academic programs Program Description Special Admissions Requirements Career Opportunities

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1 academic programs Psychology Department Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.) (94 credits) Bachel of Arts Degree (B.A.) (184 credits) Program Description The SKC Psychology department offers two degrees, the Associate of Arts and the Bachel of Arts. These programs are offered in a 2-plus-2 degree fmat, which means that students complete the twoyear Associate of Arts degree befe entering the Bachel of Arts program f two me years. The Psychology Associate of Arts degree was developed through the Mental Health Careers Opptunity Program (MHCOP), a collabation of Montana tribal colleges with the University of Montana Psychology Department. Created in response to the need f tribal mental health wkers, its goal is to train students in a manner consistent with traditional culture, while meeting ce requirements of structured degree programs in mental health. The Psychology Bachel of Arts program builds upon the skills developed at the Associate level. The goal of the BA curriculum is to provide coursewk and training in psychology and counseling in the context of a broad understanding and appreciation of human behavi. The SKC Psychology program follows APA guidelines f psychology undergraduate degree programs. The Psychology program integrates the 4C s (Cultural competency, Citizenship, Communication, Clear thinking) into degree objectives, drawing upon Western and Indigenous models of learning. Goals of the 4C s are to: Improve written and spoken communication skills, active listening skills, and skills in communicating within and across cultures Develop skills in accessing, understanding and using written materials in psychology subject areas Increase awareness of how psychology is related to citizenship, both individually (expling values, beliefs and actions that contribute to a sense of self) and collectively (expling connections among family, community, culture and wld) Increase awareness of own cultural values, beliefs, nms, histy and attitudes Gain understanding of psychological dimensions across which cultures vary (and tend to misunderstand one another), and identify how specific cultures fit these patterns Develop the ability to function flexibly across multiple cultural settings, with respect f differences and openness to new ways Increase knowledge of S&K cultures and apply the dimensions of culture to interactions among Native American and other U.S. cultures Special Admissions Requirements Students may need to strengthen math, English and writing skills with additional coursewk pri to entering the Psychology program. Students may need to take psychology coursewk in the A.A. program befe entering the Juni Year of the B.A. Program. Entry into the Juni Year of the Psychology Bachel of Arts program includes submitting a Placement Application and completing two writing placement activities. Students should be aware that some careers in psychology require a Federal background check. Career Opptunities A bachel s degree in psychology leads toward graduate school toward different career options that call f interpersonal, analytical and writing skills. Careers can be found in administration, management, Human Resources, law enfcement, social services, marketing, career counseling, community health advocacy, outreach codination psychology technician services. A psychology AA BA is also a good background f training in Chemical Dependency counseling. At the Master s PhD level, Psychology graduates may specialize in such fields as Counseling, Clinical, Fensic, Child School Psychology. Entry into graduate programs is competitive, but a person who graduates with an advanced degree will have many career opptunities, especially in agencies settings that involve an understanding of Native American cultures. 100

2 Associate of Arts Degree, Psychology The Psychology AA curriculum provides a foundation of essential knowledge in ce subject areas of psychology as well as basic competency in writing, communication and math skills. Students take a variety of elective courses in Native American Studies, Expressive Arts, Health and Fitness, Math, Science and other subject areas as they exple their educational interests. Completion of the AA program leads to juni-level entry into a four-year degree program. Associate of Arts Degree Objectives The curriculum of the Psychology AA is designed to: Provide basic competence in psychology subject areas f students seeking a degree in psychology mental health field Provide a transfer program that includes ce courses in psychology, math, science and liberal arts f students pursuing a bachel s degree at a four-year institution Encourage interest in psychology as a study of basic human experience and as a general background f other majs Increase awareness of the interface of psychology with different cultures and disciplines, such as Native American studies, sociology, anthropology and cross-cultural studies Enable students to apply basic math and research skills to the study of psychology Provide suppt courses in psychology f other SKC degree programs Requirements A student must earn a C better in all required courses and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 in der to graduate with the A.A. See Catalog Course Descriptions f specific prerequisites. Student Learning Outcomes Through completion of the Psychology AA curriculum, students will: Be familiar with main subject areas in the field of psychology, including ce concepts and maj theies Be aware of basic types of research methodology used in psychology and how psychological knowledge in different subject areas is acquired through use of these methods Gain practical experience in the application of psychological principles to everyday life situations, and be able to relate these to classroom materials Gain an understanding of how psychological principles function cross-culturally and be able to apply them to cross-cultural issues, generally and to specific tribal cultures Fall (First Year) GNSD 102 Skills f College Success 2 ENGL 101 English Composition I 3 PSYC 105 Human Potential Seminar 2 ELECTIVE (OPEN) 3 PSYC 110 Introduction to Psychology 5 (List C) Winter (First Year) ENGL 202 English Composition II 3 NASD 101 Histy of Indians in the U.S. 3 PSYC 230 Developmental Psychology 5 ELECTIVE NAS-FAH /NASL (List A) 3 ELECTIVE OPEN 2 Spring (First Year) MATH 100 College Algebra Art of Math (List DM) PSYC 361 Abnmal Psychology 5 ELECTIVE NASD 3 HMNT 101 Introduction to Humanities 3 PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy ENGL 210 Wld Literature academic programs 101

