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Psychology
Program Overview
The Psychology degree opens doors to a diverse group of social service fields focused on improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. Psychology helps individuals understand the science of human behavior and enhances interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. Johnson’s program integrates social and behavioral science with the Christian faith. Graduates from this program are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level jobs in social services.
Individuals in this field often work as counselors, case managers, and other professionals in a variety of settings, such as federal and state agencies, counseling centers, school systems, private nonprofit organizations, hospitals, churches, ministries, and other institutions. This major also prepares students for graduate training in mental health and social service fields, including the Graduate Counseling Program at Johnson University.
All four-year Johnson students complete two majors: one in Bible and Theology and one in their chosen field, such as Psychology. Transfer students with substantial prior coursework may complete a reduced set of Bible and Theology requirements instead of the major. Learn more about the Bible and Theology curriculum here.
Core Classes
This course provides an overview of human development in the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual domains from conception to death in old age. Emphases include the ecological context of human development; biological and environmental influences on development; developmental anomalies and their impact on the individual and family; and implications of the knowledge of human development for Christian ministry, counseling, and family life education.
This course is a theological and biopsychosocial-spiritual investigation into human sexuality. Issues discussed in this course include, though are not limited to, characteristics of healthy and unhealthy sexual relationships, interpersonal dynamics of sexual intimacy, gender, marriage, and sexual orientation. Students will learn the art of theological reflection and worldview analysis as they explore sexuality in both ancient and modern contexts and address human sexuality from value-respectful positions.
Additional attention will be given to investigating attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making as an expression of their understanding.
This course introduces students to concepts and practices of healthy personal and social interactions. It emphasizes a Christian worldview when considering topics such as communication skills, problem solving, personality styles, relationship stages, relationship enhancement and enrichment, societal expectations, and the impact of family dynamics, interpersonal violence, and unhealthy coping strategies on relationships. Additional areas receiving special attention include conflict management styles, cultural
diversity, special needs in families, stress, and relationship management.
This course examines the application, interpretation, and analysis of statistics. It introduces basic concepts including descriptive statistics, elementary probability, estimation, and hypothesis testing in both nonparametric, parametric, and normal models. It also covers analytical topics including data summary and
visualization, study design, elementary probability, categorical data, comparative experiments, statistical inferences, and model diagnostics.
This course introduces the field of psychology—the scientific study of human behavior and experience. Students are acquainted with the major concepts and terminology of the discipline, providing a broader understanding of self and others. The course includes brief studies of the history and systems of psychology, human neuroanatomy, sensation, perception, learning and thinking, human development, personality, social interaction, health psychology, and abnormal psychology. There is also an emphasis on applied psychology so that students are prepared for advanced courses in social science and other professional studies.
This course presents the interviewing and counseling process and trains students in the use of foundational micro-skills (attending, observation, checking out, questions, encouraging, paraphrase, summarization, reflection, focusing, influencing, and confrontation). Students are taught basic concepts, observe experienced practitioners, and practice skills in role play and peer counseling. Upon completion, students should be able to listen, conduct a well-formed interview, and focus their interventions in a
Human Services environment.
This is a study of the theory of abnormal psychology and how this relates to Human Services. Focus is on how to determine the identified pathology in an individual, couple, family or a larger system, and includes the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and other “assessment tools. The meaning of “abnormal” thought, affect, behavior, and related concepts are examined within biblical, historical, and cultural contexts.
This course is designed to present the qualities and resources of an effective counselor (basic elements of counseling relationships, the current theories of counseling with a study of the variety of techniques utilized, and integration of psychology and counseling theory with theology and a Christian worldview). Individual, marriage and family, and group approaches are addressed. Ethical issues in counseling and an eclectic approach to counseling are discussed. Students have the opportunity to apply theoretical approaches in role play and peer counseling, and to integrate the approaches into a personal counseling style.
Understanding Diversity for Human Services
This course explores various forms and influences of diversity in the human service field, with special attention given to the impact of diversity in a counseling setting. Christian worldview is discussed as it interacts with topics such as culture, race, ethnicity, gender, class, faith and religious values, and sexual identity. Students develop self-awareness of their own experiences related to diversity, as well as an awareness of how diversity is understood from multiple perspectives.
Social & & Cultural Diversity in Counseling
This course provides for an exploration of multicultural concerns related to the knowledge, beliefs/attitudes, and skills of counselors. Through self-disclosure, individual experiences, group presentations, and class discussion, participants in this class will examine their own preferences, cultural biases, values, and assumptions about culture and diversity issues. Strategies that promote understanding and effective intervention will be emphasized.
