Psychology, with a specialization in Community Development (B.A.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Psychology is the multifaceted scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. The program at AUC emphasizes physical, cognitive, emotional, personal, and social development from infancy to adulthood. This development is studied against a background of major theoretical and applied domains of psychology, concentrating on important aspects of individual, group, and cultural dynamics.

Bachelor of Arts

The aim of psychology at AUC is to provide students with a solid background in the current major areas of the discipline. It will give them insights which can be of personal as well as of practical value in many other occupations. In addition, the program will prepare students wishing to continue further studies leading to a professional career.

Students who intend to seek the Psychology degree must have taken PSYC 201 and have obtained a grade of “B” or higher. In addition, students must have taken or be currently enrolled in PSYC 207. Based on the availability of space, a limited number of students who have successfully completed these courses and who meet the GPA requirements as determined by the department will be accepted in the major.

A total of 120 credit hours is required for the bachelor’s degree in psychology:

Core Curriculum (34-46 credits)

Students must take one of the following for the science requirement:

BIOL 103 - Introductory Biology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 104 - The Unity of Life (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)

Concentration Requirements (49 credits)

PSYC 201 - Introduction to Psychology (3 cr.)
PSYC 207 - Introduction to Psychological Statistics (3 cr.)
PSYC 208 - Research Methods for Psychology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
PSYC 301 - Social Psychology (3 cr.)
PSYC 304 - Lifespan Development (3 cr.)
PSYC 308 - Cognitive Psychology (3 cr.)
PSYC 313 - Learning and Behavioral Psychology (3 cr.)
PSYC 315 - Psychological Testing and Assessment (3 cr.)
PSYC 327 - Theories of Personality (3 cr.)
PSYC 342 - Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.)
PSYC 380 - Biopsychology (3 cr.)
PSYC 403 - History and Systems of Psychology (3 cr.)

Additional Requirements

One additional 300-level psychology course
Three additional 400-level psychology courses (not including PSYC 402)

Collateral Requirements (24 credits)

Six courses to be approved by the adviser in addition to:

ANTH 202 - Cultural Anthropology (3 cr.)
SOC 201 - Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.)

Electives (1-13 credits)

Interdisciplinary Specialization in Community Development

The teaching and application of the principles of community development and community organizing prepares students to work in development agencies. The required curriculum includes hands-on community-based learning experiences to initiate the students’ professional development in an applied setting. Students learn about the relevance and role of community and personal empowerment in response to population needs. The practicum model is designed with a broad educative focus meant to provide students not only with skills and techniques, but also opportunities for inquiry, for trying and testing new ideas within collaborative relationships, and for engaging community development in new ways.

Students majoring in anthropology, psychology or sociology can choose this specialization in place of the collateral requirements required for their respective majors.

Academic Advising is provided through the Anthropology, Sociology and Psychology units of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology and Egyptology on behalf of an interdisciplinary group of faculty.

Declaration Requirements:

Must be an anthropology, psychology or sociology major
Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5

Course Requirements:

24 credits, including the following:

Required Courses

SOC 240 - Introduction to Community Development (3 cr.)
ANTH/PSYC 240
SOC 340 - Participatory Action Research in Community Settings (3 cr.)
ANTH/PSYC 340
SOC 440-441 - Practicum in Community Development (6 cr.)
ANTH/PSYC 440-441 Year long, two semester sequence

Electives

(At least two of the following, one has to be at the 300 level or above):

ANTH 303 - Social Movements (3 cr.)
/SOC 303
ANTH 370 - Environmental Issues in Egypt (3 cr.)
/SOC 370
ANTH 372 - Applied Anthropology (3 cr.)
ANTH 380 - Fieldwork Methods (3 cr.)
ANTH 450 - Third World Development (3 cr.)
/SOC 450
ANTH 460 - Development Studies Seminar (3 cr.)
/SOC 460
PSYC 301 - Social Psychology (3 cr.)
PSYC 330 - Community Psychology (3 cr.)
PSYC 430 - Advanced community psychology: Applied research and service (3 cr.)
SOC 203 - Social Problems of the Middle East (3 cr.)
SOC 304 - Development Agencies (3 cr.)
SOC 307 - Social Class and Inequality (3 cr.)
SOC 435 - Gender and Power in Development (3 cr.)

AUC New Cairo Campus

AUC Tahrir Square Campus

New York