Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology - Urban Psychology

Virginia Commonwealth University

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology curriculum reflects the discipline’s major functions - scientific research, teaching, acting as a healing profession and raising philosophical questions about the assumptions, values and ideals of human beings and their societies, which reflects psychology’s origin in philosophy. Through a core set of requirements the student systematically develops understanding and skill in scientific methods of inquiry, focusing on the human mind and behavior. To fulfill the degree requirements, students may pursue the standard curriculum by selecting courses from four content areas that introduce students to the healing and philosophical sides of psychology and provide a broad understanding of the field as a whole or the student may apply to one of several more focused concentrations that draw upon the special strengths of the VCU Department of Psychology. Concentration-specific learning outcomes Upon completing this concentration, students will know and know how to do the following: Analyze how urban stressors (e.g., high-density living, noise, socioeconomic disparity) influence cognitive, emotional, and mental health across the lifespan. Synthesize interdisciplinary frameworks to deconstruct systemic urban deficits while leveraging community-based assets to design resilience-focused mental health initiatives. Collaborate with urban community partners to identify assets and challenges, applying psychological principles to enhance local social-support systems.

College of Humanities and Sciences