Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B.A.)
The Culturally-based Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Diné College implements the Diné paradigm of Nits1h1kees (Thinking and Conceptualizing), Nahat’1 (Planning and Gathering Information), &in1 (Living and Achieving), and Siihasin (Evaluation and Competency) to provide students with both Navajo and Western psychological expertise needed to promote mental health and H0zh0 (balance) for individuals, families, and communities. This program provides courses and training that will enable students to pursue graduate studies, obtain employment and promotion in the workforce, and serve the Navajo Nation.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
PROGRAM MISSION
The culturally-based Navajo Psychology BA program at Diné College, with emphases in criminal and restorative justice, substance abuse counselling, and health psychology, will provide students with the skills they need to obtain employment and promotion in the workforce, to pursue graduate studies, and to strengthen the factors that enable individuals and communities to thrive
PROGRAM GOALS
- To implement a curriculum that supports both Navajo and Western approaches to psychology.
- To graduate students who are prepared to promote mental wellness, na’ntin e’dehtih (resiliency), and hozho (balance and harmony) on the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas.
- To prepare students for employment in multiple communities with a specific emphasis on the Navajo Nation.
- To prepare students for admission to graduate school with a specific emphasis in Humanities and the Social/Behavioral Sciences.
- To establish partnerships with i) Diné College student services, ii) employment agencies, iii) mental health organizations, and iv) graduate degree programs, including an emphasis on the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas.
PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Students will demonstrate excellence in oral and written communication skills.
- Students will critique theory and research within the discipline.—-Statistical literacy
- Students will formulate strategies to promote mental health and wellness based on Navajo and Western psychological approaches.
- Students will devise a final project that integrates theory, research findings, and real-world experiences.
- Students will prepare a portfolio relevant for their post-graduation career plan.
PROGRAM ASSESSMENT MATRIX & RESULTS
Program Student Learning Outcomes & Assessment Matrix
Bachelor of Arts in Navajo Psychology
Dine College – Social & Behavioral Sciences
| #1 | Students will demonstrate excellence in oral and written communication skills. |
| #2 | Students will critique theory and research within the discipline. |
| #3 | Students will formulate strategies to promote mental health and wellness based on Navajo and Western psychological approaches. |
| #4 | Students will devise a final project that integrates theory, research findings, and real-world experiences. |
| #5 | Students will prepare a portfolio relevant for their post-graduation career plan. |
| Course | PSLO #1 | PSLO #2 | PSLO #3 | PSLO #4 | PSLO #5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAV 2– | x | ||||
| NAV 2– | x | ||||
| NIS 311 | x | ||||
| NIS 371 | x | ||||
| PSY 200 | x | ||||
| PSY 202 | x | ||||
| PSY 211 | x | ||||
| PSY 240 | x | ||||
| PSY 241 | x | ||||
| PSY 250 | x | ||||
| PSY 255 | x | ||||
| PSY 291 | x | ||||
| PSY 315 | x | ||||
| PSY 325 | x | ||||
| PSY 340 | x | ||||
| PSY 350 | x | ||||
| PSY 360 | x | ||||
| PSY 413 | x | ||||
| PSY 497 | x | ||||
| PSY 498 | x | ||||
| PSY 499 | x |
I = Introduced
R = Reinforced
M = Mastery
|
2025 – 2026 Checklist Bachelor of Arts Degree |
|||||||
| Psychology (122 – 125 credits) | STUDENT: | ID: | |||||
| ADVISOR: | DATE: | ||||||
| COURSE NO. & TITLE | Credit | Transfer | COURSE NO. & TITLE | Credit | Transfer | ||
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (38 – 40 hrs) | UPPER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS (61 – 65 hrs) | ||||||
| COMMUNICATIONS (6 hrs) | Junior Semester I: | ||||||
