Psychology

Getting Started

Where You Can Get A Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology program is available at the following Alvernia University campus:

• Reading

General Notes

• A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
• Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
• Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
• Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
• Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
• A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.

Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Program Overview

Major Notes

• BIO 109 is recommended. MAT 208 is the required Math course.
• CLEARANCES: In the semester before the practicum, the student must obtain appropriate background clearances. If the clearances 
  are not on file in the Academic Compliance Office prior to the first day of the semester, the student will not be allowed to enroll in 
  the practicum. If the student fails a clearance, the course instructor will attempt to place the student in a practicum which does not 
  require a clearance. The practicum agency makes the final decision regarding acceptance of a student with their organization.
• Any student participating in an experiential component of the program (ex. Research with a faculty member, service-learning course, 
  volunteer experience) may be required to obtain background clearances prior to participating.

Curriculum: General Education

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Mechanical Engineering majors must complete 98-103 credits in the major.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

• SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (3 credits: SRH 101 or HNR 160)
• COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher (3 credits)
• THE 105 Foundations of Theology (3 credits)
• PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)

Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

• Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
  • Lab Science (Bio 109 is recommended)
  • Math (MAT 208 is required)
• Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
  • History or Political Science
  • PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON (Met in major requirements)
• Culture & Language (9 credits)
  • Communication (Not COM 100 or 101)
  • World Language – 2 courses in sequence
• Creative Expressions (6 credits)
  • Literature (ENG)
  • Art, Music, or Theatre

Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

• Theology or Philosophy (200-400 level)
• Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level)

Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines. 

Curriculum: Major Requirements

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Psychology majors must complete 50 credits in the major. All psychology majors are required to do a year-long practicum during their senior year. Alvernia's internship is unique because during the students' two semesters in the internship, they can choose two different sites or spend two semesters at the same site.

Psychology Major Requirements (29 credits)

• PSY 101: Introductory Psychology
• PSY130: Exploring Research
• PSY 208: Human Development across the Life Span
• PSY 230: Applications of Research
• PSY 250: Introduction to Psychopathology
• PSY 301: History and Systems in Psychology
• PSY 314: Applications of Theories and Techniques
• PSY 412: Practicum I
• PSY 413: Practicum II
• PSY 422: Ethical and Professional Issues I
• PSY 423: Ethical and Professional Issues II

Related Requirements (6 credits)

• MAT 208: Introductory Statistics
• PHI: Any Philosophy course designated Ethics

Psychology Electives (Choose five of the following = 15 credits)

• PSY 201: Psychology in the Real World
• PSY 210: Educational Psychology
• PSY 215: Multicultural Issues in Psychology
• PSY 220: Close Relationships
• PSY 270: Scientific Methods in Behavioral Science
• PSY 303: Psychology of Personality
• PSY 306: Group Dynamics
• PSY 308: Psychology of Gender
• PSY 312: Psychology of Play
• PSY 330: Crisis Management in Mental Health Field
• PSY 350: Industrial & Organizational Psychology
• PSY 405: Social Psychology
• PSY 408: Senior Seminar
• PSY 420: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
• PSY 430: Forensic Psychology
• PSY 440: Sports Psychology

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Psychology Club is a university-wide student club and all students are welcome. PSI CHI is an international Honor Society and its membership is by invitation only. Psych Club and PSI CHI sponsor many activities including attendance at Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) annual conference, career panel, etc. Students who take service-learning courses have the opportunity to apply the content and skills learned in the classroom to service.

Accreditation Statement

• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Career Outlook

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Psychology, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

• Psychologist
• Therapist
• Counselor
• Training and development
• Healthcare
• Criminal justice
• Teacher
• Human resources
• Social worker

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the range of jobs available with a bachelor’s degree in psychology is projected to grow up to 22 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in those professions in 2021 ranged from $50,000 to $81,000.

Opportunities for Majors

Psychology Club

The Psychology Club promotes interest in psychology and provides students with the opportunity to associate with other individuals who share similar interests. The club is open to all full-time students at Alvernia University and is a recognized organization of the Student Government Association. The Club sponsors lectures, career talks, get-togethers, Christmas on Campus, and service projects at area agencies. Dr. Erin Way, the faculty advisor, can be reached at erin.way@alvernia.edu or by telephone at 610-685-3257. You may also contact the Psychology Club officers through PAX.

PSI CHI International Honor Society

Psi Chi is an International Honor Society whose purpose is to encourage, stimulate and maintain excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to advance the science of psychology. Psi Chi sponsors speakers on campus, organizes trips to psychology conventions, and hosts informal discussion groups to discuss graduate work and careers in psychology. The advisor, Dr. Di You, can be reached by email at di.you@alvernia.edu or by telephone at 610-796-8354.

The Washington Center Experience

Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. They also may intern with one of several non-profit groups dealing with the environment, women’s issues, the arts, education, science, or labor relations among others. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.

Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Psychology program contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to program Psychology & Counseling Department Chair Di You at 610-796-8354 or di.you@alvernia.edu.