3 academic programs Fall (Second year) PSYC 120 Research Methods in 5 Psychology PSYC 210 Psychological Literature 3 PSYC 341 Gender Differences 5 SPCH 100 Basic Communications 3 Winter (Second Year) SCLG 308 Social Psychology 5 PSYC 320 Cross Cultural Issues in 5 Psychology PSYC 151 Career Explations in 2 Psychology ELECTIVE OPEN 3 Spring (Second Year) PSYC 351 Introduction to Personality 5 ELECTIVE NAT-SCI-INTRO (List DS) 5 ELECTIVE EXPR-ART-OPEN (List B) 3 ELECTIVE OPEN 3 Total Credits 94 A.A. Bachel of Arts Degree, Psychology Students who earn the Bachel s degree in psychology may pursue graduate studies, wk in a field where a solid grounding in human behavi is needed. Students focus on areas of particular interest through coursewk in subjects such as adult child counseling, Indigenous research methods, biological psychology, school-based counseling, administration/ management, human relations, law enfcement. Coursewk in the baccalaureate program draws from multiple academic departments at Salish Kootenai College. Bachel of Arts Degree Objectives The curriculum of the Psychology Bachel program is intended to: Provide a generalist degree with coursewk across a broad range of subject areas in psychology and other disciplines Train students in a variety of skills, including computer applications, written communication, speaking and presentations, and interpersonal relations Address the educational needs of Tribal College students who live and wk in a reservation setting Provide coursewk that helps prepare the student to use psychology in a multicultural context, with specific emphasis on Native American cultures and values Increase skills in understanding and applying research methodology using both Western and Indigenous styles of research Offer upper division psychology courses in preparation f graduate studies Offer a broad-based program f careers requiring knowledge and understanding of human behavi 102

4 Student Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the Bachel of Arts degree, students will: Show development of a broad knowledge base in psychology subject areas, including an awareness of ethical issues in the fields of psychology and counseling Develop baccalaureate level skills in psychological writing, public speaking, computer applications and interpersonal communication Demonstrate understanding and application of research methodology as applied to Western and Indigenous styles of research, including use of psychological literature to find, review, understand and keep current in psychology subject areas. Apply knowledge of psychology to real-wld situations in meaningful ways across multiple settings and conditions Continue to develop self-knowledge and its application to interpersonal psychology, including the ability to understand and assess the influence of one s own perspectives, abilities, strengths and weaknesses Develop flexibility in wking within and across cultures by building upon cultural knowledge and awareness Integrate Native American cultural perspectives into knowledge and application of psychology and counseling they and be able to apply this knowledge to issues, perspectives and situations encountered in a reservation setting Degree Tracks The Bachel of Arts in Psychology can be earned by taking either of two slightly different degree plans, Tracks. The Research Track guides students toward graduate school in psychology, counseling similar academic field. A student who is thinking of a specific career in the field of psychology, counseling behavial research would choose the Research Track. This leads toward an advanced degree such as a Master s Degree in school mental health counseling, a Doctal program in clinical research psychology. The General Track is broad-based and serves students who plan to enter the wkfce rather than pursue graduate training in psychology. This degree is appropriate f students who want to wk seek further training in non-psychology fields such as Personnel, Human Resources, Administration, Crections, Community Development. In the General Track, students learn practical skills that can be helpful in a variety of careers. F example, a student might take courses in electronic data management, grant writing, conflict resolution, Native American policy, public presentation, and so on. In the General Track, students select 12 Focus Credits covering a range of skills related to their career goals, plus 3 credits of Histy/NAS Histy that provide environmental, histical and cultural perspectives. They also take MATH 102 Finite Math, OFED 240 Business Presentations, and GNSD 350 Grant Writing, coursewk that is applicable to business and applied settings. Differences between the tracks are shown below. Both tracks focus heavily on development and use of writing and communication skills. General Track Research Track PSYC Electives PSYC Electives (6 credits) (9 credits) Finite Math Statistics Business Professional Presentation Presentations Skills Grant Writing Seni Capstone I Seni Project Seni Capstone II Focus Electives Required coursewk (12 credits) (12 credits) Seni Capstone: In the Research Track, students develop a Seni Capstone project, in which they deeply exple a topic in psychology, while demonstrating and refining their investigative and written communication skills. Projects include perspectives related to Indigenous psychology. Fmat may be a literature review a small empirical study and culminates in an APA-style paper and fmal presentation during spring quarter of the 4th year. Seni Project: In the General Track, students create a Seni Project that combines their education with expected career goals. Students weave Indigenous and Western educational perspectives into their project through Grant Writing, interviews, and a seni presentation during spring quarter of the 4th year. academic programs 103

