Bachelor of Arts
Psychology – Cross-Cultural & International
work across cultures, address global issues and promote cross-cultural understanding.
With an increasing growth of psychology and mental health needs across the globe, international psychology is becoming a more recognized and relevant discipline. Focusing on communication and collaboration among people worldwide in teaching, research, practice and public service, our program’s goals are your goals: improving international relations, addressing global problems, promoting social justice, capacity building and assessing cultural interdependency.
Program Highlights
Due to the increasing growth of psychology across the globe, international psychology is quickly becoming a more recognized and relevant sub-discipline, both worldwide and in North America.
The future of universities, communities, education, and professional development rests in diversity and internationalization. Audrey Osler, director of the Centre for Citizenship and Human Rights Education at the University of Leeds, asserts that “education for living together in an interdependent world is not an optional extra, but an essential foundation.”
As a student in this program, you’ll learn major theories, research and applications of psychological knowledge. Our cross-cultural and international psychology program is housed within a psychology major, so you’ll obtain a well-rounded education in the psychology field as well as a global specialization.
As a senior, you’ll focus on an international population/location – either as part of an internship or research project abroad, or with an international population or cross-cultural issue/problem within the United States. You’ll be able to mix both types of experiences (internship and research) based on needs and opportunities.
A Specialized Psychology Training
- Most psychology programs are general psychology and students don’t have a chance to specialize or focus on interdisciplinary education.
- Our program is designed for those who have a respect for culture and diversity and who want to make a difference in the lives of others.
- The undergraduate program in psychology at Tiffin University also has concentrations in human services and addictions counseling (which can lead to a chemical dependency counselor license). You have the ability to mix concentrations as part of a major and a minor.
Preparing You for the Real World
Faculty who lead the program bring vast knowledge and experience to the classroom. They have extensive practical professional experience as well research experience in the areas they teach. Instructors are often licensed practitioners in the field.
Teaching is often based on applied case studies and real-life experiences of instructors. This blending of theory and real-world experience will give you a broad-based, practical knowledge of psychological issues and concepts, psychological theories, therapeutic practices, research methods, ethical issues and practices, and multicultural awareness.
At the end of your program, you’ll be equipped with career-ready knowledge and skills that include:
- An understanding of the ethical principles of the field
- Communication skills, including but not limited to professional writing and presentation skills
- Conflict resolution skills
- Cultural competency skills
- Knowledge and skills in recognizing mental health issues across cultures
- Knowledge about evidence-based practice in mental health treatment
- Knowledge and skills about research strategies in the social sciences
Active, Experiential Learning
In the cross-cultural and international psychology program, you’ll actively engage in learning. You’ll join in on group discussions. You’ll participate in team-based work. You’ll analyze case studies, both independently and as a class. You’ll conduct interviews with professionals in the field.
In a program devoted to cultural awareness and competence, you’ll examine your own biases with the goal of gaining awareness. You’ll engage in experiential learning activities as well as research to learn more about various groups and cultures, and you’ll learn skills for engaging with these diverse populations.
In the final year of coursework, you’ll complete an internship, usually at a community or social service agency, and/or you can do a research project related to a cultural or international issue. Examples of internship placements for our psychology students include:
- Firelands Community Mental Health and Addictions Services
- Oriana House, a nonprofit organization offering a range of treatment services for individuals struggling with chemical dependency who are involved in the criminal justice system.
- Morrison House, a residential facility for the severe mentally ill
- Seneca County Family & Children First Council
- Seneca County Jobs and Family Services
- Seneca County Youth Center
You’re also encouraged to have a cross-cultural and/or international educational experience through an internship, short-term international educational trip and/or study abroad semester experience. Tiffin University students have traveled and received college credit for learning in places like Greece, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, United Kingdom and Russia.
Courses & Format
CURRICULUM
CONCENTRATION: CROSS-CULTURAL AND INTERNATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY – 3 hours each
- CSL430 Cultural Competence in Counseling – 3 hours
- PSY425 Cross-Cultural and International Psychology – 3 hours
- SOC265 Peace and Social Justice – 3 hours
- SOC360 Multicultural Issues in Society (w) – 3 hours
- CUL – 6 hours
- Two of the following – 6 hours
- SCS470 Internship I
- SCS471 Internship II
- SCS491 Senior Seminar I
- SCS492 Senior Seminar II
Total = 24 hours
This is a sample course sequence to illustrate course offerings for this major. Consult the official Academic Bulletin for detailed registration and advising information.
SAMPLE COURSES
Cultural Competence in Counseling (CSL430) – Self-awareness, knowledge and skill development are required in counseling members of racially and ethnically diverse populations. This course will explore a wide variety of issues regarding diversity and multiculturalism in counseling, with the primary focus of on the attitudes, knowledge and skills required for cultural competence.
Multicultural Issues in Society (SOC360) – An analysis of the issues relating to the economic, political, and social positions of minority groups within the United States will be presented. Interactions among historical and current social forces and institutions that influence groups and individual behaviors will be examined. New trends in inter-group relations, emergence of new minorities, and the contesting for program funding and services will be explored. The struggles over income, property, and power on the interpersonal, community, national and international levels will be presented
FORMAT
On Campus – Offered in a 15-week semester format with start dates of January and August
CONCENTRATIONS
Other Psychology concentrations offered:
Career Opportunities
The Cross-Cultural and International Psychology program trains students to work across cultures, address global issues, and promote cross-cultural understanding, equipping them with the knowledge and skills for careers in diverse fields like international relations, public policy, social services and psychology.
CAREERS
- Addictions or Mental Health Case Manager
- Adoption Agencies
- Child Development Specialist
- Community Organizer
- Cultural-Diversity Trainer
- Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Foster Care Organizations
- Graduate School
- Head Start Programs
- Hospice Centers
- International Organizations
- Mental Health Organizations
- Nursing Homes
- Program Evaluator
- Psychoeducational Specialist
- Research and People-Oriented Jobs in the Criminal Justice and Business Fields (e.g. Human Resources)
- Residential Manager of Group Homes
- Social Services Coordinator
- Victim Services Organizations
Have a Question?
“Tiffin University had precisely what I needed and wanted; it had the major I wanted, the sport I wanted to play, but it was really about the fact that it had an environment that felt like home.”
Class of 2022
Macomb, MI