Experience It.

Psychology

Course Descriptions

Fall

PSY 504 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

The single most important environmental factor influencing human attitudes and behaviors is the presence of other humans. Social psychologists strive to understand how individuals and groups affect these attitudes and behaviors. This course will focus on topics such as measurement and analysis of behaviors, attitude structure and function, the origins of social norms, attraction, altruism and antisocial behavior. 3 credit hours

PSY 511 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

This course focuses on the science of the mental structures and processes involved in perception, attention, memory, problem solving, language use, consciousness, concept formation, reasoning, and decision making. 3 credit hours

PSY 521 BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF BEHAVIOR

As it is possible to link the workings of individual nerve cells to observable behavior, this course focuses on the mental processes that underlie how humans and other select organisms, perceive, learn, remember and behave. 3 credit hours

PSY 531 RESEARCH METHODS

Focuses on the problems and procedures of research sciences with emphasis on understanding the basic types of research, the development of sound research design, conducting an appropriate experiment, and utilization of an effective writing style for preparing and reporting research. 3 credit hours

Spring

PSY 602 COUNSELING

This course provides students with a solid overview of the counseling field. Topic covered include the traditional and current roles of a counseling psychologist, legal and ethical guidelines used in counseling practices, and major therapeutic approaches as they can be applied to the counseling setting. 3 credit hours

PSY 607 STATISTICS

This course is designed to integrate statistical concepts with real-world examples so that students can have a greater appreciation of statistics as a tool to analyze and validate psychological data. 3 credit hours

PSY 614 EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY

This course will explore the evolutionary mechanisms that underlie human behavior.  Students will apply the foundational principles of selection, drift and inclusive fitness to concepts such as mating strategies, sexual jealousy, pregnancy sickness, parental nurturance/negligence, spatial memory, landscape preferences, and aggression and violence. 3 credit hours

PSY 631 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

This course introduces students to the major theories that have shaped psychologists’ understanding of human growth and development from conception, childhood and adolescence, to early, middle and late adulthood. Aspects of development discussed include biosocial, cognitive and psychosocial changes. Emphasis is placed on developmental problems and diagnosis of abnormal development. 3 credit hours

Summer

PSY 698 SPECIAL TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Topics will be announced on a semester-by-semester basis. Course goals, objectives and content will be determined by the topic. 3 credit hours

PSY 760 PSYCHOPATHOLOGIES

Humans have been trying to understand the bases of psychopathologies for thousands of years. This course provides students with the most current information regarding the etiologies and subsequent treatments, of the most prevalent mental illnesses in our society. Prerequisites: PSY 504, PSY 511, PSY 521, PSY 531, PSY 602. 3 credit hours

Students are required to take either 6 credits of PSY 677 Internship or 6 credits of PSY 797 Thesis Guidance to complete the program requirements

PSY 677 INTERNSHIP

A 180-hour internship provides the student with on-site experience and a solid understanding of careers in the mental health, research or clinical setting. Additionally, internships allow students the opportunity to participate in the learning experience while developing professional contacts in their area of specialization. Internships require instructor approval. Prerequisite: Completion of 18 PSY credits at the graduate level. 6 credit hours

OR

PSY 797 THESIS GUIDANCE

This course focuses both on the process of developing and writing a Masters level thesis consistent with the student’s interests and career goals. Special attention will be focused on the development of an effective scientific writing style with an individual faculty member using a mentorship model. Prerequisites: Completion of 18 credits at the graduate level. 6 credit hours