Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

“The psychology program at Chowan is designed with the intention of preparing you for graduate-level work. I was the only person in my class to have had group experience, and one of the very few who had practiced client interviews. I continually find myself in situations during class where I have an advantage over other students thanks to my experience at Chowan.” – Tonya Sinclair, recent Psychology graduate

Chowan's Department of Psychology has several unique features that make it stand out from other undergraduate programs. We want you to find your passion. Unlike most undergraduate programs, we offer multiple degree options, including three specialized tracks of study. While our program includes a general foundation for all students, our degree tracks allow students to gain a better sense of their particular area of interest. When you become part of the Chowan University Psychology Department, you will have a special place – a place to learn, to have fun, to grow emotionally & spiritually – a place to belong.

The Psychology department not only offers specialized academic tracks but also offers unique programs that enrich the student’s academic study and personal life. As a psychology major, you can be involved in Peer Mentoring, a program that matches upper-class students with first-year students for guidance and friendship. You could also join the psychology club, which is open to all majors and minors. Activities include movie nights, game nights, and volunteering for charitable events (Red Cross Blood Drive, Relay for Life, and the local Food Bank). We also offer a Cyberbullying Research and Awareness Group, which is open to students of all majors who are interested in promoting cyberbullying awareness and/or gaining experience in research. Activities include planning and participating in cyberbullying events on campus and gathering and distributing information about cyberbullying. Students who achieve academic excellence may also be invited to join the Psi Chi International Honor Society.

We offer:

General Experimental. Our students will gain experience with the research process. Experimental track students are strongly encouraged to choose the research proposal option in Senior Capstone and carry out the project for course credit in Experimental Psychology. The research project expands on material learned in the Statistics and Research Methods courses and helps students develop skills in generating research ideas, selecting appropriate research designs, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating the findings. Students have the opportunity to present their research at the annual Chowan University Student Research Conference, and many students who complete a research project present at regional and national conferences. This track offers a basis for graduate studies in research programs

Alcohol and Drug Studies. Chowan University offers a unique opportunity to complete education hours approved by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board toward certification in alcohol/drug counseling. The Alcohol/Drug Studies track is similar to the concentration in counseling with additional courses in alcohol/drug studies

Counseling. Similar to graduate-level work, we include applied experiences in training, including role-plays and participation in group process activities, as an introduction to the field of counseling. Our graduates are familiar with the DSM-V, a manual for the diagnosis of mental health issues, which is usually not introduced until graduate school. Thus, our students have an edge over many others in terms of entry-level psychology positions and entrance into graduate school. Our students, who have continued on to graduate school, report that these learning opportunities gave them a tremendous advantage in their graduate studies. Other students found that their knowledge and skills gave them an edge when applying for entry-level positions in the mental health field. If you intend to make psychology your major, you will need to work hard, but you will also find that we have fun and enjoy some exciting class activities!