The psychology curriculum emphasizes the principles and applications of substantive psychological knowledge both as a natural science and as a social science. The major and minor provide a broad background in psychology and offer students the opportunities, if desired, to pursue specialization in an interest area.
The field of psychology has been undergoing rapid change. New professional opportunities are constantly evolving. In response to this change, students may choose one of two concentrations to fulfill the requirements for a degree in psychology:
- General – Offers flexibility while also ensuring that students have a broad understanding of the field and its applications. Students who plan to pursue teaching licensure or careers in areas other than psychology (e.g., youth ministry) may find this concentration appealing.
- Pre-professional – Prepares students for post-graduate education in psychology or related fields (e.g., occupational therapy). Students who pursue this concentration are required to demonstrate proficiency in research by completing an independent research project.
The specific outcomes of the psychology major are:
- Knowledge Base in Psychology: Students demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings in psychology, and learn basic skills and concepts in interpreting behavior.
- Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: Students use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena, demonstrate psychology information literacy, and interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research.
- Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World: Students incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry, apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice, and adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels.
- Communication: Students engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving, demonstrate effective writing and effective presentation skills for different purposes, and interact effectively with others.
- Professional Development: Students develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.
(All outcomes adapted from APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major, 2013, pp. 15-16).
Course Requirements
View all details and course requirements for this program in the Milligan University Catalog (link below). The Milligan University academic catalog is the official, authoritative source for all academic requirements and policies. Any discrepancies in curricular requirements from other sources will default to the Catalog.
3-Year Degree Option
The three-year Bachelor’s degree option accelerates the traditional undergraduate process and is perfect for highly-motivated students. With an academically rigorous schedule, students save time and reach the workforce or graduate school earlier while still gaining the skills and experience their career paths demand. You also can still engage fully in campus life — be an athlete, lead a club, complete an internship (or two), conduct research with a professor, and be in on all the Milligan traditions.
Graduating in three years requires full-time enrollment for three consecutive fall and spring semesters as well as two summer terms, as outlined in the chart below. You’ll complete a total of 128 credits, including core curriculum, major, and optional minor or elective courses. Dual enrollment or AP credits may reduce your load or the need for some summer sessions.
| Fall | Spring | Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 15.5 hrs | 17 hrs | 9 hrs |
| Year 2 | 17 hrs | 17.5 hrs | 9 hrs |
| Year 3 | 16 hrs | 18 hrs |
*Some dual enrollment or additional summer courses required
Scholarships
Milligan Scholarships
Milligan offers over $10 million in institutional aid every year. Combined with state and federal aid, many students often pay no more than they would to attend a college with a lower cost. We’ll work with you individually every step of the way to help investigate all the options available for financing your education. We offer a full complement of need-based and merit-based scholarships, grants, and low-interest loans from federal, state, and institutional sources. View Scholarships.
External Scholarships
This resource features five curated scholarships endorsed by the American Psychology Association and a customizable database that allows students to search for psychology scholarships based on their interests, education level, and state. Scholarships at Psychology.org.
