PSY 101 (3 credits)
Introductory Psychology
Introduction to major concepts and findings in psychology with emphasis on basic processes underlying human behavior. Prerequisite for all other psychology courses except PSY 306.

 

PSY 105 (3 credits)
Exploring Psychology
Designed to expose students to the world of psychology both experientially and through readings. Students identify personal and professional goals and values. Readings include topics in psychology, tailored to the interest of the student.

 

PSY 130 (3 credits)
Exploring Research
Students will learn basic skills and concepts for interpreting behavior. Students will become familiar with descriptive and correlational research design principles. Prerequisite: PSY 101; Psychology majors only.

 

PSY 208 (3 credits)
Human Development across the Life Span
Focuses on physical, cognitive, social, personality and moral development through life span from conception to death. Cross cultural, gender and minority issues are integrated when appropriate. Prerequisite: PSY 101.

 

PSY 210 (3 credits)
Educational Psychology
Investigates principles and practices related to learning and variety of factors that affect it. Prerequisite: PSY 101.

 

PSY 215 (3 credits)
Multicultural Issues in Psychology
Study of the universals of human behavior as well as the differences brought about by the specific needs, experiences and characteristics of diverse populations. The course examines communication, understanding and awareness among culturally different people. This course fulfills the human diversity graduation requirement. Prerequisite: PSY 101.

 

PSY 220 (3 credits)
Close Relationships
Close relationships are one of the most significant experiences in one’s life. By understanding current theories and research in the field of close relationships, this course will help further students’ understanding of topics such as: one’s need for relationships, interpersonal attraction, love, attachment, communication, relationship maintenance, relationship trajectories, relationship dissolution, jealousy, and infidelity. Prerequisite: PSY 101.

 

PSY 230 (3 credits)
Applications of Research
Designed to extend the material covered in Psychology 130, this course focuses on developing skills to evaluate others’ research and conduct scientific research in psychology. This course is essential for becoming a critical consumer of information from sources such as the media and government. Students will also develop an appreciation for the complexity of ethical issues related to research with human participants. This course meets the Writing Enhanced requirement. Prerequisites: PSY 130. Pre or Co-requisite: MAT 208.

 

PSY 250 (3 credits)
Introduction to Psychopathology
This is a survey course covering basic knowledge of mental illness and maladaptive behavior. The etiology, clinical picture and treatment of various syndromes are discussed. Prerequisite: PSY 101.

 

PSY 270 (3 credits)
Scientific Methods in Behavioral Science
This course is a survey of scientific methods that enable students to understand the significance and nature of methods in the behavioral sciences and be critical consumers of research. Prerequisite: PSY 101.

 

PSY 301 (3 credits)
History and Systems in Psychology
Study of the major schools in psychological thought, including philosophical and medical contributions to modern psychological views. Prerequisite: PSY 101; Psychology majors only.

 

PSY 303 (3 credits)
Psychology of Personality
Study of theoretical approaches to personality structure and development; contributions taken from psychodynamics, social, behavioral, trait and phenomenological theorists. Prerequisite: PSY 101, junior status or permission of instructor.

 

PSY 306 (3 credits)
Group Dynamics
Examination of forces involved in small group interaction. Small group work sessions developed.

 

PSY 308 (3 credits)
The Psychology of Gender
Focuses on research in gender-related differences and gender development from a variety of perspectives in psychology. Biological, cognitive, behavioral, and social factors that influence emergence of an individual’s gender are examined. Special emphasis is placed on an analysis of the consequence of stereotypes and gender roles for individuals, relationships, psychological inquiry, and society as a whole. This course fulfills the human diversity graduation requirement. Prerequisite: PSY 101, junior status or permission of instructor.

 

PSY 312 (3 credits)
Psychology of Play
This course will examine the many cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of play throughout childhood and adulthood. As part of the course, students will be exposed to theoretical approaches towards play, read current research on play, explore various types of play, and make connections between play and success in multiple domains including: academics, career, and long term functioning. May count as elective credit for major or minor.

 

PSY 314 (3 credits)
Applications of Theories and Techniques
This course provides the student with opportunities to develop basic techniques to be effective in professional settings. The course will focus on the development of personal and professional values that will strengthen professional and community relationships and contributions. The course will introduce students to formal regulations that govern professional ethics in psychology. Prerequisites: PSY 101, PSY 250.

