Major in Psychology
A psychology degree brings professional opportunities in community service centers, psycho-social rehabilitation programs, research institutes, and business organizations. Many graduates choose to pursue Master's and doctoral degrees, to prepare them for work as psychologists, counselors, and clinical researchers.
The psychology major at CLU is structured to meet three important objectives for those interested in the study of human thought, emotion and behavior. First, students learn about the empirical foundations of psychology. Second, psychology is a broad discipline and students are exposed to the variety of areas encompassed in the field. Third, the major is designed to enable students to apply what they have learned to the real world, thus teaching analysis, synthesis and critical thinking skills.
While lecture and textbook reading assignments are part of every course, faculty in the department encourage students to be active participants in learning through laboratory and case study projects. The three junior/senior capstone courses are practicums emphasizing the integration and application of theory and concepts, ethics, oral and written communication, and research methodology.
CLU’s Psychology Department has a chapter of Psi Chi, a national honor society for psychology majors, and each year several of our students receive support to present projects at undergraduate research conferences in California.
The bachelor’s degree in psychology is excellent preparation for graduate work in psychology, law and business. With a bachelor’s degree, employment opportunities can be found in the business world, psychiatric rehabilitation programs, as research assistants and in the business world. Those with master’s degrees may work in clinics and institutions, teach at a two-year college or work as school psychologists and counselors. For some clinical and research work, a doctorate is required.
CLU offers master of science degrees in clinical psychology and counseling psychology with a specialization in marital and family therapy.
Emphasis Area Option: Because psychology may be applied to a wide range of human endeavors, students may add an emphasis area to the B.A. or B.S. to increase their marketability at graduation. Students select courses from an approved list of interdisciplinary courses to complete one of the following emphasis areas: Behavioral/Clinical Applications, Business/Organizational Applications, Family and Child Development, Health and Wellness Applications, Law and Criminal Behavior Applications, Psychobiology, Sports Psychology Applications.
Candidates for a California Secondary Teaching Credential should contact the School of Education Office for a complete list of course requirements for a Single Subject Waiver in Social Science.
Program Requirements
View the program requirements and course descriptions »
Faculty
Rainer Diriwächter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Marylie Gerson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Steven C. Kissinger, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Jodie Kocur, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Julie M. Kuehnel, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Seth A. Wagerman, Ph.D
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Contact the Department
Psychology
California Lutheran University
60 W. Olsen Rd. #3800
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Department Chair:
Julie M. Kuehnel
Visit the Psychology website »
