Psychology Program

The Psychology Program offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology & a Master or Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology.

Information about our Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (MACP) is on a spearate page.  

The B.S. in Psychology was developed to align with the guidelines set for by the American Psychological Association for the undergraduate curriculum in psychology.

  • The curriculum is designed to produce students who have a strong skill set foundation and the professional knowledge for success in the field.
  • The psychology program combines a strong theoretical base with a multitude of applied courses.
  • The course information is presented as a seamless blend of classic works and the most recent research.
  • Students also have many opportunities to work directly with their instructors in a mentoring relationship, to gain additional instruction and clarity, address academic concerns, and participate in ongoing research.
  • Students work closely with their academic advisors each semester.  

BS in Psychology

The B.S. in Psychology aligns with the guidelines set for by the American Psychological Association for the undergraduate curriculum in psychology.

MA in Psychology

The MA in Clinical Psychology will qualify graduates to pursue licensure as a clinical psychologist in the state of West Virginia with a terminal Masters degree. 

West Liberty was the best decision of my life and I appreciate all that the Psychology program has done to prepare me for my up and coming challenges and opportunities!
Beth Post
Psychology, Class of 2015

Program Goals

The 5 program goals are:
  1. Content Knowledge and Applications
  2. Scientific Inquiry & Critical Thinking
  3. Values in Psychological Science
  4. Communication, Psychological Literacy, and Technology Skills
  5. Personal and Professional Development

All courses offered as part of the psychology program are specifically designed to help students master the knowledge and skills necessary to meet those program goals in order to maximize success in the field.  Students have opportunities both in and out of the classroom to progress toward these goals.

The psychology program combines a strong theoretical base with a multitude of applied courses.

The course information is presented as a seamless blend of classic works and the most recent research.

Students have many opportunities to work directly with their instructors in a mentoring relationship, to gain additional instruction, to address academic concerns, to explore their research interests under the supervision of a faculty member, and to participate in professional conferences, philanthropy project, and activities designed to enhance interpersonal relationships and teamwork.

Course Offerings

West Liberty University offers a wide range of courses in the field of psychology to help expose students to the variety which exists within the field.

  •  Students also have a variety of psychology electives (classes vary each semester) to choose from including but not limited to: Forensic psychology, Human Sexuality, Lifespan psychology, Clinical Interviewing, Psychological Tests and Measurements, Design and Analysis II, Cognitive psychology, Sensation and Perception, Child psychology, Special Topics classes (i.e. Motivation and Emotion, Adverse Childhood Experiences: Trauma Informed care, Asylums & Early Mental Health Treatment , & Canine Cognition.)
  • In addition to traditional courses, we require students complete a practicum (undergraduate internship) course, offering opportunities for practicum experiences which provide students with the opportunity to work / research in various settings of their choosing so that they can have a hands-on experience to supplement their coursework.
  • These opportunities allow students a practical application of the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom.
  • Courses are separated into several focus areas and include the following: Introduction to Professional Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Design and Analysis I, Personality Psychology, Abnormal Psychology,  History of Psychology, Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Introduction to Learning.
  • Psychology majors also complete a course in Cultural Psychology, Advanced Professional Psychology (which includes career exploration) Junior Seminar, and Senior Seminar. 

Example Coursework - B.S. in Psychology

PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR: IN PERSON 4 year plan 
4 Year Plan: Starting 2025-2026

(Note: Psyc major will not have all required classes available to take online until Fall 2028)

Year 1

Fall 2025 Classes

Hours

Spring 2026 Classes

Hours

 

GS PSYC 101 

Introduction to Psychology

3

PSYC 341 Psychopathology & Mental Health

3

 

PSYC 100 Intro. to Professional Psychology

3

GS MATH 160 Intro. Statistics (Math req.)

3/5

 

GS ENG 101 College Composition I

3/4

GS ENG 102 College Composition II

3

 

GS COM 101 Fund. of Oral Communication

3

GS BIO 105 Life Science Non Majors

3

 

COLL 101 First Year Experience

2

GS BIO 106 Life Science Lab Non Majors

1

 

Year 1 Fall Semester Total Credit Hours

14/15

Year 1 Spring Semester Total Credit Hours

16/18

Year 2

Fall 2026 Classes

Hours

Spring 2027 Classes

Hours

 

PSYC 302 Advanced Professional Psychology

3

PSYC 416 Social Psychology

3

 

PSYC 322 Personality Psychology

3

PSYC 323 Developmental Psychology

3

 

PSYC 301 Experimental Psychology

3

PSYC 303 Behavioral Statistics

3

 

GS Social Science (1 of 2 classes req.)

3

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

 

GS Fine Art (1 class req.)

3

GS Social Science (2 of 2 classes req.)

3

 

Year 2 Fall Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 2 Spring Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 3

Fall 2027 Classes

Hours

Spring 2028 Classes

Hours

 

PSYC 465 Junior Seminar

3

PSYC 460 Practicum

3

 

PSYC 335 Intro. to Learning

3

PSYC 439 Biological Psychology

3

 

Psychology elective (1 of 4 req.)

