Be a part of an industry that is everywhere and is making a huge impact on our society. Explore Graceland’s psychology major and enroll today.
A psychology major from Graceland equips students to be proficient in not only the theoretical and experimental but also the applied and clinical aspects of the psychology field. Psychologists are employed in many fields including the military, government, education, and sports, as a therapist, professor, industrial psychologist, military psychologist, counselor, and sports psychologists, among many other fields. Psychologists are everywhere and do almost everything and they are an integral part of our society.
Graceland's psychology major program regularly integrates its offerings with other related departments across the university including biology and biochemistry, movement and sport science, sociology and human services, computer science and robotics, and art and music — many of which you could double major or minor in. In fact, we do have many students who double major in these areas and go on to careers in the areas of psychological medicine, social work, and art and movement therapy, among others. Additionally, psychology is thoroughly integrated with the university’s counseling services, and members of those services are regularly involved in teaching and advising our students alongside our core faculty.
In addition to the general education requirements, majors in Psychology must complete a 34 or more semester hours in Psychology and 3 semester hours of supporting courses.
Required courses (28 s.h.)
Elective block: Take an additional 6 semester hours from:
Data analysis and measures of central tendency, dispersion, and correlation. Introduction to probability. Estimation and hypothesis testing. Bivariate regression. ANOVA. Introduction to nonparametric techniques. Prerequisite: 1 year high school algebra. ELO6 Math, GE2B Foundational Skills-Mathematics/Quantitative.
An application of the theories and principles in psychology to the athlete, the athletic environment, and to coaching practices.
An introductory survey of psychological methods and thoughts as they relate to human experience and behavior. Topics include the role of the central nervous system in mediating behavior, learning and memory, states of awareness, motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. ELO5 Social Science – Innovation, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences.
The study of human development over the entire lifespan. Focus is on the interaction of physical, intellectual, social, and emotional aspects of development. ELO5 Social Science - Equality, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences
A social science approach to relationships and attraction with a focus on marriage and the family unit. Topics include dating, marital roles, parenting, and interaction patterns. Explores disruptions such as divorce and domestic violence as well as clinical and community-level interventions from a systems perspective. +This course is only offered every other year.
An application of the theories and principles in psychology to the athlete, the athletic environment, and to coaching practices.
Consideration of how humans receive and interpret information from their environment through receptor systems and brain mechanisms. Including theories of perception, biology of sensory and perceptual systems, and practical applications of findings from research. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 Introductory Psychology. This course is offered every other year.
The study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. Attention given to research and application to social perception, interaction, and influence. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 or SOCI1300.
Examination of the biological substrates of behavior. Topics include synaptic transmission and patterns of neural activity, sleep and arousal, learning and memory, motivation, emotion, neurological diseases, traumatic brain injuries. Prerequisites: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is offered every other year.
A study of personality from dispositional, psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral perspectives and of the application of personality perspectives to current issues. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology.
Study of psychological theories and empirical findings relating to variations in cultures. Prerequisite: PSYC1300. ELO4 Global Learning - World Citizenship, ELO4 Global Learning - Equality and Peace.
A study of the disorders outlined in the current diagnostic statistical manual. Emphasis will be on etiology, symptoms, and methods of treatment. Prerequisite: PSYC1300.
Research and theory in areas of cognitive psychology, including attention; memory acquisition, storage, and retrieval; language comprehension; and problem solving. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is only offered every other year.
Explores a variety of theories of learning. Considers both conceptual and applied aspects of learning. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is offered every other year.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Development and implementation of an original research project. Prerequisite: PSYC3510 and 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Examination of professional and ethical issues, as well as careers and graduate education in psychology. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing, and Psychology major.
A historical analysis of systematic foundations in psychology. Includes Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, and Psychoanalysis. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours in psychology.
Placement with external agency for application of knowledge, theory, and skills from the major in a professional setting. Pre-requisites: Psychology major, senior standing, 2.0 cumulative GPA, 3.0 GPA in the major, consent of supervising faculty. Students should enroll in 1 credit for every 50 hours that will be volunteered in the sponsor organization (with a maximum of 4 credits). Completion of the Senior Internship application with approval from agency sponsor and supervising faculty.
A course designed to explore characteristics of counselors, characteristics of clients, basic counseling techniques, and current theories of counseling. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 6 additional hours of psychology.
A social science approach to relationships and attraction with a focus on marriage and the family unit. Topics include dating, marital roles, parenting, and interaction patterns. Explores disruptions such as divorce and domestic violence as well as clinical and community-level interventions from a systems perspective.
