Psychology

This program will promote a greater understanding of human developmental psychology. It may be especially useful to those who attempt to provide services to people and organizations across a wide spectrum of developmental levels from preschool to elderly populations. 

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Based on the American Psychological Association (APA) goals, Students graduating with a certificate in Psychology will be competent in the following areas:

• Knowledge Base in Psychology:  Demonstrate breadth of their knowledge and application of psychological ideas to simple problems.
• Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking:  Demonstrate basic skills and concepts in interpreting behavior, studying research, and applying research design principles to drawing conclusions about psychological phenomena.
• Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World:  Demonstrate familiar with the formal regulations that govern professional ethics in psychology and begin to embrace the values that will contribute to positive outcomes in work settings and in building a society responsive to multicultural and global concerns.
• Communication: Write a cogent scientific argument, present information using a scientific approach, engage in discussion of psychological concepts, explain the ideas of others, and express their own ideas with clarity.
• Professional Development: Demonstrate work habits and ethics necessary to succeed in academic settings.

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Requirements	Human Development CertificateNotes	Credits	Prerequisites
Psy 120	General Psychology	3	WAC/RCA or SAT score above 500
Psy 202	Life Span Development	3	PSY 120
Psy 321	Child Development	3	PSY 202
Psy 322	Adult Development	3	PSY 202
Psy 325	Adolescent Development	3	PSY 202
TOTAL CREDITS	15
Remaining =	15

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The Psychology minor affords students the opportunity to learn about Psychology as a complement to their chosen major or to develop their independent interests in the area. In addition to the PSY 120 prerequisite, students must complete (with a grade of C or higher) the required courses listed below and two additional 300-level or higher elective Psychology courses for a total of 19 credits. 

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Based on the American Psychological Association (APA) goals for Psychology Minors, Students graduating with a minor in Psychology will be competent in the following areas:

• Knowledge Base in Psychology:  Demonstrate breadth of their knowledge and application of psychological ideas to simple problems.
• Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking:  Demonstrate basic skills and concepts in interpreting behavior, studying research, and applying research design principles to drawing conclusions about psychological phenomena.
• Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World:  Demonstrate familiar with the formal regulations that govern professional ethics in psychology and begin to embrace the values that will contribute to positive outcomes in work settings and in building a society responsive to multicultural and global concerns.
• Communication: Write a cogent scientific argument, present information using a scientific approach, engage in discussion of psychological concepts, explain the ideas of others, and express their own ideas with clarity.
• Professional Development: Demonstrate work habits and ethics necessary to succeed in academic settings.

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Minor in Psychology	Notes	Credits	Prerequisites
Effective September 2012
Major:
C or Higher Required for all Psychology Courses
Requirements
Psy 120	General Psychology	3	WAC/RCA or SAT score above 500
Psy 202	Life Span Development	3	WAC/RCA or SAT score above 501
Psy 203	Intro Personality	3	PSY 120
Psy 223	Social Psychology	3	PSY 121
Psy 240	Biopsychology	4	PSY 120 and SCI 100
Total Required Credits =
Two Elective Courses
Psy 301	History & Systems of Psychology	3	PSY120 & at least junior standing
Psy 302	Culture & Behavior	3	PSY 120 & PSY 202
Psy 304	Cognitive Psychology	3	PSY 202
Psy 308	Helping Skills	3	PSY 202, 203 & at least junior standing
Psy 310	Racial & Ethnic Health Disparities	3	ENG 201
Psy 312	Psychology of Learning	3	PSY 120
Psy 315	Human Sexuality	3	PSY 120
Psy 321	Child Development	3	PSY 202
Psy 322	Adult Development	3	PSY 202
Psy 323	Exceptional Child & Adolescents	3	PSY 321
Psy 325	Adolescent Development	3	PSY 202
Psy 327	Psychology of Women	3	PSY 202 & PSY 203
Psy 332	Industrial/Organizational Psychology	3	PSY 202
Psy 340	Behavioral Neuroscience	3	PSY 240
Psy 345	Forensic Science	3	CJU 110
Psy 348	Sensation & Perception	3	PSY 240
Psy 349	Forensic Psychology	3	PSY 120 & CJU/PSY345
Psy 350	Drugs, Behavior and Society	3	PSY120 & at least junior standing or permission of instructor
Psy 432	Psychology of Personality	3	PSY 202 & PSY 203
Psy 433	Counseling & Psychotherapy	3	PSY 203 & PSY 434
Psy 434	Abnormal Psychology	3	PSY 203
Psy 435	Tests & Measurements	3	PSY 202, PSY 203 & MAT 235
Psy 440	Applied Research Methods	3	SSC 328
Psy 465 or 466	Selected Topics	3	See your advisor
Psy 496	Practicum	3	See your advisor
Total Elective Credits =
TOTAL CREDITS with a C or Above =
Remaining =	22

