Psychology - Bachelor of Arts (Off-Campus Partnerships)
In Lesley’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programs at Bunker Hill Community College and at the DeMello International Center in New Bedford, MA, students develop a thorough understanding of psychological theories and apply core psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues. Through theoretical and applied coursework, students will gain the knowledge and skills needed for successful careers in a wide variety of settings including working with diverse populations, children, and families. Students are also well prepared to pursue graduate programs in the helping professions. In addition to the Psychology major requirements, students will also complete general education foundation and/or elective credits, as needed, to earn the total 120 required credits. Within their electives, students can opt to include the Child Homelessness Studies Certificate, an added credential designed to deepen students’ understanding of children and families in crisis. Coursework may be completed at the off-campus locations as well as online.
To successfully meet the requirements of the Psychology major, students will:
- demonstrate familiarity with major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology.
- understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis and interpretation.
- respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
- understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social and organizational issues.
- be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
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develop knowledge and abilities integrating hands-on learning with studies of psychology and applied therapies through exploring career development, cultural humility, self-reflective skills, communication skills, ethics, and self-care.
Academic & Professional Standards of the Psychology Major
The Department of Psychology & Applied Therapies understands the commitment to self-awareness and self-management that comes with development as a helping professional. Students’ capacity to engage with empathic understanding of self and other is of great importance for successful completion of the internship courses and many other aspects of the program. Due to the applied nature of our graduates’ work in the field, students’ understanding of areas for growth and their own commitment to work on both personal challenges and professional competencies is essential to moving forward in the major.
Department pedagogy is substantially based on students’ attendance and participation with the course materials, in activities that require consistent collaboration with others, which itself is based in the ability to take other’s perspectives and present one’s own opinions respectfully.
Below are listed other specific competencies and professional behaviors that students will be assessed on as they progress through their program of study. Students will be given feedback when issues arise related to these competencies and allowed an opportunity to improve on suggested areas in order to assist them to successfully complete their chosen major. Students failing to reach benchmarked academic standards and professional competencies over time will enter the Department's academic review process. For more specific descriptions of these competencies and the academic review process, please see Department Manual.
Professional standards competencies
A student’s ability to function effectively within the context of helping relationships will be continually assessed by the faculty. Among the competencies that will be evaluated, in accordance with a student’s experience, are:
- Appropriate work comportment including: attendance; punctuality; sound judgment; quality of work; ability to take initiative; attitude, knowledge or application of agency policy;
- Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the power dynamic in the worker/client relationship and the impact of class, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, race, religion/spirituality, and sexual orientation;
- Awareness of how one’s own biases will affect one’s understanding of and regard for another;
- Capacity to be a participant and observer in one’s helping relationships with others;
- Recognition of and ability to deal with issues relating to how one’s own feelings may impact work with clients, agency personnel, and supervisors;
- Ability to interview/converse with clients in order to assess their social and emotional needs;
- Ability to use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills;
- The ability to maintain appropriate and ethically required boundaries, which includes but is not limited to dual relationships, sexual conduct with clients or staff and sexual harassment;
- The appropriate use of self-disclosures;
- Awareness of the scope and limits of one’s expertise, including but not limited to identification as interns;
- Understanding of an ability to adapt treatment plans to meet the needs of diverse clinical populations;
- Understanding of and ability to discuss ethical issues as they arise.
Requirements
A minimum grade of C must be earned in all the following courses in order to meet the requirements of the psychology major: CPSYC 1551 or CHMSR 1552, CSOCS 3444, CPSYC 3902/CPSYC 3903, and CPSYC 4907.
Required Core (21 Credits)
Lab Courses (3 Credits)
Choose ONE
Required Internship Sequence Coursework (9 Credits)
| CPSYC 1551 | Psychology+: Pre-Internship Seminar | 3 |
| CPSYC 3902 | Psychology Internship and Seminar, Part 1: Online Program | 3 |
| CPSYC 3903 | Psychology Internship and Seminar, Part 2: Online Program | 3 |
Students in partnership cohorts can take CHMSR 1552 or CPSYC 1551. Students must pursue internship search by working with the Lesley Internship Office staff at least one semester in advance of enrolling in the 3902/3903 course sequence. Please contact Internship Office staff, either Jan Wall (jwall2@lesley.edu) or Dan Walker (dwalker4@lesley.edu) for more information.
Additional CPSYC Courses (6 Credits)
Take TWO additional CPSYC courses