According to the U.S. Department of Labor, opportunities for psychologists, counselors, social workers, and human resource personnel are expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the middle of the next decade.
The goal of Maryville's Psychology program is to educate you about the guiding psychological principles of human behavior through inquiry, investigation, critical thinking and reflection. You will get to customize your program of study by choosing one of three domains on which to focus: clinical/counseling, social/experimental and developmental. Our program gives you a strong foundation in the broad theoretical issues of contemporary psychology, as well as applied, practical experience.
Program Features
Flexibility
To best accommodate the diverse schedules and needs of its students, the Psychology program offers all of its core curriculum courses on a variety of days, at an array of times, and at several locations.
The Psychology department offers several study options, allowing our students the opportunity to customize a program that best matches their personal interests and career paths. Psychology majors can choose a minor in another field, double major in psychology and sociology, or complete the major with a concentration in rehabilitation.
For the rehabilitation concentration, you can focus on either medical, psychiatric or drug/alcohol rehabilitation. Our Early Access and Bridge programs allow you to begin your M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling while you're still in your senior year of an undergraduate degree.
Graduate Bridge and Early Access Programs
Graduate bridge programs are accelerated courses of study that lead to master's degrees in social work, business and elementary education. These programs permit you to begin working on a master's degree while you're still completing undergraduate requirements. If you attend summer sessions, you can complete your graduate work in only one additional year after you receive your bachelor's degree.
Business Bridge
This program is available to qualified senior psychology and/or sociology majors. In your senior year, you can take up to 12 credit hours at the graduate level, which count toward both a bachelor's and a master's degree.
Elementary Education Bridge
You can apply for this program during the fall of your junior year. You will complete course work in psychology and education at the undergraduate level. During your fifth year, you'll complete the requirements for the Master of Arts in Elementary Education and for certification to teach the elementary grades in public schools.
Social Work Bridge
This program is open to qualified senior psychology/sociology double majors. As a senior, you can take up to 12 hours of graduate credit in St. Louis University's Master of Social Work program.
Early Access: M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling
The Early Access program lets you accelerate your progress toward an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling. In your senior year, you can take up to 6 credit hours at the graduate level, which count toward both a bachelor's and a master's degree.
Student Involvement
Maryville's Psychology/Sociology Club, which welcomes all students interested in psychology, was established in the fall of 2006. Some of the club's activities you can look forward to include guest speakers, graduate school panels, community service projects and social gatherings. You might also enjoy getting involved with M*PWR - Maryville Promoting Women's Rights.
In addition to these organizations, in September 2008, Maryville installed a chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology. Founded in 1929, Psi Chi recognizes those who maintain excellence in scholarship, and work to advance the science of psychology. Membership is open to psychology majors and minors who meet the qualifications.
Program Events:
Meet the Faculty - held in September
Graduate School Information Night - held in the fall
Career Night - held at the beginning of the spring semester
M*PWR Charity Trivia Night - held annually
Maryville Race Against Violence - held the last Sunday in March
Professional/Career Opportunities
Maryville psychology graduates, with uniquely customized programs of study and applied learning experiences, are well-prepared and competitive for numerous career opportunities and graduate studies in areas such as counseling, social work, and law. Some of our alumni now work as child support specialists, child services workers, social workers, substance abuse counselors, support managers for people with developmental disabilities, community support workers, and human resources directors.
Growing awareness of how students' mental health and behavioral problems affect learning is increasing demand for school psychologists. As advances in medical technology allow more people to survive injury or illness, more people will need rehabilitation counseling. The increasing elderly population and aging baby boomers will also create greater demand for health and social services.
Employment of mental health counselors, marriage counselors and family therapists is expected to grow as more people feel the need for professional help with health, personal and family problems.
Industrial-organizational psychologists will continue to help boost productivity and retention rates in a wide range of businesses. Furthermore, demand for vocational or career counselors will grow as workers hold down multiple jobs or change careers.
State and local governments need counselors to help people in welfare programs find jobs. Demand is also anticipated to be strong for professionals trained to provide certain types of specialized psychological treatment, like substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling. Drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather than to jail, and the growing number of Iraq war veterans may need treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). myOrg
Degree Offerings and Requirements
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Rehabilitation
Admission Requirements
If you're interested in joining our Psychology program, you need to meet the general admissions requirements for the University. We recommend that you complete a variety of high school or college prep courses in biology, chemistry, physics and pre-calculus before applying.
