Psychology Degree Requirements

An introductory course designed to make students aware of the diversity of the field of Psychology and the ways in which human behavior can be studied. (3 credits)

A study of the development of the individual from infancy to old age with special emphasis on childhood. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall and spring semesters. (3 credits)

An introduction to the concepts of descriptive statistics in the social sciences. Students learn to compute basic statistical analysis and discuss the application of the analysis to research in the social sciences. This course provides practical application of statistical principles and introduces the use of the computer for statistical analysis. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: PSY 0100 and MAT-0115 or the equivalent. (3 credits)

A study of the theory and applications of inferential and correlation statistical techniques to data in the social sciences. This course provides practical application of statistical principles. Students work with computers and conduct research in social sciences. Prerequisite: PSY-0210. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

The application of methods and techniques in the process of psychological inquiry. Special emphasis on conducting a literature search and mastering APA writing style. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. (3 credits)

The investigation of qualitative and quantitative approaches to research and of strategies for establishing validity in descriptive, relational, and experimental design. Special emphasis on how to design, conduct, and present independent research projects according to APA guidelines. Juniors and seniors only. Prerequisite: PSY-0210, PSY-0260, and PSY-0280. (3 credits)

Individual placement in a social, psychological, or educational agency or institution. Minimum of eight hours per week with ongoing meetings on-campus with instructor. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor and 3.0 GPA. Graded pass/fail. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

*Only students with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in Psychology are eligible.

This course aims at synthesizing the knowledge that students have acquired in psychology. Its purpose is to provide students with the opportunity to step back and take stock of the common threads that tie the various approaches, perspectives, and schools of psychology together. Its goal is to help students integrate their emerging psychological knowledge with their experiential learning in real-life, clinically or psychosocially relevant, work-related contexts. Students must complete their internship concurrently with senior seminar. (3 credits)

A systematic study of the influence of the socialization process on the origin and development of the self, of the way an individual influences’ and is influenced by other persons, and of the way an individual thinks’, feels, and behaves in social situations over time. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall semester. (3 credits)

This course investigates the psychological roots of good and evil. Since the late 1960s, psychologists have studied the causes of moral, altruistic, and empathic behavior. They have examined also the dark side of human nature. Why do evil and suffering exist in the world? What are the psychological and social dynamics of how good people can turn evil? This course emphasizes a social-psychological perspective that centers on the complex interaction of personal and situational factors underpinning both good and evil behavior. That is, the conditions under which people are kind and helpful to others or, conversely, under which they commit harmful and even violent acts. The course explores various formulations of good and evil and the different answers given to it. Examination of key theories, concepts, and findings from research in social psychology as well as drawing on examples from history are the goals of this course. The lectures detail how both personal and situational forces can work in concert to transform human character for the better or worse. (3 credits)

An investigation of the characteristics and context that contribute to or interfere with the promotion of personal growth and growth of others. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall semester. (3 credits)

The study of the structure and function of the nervous system and its relation to emotion, cognition, and behavior. Special emphasis on neurological correlates of abnormal behavior. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. (3 credits)

This course offers a clinical-developmental approach to the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of social, emotional, and behavioral problems in children. Issues explored, include, but are not limited to, disorders of self-control, pervasive developmental disorders, development of aggressive and delinquent behavior, drug abuse, assessment of child pathology, therapeutic services and prevention. Offered every fall. (3 credits)

A study of psychological theories of adolescence, together with an overview of adolescent development. The contemporary problems of adolescence are considered. Prerequisite: PSY- 0200 or permission of the instructor (POI). Offered spring semester. (3 credits) 

A study of leading personality theorists with an emphasis on normal personality development. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall semester. (3 credits)

A study of the principles of human learning and cognition as applied to the educational context. Consideration of effective instructional techniques and current research. Prerequisite: PSY-0200. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

A study of selected theoretical formulations concerning the development and structure of abnormal reaction patterns. Supporting clinical and experimental data. Diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Offered Spring semester. Prerequisites: PSY-0100 and PSY-0340. (3 credits)

A psychological analysis of the behavior and experience of women. Cultural, interpersonal, and intrapersonal determinants of women’s actions, thoughts, and feelings will be explored. Juniors and seniors only. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall semester. (3 credits)

A survey of the major theories of counseling and psychotherapy. Emphasis will be placed on the need for theories of counseling and their applications in dealing with human problems. Prerequisites: PSY0100, PSY-0340 and PSY-0380 recommended. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

Readings and discussion aimed toward critical evaluation of current research and theory in psychology. Senior psychology majors or permission of the instructor (POI). Offered spring semester. (3 credits)