| ENG 101 College Composition I | 3.0 | NAS 200 Decolonization and Self-Determination | 3.0 | ||||
| ENG 102 College Composition II | 3.0 | PSY 202 Career Explorations in Psychology | 2.0 | ||||
| PSY 211 Introduction to Navajo Psychology | 3.0 | ||||||
| PSY 240 Human Growth and Development | 3.0 | ||||||
| PSY 291 Introduction to Counseling | 3.0 | ||||||
| 14 hrs | |||||||
| HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS (6 hrs) | Junior Semester II: | ||||||
|
Student must choose two courses with different prefixes from: ARH 110; ARH 211; CW 208; ENG 231; ENG 233; FA 106; FA 115; FA 178; HUM 152; LIB 110; |
NIS 311 Intro to Navajo Holistic Healing | 3.0 | |||||
| 3.0 | NIS 371 Navajo Philosophy | 3.0 | |||||
| 3.0 | PSY 241 Abnormal Psychology | 3.0 | |||||
| MATHEMATICS (4.0 hrs based on major) | |||||||
| or another MTH class as identified by degree program & std placement | PSY 250 Social Psychology | 3.0 | |||||
| MTH 110 College Algebra | 4.0 | PSY 255 Introduction to Physiological Psychology | 3.0 | ||||
| 15 hrs | |||||||
| NAVAJO STUDIES (9 – 10 hrs) One NAV course, determined by placement test | Senior Semester III: | ||||||
| NAV 101, 102, 201, 202 or 211 | 3.0/4.0 | 9 credit hours must be 300 level PSY courses | |||||
| NIS 111 Foundations of Navajo Culture | 3.0 | 3.0 | |||||
| NIS 221 Navajo History to Present | 3.0 | 3.0 | |||||
| 3.0 | |||||||
| NAS 413 Indigenous Research Methodologies | 4.0 | ||||||
| 13 hrs | |||||||
| LABORATORY SCIENCE (8 – 9 hrs) | Senior Semester IV: | ||||||
|
Choose one Life Science with lab and one Physical Science with lab; excludes PHS 110 |
9 credit hours must be 300 level PSY courses | ||||||
| BIO | 4.0 | 3.0 | |||||
| 4.0 | 3.0 | ||||||
| 3.0 | |||||||
| SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (6 hrs) 1 HST plus 1 addtl crs | |||||||
|
Choice of one: HST 101, 102, 135, 136 ANT 111; ANT 112; ANT 116; ANT 160; ANT 216; ECO 111; ECO 200; ECO 201; NAS 111; NAS 200; NAS 250; POS 111; POS 170; PSY 111; PSY 240; SOC 111; SOC 215; SOC 230 |
PSY 498 Inferential Research | 4.0 | |||||
| HST | 3.0 | or | |||||
| 3.0 | PSY 497 Advanced Reading in Psychology | 4.0 | |||||
| or | |||||||
| NAS 498 Undergraduate Indigenous Research | 4.0 | ||||||
| or | |||||||
| PSY 499 Fieldwork Experience | 4.0 | ||||||
| 13 hrs | |||||||
| Lower Division Program Requirements (23 hrs) | Two Navajo Language courses based on Placement Test | ||||||
| Choice of two (2) | NAV 201 or 202 or 211 or 212 or 231 or 389: | 3.0/4.0 | |||||
| Any SBS 200 including SOC 210, SOC 225, HST 245, HST 256 or SWO level | 3.0 | NAV 201 or 202 or 211 or 212 or 231 or 389: | 3.0/4.0 | ||||
| 3.0 | 6 – 8 hrs | ||||||
| ANT 201 Ethnographic Methods | 3.0 | Prog Req 61 – 65 hrs | |||||
| ANT 225 or HST 234 or SOC 215 | 3.0 | ||||||
| PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology | 3.0 | ||||||
| PSY 213 / MTH 213 Statistics | 4.0 | ||||||
| PSY 290 / SWO 290 Research Methods | 4.0 | ||||||
| Credits: | (61 – 63 hrs) | ||||||
| MUST pass all courses with “C” grade or higher | |||||||
DEAN’S OFFICE
Patrick Blackwater
Dean of School of Business and Social Science
(928) 724-6967
pblackwater@dinecollege.edu
Dean of School of Business and Social Science
(928) 724-6967
pblackwater@dinecollege.edu
Call:
(928) 724-6621
Location:
Ned Hatathlii Center (NHC)
Tsaile Campus
Mail to:
Diné College: School of Business and Social Science
P. O. Box 25-C | Tsaile, AZ 86556
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B.A.)
The 4-years program includes instruction in Navajo psychology, counseling and clinical psychology, health psychology, psychology and law, social and cultural psychology, developmental, as well as decolonization, resilience, and research in indigenous communities. This program also includes hands-on practical experience through internships, undergraduate research projects, or independent study. Students will become informed about educational and career opportunities and will create a portfolio outlining a post-graduation plan that showcases skills and knowledge. The program is offered on a full-time basis at the Tsaile Campus.