Ethics & Professional Practice
This course provides an understanding of the character and quality of human social conduct, and the ability to critically examine ethical questions and issues as they relate to professional practice. It investigates areas of convergence and divergence between Human Services and spiritual approaches to the human condition. Various models of integration are explored, and ethical principles from contemporary codes of ethics (e.g., American Counseling Association code, NCFR’s Family Life Educator code) are applied. Topics addressed include ethical and legal considerations, the role of personal beliefs and values in professional practice, and professional development as a leader in the field of Human Services.
Ethics & Professional Issues in Counseling
This course consists of a survey of professional ethics and laws relative to the practice of marriage and family therapy/professional counseling and a study of Tennessee licensing laws in order to enable the student to understand the criminal and civil laws impacting counselors. This course focuses on the personhood of the counselor with emphasis on the cultivation and sustenance of emotional maturity, moral sensitivity, and moral decision-making skills integral to independent professional life and practice.
This course prepares students for their upcoming internship experience by guiding them through essential pre-internship requirements. Students will attend a virtual orientation meeting, engage in the process of securing an approved internship site, formalize contractual agreements, complete a background check, and obtain liability insurance. Successful completion of the Internship Orientation is a mandatory prerequisite for enrollment in the Internship course.”
This internship is designed to provide students opportunities to use and apply the theoretical knowledge, concepts, and skills acquired in their training. Students serve 125 clock hours of supervised field experience, which includes a minimum number of direct service hours based on their future goals. Students serve with and are mentored by full-time faculty and professional practitioners in the field at a site approved by the instructor.
Students apply counseling principles and techniques to actual case studies to sharpen skills learned in previous courses. An emphasis is on the analysis of case dynamics and the development of treatment procedures. The course integrates Christian principles with therapeutic techniques.
Conflict and Communication
Survey of Persons with Disabilities
Race & Religion in American History
Literature and Theology of Race
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Sport & Exercise Psychology
Techniques for Inclusion of Diverse Learners
Characteristics & Needs of the Mildly and Moderately Disabled
Managing Challenging Behaviors & Special Education Law
Any FAMS/PSYC/COUN course not included in major
Careers
There are many careers available for students who graduate with a psychology degree! Here are just a few for you to explore.
- Of course, many people pursue an undergraduate degree in psychology so they can go on to become clinical psychologists or licensed therapists. Check out our Master of Arts in Counseling for more information on furthering your education!
- Case Manager
- Advertising Sales Representative
- Market Researcher
- Career Counselor
- Probation/Parole Officer
- Program Evaluator/Assessor
- Immigration & Migrant Families Caseworker
- Child Welfare Advocate
- Military Family Support Services Caseworker
- Gerentology & Long-term Care Manager
Online
The Psychology degree opens doors to a diverse group of social service fields focused on improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. Psychology helps individuals understand the science of human behavior and enhances interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. Johnson’s program integrates social and behavioral science with the Christian faith. Graduates from this program are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level jobs in social services.
Individuals in this field often work as counselors, case managers, and other professionals in a variety of settings, such as federal and state agencies, counseling centers, school systems, private nonprofit organizations, hospitals, churches, ministries, and other institutions. This major also prepares students for graduate training in mental health and social service fields, including the Graduate Counseling Program at Johnson University.
Every undergraduate student pursuing a four-year degree at Johnson earns a double major – a major in Bible and Theology and a major of their choice, like Psychology. Click here to learn more about the Bible and Theology major.
This course provides an overview of human development in the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual domains from conception to death in old age. Emphases include the ecological context of human development; biological and environmental influences on development; developmental anomalies and their impact on the individual and family; and implications of the knowledge of human development for Christian ministry, counseling, and family life education.
This course is a theological and biopsychosocial-spiritual investigation into human sexuality. Issues discussed in this course include, though are not limited to, characteristics of healthy and unhealthy sexual relationships, interpersonal dynamics of sexual intimacy, gender, marriage, and sexual orientation. Students will learn the art of theological reflection and worldview analysis as they explore sexuality in both ancient and modern contexts and address human sexuality from value-respectful positions.
Additional attention will be given to investigating attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making as an expression of their understanding.
This course introduces students to concepts and practices of healthy personal and social interactions. It emphasizes a Christian worldview when considering topics such as communication skills, problem solving, personality styles, relationship stages, relationship enhancement and enrichment, societal expectations, and the impact of family dynamics, interpersonal violence, and unhealthy coping strategies on relationships. Additional areas receiving special attention include conflict management styles, cultural
diversity, special needs in families, stress, and relationship management.
