Demonstrate knowledge of and proficiency in the terminology, theories, concepts, practices and skills specific to the field of psychology.

Psychological Science and Practice Concentration

• Articulate the historical progression to the present of psychology as a scholarly discipline and applied practice.
• Describe the major concepts and theories from the developmental perspective in psychology.
• Describe basic concepts and theories from the biological perspective in psychology.
• Describe the professional practices, techniques, communication and ethical standards from the clinical perspective in psychology.
• Describe theories and scientific concepts from one of the sociocultural perspectives in psychology.

Counseling Concentration

• Articulate the historical progression to the present of psychology as a scholarly discipline and an applied practice.
• Explain the major concepts and theories in psychology with a particular emphasis on those used in counseling individuals.
• Describe the professional practices, techniques, communication and ethical standards of the counseling profession.

Marriage and Family Studies

• Articulate the historical progression to the present of psychology as a scholarly discipline and an applied practice.
• Explain the major theoretical models in marriage and family and how various approaches are used to modify and change individuals and systems.
• Describe the professional practices, techniques, communication and core ethical principles proposed by the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy.

Child and Adolescent Services Concentration

• Articulate the historical progression to the present of psychology as a scholarly discipline and an applied practice.
• Identify the major concepts and theories in psychology in the developmental, social, physiological and cognitive areas, with a particular emphasis on theories and development from conception through adolescence and on positive psychology.
• Describe the professional practices, techniques, communication and ethical standards of the profession.
• Explain the centrality of play, creativity, artistic expression, music, story and nature-based experiences to the health and wellness of children, adolescents and families.
• Articulate the reciprocal developmental influence of contexts such as family, school, church, community and society on a child’s and adolescent’s development and mental health status.
• Describe and frames child and adolescent services and intervention work using positive psychology concepts such as risk, resilience, positive youth development, strengths and thriving.

Exhibit competency in applying your knowledge to address real-life problems through both individual and group effort.

Psychological Science and Practice Concentration

• Conduct professional, scientific research, including design, data collection, data analysis and dissemination of results.
• Describe how at least one practice in a professional setting applies methods learned from course work in the major.
• Articulate one practical solution, learned from academic activities, which addresses a real-life problem.

Counseling Concentration

• Conduct professional, scientific research, including design, data collection, data analysis and dissemination of results.
• Identify differences between adaptive and maladaptive behavior, including assessment instruments and diagnostic systems such as the DSM classification with respect to children, adolescents and adults.
• Demonstrate basic skills in psychological evaluation and psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, experiential, solution-focused and narrative treatment approaches.

Marriage and Family Studies Concentration

• Conduct professional, scientific research, including design, data collection, data analysis and dissemination of results. Describe major approaches to evaluation and research with couples and families.
• Identify differences between adaptive and maladaptive behavior, including assessment instruments and diagnostic systems such as the DSM classification.
• Demonstrate basic skills in psychological evaluation and psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, experiential, solution-focused and narrative treatment approaches.

Child and Adolescent Services Concentration

• Conduct professional, scientific research, including design, data collection, data analysis and dissemination of results.
• Identify differences between adaptive and maladaptive behavior, including assessment instruments and diagnostic systems such as the DSM and observational assessment methods.
• Demonstrate basic skills involved in major approaches to psychological evaluation and treatment with an emphasis on the creative/expressive therapies such as art-, play-, music- and story-based therapies.
• Conduct basic case assessments, including developmental case histories, observational assessment and basic interviewing techniques.
• Articulate the significance of your own personal developmental experience by applying psychological theories and concepts to frame understanding of God’s work in one’s own life story.

Demonstrate your ability to integrate both traditional and non-traditional cognitive skills, including analytical inquiry, information literacy, quantitative fluency and communicative fluency.

Demonstrate intercultural competence in addressing civic, social, environmental and economic issues.

Articulate a Christ-centered worldview and its personal, professional and communal embodiment through Christian virtues.