3

Psychology elective (2 of 4 req.)

3

 

GS History (1 class req.)

3

GS Literature (1 class req.)

3

 

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

 

Year 3 Fall Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 3 Spring Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 4

Fall 2028 Classes

Hours

Spring 2029 Classes

Hours

 

PSYC 409 History of Psychology

3

PSYC 470 Senior Seminar

3

 

Psychology elective (3 of 4 req.)

3

PSYC 452 Cultural Psychology

3

 

GS Humanity (1 class req.)

3

Psychology elective (4 of 4 req.)

3

 

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

 

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

 

Year 4 Fall Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 4 Spring Semester Total Credit Hours

15

PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR: ONLINE* 4 year plan 
4 Year ONLINE* Plan: Starting 2025-2026

 

Year 1

Fall 2025 Classes

Hours

Spring 2026 Classes

Hours

 

GS PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology*

3

PSYC 100 Intro. to Professional Psychology*

3

 

GS Social Science (1 of 2 classes req.)

3

Psychology elective (1 of 4 req.) *

3

 

GS ENG 101 College Composition I

3/4

GS MATH 160 Intro. Statistics (Math req.)

3/5

 

GS COM 101 Fund. of Oral Communication

3

GS ENG 102 College Composition II

3

 

COLL 101 First Year Experience

2

GS BIO 105 Life Science Non Majors

3

   

GS BIO 106 Life Science Lab Non Majors

1

 

Year 1 Fall Semester Total Credit Hours

14/15

Year 1 Spring Semester Total Credit Hours

16/18

Year 2

Fall 2026 Classes

Hours

Spring 2027 Classes

Hours

 

PSYC 416 Social Psychology*

3

PSYC 302 Advanced Professional Psychology*

3

 

PSYC 323 Developmental Psychology*

3

PSYC 322 Personality Psychology*

3

 

PSYC 341 Psychopathology & Mental Health*

3

PSYC 301 Experimental Psychology*

3

 

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

 

GS History (1 class req.)

3

GS Social Science (2 of 2 classes req.)

3

 

Year 2 Fall Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 2 Spring Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 3

Fall 2027 Classes

Hours

Spring 2028 Classes

Hours

 

PSYC 303 Behavioral Statistics*

3

PSYC 465 Junior Seminar*

3

 

PSYC 439 Biological Psychology*

3

PSYC 335 Introduction to Learning*

3

 

Psychology elective (2 of 4 req.)*

3

PSYC 409 History of Psychology*

3

 

GS Literature (1 class required)

3

Psychology elective (3 of 4 req.) *

3

 

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

 

Year 3 Fall Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 3 Spring Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 4

Fall 2028 Classes

Hours

Spring 2029 Classes

Hours

 

PSYC 470 Senior Seminar*

3

Psychology elective (4 of 4 req.) *

3

 

PSYC 460 Practicum*

3

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

 

PSYC 452 Cultural Psychology*

3

GS Fine Art (1 class req.)

3

 

GS Humanity (1 class req.)

3

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

 

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

Course for minor/concentration/120

3

 

Year 4 Fall Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 4 Spring Semester Total Credit Hours

15

Year 1 Fall semester
PSYC 100 Introduction to Professional Psychology (Core I)
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology (general studies)
ENG 101 College Composition I (general studies)
COM 101 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (general studies)
COLL 101 (first year experience) 

Year 1 Spring semester
PSYC 341 Abnormal Psychology (Core I)
MATH 160 Introduction to Statistics (general studies) 
ENG 102 College Compositon II (general studies)
Social Science course (general studies)
BIO 105 & 106 Life Science for Non majors with Lab (general studies)

 

Year 2 Fall semester
PSYC 322 Personality Psychology (Core I)
PSYC 416 Social Psychology (Core I) 
PSYC 323 Developmental Psychology (Core I)
PSYC 302 Advanced Professional Psychology (Psyc Major req)
Minor course/elective/general studies

Year 2 Spring semester
PSYC 310 Design and Analysis I (Core I)
History (general studies)
Literature course (general studies)
Minor course/elective/general studies
Minor course/elective/general studies
Complete Core I exam to move onto Core II Psyc major classes

Year 3 Fall semester
PSYC 465 Junior Seminar (Psyc Major req)
PSYC 335 Introduction to Learning (Core II)
PSYC Psychology elective
Fine Art (general studies)
Minor course/elective/general studies

Year 3 Spring semester
PSYC 439 Biological Psychology (Core II)
PSYC 460 Practicum (Core II)
PSYC Psychology elective
Humanity (general studie)
Minor course/elective/general studies

Year 4 Fall semester
PSYC 409 History of Psychology (Core II)
PSYC 446 Clinical Psychology (Core II)
PSYC Psychology elective
Minor course/elective/general studies
Minor course/elective/general studies

Year 4 Spring semester
PSYC 470 Senior Seminar
PSYC 465 Cultural Psychology (Psyc Major req)
PSYC Psychology elective
Minor course/elective/general studies
Minor course/elective/general studies

More Information

Please contact us anytime to discuss your future.

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