A student completing a major in psychology will be
prepared for graduate level work in clinical and/or
experimental psychology, for further training and
certification, entry level positions in the mental health
field, and/or working in behavioral research laboratories.
Psychology coursework is also appropriate for students
planning careers in education, business, law, nursing,
criminal justice, and intelligence analysis.
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
49 Credits
Requirements:
A. Psychology Core:
PY 201 General Psychology
PY 222 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
PY 307 Experimental Design
PY 325 Biopsychology
PY 400 Practicum
OR
PY 402 Observation***
B. Two courses from each of the four areas of
concentration:
1. Clinical/Counseling
PY 355 Psychology of Family Systems
PY 370 Psychology of the Abnormal
PY 375 Psychology of Personality
PY 406 Group Dynamics and the Problem
Solving Process
PY 412 Counseling Theories and Practice
2. Developmental
PY 204 Educational Psychology*
PY 253 Child Psychology
PY 254 Psychology of the Young Adolescent
PY 301 Psychology of Gender Differences
PY 351 Psychology of Adult Development
3. Biopsychology/Cognitive
PY 340 Learning and Memory
PY 380 Cognitive Psychology
PY 425 Sensation and Perception
4. Social/Organizational **
PY 210 Social Psychology
PY 235 Sports Psychology
PY 240 Management and Organization
PY 260 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PY 330 Health Psychology
PY 345 Organizational Behavior
PY 385 Tests and Measurements
C. Nine additional credits in upper biennium electives
1. Any upper biennium courses from the four areas of
concentration (not used to fulfill requirement B).
2. Upper biennium special topics may include:
Psychology, Film, and Literature Behavior Genetics
Psychology of Individual Differences
G indicates recommended courses for graduate school
in psychology
* currently the focus is from the classroom teacher’s
perspective
** an interdisciplinary emphasis (Psychology and
Business Administration)
*** only by permission
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PSYCHOLOGY MINOR
22 Credits
Requirements:
A. Psychology Core:
PY 201 General Psychology
PY 222 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
PY 307 Experimental Design
PY 375 Psychology of Personality
B. Three courses (9 credits) from any three of the four
different areas of concentration
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COURSE OFFERINGS
PY 201 General Psychology 3 cr.
An introduction to the science of human behavior
and the principles, methods, and theories of modern
psychology. Major topics include research design,
development, learning, sensation, perception, thinking,
memory, motivation, personality, psychopathology,
therapies, principles of social and industrial organizations,
and ethical issues.
PY 204 Educational Psychology 3 cr.
See ED 204 for course description.
PY 210 Social Psychology 3 cr.
A study of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of
individuals are influenced by group settings. Topics
include: aggression, interpersonal attraction, attitude
formation and change, conformity, attribution, group
process, and obedience to authority. Prerequisite:
PY 201.
PY 222 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences 3 cr.
This course will provide instruction in the application of
descriptive and inferential statistics to the analysis and
interpretation of data in the social sciences with an
emphasis on hypothesis testing.
PY 235 Sports Psychology 3 cr.
This course is an introduction to the psychological study of
people and their behavior in sport environments. Emphasis
will be on the mental skills associated with high-level
performance in sport as well as in other areas of life. The
course will address the question, “How can sports
participation contribute to a person’s overall psychological
health and well-being?” Prerequisite:
PY 201
PY 240 Management and Organization 3 cr.
See BU 240 for course description.
PY 251 Lifespan Development 3 cr.
The course will provide an overview of current research
and theories of human development from conception
through old age with an emphasis on physical, cognitive
and social development. Not part of the core requirements
for the psychology major or minor. Prerequisite: PY 201
PY 253 Child Psychology 3 cr.
Presents current research and theories of human growth
and development from conception to adolescence.
Emphasis is placed on the interaction of biological,
psychological, and sociocultural influences on normal
development. The growing child is considered in terms of
physical, social, cognitive, emotional, aesthetic and moral
development. Prerequisite: PY 201
PY 254 Adolescent Psychology 3 cr.
Presents current research and theories of human growth
and development from puberty through adolescence.
Study of the psychological, social, emotional, intellectual,
and moral characteristics of this developmental period
within a social and cultural context. Focus is on the impact
of family settings, threats to health and safety, and risk
behaviors in contemporary society that affect healthy
psychology of adolescents. Prerequisite: PY 201.
PY 260 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 3 cr.
This course will provide an introduction to the methods
used by industrial/organizational psychologists to increase
organizational effectiveness. The emphasis is on
understanding employees, employee management
relationships and behaviors. Topics include job analysis,
employee selection and training, performance appraisal,
job attitudes, workplace motivation, organizational culture
and work environment. Prerequisite: PY 201.
PY 301 Psychology of Gender Differences 3 cr.
Based upon current research and theory, this course
examines the unique psychological differences between
men and women in the areas of physiological and
personality development with emphasis on social,
cultural, and political influences. Prerequisite: PY 201.