 

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The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program is intended for students interested in studying the relationship between mental processes and human behavior (influence development, cognition, perception and motivation).  

This program offers three concentrations:

1. An academic concentration in Psychology offering a comprehensive foundation in the fundamental principles of psychology, with broad introduction to and a multicultural perspective on normal and abnormal human development, cognition, and behavior. This concentration should be selected by persons interested either in continuing on to graduate study in clinical, counseling, developmental, neuropsychology, health or experimental psychology, or in obtaining entry-level professional positions in the workplace after graduation with a B.A. degree, in roles such as information management or administrative positions which will require skills in research and the management and analysis of data.
2. A cross-disciplinary academic concentration in Social Relations, with an emphasis on the analysis of social institutions and social problems across cultures. Students with this concentration may be interested in graduate study in areas other than psychology, such as sociology, criminology or law school, or in obtaining entry-level positions in the workplace after graduation with a B.A. degree in administrative or information management roles.
3. An applied concentration in Human Services (currently in suspension), with a cross-disciplinary focus on human and social problems, and methods of intervention. This concentration should be chosen by students interested in graduate study in Social Work, or in obtaining entry-level positions in human and social service institutions in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean, in order to provide direct social services to individuals, groups and families under appropriate professional supervision. It should be understood that this concentration does not qualify the student to provide direct social or counseling services independently of supervision. In order to progress in this concentration students must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) in the Introduction to Human Services and Field Placement and Seminar courses taken concurrently. Students who fail to achieve these grades may repeat the courses once for credit, or switch to another concentration in Psychology.

The psychology program is offered on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and the St. Thomas Campus. 

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Based on the American Psychological Association (APA) goals for Psychology Majors, students graduating at the Baccalaureate level will be competent in the following areas:

• Knowledge Base in Psychology:  Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems,
• Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking:  Demonstrate scientific reasoning and problem solving, effective research methods focusing on theory use as well as designing and executing research plans.
• Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World:  Demonstrate adherence to professional values that will help them optimize their contributions and work effectively, even with those who do not share their heritage and traditions, including the adoption of personal and professional values that can strengthen community relationships and contributions.
• Communication: Produce a research study or other psychological project, explain scientific results, and present information to a professional audience, and display flexible interpersonal approaches that optimize information exchange and relationship development.
• Professional Development: Apply psychological content and skills to career goals, exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation, project-management skills, teamwork capacity and develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.

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4-Year Suggested Course Sequence

Freshman Year (Semester I)

Freshman Year (Semester II)

Sophomore Year (Semester I)

Sophomore Year (Semester II)

Junior Year (Semester I)

Junior Year (Semester II)

Senior Year (Semester I)

Senior Year (Semester II)

