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:

• 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
• can critically analyze human and nonhuman behavior through exposure to psychological theories and research methods
• have enhanced their sensitivity and appreciation of diversity and inclusion issues by studying cultural expectations and approaches to psychological adjustment different from their own

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

Students who wish to double major in psychology and sociology need have only one emphasis.

Psychology Major

Core Requirements (41 hours)

G-PY 101  Introduction to Psychology (3 hours)
PY 204  Child and Adolescent Development (3 hours)
PY/SO 303  Social Psychology (3 hours)
PY 305  Abnormal Psychology (3 hours)
PY/SO 308  Counseling (3 hours)
PY/SO 335  Research Methods I (4 hours)
PY 336  Research Methods II (4 hours)
PY/SO 375  Junior Seminar (1 hour)
PY 405  Personality Theories (3 hours)
PY 415  Learning, Memory, and Cognition (3 hours)
*PY 450  History and Systems of Psychology (3 hours)
PY/SO 474  Scientific Writing for the Behavioral Sciences (2 hours)
*PY/SO 475  Senior Seminar/Thesis (2 hours)
G-MA 221  Elementary Applied Statistics (4 hours)

Child Development Emphasis (12 hours)

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 (12 hours)

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)

Total: 53 hours

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  (12 hours + 6 elective hours)

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

Additional Psychology elective to total 18 hours