Programs

The core curriculum of our program in Psychology provides a foundation covering all major areas of the field. We are committed to maximum faculty-student interaction, aided by a typical class size of 15-20 students. In addition, students are encouraged to combine formal classroom instruction with independent research projects and/or supervised internships.  

We have excellent research facilities including a computer lab with statistical software packages, and labs containing biograph equipment and video and audio recording equipment.  These labs are used each semester by research classes and students are encouraged to become familiar with the equipment and tools available to them.

More detailed information about getting a Psychology major or minor at MCLA can be found by clicking on the links below.  Pay particular attention to the "Printable Forms" link where you can print out the forms for degree requirement checklists.  Clicking on "Link to the Course Catalog" will take you to a list of all the courses we offer at MCLA.  To return to the Psychology Dept. page from MCLA's Online Catalog, simply close the browser window.

The Psychology Major

The Department of Psychology offers a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.  Students study principles of human growth and development and the processes of learning, cognition, and emotion.  Particular attention is given to knowledge related to personality development, maladaptive behavior, social diversity and group interactions, and the biological bases of behavior.  The major provides the foundation for careers in human services and counseling, in business and industry, and in working with children, adolescents, and adults in schools or clinical settings.  The major program also prepares students for graduate study in all areas of psychology, social work, business, education, and other related professions.

Students graduating with a degree in psychology will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the following areas of psychology:  developmental, abnormal, social and research and statistical methodology

• demonstrate competence in using a statistical package to analyze data and to present those results in APA manuscript style;

• communicate proficiently, both orally and in writing.

Honors Seminar, Research, Topics, and Senior Thesis

A one-credit honors seminar, PSYC 299, which may be repeated for four semesters, is designed for junior or senior majors considering graduate or professional training in psychology or a related field.  The seminar allows such students to identify aspects of contemporary psychology of sufficient personal interest to support independent scholarly work.  Students discovering such interests are encourage to take PSYC 500 Independent Study and/or PSYC 496 Research in Psychology to develop and explore these interests.  During the senior year, and with approval of two departmental faculty members, a student may then register for PSYC 550 Senior Thesis.

Click here for a list of recent student and faculty presentations and publications.

Teacher Certification Programs

Students majoring in psychology may opt to pursue provisional teacher certification as an early childhood teacher, elementary teacher, or secondary teacher.  These students will complete the psychology major and a certification program in education in one of the three aforementioned areas of teacher certification.

A listing of Required Psychology Courses can be found by clicking on this link.

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The General Psychology Minor

The Psychology minor enables students to acquire a fundamental understanding of complex human behaviors.

Students will complete the following requirements:

PSYC 100    Introduction to Psychology

Two of the following three courses:

• PSYC 210    Child Development 

• PSYC 230    Social Psychology

• PSYC 270    Abnormal Psychology

PSYC 290    Statistical Methods in Psychology

PSYC 291    Research Methods in Psychology

Two additional psychology courses at the 300-level or above

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Behavior Analysis Minor

The Psychology Department at MCLA offers specialized training in behavior analysis.   Both the Behavior Analysis Minor and the Behavior Analysis Concentration within the Psychology major are intensive programs that prepare students for careers and/or graduate study in behavior analysis.  In addition, both programs satisfy the coursework requirement for the Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysts Examination (BCABA).  Questions regarding the Behavior Analysis Concentration, Behavior Analysis Minor, or BCABA certification should be directed to Dr. Tom Byrne in the Psychology Department.

 Concentration in Behavior Analysis

Psychology majors wishing to careers or graduate study in behavior analysis may consider two concentration sequences.  All coursework satisfying the concentration is applied towards the major requirements.

Sequence 1:  All coursework for this option is taken at MCLA. 

• PSYC 316

• PSYC 332

• PSYC 395

• PSYC 450

Sequence 2:  Psychology majors who successfully complete PSYC 316 may be eligible to enroll in the Cooperative Learning Program at New England Center for Children (see below).  Departmental approval is required prior to enrollment in the NECC Cooperative program.

• PSYC 316

• PSYC 552 (NECC)

• PSYC 553 or PSYC 554 (NECC)

• PSYC 555 (NECC)

The Behavior Analysis Minor (21 Credits)

This minor is designed for non-Psychology majors who wish to pursue careers and/or graduate training in behavior analysis.  Two sequences are offered:

Sequence 1:  All coursework for this option is taken at MCLA.  Depending on their career goals, students select portions of their courses in child development or research methodology. 

• PSYC 100

• PSYC 210 & PSYC 387      OR     PSYC 290 & PSYC 291

• PSYC 316

• PSYC 395

• PSYC 450

Sequence 2:  Students who successfully complete PSYC 290 and PSYC 316 may be eligible to enroll in the Cooperative Learning Program at New England Center for Children (see below).  Departmental approval is required prior to enrollment in the NECC Cooperative program.

• PSYC 290

• PSYC 316

• PSYC 552 (NECC)

• PSYC 553 or PSYC 554 (NECC)

• PSYC 555 (NECC)

Cooperative Learning Program with the New England Center for Children

Students spend a semester studying at the New England Center for Children.  Located in Southborough MA, The New England Center for Children is a world-renowned research and treatment center for autism and related developmental disabilities.  Students pay the same tuition and housing fees as they would at MCLA.  All students enrolled in the program take both PSYC 551 and PSYC 555.  In addition, students select either PSYC 553 or PSYC 554 depending on availability.  Departmental approval is required prior to enrollment in the NECC Cooperative Program. 

About Board Certification

Successful completion of the Behavior Analysis Concentration or the Behavior Analysis Minor satisfies the coursework required to sit for Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst (BCABA) Examination. With careful planning, students may also be able to satisfy the mentored or supervised experience required for BCABA certification through enrollment in internships.  Please note that BCABA certification is granted by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) © and not by MCLA.  According to guidelines set by the BACB, an analyst with BCABA qualifications can function in the following capacities:

The BCABA conducts descriptive behavioral assessments and is able to interpret the results and design ethical and effective behavior analytic interventions for clients. The BCABA designs and oversees interventions in familiar cases (e.g., similar to those encountered during their training) that are consistent with the dimensions of applied behavior analysis. The BCABA obtains technical direction from a BCBA for unfamiliar situations. The BCABA is able to teach others to carry out interventions once the BCABA has demonstrated competency with the procedures involved under the direct supervision of a BCBA. The BCABA may assist a BCBA with the design and delivery of introductory level instruction in behavior analysis. It is strongly recommended that the BCABA practice under the supervision of a BCBA, and that those governmental entities regulating BCABAs require this supervision.

More information may be found at www.bacb.org or by contacting Dr. Tom Byrne in the Psychology Department.

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Major Requirements ("Flow" Sheet)

Course                                                             Sem.  enrolled        Credits                Prerequisite   Grad. Check

Suggested Programs of Study

Specific Career objectives may be pursued by selecting, in consultation with the academic advisor, recommended upper division course sequences.  Examples in representative areas might include:

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Printable Forms

From here you can view and print out the Psychology major flow sheets.  These flow sheets contain checklists for completing the Psychology major requirements and the requirements for the Core Curriculum.  When you click on the link, the form will be displayed in a new browser window.  To print, select the 'Print' option from the browser File menu.  As more forms become available in this format they will be added to this site.

Core Curriculum Flow Sheet

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Last updated:

Comments or problems should be addressed to mbartini@mcla.edu.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts -- 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247-4100 -- (413) 662-5000 -- Fax:(413) 662-5010