.

In addition to active engagement in the classroom, students participate in research and community service. Programs in psychology facilitate an understanding of the human experience as interaction of biological, psychological, social and cultural processes.

The community psychology program trains master's-level practitioners in mental health and community development who can work sensitively and effectively in cross-cultural community contexts, particularly in Alaska native settings in rural areas and urban settings with multicultural populations.

The graduate program attempts to meet the demand for trained mental health professionals in rural Alaska; however, graduates have also found employment in rural America and internationally.

The program prepares individuals who are interested in strengthening a sense of community and promoting the assets of communities as resources for primary prevention. The objectives of the program are:

  1. To train master's-level psychologists for rural and cross-cultural settings.
  2. To place master's-level psychologists in human and social service agencies in Alaska in both rural and semi-urban areas having large cross-cultural and rural populations.
  3. To provide in-service and continuing education for mental health professionals with a special emphasis on rural and cross-cultural issues.

The program prepares generalists who are capable of doing individual counseling, designing and evaluating community-based interventions, facilitating social change and prevention, and understanding assessment and diagnosis. Students are expected to become cross-culturally competent in those areas critical for a rural community psychologist. The program is practice-oriented and seeks to educate reflective practitioners who can integrate theory and practice and have the requisite research skills to facilitate change at the individual and community level.

* M.A. degree in Community Psychology.

Undergraduate Program

Major

Psychology -- B.A. or B.S. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the B.A. or B.S. degree requirements.
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
    1. Complete the following:
      PSY 101 -- Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 275 -- Introduction to Social Science Research Methods (3 credits)
      PSY 485 -- Senior Seminar (3 credits)
    2. Complete 1 course from each of the following specialized areas:

      Research

      PSY/SOC 250 -- Introductory Statistics for Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
      PSY 475W -- Research Design and Analysis in Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY/SOC 480 -- Qualitative Social Science Research (3 credits)

      Biological Perspectives

      PSY 335 -- Physiological Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 370 -- Drugs and Drug Dependence (3 credits)
      PSY 470 -- Sensation and Perception (3 credits)

      Social Perspectives

      PSY/SOC 330 -- Social Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 390W,O -- Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 445W -- Community Psychology (3 credits)

      Psychological Perspectives

      PSY 304 -- Personality (3 credits)
      PSY 345 -- Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 440 -- Learning and Cognition (3 credits)

      Multicultural/Diversity

      PSY 310 -- Cross-Cultural Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY/SOC 333 -- Human Sexuality Across Cultures (3 credits)
      PSY/WMS 360O -- Psychology of Women Across Cultures (3 credits)
      PSY 444 -- Advanced Multicultural Lifespan Development (3 credits)
    3. Complete 12 additional credits from the following (you may also choose from the courses listed in the specialized areas above):
      PSY 230 -- Psychology of Adjustment (3 credits)
      PSY 240 -- Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 320 -- History and Systems of Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 337W -- Sport Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 350 -- Comparative Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 380 -- Environmental Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY/BA 436 -- Consumer Behavior (3 credits)
      PSY 455 -- Clinical Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 469 -- Health Psychology (3 credits)
      PSY 393/493 -- Special Topics (3 credits)
    4. Complete 1 community service course.**
  4. Minimum credits required (120 credits)

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.

** Community service courses: PSY 310, 345, 445 and 470.

Note: Student may not count more than 6 hours of any combination of PSY 497 and 498 toward the degree.

Note: Student may apply an unlimited number of PSY 392/492 and PSY 393/493 toward the degree provided the topics are different for each course.

Minor

  1. Complete the following:
    PSY 101 -- Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
    PSY electives (18 credits)
  2. Minimum credits required (21 credits)

Graduate Program

Community Psychology -- M.A. Degree

  1. Complete the following admission requirements:
    1. Apply for admission by March 1. Students are accepted in the spring for the fall semester. Notification of admission will occur prior to the end of the spring semester. The program accepts a maximum of eight students per year, with the option to accept fewer if there are limited resources.
    2. Completion of the baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, human services, education or a related helping profession. A non-social science background may be accepted, but the applicant must complete the necessary undergraduate prerequisites as delineated by their advisor prior to advancement to candidacy. These prerequisites include abnormal psychology, social or community psychology, research methods, and statistics.
    3. Have a grade point average of 3.00 or higher and/or evidence of personal and professional suitability for community psychology work, and interest in rural practice. In part, this will be inferred from the applicant's academic and employment history, and an interview when possible.
    4. A statement of career goals and how the M.A. degree program fits these goals.
    5. Three letters of reference endorsing the applicant's admission to the community psychology program.
    6. If enrolling as a part-time student, applicant must enroll in 1 required course during the first semester.
  2. Complete the general university requirements.
  3. Complete the master's degree requirements.
  4. Complete internship* (0-12 credits)
  5. Complete the following core courses:
    PSY 630 -- Community Psychology (3 credits)
    PSY 631 -- Community Psychology: Cross-Cultural Applications and the Ethics of Change (3 credits)
    PSY 635 -- Field-Based Research Methods (3 credits)
    PSY 638 -- Proseminar in Community Psychology (3 credits)
    PSY 660 -- Counseling Theories and Applications I (3 credits)
    PSY 662 -- Counseling Theories and Applications II (3 credits)
    PSY 663 -- Clinical Methods and Assessment (3 credits)
    PSY 678 -- Psychological Assessment (3 credits)
    PSY 690 -- Pre-Master's Internship in Community Psychology (0-12 credits)
    PSY 699 -- Thesis (6 credits)
    Approved electives (6 credits)
  6. Minimum credits required (48 credits)

* Complete an internship under the supervision of a qualified psychologist, mental health or human services practitioner. The internship is for either a full-time, one-semester or part-time, one-year; placements are arranged after at least 24 credits are completed. By approval of committee, additional elective credits may be substituted for all or part of the internship requirement.