5 academic programs Juni Year Entry Upon completion of the AA degree equivalent, students may apply to the Bachel of Arts program. The BA Placement Application helps determine the student s writing proficiency at time of entry, and infms the student of behavial and professional expectations f upper division psychology students. The Placement Application includes: Completed Application, TABE Writing test sces (current), Psychology writing proficiency exercise; and Signed statement of understanding and willingness to follow guidelines set out in the SKC Psychology Student Conduct Code and Guidelines f Professional Development. Requirements A student must maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 in the upper two years of the psychology program in der to graduate with the Bachel of Arts degree Students are expected to comply with campus conduct codes as delineated in the SKC Student Handbook See SKC Catalog Course Descriptions f specific prerequisites A student must maintain a 3.0 in the Writing Sequence classes (see below) Writing Sequence f R-Track: Successful completion (3.0) in the following 3 courses: ENGL 306 Writing Research Papers 3 SPCH 360 Professional Presentation Skills 3 SCWK 306 APA Writing Style 2 Writing Sequence f G-Track: Successful completion (3.0) in the following 3 courses: ENGL 306 Writing Research Papers 3 OFED 240 Business Presentations 3 SCWK 306 APA Writing Style 3 Bachel of Arts, Psychology Fall (Third Year) PSYC 301 Seminar in Upper Division Ψ 1 MEDA 101 Digital Arts & Design 5 ENGL 306 Writing Research Papers 3 (List F) SCWK 203 Breaking the Cycle of Violence 2 SCWK 160 Introduction to Addiction 3 Studies Total 14 Winter (Third Year) PSYC 301 Seminar in Upper Division Ψ 1 PSYC 315 Biological Psychology 5 (List H/J) SPCH 360 Professional Presentation Skills 3 OFED 240* Business Presentation ARTD 109 Self-expression Through Arts FOCUS ELECTIVE* 3 Ψ ELECTIVE 3 Spring (Third Year) SCWK 306 APA Writing Style 2 HMNT 301 Social & Environmental 3 Ethics (List G) MATH 241 Statistics 5 MATH 102* Finite Math NASD 301 Living in 2 Wlds (List H/J) 3 Ψ ELECTIVE 3 Ψ indicates *indicates differences between R-Track and G-Track 104

6 Fall (Fourth Year) PSYC 415 Counseling Methods 5 PSYC 472 Indigenous Research 5 Methods in Ψ SCWK 470 Wking with Children & 3 Families at Risk FOCUS ELECTIVE* PSYC 372 Advanced Research 3 Methods in Ψ Winter (Fourth Year) PSYC 450 Capstone I 3 GNSD 350 Grant Writing* PSYC 405 Community Netwking 1 Ψ ELECTIVE 3 FOCUS ELECTIVE* ELECTIVE NASD (from List) 3 ELECTIVE OPEN HPED 1 NASD 210 Introduction to Indigenous 3 Science (List E) Total 14 Credit summary: Required R-Track G-Track BA credits f graduation: Total credits in maj: Total GenEd credits: Total Upper Div credits: Bachel of Arts NASD CREDITS (12 required; selected from list, by advis consent) EDUC 235 Introduction to Indian Education 3 NASD 102 Reservation Histy befe NASD 103 Reservation Histy NASD 176 Introduction to Traditional Tool 3 Making NASD 225 American Indian Ed and 3 Federal Policy NASD 250 Histy of Federal Indian Policy 3 NASD 252 Histy of Tribal Govt on 3 Flathead Reservation NASD 262 Contempary Issues in 3 American Indian Life NASD 270 Native American Wellness 3 NASD 305 Native American Women 3 NASD 306 Gender and Identity in 3 Indian Country NASD 307 Tribal Leaders After NASD 450 Environmental Science and 4 Indigenous Religions NASL any Native American 3 Language course academic programs Spring (Fourth Year) PSYC 451 Capstone II 3 PSYC 441* Seni Project ELECTIVE OPEN 6 elective ARTD Focus COURSE 3 elective NASD (from List) 3 Total Credits 184 B.A. 105