This course examines the application, interpretation, and analysis of statistics. It introduces basic concepts including descriptive statistics, elementary probability, estimation, and hypothesis testing in both nonparametric, parametric, and normal models. It also covers analytical topics including data summary and
visualization, study design, elementary probability, categorical data, comparative experiments, statistical inferences, and model diagnostics.
This course introduces the field of psychology—the scientific study of human behavior and experience. Students are acquainted with the major concepts and terminology of the discipline, providing a broader understanding of self and others. The course includes brief studies of the history and systems of psychology, human neuroanatomy, sensation, perception, learning and thinking, human development, personality, social interaction, health psychology, and abnormal psychology. There is also an emphasis on applied psychology so that students are prepared for advanced courses in social science and other professional studies.
This course presents the interviewing and counseling process and trains students in the use of foundational micro-skills (attending, observation, checking out, questions, encouraging, paraphrase, summarization, reflection, focusing, influencing, and confrontation). Students are taught basic concepts, observe experienced practitioners, and practice skills in role play and peer counseling. Upon completion, students should be able to listen, conduct a well-formed interview, and focus their interventions in a
Human Services environment.
This is a study of the theory of abnormal psychology and how this relates to Human Services. Focus is on how to determine the identified pathology in an individual, couple, family or a larger system, and includes the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and other “assessment tools. The meaning of “abnormal” thought, affect, behavior, and related concepts are examined within biblical, historical, and cultural contexts.
This course is designed to present the qualities and resources of an effective counselor (basic elements of counseling relationships, the current theories of counseling with a study of the variety of techniques utilized, and integration of psychology and counseling theory with theology and a Christian worldview). Individual, marriage and family, and group approaches are addressed. Ethical issues in counseling and an eclectic approach to counseling are discussed. Students have the opportunity to apply theoretical approaches in role play and peer counseling, and to integrate the approaches into a personal counseling style.
Understanding Diversity for Human Services
This course explores various forms and influences of diversity in the human service field, with special attention given to the impact of diversity in a counseling setting. Christian worldview is discussed as it interacts with topics such as culture, race, ethnicity, gender, class, faith and religious values, and sexual identity. Students develop self-awareness of their own experiences related to diversity, as well as an awareness of how diversity is understood from multiple perspectives.
Social & & Cultural Diversity in Counseling
This course provides for an exploration of multicultural concerns related to the knowledge, beliefs/attitudes, and skills of counselors. Through self-disclosure, individual experiences, group presentations, and class discussion, participants in this class will examine their own preferences, cultural biases, values, and assumptions about culture and diversity issues. Strategies that promote understanding and effective intervention will be emphasized.
Ethics & Professional Practice
This course provides an understanding of the character and quality of human social conduct, and the ability to critically examine ethical questions and issues as they relate to professional practice. It investigates areas of convergence and divergence between Human Services and spiritual approaches to the human condition. Various models of integration are explored, and ethical principles from contemporary codes of ethics (e.g., American Counseling Association code, NCFR’s Family Life Educator code) are applied. Topics addressed include ethical and legal considerations, the role of personal beliefs and values in professional practice, and professional development as a leader in the field of Human Services.
Ethics & Professional Issues in Counseling
This course consists of a survey of professional ethics and laws relative to the practice of marriage and family therapy/professional counseling and a study of Tennessee licensing laws in order to enable the student to understand the criminal and civil laws impacting counselors. This course focuses on the personhood of the counselor with emphasis on the cultivation and sustenance of emotional maturity, moral sensitivity, and moral decision-making skills integral to independent professional life and practice.
This course prepares students for their upcoming internship experience by guiding them through essential pre-internship requirements. Students will attend a virtual orientation meeting, engage in the process of securing an approved internship site, formalize contractual agreements, complete a background check, and obtain liability insurance. Successful completion of the Internship Orientation is a mandatory prerequisite for enrollment in the Internship course.
This internship is designed to provide students opportunities to use and apply the theoretical knowledge, concepts, and skills acquired in their training. Students serve 125 clock hours of supervised field experience, which includes a minimum number of direct service hours based on their future goals. Students serve with and are mentored by full-time faculty and professional practitioners in the field at a site approved by the instructor.
Students apply counseling principles and techniques to actual case studies to sharpen skills learned in previous courses. An emphasis is on the analysis of case dynamics and the development of treatment procedures. The course integrates Christian principles with therapeutic techniques.
Conflict and Communication
Survey of Persons with Disabilities
Race & Religion in American History
Literature and Theology of Race
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Sport & Exercise Psychology
Techniques for Inclusion of Diverse Learners
Characteristics & Needs of the Mildly and Moderately Disabled
Managing Challenging Behaviors & Special Education Law
Any FAMS/PSYC/COUN course not included in major
Department Overview
Take Your Next Step
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