WHY STUDY AT DINÉ COLLEGE?
• Classes close to home. Student housing available at Tsaile campus.
• Affordable tuition. Financial Aid is also available from Pell Grants and The Navajo Nation.
• Full-time or part-time. Classes take place in the evenings, weekends, online, and hybrid (online and in-person).
• Graduation rate from 13% to 17% from 2015 to 2018.
• Student body: 49% traditional students.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dean: Michael Lerma, Ph.D.
School of Business and Social Science
mlerma@dinecollege.edu
928.724.6975
Psychology BA Program Coordinator:
Terra Lamotte-Harvey, M.Ed.
tlamotte-harvey@dinecollege.edu; 928-724-6624
Psychology BA Advisors:
Tsaile/Chinle/Window Rock:
Lavine Blackmountain (Student Success)
lblackmountain@dinecollege.edu
928-724-6856
Bruce Bradway (Psychology Faculty)
bbradway@dinecollege.edu
928-724-6620
• Shiprock/Crownpoint:
Marlencia Chee (Psychology Faculty);
mdchee@dinecollege.edu;
505-368-3662
• Tuba City:
Shirley Yellowhair;
shyellowhair@dinecollege.edu;
928-724-7503
“Rooted in Diné language and culture, Our mission is to advance quality post-secondary student learning and development to ensure the well-being of Diné People.”
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Have an AA in Social and Behavioral Sciences or related discipline
2. Apply online: https://warriorweb.dinecollege. edu/ICS/Admissions/
3. Register for Psychology BA professional preparation courses
4. Obtain approval from the Psychology BA Program Coordinator
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
This culturally-based Navajo Psychology BA program at Diné College implements the Diné paradigm to the fullest. This program gives both Diné/western psychological expertise needed to promote mental health and hózhó 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.
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology at Diné College is a total of 124-129 credits, includes an AA degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences(SBS). Psychology BA professional preparation courses include 52-54 credits of essential courses (in areas of decolonization and resilience, Navajo psychology, social and cultural psychology, counseling and clinical psychology, law, health and physiology, developmental psychology, indigenous research methods, Navajo language) followed by 4 credits of Independent Study, Undergraduate Research, or Fieldwork Experience (i.e., Internship) in the student’s area of specialization. Students will also take a 2-credit Educational and Career Planning course that will provide an overview of educational and career opportunities available with a degree in psychology. Students are provided with skills for succeeding in a Bachelor program, developing a career path, applying for jobs, and pursuing graduate degrees.
Students must also take the following courses (which may be taken as part of the SBS AA degree or concurrently with Psychology BA degree 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
Nitsáhákees (Thinking and Conceptualizing)
Years 1 & 2: Introduction to Social and Behavioral Sciences; Developing ideas about psychology and conceptualizing a pathway toward obtaining a Psychology BA degree.
Nahat’á (Planning and Gathering Information)
Years 3 & 4 (58-60 credits): Gathering knowledge and information about Navajo and Western psychological perspectives across multiple domains.
Iiná (Living and Achieving)
Year 4 continued: Applying knowledge to independent study (PSY 497), an undergraduate research project (PSY 498) or an internship/fieldwork experience (PSY 499) in a specific area of interest.
Siihasin (Evaluation and Competency)
Graduation: A time to celebrate and reflect on successes, challenges, and overcoming challenges.
Jobs or Employment after Degree
• Discharge planner/social worker • Mental health/disabilities specialist • Community support worker • CPS permanency planning case worker • CPS investigation case worker • Juvenile probation parole officer I • Toddler lead teacher at fundamental child development center • Principle substance abuse counselor at Navajo Department of Behavioral Health
Marketable Skills Gained
• Knowledge about human thought, emotion, behavior, and well-being from both a Navajo and a Western perspective • Analytical skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning • Communication skills including English and Navajo language skills • Research and statistical skills • Interpersonal skills, including self-awareness, empathy, compassion, teamwork, and leadership skills
With a Graduate Degree (Master’s degree, Ph.D.)
• Clinician counselor • Mental health therapist • Clinical services supervisor • CPS youth transition coordinator • School psychologist • Clinical director • Clinical specialist • Clinical psychologist– PhD required • Mental health counselor • Social worker • School counselor • Residential counselor • Psychology faculty/instructor
