Graduate Programs: M.A. in Psychology Course Descriptions

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 focuses on topics such as measurement and analysis of behaviors, attitude structure and function, the origins of social norms, attraction, altruism, and antisocial behavior. Three credit hours; online course. Prerequisites: None.

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. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: None.

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. Three credit hours.

PSY 531 RESEARCH METHODS

This courses focuses on the problems and procedures of research sciences with an emphasis on understanding the basic types of research, the development of sound research design, conducting an appropriate experiment, and effective writing skills necessary for preparing and reporting research. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: None.

PSY 598 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. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: None.

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 applied to the counseling setting. Three credit hours; online course. Prerequisites: None.

PSY 607 STATISTICS

This course is designed to integrate statistical concepts with real world applications so that students can have a greater appreciation of statistics as a tool to analyze and validate psychological data. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the program.

PSY 614 EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY

This course will explore the evolutionary mechanisms that underlie human behavior. As such, students 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. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: PSY 521 or by permission of the instructor.

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 the biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial domains. Emphasis is placed on developmental problems and diagnosis of abnormal development. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: None.

PSY 635 SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

Sport Psychology will focus on factors that allow individuals, teams, and groups to rise to their potential as elite performers.  This course will incorporate components of peak performance, mental toughness, collective consciousness, imagery and visualization. Students will study motivation, explore what role a sport psychologist plays in the sports medicine, substance use, sport science and sport performance realm. Content will also include a comprehensive understanding of the training and education is required of the professional sport psychologist. Prerequisite: PSY 631: Developmental Psychology. Three credit hours.

PSY 645 SPORT COUNSELING AND INTERVENTION

This course is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in the specialized area of sport counseling. Content will include aspects of counseling theories, career guidance, lifespan and various treatment modalities. Exploring competitive sport, psychosocial factors and building effective therapeutic relationships will be emphasized. Students will be trained in consultation with individual athletes, teams and sport organizations. Identified populations include youth, high school, college and professional sport. Prerequisite: PSY 631: Developmental Psychology. Three credit hours.

PSY 655 PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN REHABILITATION FROM INJURY

This course is designed to introduce to students the high understanding of psychological factors of sport injury and rehabilitation. Sport demands a high level of physical activity and motor functions, which frequently results in sport injury. This course covers several topics involving injury prevention, psychological responses, brain injury, pain theory, group dynamic responses, social support, children psychological development, coaches’ reactions, and re-injury anxiety. After completing this course, students will be able to understand an athlete’s perception of sport injury and assisting the coping process. Prerequisite: PSY 631: Developmental Psychology. Three credit hours.

PSY 665 COACHING AND PERFORMANCE

This course is an investigation of coaching as a vocation.  A review of select theories, relative governing bodies, techniques of coaching and sport performance will serve as the foundation.  Current research will be explored in areas including, but not limited to, leadership behavior in sport, building confidence, coaching elite performers, sport specificity, team cohesion, role clarity, youth coaching and successful strategy. Wellness, fitness and sport specific cases and related measurements will be studied along with gender, race and longevity in the profession. Prerequisite: PSY 631: Developmental Psychology. Three credit hours.

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. Prerequisite: Complete 18 hours of program coursework; GPA of 3.0 or better; Internships require instructor approval. Six 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: Acceptance into program. Three credit hours.

PSY 797 THESIS GUIDANCE

This course focuses both on the process of developing and writing a master’s 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: A minimum of 18 credit hours completed in the program and instructor permission; GPA of 3.0 or better. Six credit hours.