The study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. Attention given to research and application to social perception, interaction, and influence. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 or SOCI1300.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Data analysis and measures of central tendency, dispersion, and correlation. Introduction to probability. Estimation and hypothesis testing. Bivariate regression. ANOVA. Introduction to nonparametric techniques. Prerequisite: 1 year high school algebra. ELO6 Math, GE2B Foundational Skills-Mathematics/Quantitative.
An application of the theories and principles in psychology to the athlete, the athletic environment, and to coaching practices.
An introductory survey of psychological methods and thoughts as they relate to human experience and behavior. Topics include the role of the central nervous system in mediating behavior, learning and memory, states of awareness, motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. ELO5 Social Science – Innovation, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences.
The study of human development over the entire lifespan. Focus is on the interaction of physical, intellectual, social, and emotional aspects of development. ELO5 Social Science - Equality, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences
A social science approach to relationships and attraction with a focus on marriage and the family unit. Topics include dating, marital roles, parenting, and interaction patterns. Explores disruptions such as divorce and domestic violence as well as clinical and community-level interventions from a systems perspective. +This course is only offered every other year.
An application of the theories and principles in psychology to the athlete, the athletic environment, and to coaching practices.
Consideration of how humans receive and interpret information from their environment through receptor systems and brain mechanisms. Including theories of perception, biology of sensory and perceptual systems, and practical applications of findings from research. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 Introductory Psychology. This course is offered every other year.
The study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. Attention given to research and application to social perception, interaction, and influence. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 or SOCI1300.
Examination of the biological substrates of behavior. Topics include synaptic transmission and patterns of neural activity, sleep and arousal, learning and memory, motivation, emotion, neurological diseases, traumatic brain injuries. Prerequisites: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is offered every other year.
A study of personality from dispositional, psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral perspectives and of the application of personality perspectives to current issues. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology.
Study of psychological theories and empirical findings relating to variations in cultures. Prerequisite: PSYC1300. ELO4 Global Learning - World Citizenship, ELO4 Global Learning - Equality and Peace.
A study of the disorders outlined in the current diagnostic statistical manual. Emphasis will be on etiology, symptoms, and methods of treatment. Prerequisite: PSYC1300.
Research and theory in areas of cognitive psychology, including attention; memory acquisition, storage, and retrieval; language comprehension; and problem solving. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is only offered every other year.
Explores a variety of theories of learning. Considers both conceptual and applied aspects of learning. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is offered every other year.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Development and implementation of an original research project. Prerequisite: PSYC3510 and 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Examination of professional and ethical issues, as well as careers and graduate education in psychology. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing, and Psychology major.
A historical analysis of systematic foundations in psychology. Includes Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, and Psychoanalysis. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours in psychology.
Placement with external agency for application of knowledge, theory, and skills from the major in a professional setting. Pre-requisites: Psychology major, senior standing, 2.0 cumulative GPA, 3.0 GPA in the major, consent of supervising faculty. Students should enroll in 1 credit for every 50 hours that will be volunteered in the sponsor organization (with a maximum of 4 credits). Completion of the Senior Internship application with approval from agency sponsor and supervising faculty.
A course designed to explore characteristics of counselors, characteristics of clients, basic counseling techniques, and current theories of counseling. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 6 additional hours of psychology.
A social science approach to relationships and attraction with a focus on marriage and the family unit. Topics include dating, marital roles, parenting, and interaction patterns. Explores disruptions such as divorce and domestic violence as well as clinical and community-level interventions from a systems perspective.
The study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. Attention given to research and application to social perception, interaction, and influence. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 or SOCI1300.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
A minor in Psychology consists of 18 semester hours in psychology including PSYC1300 Introductory Psychology, plus 9 additional semester hours from the list of required psychology core courses and 6 additional semester hours from the list of psychology electives.
An introductory survey of psychological methods and thoughts as they relate to human experience and behavior. Topics include the role of the central nervous system in mediating behavior, learning and memory, states of awareness, motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. ELO5 Social Science – Innovation, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences.
An introductory survey of psychological methods and thoughts as they relate to human experience and behavior. Topics include the role of the central nervous system in mediating behavior, learning and memory, states of awareness, motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. ELO5 Social Science – Innovation, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences.
ONLY FOR NON-PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS WHO WANT A SECONDARY PSYCHOLOGY ENDORSEMENT (5-12): Non-Psychology Majors desiring a secondary Psychology endorsement (5-12) in Iowa must complete the Secondary Education Program (with SOSC3390 Methods of Teaching Social Studies as the appropriate methods course), a major in a secondary teaching field, and 24 s.h. in Psychology including the following courses:
Or a student may take 30 s.h. in the broad area of Social Sciences to include 15 s.h. in Psychology including the following courses:
An introductory survey of psychological methods and thoughts as they relate to human experience and behavior. Topics include the role of the central nervous system in mediating behavior, learning and memory, states of awareness, motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. ELO5 Social Science – Innovation, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences.