Admission criteria are as follows:
- Completion of an A.A. in Social and Behavior (based on the College’s 2015-2016 or more recent catalog). Any other Associate degree will require students to take additional course that meets requirements of Diné College’s A.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
- Completion of the following courses
- PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology
- PSY 213 Statistics
- PSY 290 Research Methods\
- ANT 201 Ethnographic Methods
- ANT 225 or HST 234 or SOC 215 (Indians of the United States and North America, History of Native Americans: Pre-Contact to the Modern Age, Native Americans in American Society)
| General Education Core | Credits |
| Communications ENG 101: Freshman English I ENG 102: Freshman English II |
6 |
| Humanities and Fine Arts Students must choose two courses from: Art History (ARH) English (ENG) 212, 213, 231, 233, 234, 241, 297 Fine Arts (FA) Humanities (HUM) Theater (THR) 101, 102 |
6 |
| Mathematics Student must take appropriate course based on major. MTH 110: College Algebra MTH 114: College Mathematics MTH 106: Survey on College Mathematics |
3-4 |
| Social and Behavioral Science Students must choose one History (HST) 101, 102, 135, 136 course and one other course from: Anthropology (ANT) Sociology (SOC) Social Work (SWO) Social Science (SSC) Political Science (POS) Economics (ECO) Psychology (PSY) |
6 |
| Laboratory Science Students must choose one Life Science and one Physical Science course both with labs from: Life Science: BIO Physical Science: AGR, AST, CHM, ENV, GLG, PHY, PHS |
8 |
| Physical Education and Health Education PEH 122 PEH 113-148 Health Education (HEE) HEE 110, 111, 112 |
2-3 |
| Navajo Studies One Navajo Language Course Based on Placement Test (NAV 101, 102, 201, 202, or 211) NIS 111: Foundations of Navajo Culture and NIS 221: Navajo History to Present 9-10 |
2-3 |
| Required Core Total Students transferring may need to take additional courses to meet core requirements. | 40-43 |
| Lower Division Requirements | 24 Credits |
| ACC 200 Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 201 Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 204 Business Law | 3 |
| BUS 265 Statistical Analysis for Business | 3 |
| BUS 270 Quantitative Methods in Business | 3 |
| CIS 111 Introduction to Computers | 3 |
| ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| MKT 240 Marketing | 3 |
| Semester I | Credits |
| PSY 200 Decolonization and Resilience in Indigenous Communities | 3 |
| PSY 202 Career Explorations in Psychology | 2 |
| PSY 211 Introduction to Navajo Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 240 | 3 |
| PSY 291 Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| Program Credits | 14 |
| SEMESTER II | Credits |
| NIS 311 Introduction to Navajo Holistic Healing | 3 |
| NIS 371 Navajo Philosophy | 3 |
| PSY 241 Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 250 Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 255 Introduction to Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| Program Credits | 15 |
| SEMESTER III | Credits |
| PSY 315 Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 325 Psychology and Law | 3 |
| PSY 340 Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| PSY 350 Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 360 Drug Use and Abuse | 3 |
| Program Credits | 15 |
| Senior SEMESTER IV | Credits |
| BUS 480 Internship | 3 |
| CIS 420 Management Information Systems | 3 |
| ECO 460 Tribal Economic Issues and Development Strategies | 3 |
| MGT 450 Strategic Management | 3 |
| MGT 460 Tribal Leadership Challenges | 3 |
| Program Credits | 15 |
| Two 200-level Navajo Language Courses based on Placement Test | |
| NAV 201 or 202 or 211 or 212 or 231 or 289 | 3 or 4 |
| NAV 201 or 202 or 211 or 212 or 231 or 289 | 3 or 4 |
| Program Credits | 6-8 |
*Choose one Life Science with lab from BIO; and one Physical Science with lab from: AGR, AST, CHM, ENV, GLG, PHY or PHS on the Associate of Science Degree Checklist.
| Program Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code Code Title |
| 52.0201 Business Administration and Management, General. |
| Degree Earned | Credits |
| General Education | 40-43 |
| Lower Division Program Requirements | 23 |
| Upper Division Program Requirements | 58-60 |
| Total Credits Earned: | 121-126 |
| Elective (must be NAV 102 if needed for 200-level Navajo Language Course) | Credits |
| NAV 102 or other | 3 |
| Program Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code Code Title |
| 42.0101 Psychology, General. |
Psychology B.A. Program Advisors
Tsaile/Chinle/Window Rock
Calvin Dominguez
928-724-6861
cdominguez@dinecollege.edu
Bruce Bradway
(Psychology Faculty)
928-724-6620
bbradway@dinecollege.edu
DEAN'S OFFICE
Patrick Blackwater
Dean of School of Business and Social Science
Tsaile Campus
Tsaile Campus
Phone: (928) 724-6967
Email: pblackwater@dinecollege.edu