About the Psychology Major
Program Offerings
-Psychology major (General Psychology or Mental Health Emphases)
-Psychology minor
Requirements for the Psychology major:
Complete 1 or 2:
1. General Psychology major:
a. Thirty-five credits in psychology, including PSY 117, 245, 252, 255
(or 256), 314 (or 342), 336, 365, 396, 416, 445 and 496.
b. Cognate SSI 217.
2. Psychology major with a Mental Health emphasis:
a. Thirty-five credits in psychology, including PSY 117, 234, 245,
252, 255 (or 256), 336 (or 365), 305 (or 416), 355, 396, 496, and six
credits of PSY 421.
b. Cognate SSI 217.
c. A maximum of eight internship credits may be counted toward the
major with the approval of faculty in the discipline.
Requirements for the Psychology minor:
Complete a minimum of 18 credits in psychology, including PSY 117, 255 (or
256), and 336 (or 365). Students choosing a minor in psychology should consult
with the psychology faculty to select appropriate courses.
Courses Offerings
PSY 117 Introduction to Psychology (3)
An introduction to the systematic study of individual people and what they
do. Fundamentals of behavior, learning, conditioning, growth, cognitive
processes, perception, emotion, personality, and psychopathology are among
the issues studied.
PSY 219 Addiction (3)
A basic survey of chemical and non-chemical addictions. Upon completion
of the course, students are knowledgeable with regard to the various types
of addictions, theories of causation, and methods of prevention and control.
Prerequisite: PSY 117 or permission.
PSY 225 Introduction to Human Services (3)
A course designed to enable the student to utilize a framework to understand
the dynamic interaction of society, institutions, social welfare programs and
the social work profession in the process of human need fulfillment. Specific
topics covered include social work philosophy, values, skills areas of practice,
careers and history. Prerequisite: SOC 109 or PSY 117.
PSY 234 Introduction to Counseling Theories and Techniques (3)
A course primarily for individuals who plan to use listening and attending
skills in helping professions, such as mental health counseling, human services,
criminal justice, teaching, and health fields. This course is introductory in
nature and includes consideration of theoretical approaches and in-class
practice of skills used in counseling. Prerequisite: PSY 117, declared major
or minor in education or psychology or declared major in sociology with
criminal justice emphasis, or permission.
PSY 245 Career Planning for Psychology Majors (1)
A course for psychology majors and prospective majors. As a result of the
course, students will increase their awareness of their own career-related
interests, values, and skills. They will increase their knowledge about a variety
of career possibilities for psychology majors, including information about
how to prepare for entrance into these career fields. Finally, students will
increase confidence in their abilities to make appropriate career decisions.
PSY 252 Psychological Research (4)
An introduction to research methodology, with an emphasis on the
experimental approach. Students who successfully complete this course will
be able to explain how studies are designed through the manipulation of
independent variables, measurement of dependent variables, and control of
extraneous variables. In addition, the class as a whole will design and conduct
an original study during the course of the semester. Prerequisite: PSY 117
and SSI 217.
PSY 255 Child and Adolescent Development (3)
A study of human development from the prenatal period through adolescence.
Cognitive, emotional, and social development are considered. Prerequisite:
PSY 117 or EDU 211, or permission.
PSY 256 Adult Development (3)
A study of human development from young adulthood through old age.
Cognitive, emotional and social development are considered. Prerequisite:
PSY 117 or EDU 211, or permission.
PSY 271, 371, 471 Selected Topics (1-3) (1-3) (1-3)
An investigation of topics not offered in other courses, selected by the
instructor on the basis of student interest. Prerequisites: for 271, one
course in psychology; for 371, two courses in psychology; for 471, three
courses in psychology.
PSY 298, 398, 498 Honors in Psychology (1-3) (1-3) (1-3)
Students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance in the
discipline are offered opportunities for enrichment, such as: readying projects,
teaching and tutorial assistance in courses, research and writing. Students
may complete two courses at each level.
PSY 305 Principles of Behavior Modification (3)
A study of basic principles and theories underlying behavior modifi cation as
well as the use of behavior modifi cation in applied settings. Special attention
is given to ethical issues and common misconceptions associated with the
area. Prerequisite: PSY 117.
PSY 310 Human Sexuality (3)
A study of biological, psychological, social, cultural and ethical aspects of
human sexuality. Prerequisite: PSY 117 or permission.
PSY 314 Physiological Psychology (3)
The study of the neurological and hormonal bases of human behavior.
Prerequisite: PSY 117.
PSY 336 Social Psychology (3)
Studies in the relationships between individual and social spheres with
attention to such issues as conformity, persuasion, self-justifi cation, aggression,
prejudice, and attention. Prerequisite: PSY 117 (or SOC 109), and
sophomore standing.
PSY 342 Psychology of Learning and Memory (3)
An overview of basic concepts, theoretical issues, and research fi ndings
involving the psychology of learning and memory. Areas of study include
classical and operant conditioning, cognitive learning, memory, and thinking.
Certain information processing models are also examined. Prerequisite:
PSY 117.
PSY 355 Applied Psychology and Sociology (1)
An integrative proseminar with special attention given to the relationship
between theory and practice. Readings, discussion, and written assignments
are used to develop an understanding of a fi eld agency in which students
are completing an internship. Students will enroll concurrently in PSY 421
Psychology Internship, or SOC 421 Sociology Internship, for three credits.
Students who complete this course will be able to articulate ways in which
psychological and sociological theories apply in field settings. Prerequisite:
PSY 117 or SOC 109, PSY 234, one additional course in psychology or
sociology, or permission. Co-requisite: PSY 421 or SOC 421.
PSY 365 Psychology of Personality (3)
A study of human individuality from various theoretical and empirical
orientations. Prerequisite: PSY 117 and sophomore standing, or
permission.
PSY 396 Pre-seminar (1)
Students will begin working on their senior research project under the
supervision of the instructor. Upon completion of the course, students will
have conducted a literature review on a topic of their choice and will have
identifi ed possible hypotheses to be tested in their research. The study will be
completed the following semester in PSY 496 Seminar: Issues in Psychology.
Prerequisite: PSY 252.
PSY 416 Abnormal Psychology (3)
Inquiry into abnormal behavior, its categories, causes, and treatments.
Prerequisite: Two courses in psychology and junior standings, or
permission.
PSY 421 Psychology Internship (0-12)
On-the-job experience in human services. Prerequisite: CED 205 or
permission. (Pass/Fail)
PSY 445 History of Psychology (3)
Study of historical events, dominant fi gures, and systems of thought in
modern psychology. Prerequisite: Three courses in psychology or
permission.
PSY 496 Seminar: Issues in Psychology (3)
An in-depth investigation of a psychological phenomenon. Students who
successfully complete this course will be able to design and conduct studies
dealing with human behavior, as well as write up the results of their research in
a manner consistent with the American Psychological Association Publication
Manual. Prerequisite: PSY 252 and 396.