The study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. Attention given to research and application to social perception, interaction, and influence. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 or SOCI1300.
A study of personality from dispositional, psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral perspectives and of the application of personality perspectives to current issues. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology.
Explores a variety of theories of learning. Considers both conceptual and applied aspects of learning. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is offered every other year.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
A historical analysis of systematic foundations in psychology. Includes Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, and Psychoanalysis. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours in psychology.
Discussions of the general and specific objectives of social studies in the secondary school system, the materials and resources available, techniques in teaching the social studies, types of curricula, and methods of evaluation. Prerequisites: admittance into Teacher Education, unless part of an approved Liberal Studies Program.
An introductory survey of psychological methods and thoughts as they relate to human experience and behavior. Topics include the role of the central nervous system in mediating behavior, learning and memory, states of awareness, motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. ELO5 Social Science – Innovation, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences.
The study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. Attention given to research and application to social perception, interaction, and influence. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 or SOCI1300.
A study of personality from dispositional, psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral perspectives and of the application of personality perspectives to current issues. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology.
Explores a variety of theories of learning. Considers both conceptual and applied aspects of learning. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is offered every other year.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
A historical analysis of systematic foundations in psychology. Includes Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, and Psychoanalysis. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours in psychology.
Discussions of the general and specific objectives of social studies in the secondary school system, the materials and resources available, techniques in teaching the social studies, types of curricula, and methods of evaluation. Prerequisites: admittance into Teacher Education, unless part of an approved Liberal Studies Program.
An introductory survey of psychological methods and thoughts as they relate to human experience and behavior. Topics include the role of the central nervous system in mediating behavior, learning and memory, states of awareness, motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. ELO5 Social Science – Innovation, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences.
Explores the differing, yet varied facets of the field of forensic psychology including landmark legal cases relevant to psychology, potential careers in forensic psychology, police psychology, expert testimony, forensic psychological assessment, psychopathy, homeland security, ethics, correctional psychology, and issues in working in the juvenile justice system.
The study of human development over the entire lifespan. Focus is on the interaction of physical, intellectual, social, and emotional aspects of development. ELO5 Social Science - Equality, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences
A social science approach to relationships and attraction with a focus on marriage and the family unit. Topics include dating, marital roles, parenting, and interaction patterns. Explores disruptions such as divorce and domestic violence as well as clinical and community-level interventions from a systems perspective. +This course is only offered every other year.
An application of the theories and principles in psychology to the athlete, the athletic environment, and to coaching practices.
Consideration of how humans receive and interpret information from their environment through receptor systems and brain mechanisms. Including theories of perception, biology of sensory and perceptual systems, and practical applications of findings from research. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 Introductory Psychology. This course is offered every other year.
The study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. Attention given to research and application to social perception, interaction, and influence. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 or SOCI1300.
Examination of the biological substrates of behavior. Topics include synaptic transmission and patterns of neural activity, sleep and arousal, learning and memory, motivation, emotion, neurological diseases, traumatic brain injuries. Prerequisites: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is offered every other year.
A study of personality from dispositional, psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral perspectives and of the application of personality perspectives to current issues. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology.
Study of psychological theories and empirical findings relating to variations in cultures. Prerequisite: PSYC1300. ELO4 Global Learning - World Citizenship, ELO4 Global Learning - Equality and Peace.
A study of the disorders outlined in the current diagnostic statistical manual. Emphasis will be on etiology, symptoms, and methods of treatment. Prerequisite: PSYC1300.
Research and theory in areas of cognitive psychology, including attention; memory acquisition, storage, and retrieval; language comprehension; and problem solving. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is only offered every other year.
Psychological theory applied to problems of work: workplace design; group behavior; labor-management relations; leadership; employee selection and retention; psychological evaluation of workers.
Explores a variety of theories of learning. Considers both conceptual and applied aspects of learning. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is offered every other year.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Development and implementation of an original research project. Prerequisite: PSYC3510 and 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
In-depth study of topics in the field of psychology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: PSYC1300.
Examination of professional and ethical issues, as well as careers and graduate education in psychology. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing, and Psychology major.
A historical analysis of systematic foundations in psychology. Includes Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, and Psychoanalysis. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours in psychology.
Placement with external agency for application of knowledge, theory, and skills from the major in a professional setting. Pre-requisites: Psychology major, senior standing, 2.0 cumulative GPA, 3.0 GPA in the major, consent of supervising faculty. Students should enroll in 1 credit for every 50 hours that will be volunteered in the sponsor organization (with a maximum of 4 credits). Completion of the Senior Internship application with approval from agency sponsor and supervising faculty.
