Psychology Program

Purpose Statement

The psychology program commits itself to developing majors with pre- professional training and non-majors with basic knowledge of and skills in psychology. The program achieves this purpose when its students:

• understand themselves, others, and how individuals interact within social systems
• have acquired knowledge and skills requisite for entry into selected professions, especially pre-professional careers in the behavioral sciences
• have acquired knowledge and skills requisite for entry into graduate programs in psychology and related fields
• have bridged the gap between theory and practice through Internships
• meet State Department of Education standards for certification in the area of psychology (applies to candidates for teacher certification in psychology)

In addition to preparing its majors, psychology contributes to the general education program and serves other majors.

Teaching licensure is available in this area. Students who wish to double major in psychology and sociology need have only one emphasis.

Psychology Major

Requirements

G-PY 101  Introduction to Psychology (3 hours)
PY 204  Child and Adolescent Development (3-4 hours)
PY/SO 335  Research Methods I (4 hours)
PY/SO 303  Social Psychology (3 hours)
PY 305  Abnormal Psychology (3-4 hours)
PY 415  Learning, Memory, and Cognition (3 hours)
PY 336  Research Methods II (4 hours)
PY/SO 375  Junior Seminar (1 hour)
PY 405  Personality Theories (3 hours)
PY/SO 308  Counseling (3 hours)
*PY 450  History and Systems of Psychology (3 hours)
PY/SO 474  Scientific Writing for the Behavioral Sciences (2 hours)

Sciences

*PY/SO 475  Senior Seminar/Thesis (2 hours)
G-MA 221  Elementary Applied Statistics (4 hours)

Psychology majors seeking 6-12 teaching licensure may substitute Student Teaching in the Secondary School (CI 475) for Senior Seminar/Thesis (PY 475).

Child Development Emphasis

PY 254  Parent-Child Relations (3 hours)
PY 354  Child Development and Social Policy (3 hours)
PY 454  Applied Behavior Analysis and Youth (3 hours)
PY 470  Developmental Psychopathology (3 hours)

Health and Human Services Emphasis

SO 260  Introduction to Human Services (3 hours)
SO 365  Social Work in American Society (3 hours)
PY 430  Health Psychology (3 hours)
SO 470  Social Gerontology (3 hours)

Students seeking special education licensure may use the Adaptive Special education program as their required emphasis.

Recommended courses for Students interested in Human Services careers

PY/SO 210  Human Sexuality (3 hours)
G-SO 101  Introduction to Sociology (3 hours)
G-SO 202  Minorities in the U.S. (3-4 hours)
SO 206  Social Problems (3-4 hours)
G-SO 246  Marriage and Family (3-4 hours)

As much practical experience in human service placements as possible

Psychology Minor

Requirements

G-PY 101  Introduction to Psychology (3 hours)
PY 204  Child and Adolescent Development (3-4 hours)
PY/SO 303  Social Psychology (3 hours)
PY 305  Abnormal Psychology (3-4 hours)

Electives to total 18 hours