 

PSY 330 (3 credits)
Crisis Management in Mental Health Field
Presents applied therapeutic crisis intervention in a way that effectively describes actual strategies. Endeavors to provide a perspective that “puts the student into the crisis situation as it is occurring,” enabling them to experience what a crisis worker experiences. Prerequisite: PSY 101, junior status or permission of instructor.

 

PSY 350 (3 credits)
Industrial & Organizational Psychology
Explores application of psychological principles and results of empirical research to the behavior of individuals in the workplace. Topics include organizational issues (e.g., work motivation, job attitudes, leadership, and organizational stress) and industrial issues (e.g., including employee attraction, selection, placement, performance appraisal and feedback, and ergonomics). Intrinsic connection between science and practice is emphasized throughout the course. Prerequisite: PSY 101, junior status or permission of instructor.

 

PSY 405 (3 credits)
Social Psychology
This course aims to discover the different ways in which people interact with other individuals, groups, and the larger society. This course will include the research and theories regarding self and person perceptions, attitudes, social influence, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal relationships, aggression, and altruism, in addition to applications of social psychology to health, law, businesses, and the environment. Prerequisite: PSY 101, senior status or permission of instructor.

 

PSY 406 (1 credit)
Psychology Laboratory Research
This course provides motivated students with the opportunity to develop research skills by working directly with a sponsoring, tenure-track faculty member in the department. Students may engage in the development, design, data collection and analysis of original psychological research. Due to the collaborative nature of most research projects in psychology, students will typically become a member of a research group associated with the faculty member. The student's role in the project will be well defined. Prerequisites: PSY 101 and permission of instructor. Repeatable.

 

PSY 408 (3 credits)
Senior Seminar
Course in which a project is prepared for professional written and oral presentation. Presentation of the completed project is required. Prerequisite: senior status or permission of instructor.

 

PSY 412 (2 credits)
Practicum I
Seniors select a practicum to gain experience in an area of interest. Prerequisite: senior (90 or more credits) psychology major; PSY 101, 314, and record of appropriate clearance/background checks. Co-requisite: PSY 422.

 

PSY 413 (2 credits)
Practicum II
Seniors select a practicum to gain experience in a second area of interest. Prerequisite: second semester senior psychology major or permission of instructor: PSY 101 and 314 and record of appropriate clearance/ background checks. Co-requisite: PSY 423.

 

PSY 420 (3 credits)
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
An introduction to the horse's role in the counseling process and as part of psychological education. Multiple frameworks will be explored with an overview of the use of animals in the profession. Pertinent and applicable research will be reviewed. Class format will include classroom discussion and experiential learning including direct work with horses. Prerequisite: PSY 101.

 

PSY 422 (2 credits)

Ethical and Professional Issues I
Weekly seminars focus on sharing and evaluating practicum experiences. Integration of experiential learning with theory is stressed. Ethical and professional concerns are examined. Prerequisites: any philosophy 200 – level ethics course and senior psychology major. Co-requisite: PSY 412.

 

PSY 423 (2 credits)
Ethical and Professional Issues II
Weekly seminars focus on ethical, clinical and professional issues. Prerequisites: any philosophy 200 – level ethics cours and senior psychology major. Co-requisite: PSY 413.

 

PSY 430 (3 credits)
Forensic Psychology
Presents theories and application of psychological knowledge to the civil and criminal justice system. The content will cover activities such as courtroom testimony, child custody evaluations, screening of law enforcement candidates, clinical services to offenders and staff of correctional facilities, research and theory in area of criminal behavior, intervention and prevention programs. Prerequisite: PSY 101, senior status or permission of instructor.

 

PSY 440 (3 credits)
Sports Psychology
Studies the behavioral, affective and cognitive reactions to sport settings of both participants and fans. Theories and knowledge of psychology are presented in the context of applied, clinical, educational and experimental sport psychology. It is discussed how this specialty of psychology provides services to athletes and coaches based on psychological principles. Prerequisite: PSY 101, senior status or permission of instructor.

 

PSY 450 (3 credits)
Professional Ethics for the Helping Professional
Senior seminar with a focus on ethical, clinical and professional issues. Students will discuss ethical decision making and professionalism through reflection and discussion. Students earning credit for this course may not earn credit for either PSY 422 or PSY423.

Psychology