A course designed to explore characteristics of counselors, characteristics of clients, basic counseling techniques, and current theories of counseling. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 6 additional hours of psychology.
An introductory survey of psychological methods and thoughts as they relate to human experience and behavior. Topics include the role of the central nervous system in mediating behavior, learning and memory, states of awareness, motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. ELO5 Social Science – Innovation, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences.
Explores the differing, yet varied facets of the field of forensic psychology including landmark legal cases relevant to psychology, potential careers in forensic psychology, police psychology, expert testimony, forensic psychological assessment, psychopathy, homeland security, ethics, correctional psychology, and issues in working in the juvenile justice system.
The study of human development over the entire lifespan. Focus is on the interaction of physical, intellectual, social, and emotional aspects of development. ELO5 Social Science - Equality, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences
A social science approach to relationships and attraction with a focus on marriage and the family unit. Topics include dating, marital roles, parenting, and interaction patterns. Explores disruptions such as divorce and domestic violence as well as clinical and community-level interventions from a systems perspective. +This course is only offered every other year.
An application of the theories and principles in psychology to the athlete, the athletic environment, and to coaching practices.
Consideration of how humans receive and interpret information from their environment through receptor systems and brain mechanisms. Including theories of perception, biology of sensory and perceptual systems, and practical applications of findings from research. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 Introductory Psychology. This course is offered every other year.
The study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. Attention given to research and application to social perception, interaction, and influence. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 or SOCI1300.
Examination of the biological substrates of behavior. Topics include synaptic transmission and patterns of neural activity, sleep and arousal, learning and memory, motivation, emotion, neurological diseases, traumatic brain injuries. Prerequisites: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is offered every other year.
A study of personality from dispositional, psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral perspectives and of the application of personality perspectives to current issues. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology.
Study of psychological theories and empirical findings relating to variations in cultures. Prerequisite: PSYC1300. ELO4 Global Learning - World Citizenship, ELO4 Global Learning - Equality and Peace.
A study of the disorders outlined in the current diagnostic statistical manual. Emphasis will be on etiology, symptoms, and methods of treatment. Prerequisite: PSYC1300.
Research and theory in areas of cognitive psychology, including attention; memory acquisition, storage, and retrieval; language comprehension; and problem solving. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is only offered every other year.
Psychological theory applied to problems of work: workplace design; group behavior; labor-management relations; leadership; employee selection and retention; psychological evaluation of workers.
Explores a variety of theories of learning. Considers both conceptual and applied aspects of learning. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 3 additional hours of psychology. This course is offered every other year.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Development and implementation of an original research project. Prerequisite: PSYC3510 and 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
In-depth study of topics in the field of psychology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: PSYC1300.
Examination of professional and ethical issues, as well as careers and graduate education in psychology. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing, and Psychology major.
A historical analysis of systematic foundations in psychology. Includes Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, and Psychoanalysis. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours in psychology.
Placement with external agency for application of knowledge, theory, and skills from the major in a professional setting. Pre-requisites: Psychology major, senior standing, 2.0 cumulative GPA, 3.0 GPA in the major, consent of supervising faculty. Students should enroll in 1 credit for every 50 hours that will be volunteered in the sponsor organization (with a maximum of 4 credits). Completion of the Senior Internship application with approval from agency sponsor and supervising faculty.
A course designed to explore characteristics of counselors, characteristics of clients, basic counseling techniques, and current theories of counseling. Prerequisite: PSYC1300 and 6 additional hours of psychology.
As we mentioned above, your degree in psychology can take you in so many different directions. Our students go on to work in the military, in sports, in law enforcement, in education, in art, etc. A psychology major from Graceland University can help to prepare you for careers such as:
…and many other exciting fields.
Employed in Field
51%
Psychology graduates
Estimated Salary
$65,000
Psychology graduates
Psychology students at Graceland are encouraged to create their own unique niche in this diverse and fascinating field. Many will do that by double majoring or minoring in one of our many other degree programs. At Graceland, extensive research training is a hallmark of the program and it emphasizes individual student creativity in reaching learning goals.
Through a two-course sequence in research methods, students design and carry out individual research projects which are reviewed by the Institutional Review Board. Through this process, students collect, analyze, and interpret data, and they acquire skills useful in many evidence-based fields. Graceland’s service ethic is well represented in psychology’s course offerings. Our compact department offers a full suite of courses in applied areas that rivals the curricula of much larger departments.
99% of students on the Lamoni campus receive financial aid.
As you consider college, you want a simple, easy-to-understand formula designed to ensure that the one-of-a-kind Graceland Experience is within reach for your family. Undergraduate tuition includes our unique Transformational Leadership major, and we offer generous financial aid and scholarships to all of our students, making Graceland as affordable, if not moreso, than most public universities.
Questions?
Next Steps