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Graduation Requirements
A. Required courses in Freshman Studies (required for anyone admitted into the program with fewer than 24 credits): SCI 100   The Natural World: The Caribbean 3 SSC 100   An Introduction to the Social Sciences: A Caribbean Focus 3 FDS 100   Freshman Development Seminar 1
B. The general education requirements (see catalog). 64 - 70 credits
C. Required courses in Psychology, Sociology, Social Science and Psychology: PSY 120   General Psychology 3 SOC 121  Introduction to Sociology 3 PSY 202   Life Span Development 3 PSY 203   Introduction to Personality 3 PSY 240   Biopsychology* 4 PSY 308   Helping Skills 3 SSC 327-328   Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences 4-4 PSY 440   Applied Research Methods 3 PSY 496   Practicum in Psychology 3 SSC 497-498   Social Sciences Senior Seminar 1-1 *Partially fulfills the general education requirements in Natural Sciences.
D. Required courses in other fields: MAT 140   College Algebra with Applications 4 MAT 235   Introductory Statistics with Applications 4
Psychology Concentration
E. Students must choose at least 24 credits from the following Psychology courses:  PSY 223   Social Psychology. 3 PSY 241   Social Determinants of Health and Disease 3 PSY 301   History and Systems of Psychology 3 PSY 302 Culture and Behavior 3 PSY 304 Cognitive Psychology 3 PSY 310 Introduction to Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in Health Care 3 PSY 312 Psychology of Learning 3          PSY 315 Human Sexuality 3 PSY 321 Child Development 3  PSY 322 Adult Development 3 PSY 323 Psychology of the Exceptional Child and Adolescent 3 PSY 325 Adolescent Development 3 PSY 327 Psychology of Women 3 PSY 332 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 3 PSY 340 Behavioral Neurosciences 3 PSY 345 Introduction to Forensic Science 3 PSY 348 Sensation and Perception 3 PSY 349 Forensic Psychology3 PSY 350  Drugs, Behavior and Society  3 PSY 433 Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy 3 PSY 434 Abnormal Psychology 3            PSY 435 Tests and Measurements 3 PSY 466 Psychology of Sex and Gender 3
F. The student must choose 12 credits from the following Psychology courses: PSY 241 Social Determinants of Health and Disease 3 PSY 315 Human Sexuality 3 PSY 321 Child Development 3 PSY 322 Adult Development 3 PSY 323 Psychology of the Exceptional Child and Adolescent 3 PSY 325 Adolescent Development 3 PSY 350 Drugs, Behavior, and Society 3 PSY 432 Psychology of Personality 3 PSY 433 Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy 3 PSY 434 Abnormal Psychology 3 PSY 435 Tests and Measurements 3 PSY 465, 466 Selected Topics in Psychology 3,3

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The Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree program is intended for students interested in studying the biological basis of human behavior.   This program provides a science-based curriculum for students with special talents in experimental psychology.   BS in Psychology majors must successfully complete a minimum of 120 credits. Specific guidance about the courses that are available to meet General Education requirements and the selection of electives will be provided to students in advance of registration.   Students are required to meet with their advisors in the selection of their courses. 

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Based on the American Psychological Association (APA) goals for Psychology Majors, students graduating at the Baccalaureate level will be competent in the following areas:

• Knowledge Base in Psychology:  Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems,
• Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking:  Demonstrate scientific reasoning and problem solving, effective research methods focusing on theory use as well as designing and executing research plans.
• Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World:  Demonstrate adherence to professional values that will help them optimize their contributions and work effectively, even with those who do not share their heritage and traditions, including the adoption of personal and professional values that can strengthen community relationships and contributions.
• Communication: Produce a research study or other psychological project, explain scientific results, and present information to a professional audience, and display flexible interpersonal approaches that optimize information exchange and relationship development.
• Professional Development: Apply psychological content and skills to career goals, exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation, project-management skills, teamwork capacity and develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.

