Bachelor of Science in Psychology – Concentration in Sport Psychology

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology program is designed to equip graduates for continuing studies in various fields, and as practitioners and researchers dedicated to seeking, articulating, and disseminating biblical truth. The Psychology program has adopted the 5 major learning objectives recommended by the American Psychological Association. The 6th objective supports the mission of Arizona Christian University to train students with a biblical worldview. This is the only program within the Behavioral and Social Sciences department that requires a separate application.

Program Requirements: In order for a student to be enrolled, the student must complete 2 PSY courses at ACU and maintain a GPA of 3.0.

Why Sports Psychology at ACU?

In addition to a faculty-to-student ratio of 17:1 and a rigorous and biblically integrated curriculum, ACU’s Psychology program offers several unique advantages:

• ACU psychology students conduct original research, mentored by experienced researchers in the field.
• Students who graduate from the program are prepared as research consumers and practitioners with a distinctively biblical worldview.
• Students have opportunities to publish their original research.
• ACU’s psychology program uniquely equips students for graduate work with extensive training in evaluating research literature.

What will I study?

The Psychology program provides a biblical liberal arts foundation with an innovative approach to general studies that reclaims a Christian conception of the Liberal Arts, preparing students to be influential thinkers. Career-related focus areas will include:

• Sport Psychology
• Industrial Organization Psychology
• Kinesiology
• Forensic Psychology
• Advanced Research Methods
• Introduction to Neuroscience
• Social Psychology

Academic Major Courses

Core requirements accumulate to 46 credits, 15 credits of Biblical and Theological Studies, and 8 credits of science courses. 3 Credits of Upper Division Biblical and Theological Studies electives are required.

• PSY 202 General Psychology 3
• PSY 210 Statistics for Behavioral Studies 3
• PSY 220 Theories of Personality 3
• PSY 300 Tests & Measurements 3
• CHD 312 Human Development 3
• PSY 318 Social Psychology 3
• PSY 322 Abnormal Psychology 3
• PSY 390 Introduction to Neuroscience w/ Lab 4
• PSY 475 Research Methods 3
• PSY 495 Advanced Research Methods 3
• PSY 490 Psychology Capstone 3

Sport Psychology Concentration (12 credits)

• BIO 476 Kinesiology 3
• PSY 310 Introduction to Sport Psychology 3
• PSY 380 Psychology of Learning and Motivation 3
• PSY 450 Sensation and Perception 3

• Sport Psychologist
• Exercise physiologist
• Psychologist
• I/O psychologist
• Research Assistant
• Behavioral Health Technician
• Case Manager
• Occupational Therapist

Graduates are well-equipped to pursue programs in research psychology, sport psychology, medical school/psychiatry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, clinical psychology, and law school.