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Psychology

: What goes on inside the mind?

Why Study Psychology at Southwestern?

Welcome to Southwestern Adventist University’s Psychology Department. Here you will find teachers who are passionate about psychology and are dedicated to helping students understand how it shapes their career choices, and affects everyday life. Psychologists study of human behavior and mental processes; this means that each day you are practicing psychology! With that in mind we invite you to come and learn how to more effectively use the principals of psychology in your relationships, careers, and academic pursuits. Our program will prepare you foremost for graduate degrees in psychology, but will also prepare you for entry level positions in the psychological field. We hope you will look us over and will decide to join us in exploring the world of psychology.

Psychology Emphasis School Guidance

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Emphasis School Guidance

Psychology with emphasis in School Guidance is a composite major thus no minor is required.

This composite major will prepare you to complete a number of classes in education that are required by the State of Texas to fulfill course requirement before taking the State Exam for Educators (TExES). You will be required to complete student teaching internship (14 weeks) and any other additional courses as required by any Alternative Certification Program, and they will issue you the clearance to make the required State Test. Please note that the State of Texas requires candidates who desire a certificate in school counseling must have two years of successful teaching and in possession of a valid teaching certificate issued by the State of Texas and a Masters degree in School Guidance/School Counseling. The intent of this composite is to prepare you to take the State Exams (EC-6) that consists of two tests (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility and Generalist EC-6), you will be certified to teach in the State of Texas, after passing these tests and successfully completing all the courses or additional requirement as required by any Alternative Certification Program (courses may vary by Alternative Certification Program).

Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
Before acceptance all students must submit to, pay for, and pass a criminal background check
Candidate is responsible for initiating the application, that is available in the Education & Psychology Department. All applicants will be accompanied by:
- A statement of purpose – a one page typed essay describing reasons for desiring profession in the teaching field
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals other than relatives. Preferably, these recommendations will come from SWAU faculty members not in the Education & Psychology Department, or other work supervisor

Degree Plan

After the student has been admitted to this program, they should develop a degree plan with their major advisor and the Department of Education and Psychology. The plan will show the declared major with certification area, the work completed and the remaining requirements for the degree. Copies of the degree plan will be filed with the Registrar’s Office, Education and Psychology Department and the major advisor.