Associate to Master of Arts - Psychology
The Associate to Master of Arts degree with a major in Psychology program is designed to train students in the history, theory and research methods of psychology from a Christian faith perspective. Our program promotes not only development as a competent and ethical professional, but also encourages students to grow in all aspects of their lives, including work, health and relationships.
The Associate to Master of Arts degree with a major in Psychology is appropriate both for students with a limited background in psychology and those who hold an undergraduate degree in the field. The program prepares students for work in a variety of professional settings, including life coaching, government, business, non-profits, industrial organizational psychology, and the church. Some students also use the program as a to clarify their interest in professional psychology; others use it as a first step toward doctoral studies. While graduates can continue for further study to become licensed mental health workers, this program is not intended to qualify students for independent practice as a licensed professional psychologist. Students should be aware that demonstrated ability for research or analysis is a critical requisite skill for this program. A research course or preparatory module may be advised if students do not satisfy preliminary standards.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Articulate the development of the field of psychology over time.
- Demonstrate a professional identity through acts of service based upon current research in a specialization of psychology.
- Integrate theoretical models of human bio-psychosocial and spiritual development with the concepts of flourishing.
- Create a theoretical model of personality development and social interaction.
- Describe the spectrum of mental health and well-being from both a traditional psychopathology and positive psychology perspectives.
- Apply the principles of positive psychology to promote human flourishing.
- Articulate an ability to reflect on how positive psychology can enhance spiritual development.
- Apply principles of positive psychology to the process of life coaching.
- Apply ethical principles to organizational processes.
- Apply theories of motivation to help employees develop their strengths in the workplace.
- Within a specialization of psychology, synthesize the principles, theories and practices in a culminating product that improve the lives of others.
Admission Requirements
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An associate’s degree, verified on original transcripts sent directly to IWU by the institution, from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
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An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher from the associate degree granting institution. If an applicant's GPA is below 3.0, the student may be admitted on a probationary basis.
Program Requirements
- Students in the Associates to Master of Arts degree with a major in Psychology program must complete an undergraduate bridge program of 24 credit hours before starting the graduate Associates to Master of Arts in Psychology courses.
- Successful completion of all program specific undergraduate courses with a minimum grade of “B” and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- Students may not transfer undergraduate credits earned from other institutions to meet bridge requirements..
Graduation Requirements
To graduate, students must have completed all of the following:
- All graduate credits required in the Associates to Master of Arts degree with a major in Psychology curriculum sequence with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a minimum grade of “C” in each course. A grade of "C-" or below will require the course to be repeated.
- Overall GPA of 3.0 in all IWU graduate work.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
Associate to Master of Arts - Psychology - Program of Study
Undergraduate Bridge Courses
All undergraduate courses must be completed with a grade of "B" or higher.
| PSY-322 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-370 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| MAT-305 | Statistics for Social Sciences | 3 |
| PSY-366 | Psychology of Abnormal Behavior | 3 |
| PSY-430 | Techniques in Motivation and Change | 3 |
| PSY-440 | Psychology and Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| PSY-360 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-415 | Organizational Psychology | 3 |
Core Courses
| PSY-520 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| PSY-525 | Theories of Personality Development | 3 |
| PSY-530 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-535 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-540 | Psychopathology and Emerging Trends | 3 |
| PSY-545 | Foundations of Interviews and Interventions | 3 |
Specialization Courses - Industrial and Organizational Psychology
| PSY-566 | Principles and Practices of Industrial/ Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-567 | Leadership and Motivation | 3 |
| PSY-568 | Organizational Ethics | 3 |
| PSY-590 | Capstone in Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 54 |
Specialization Courses - Life Coaching and Positive Psychology
| PSY-561 | Research in Positive Psychology and Life Coaching | 3 |
| PSY-562 | Positive Psychology, Life Coaching, and Christian Formation | 3 |
| PSY-563 | Life Coaching and Positive Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-590 | Capstone in Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 54 |