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4-Year Suggested Course Sequence

Freshman Year (Semester I)

Freshman Year (Semester II)

Sophomore Year (Semester I)

Sophomore Year (Semester II)

Junior Year (Semester I)

Junior Year (Semester II)

Senior Year (Semester I)

Senior Year (Semester II)

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BS in Psychology	Notes	Credits	Date Completed	Credits to Date
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS	Minimum of 120 credits (excl PE; 30 of last 36 credits at UVI)
Computer Literacy Examination	Before completing 24 Credits
English Proficiency Examination	After ENG 201
Physical Education	Minimum of 2:  four .5 credit courses or PLS 200	2
Total PE =	0
Freshman Development Seminar	If matriculated  into UVI with fewer than 24 credits	1
Humanities	Total  18
Com 119		3
Eng 120		3
Eng 201		3
Eng 300	Scientific Writing	3
Humanities Electives	Minimum of 6 credits
Total Humanities =	0
Mathematics and Science	Total 29-31
Sci 100	If matriculated into UVI with fewer than 24 credits	3
Bio 295	Responsible Conduct	1
Mat 143 or Mat 241		4
Mat 235		4
Electives (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics or Physics courses)	Minimum of 15 credits
Social Sciences	Total 9-12
SSC 100	If matriculated into UVI with fewer than 24 credits	3
Electives (Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Econ, Geography, History, Political Science or Sociology courses)
Total General Education	64-70 (excl PE)	0
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
Requirements
Psy 120	General Psychology	3
Psy 202	Lifespan Development	3
Psy 203	Intro Personality	3
Psy 240	Biopsychology	4
Psy 304	Cognitive Psychology	3
Psy 312	Psychology of Learning	3
Psy 340	Behavioral Neuroscience	3
Psy 348	Sensation & Perception	3
Psy 350	Drugs Behavior & Society	3
Psy 440	Applied Res Methods	3
Psy 434	Abnormal Psychology	3
Psy 496	Practicum	3
SSC 327	Quant Res Meth in SSC I	4
SSC 328	Quant Res Meth in SSC II	4
SSC 497	SSC Senior Seminar I	1
SSC 498	SSC Senior Seminar II	1
Psychology Electives	Minimum of 18 credits

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The Master of Arts in Psychology with the Counseling concentration at the University of the Virgin Islands is designed to provide students with the necessary academic knowledge base, problem solving skills, and experiential opportunities to work in a variety of social service and counseling settings. This graduate Psychology Program does not itself lead to licensing, but does seek to prepare practitioners to use the science of psychology for the promotion of human well-being, specifically in the provision of psychological services to children, adolescents, and families in the mental health and judicial systems, in schools, and in a wide variety of other applied community settings in the territory.

The scientist-practitioner model provides the philosophical foundation for the program, and successful students will complete a rigorous theoretical and empirical academic basis in human development, research methods, testing and measurement in counseling, and psychopathology (including the biological influences on human functioning), in addition to a significant fieldwork experiential component. Competency in the efficient and effective delivery of comprehensive psychological services to individuals at all developmental levels, and families from all cultural backgrounds in the community is a strong programmatic focus. These services may include vocational and psychological assessment and intervention, substance abuse, depression, suicide and crisis intervention/prevention, and as-needed consultative services for “at-risk” individuals and families to promote and enhance their well being.

Consistent with these goals, the Master of Arts in Psychology Program with concentration in Counseling at the University of the Virgin Islands is firmly grounded in the priorities and standards advanced by both the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association of Virgin Islands Psychologists (AVIP).

The psychology program is offered on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and the St. Thomas Campus.

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Counseling Concentration

First Year – Fall		First Year - Spring		First Year - Summer
Course	Credits	Course	Credits	Course	Credits
PSY 503  Classic and Contemporary Approaches to Personality	3	PSY 530  Research Methods in Applied Settings & Program Evaluation	3	PSY 541  Psychological Counseling: Orientation and Ethics	3
PSY 520  Human Growth & Development throughout the Life Span	3	PSY 534  Abnormal Psychology	3	PSY 542  Social and Cultural Contexts of Counseling	3
PSY 550  Drugs and Human Behavior	3	PSY 540  Counseling and Psychotherapy:  Theory and Practice	3
Second Year – Fall		Second Year - Spring		Second Year - Summer
Course	Credits	Course	Credits	Course	Credits
PSY 630  Psychometrics	3	PSY 635  Psychological Testing	3	PSY 644  Community Mental Health Counseling	3
PSY 640  Psychological Counseling with Individuals	3	PSY 642 Psychological Counseling with Groups	3	PSY 645 Counseling in Vocational and Career Development	3
PSY 641 Psychological Counseling with Childrent and Adolescents	3	PSY 643  Family Systems Counseling	3
Third Year
Options			Credits
Option A Comprehensive Examination; 1,200-hour Internship in Psychology			6
Option B Thesis in Psychology (two semesters, 3 credits each); 1,200-hour Internship in Psychology			12