PY 307 Experimental Design 4 cr.
This course introduces the importance of the scientific
method to the study of behavior and mental processes.
The course covers research design, ethical considerations
in terms of human subjects research, data analysis and
the reporting of research findings. Students conduct
empirical research and write an APA style research
report based on the research conducted in the class.
Prerequisites: PY 201, PY 222, or permission of the
department chairperson. In the Weekend College format,
this course is numbered PY 308 and PY 309. 2, 2 cr.
PY 325 Biopsychology 3 cr.
This course will introduce the student to the idea
that behavior is controlled by neural and physiological
processes. Three content areas covered in the
course include a) examination of neurons and
neurotransmission, b) description of sensory and motor
systems and c) summary of the involvement of the
central nervous system in various behavioral phenomena
including learning, memory, and psychotic disorders.
Prerequisite: PY 201.
PY 330 Health Psychology 3 cr.
Explores the contributions of the discipline of psychology
to the promotion and maintenance of health related
issues. Topics include the biopsychosocial view of
health, pain management, stress management, and the
relationship between lifestyle and health maintenance.
Prerequisite: PY 201
PY 340 Learning and Memory 3 cr.
Introduction to theory and research in the area of
learning processes. Content areas covered include
habituation and sensitization, conditioning,
contingencies of reinforcement and punishment,
concept formation, observational learning, memory and
language acquisition. Prerequisite: PY 201
PY 345 Organizational Behavior 3 cr.
See BU 345 for course description.
PY 351 Psychology of Adult Development
and Aging 3 cr.
A study of the physiological, social, and psychological
issues in development from young adulthood through
middle age and aging. Attention given to the significant
adult development tasks and crises, including aging
and dying. Prerequisite: PY 253 or PY 254.
PY 355 Psychology of Family Systems 3 cr.
An examination of the complex and developing field of
family systems therapy. Topics include: Adlerian, Multigenerational,
Experimental, Structural and Strategic
therapy models. Family therapy from a multicultural
perspective is emphasized. Prerequisites: PY 201, 303.
PY 370 Psychology of the Abnormal 3 cr.
Study of the classification of major mental disorders,
their development, symptoms, and treatment with
emphasis on prevention and cure. Prerequisite: PY 201.
PY 375 Psychology of Personality 3 cr.
Study of the structure and dynamics of personality
according to various theories. Prerequisite: PY 201.
PY 380 Cognitive Psychology 3 cr.
Presents research and theories on cognitive processes
from an information processing framework. Focusing on
processes used to transform, store, manipulate, and
retrieve sensory input. Topics include attention, pattern
recognition, memory, language and categorization.
Prerequisite: PY 201.
PY 385 Tests and Measurements 3 cr.
A survey and evaluation of current psychological tests.
Focuses on the areas of personality, career interests,
achievement, and intelligence. Test construction,
reliability, validity, and ethical issues will be addressed
at length for all tests studied. Students will have hands on
practice with each test. Prerequisite: PY 201.
PY 391, 392, 393 Selected Topics 3 cr.
PY 400 Practicum 3 cr.
A capstone course for psychology majors. It is the
supervised application of psychological principles and
techniques in appropriate mental health settings.
Prerequisites: must have senior standing or completion
of most course requirements for the psychology major.
Admission granted on an individual basis by the
department chairperson. The psychology department
chairperson must approve the practicum site before the
student makes a commitment for the 150 hours. Must be
taken concurrently with PY 401, Practicum Seminar.
PY 402 Senior Observation 3 cr.
Supervised observations of differing psychological
settings. Students interview professionals in community
agencies or other sites. Prerequisites: Must have senior
standing or completion of most course requirements for
the psychology major and permission of the psychology
department chairperson in order to substitute Senior
Observation, PY 402, for the Practicum experience,
PY 400. Must be taken concurrently with PY 401,
Practicum Seminar.
PY 406 Group Dynamics and the Problem
Solving Process 3 cr.
Presents an overview of various types of groups; legal,
ethical and professional issues in group work; the stages
in group evolution and basic issues in group membership
and leadership. Experiential learning is emphasized.
Prerequisites: PY 201, 303, or permission of the
department chairperson.
PY 412 Counseling Theories and Practice 3 cr.
An examination of basic principles and selected current
approaches to counseling; the psychophilosophical
bases of the theories and their specific application to
human relations in counseling, school and business
settings is presented. The course includes practical
experience that promotes effective listening skills.
Important legal, ethical, and professional issues are
examined. Prerequisite: PY 201.
PY 425 Sensation and Perception 3 cr.
The study of structure and function of the sensory
systems, how they code environmental stimuli, and
how we process these stimuli to perceive the world.
Prerequisite: PY 201.
PY 491, 492, 493, 494 Independent Study 1-3 cr.
An opportunity for qualified and capable students to
do independent study in psychology. Hours and credits
arranged by department. Prerequisite: PY 201 and
permission of instructor.
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