Political Psychology Minor

For information contact Dr. Christine Carpino ccarpino@cedarcrest.edu, 610-606-4666, ext. 3923 or Dr. James Scepansky, Jascepan@cedarcrest.edu, 610-606-4666, ext. 3424

Mission Statement

The mission of the Political Psychology minor is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the ways behavior and decision-making underlie politics and policy and the means by which political institutions influence behavior and decision-making.

Students minoring in Political Psychology will be able to apply their skills and training to careers in local, state, and federal politics. Students will be well positioned to work in political communications, lobbying and campaigns, among other occupations. 

Program Outcomes

Students who graduate with a Political Psychology minor will:

1. Develop core knowledge of the key actors and institutions that affect decision-making in the US;
2. Develop a deeper understanding of how conscious and unconscious behaviors contribute to political processes; and
3. Develop a greater appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of political psychology.

Program Requirements

To apply transfer credits toward the completion of minor requirements, students must have earned a grade of “C” or better in each course to be transferred. Courses completed more than ten years ago will not be accepted for purposes of completing the requirements of the minor.

Students will be required to take 18 credits for completion of the minor.

Required Courses: 18 credits

PSY 100 General Psychology
PSY 231 Social Psychology
PSY 351 Theories of Personality
PSC 110 American Politics
PSC 210 American Public Policy
PSC 312 American Foreign Policy

In addition to completing the courses stated above, students will be required to complete a short paper demonstrating their understanding of how behavior and decision-making underlie politics and policy.