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Applicants for graduate programs must:

1. Complete the graduate application, by clicking here. $45.00 Application Fee (paid via application portal)
2. Submit official transcript(s) from all previously attended colleges and/or universities. Official transcript (s) must be sent via one of the methods below:
   1. Mail (to your respective campus) or
   2. Through a secure electronic transcript exchange system (such as Parchment Services, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.) to graduateadmissions@uvi.edu
3. Email personal statements, recommendation letters, and resumes to graduateadmissions@uvi.edu in accordance with the specific requirements for your program.NOTE:Recommendation letters should be signed and emailed or mailed to us directly from your reference. 

  Deadline:

• October 30 for Spring semester
• April 30 for Fall semester

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university 

• Undergraduate and graduate grade point average(s) of 2.5 or above, as reported on official transcript(s) mailed from issuing institutions. 

• Completed application form and nonrefundable application fee. 

• Three letters of recommendation. Ideally, two of these should be from former teachers, and should address the applicant’s ability to perform at the graduate level, as well as relevant experiences he or she has had with the applicant. 

• A written statement of intent 

• A plan of study approved by both the student’s advisor and the program director should be in place before the student begins formal coursework. 

• In addition, students are required to have completed undergraduate coursework in lifespan human development, biopsychology, personality, and two semesters of statistics/methods. Students lacking sufficient background in these areas will be required to complete the appropriate coursework or demonstrate competency within the first year of study after admission to the program.

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All requirements for the degree can be completed on either campus.  

The program of study consists of the following three areas: 

a)      Psychological and Biological Foundations
b)      Counseling Foundations and Methodology
c)      Interventions and Problem Solving in Psychological Counseling

Overall, the Master of Arts in Psychology with a Counseling Concentration comprises a minimum of 54 to 60 credits divided as follows:

a)      academic coursework (48 credits)
b)      1,200 hour supervised internship (6 credits)
c)      Option A – Thesis (6 credits)
or
c)      Option B – Comprehensive Examination

* Each course may be repeated once for credit.

Other Requirements: 

Thesis

Students selecting the thesis option register for PSY 697-698 Thesis in Psychology. In order to qualify for registration, students must have: 

1. Successfully completed all core coursework.
2. B average in all graduate courses.
3. Approval from the Program Director as a potential candidate for thesis work, through the evaluation of the quality of graduate work, student workload, and other factors.
4. Submitted a written application one semester before completion of graduate course work, selected a topic, and received the support of a faculty member to be an advisor for the thesis.

Comprehensive Examination

Students not completing a thesis must complete a Comprehensive Examination.  All core courses must be successfully completed before students can take the Comprehensive Examination.The Comprehensive Examination will be administered to students in their final year of the Master of Arts in Psychology Program. The Examination will be administered in a single day over the course of 4 hours.  Students will be asked to complete essay questions that test both their knowledge base and application of psychological theories, concepts, principles and interventions across the MAP curriculum.   Examinees will be required to answer one question in each of the following areas: Ethics, Research Methods, Social and Cultural Issues in counseling and theory and practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (in various forms). Examinees will also be required to answer two additional (elected) questions selected from two of the following areas of psychology: Theories of Personality, Psychological Testing, Human Development and Drugs and Human Behavior.  The examination will be handwritten on paper provided by students.  No outside resources will be allowed to be in use during the exam. The exam will be proctored by an objective party.  Exam questions will be graded anonymously on a Pass/Fail basis by two outside examiners.  If examiners disagree on whether to pass or fail an item, a third party will be consulted.  Writers must pass all required items and at least one elected item, in order to be deemed having passed the MAP Comprehensive Examination.  

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