PSY490 Psychology Field Experience (3 cr.)

This course is designed to allow students to develop knowledge in an individual interest area or career path in psychology.  Students create an approved plan to gain both practical and theoretical knowledge.  A minimum of 20 hours of experiential learning in the field, such as informational interviewing, job shadowing, volunteering, project-based service learning, etc. is required. Readings, workshops/seminars, auditing free online courses, etc. complement the experiences.  Students keep a reflective journal throughout, and summarize the learning and future directions in an integration paper.  Students must meet established criteria and receive program director approval to take the course. 

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Integrate learning from the course into career and educational planning.
2. Analyze how an interest area in psychology/career path can be applied to improve the human condition.
3. Examine the local and national trends in an area of psychology.
4. Integrate and interpret relevant peer-reviewed and professional literature in writing.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking through effective writing.