Degree Requirements

Introduction to psychology as the science of behavior, focusing on the physiological, cognitive, learning, sociocultural, and psychodynamic bases of behavior.

Students are introduced to research design and analysis concepts within the field of psychology, including the scientific method, sampling, measurement, research designs, ethics, and quantitative analysis. Analysis will include the use of SPSS computer software, interpreting output, and writing up statistical results.
Prerequisite: Take MA 131with minimum grade of C, P

Students continue to learn how to do primary quantitative research in psychology and to apply basic statistical principles to data collected using the scientific method. Emphasis is on hypothesis testing in experimental and quasi-experimental designs, with special consideration given to the control of extraneous variables.
Prerequisite: PS 201 GRADE OF C+ OR BETTER, P

Focuses on advancing scientific writing skills, research techniques, peer collaboration, and presentation skills associated with the field of psychology. Students will participate in research projects or proposals related to a faculty member's specific research area.
Prerequisite: Pre: PS-302 with C+ or better, P

A culminating course which integrates theory and practice with supervised placement in agencies, schools, and/or institutions. Seminars focus on career assessment, personal growth, and work skills.

Students conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member. Course may involve a review and discussion of relevant literature in a seminar format and/or data collection in a laboratory setting. Intended for students who are planning to go to graduate school in psychology.

Examines the causes, symptoms, and treatment of mental disorders from biopsychosocial scientific perspectives.
Prerequisite: PS 110

This course examines the principles, core elements, and models/theories regarding prevention science and health promotion. Course content will examine selected topics in prevention with a particular emphasis on evidence-based programs and practices. Research methods utilized in the evaluation of prevention and health promotion programs will also be covered.

This course presents the fundamentals of counseling and psychotherapy. Approaches covered include cognitive- behavioral, client- centered, and rationally- emotive therapy.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Focuses on the relationship between attitudes and personality factors and health. Emphasis is on stress management and behavioral change methods for health improvement and maintenance.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Explores how people are affected by the persons around them. Topics include person perception, first impressions, interpersonal attraction, nonverbal communication, romantic love, prejudice, stereotyping, aggression, conformity, obedience, and environmental influences on behavior.
Prerequisite: PS 110

Explores scientific perspectives on personality including trait, biological, Freudian, neo-Freudian, social learning, and humanistic.
Prerequisite: PS-110

This course explores theories and methods involved in application of the psychological principles in work settings. Emphasis is on understanding theory, research, learning methods and techniques used in practice.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Introduces students to the field of neuroscience, which combines biology and psychology into a single area of study. Topics range from the cellular and molecular physiology of neurons to issues of human language, cognition, mental illness, and drug use.
Prerequisite: Take PS 110 or BI 111

This course introduces students to the nervous system and the principles by which it is organized, processes information, and produces complex behaviors and cognitive processes.  Beginning with the neurophysiology of neurons, this course proceeds through synaptic transmission, neuropharmacology, hormonal regulation of behavior, the neural basis of sensory perception, biological rhythms/sleep, theories of emotion, learning and memory and consciousness.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110 or BI-111

This course examines the relationship between the human mind, brain, cognition, and mental disorders.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Traces development from conception through childhood, including basic concepts and theories as applied to psychological processes of perception, cognition, social interactions, affective, and moral development.
Prerequisite: PS 110

An in-depth study of developmental and behavioral issues in adolescence. Emphasis is on adjustment to adolescent roles, the search for self-identity, and healthy and unhealthy personality development.
Prerequisite: Take PS 110

Considers various psychological issues and developmental tasks of adulthood and middle age, psychological characteristics of older adults and the psychology of death and dying.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110 or PS-101 with Grade of C or better or P

This seminar course will explore the differences and similarities in the cognitive development of animals and humans, particularly infants and children. Often in comparative courses the focus is "what makes humans unique?" but this course will also explore the many ways our development and behavior parallel those found in the animal world through discussion of theory and research related to this field. The course will focus on various cognitive abilities including those in perception, language, and theory of mind and play.
Prerequisite: TAKE PS-110

Explores theories of learning from their historical origin to the present and focuses on how these theories can be applied to the real world. Students will gain insight into the factors that influence their own behavior, as well as the behavior of others.
Prerequisite: PS 110

Examines the field of human cognition. Topics include how we store and retrieve memories, process language, allocate attention, recognized objects, solve problems, and make decisions.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

This course is geared toward liberal arts, science, business, and health science majors." It introduces descriptive statistics, probability distributions (both discrete and normal), confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and correlation. Real-world applications are offered and computer statistical software may be used.

Traces development from conception through childhood, including basic concepts and theories as applied to psychological processes of perception, cognition, social interactions, affective, and moral development.
Prerequisite: PS 110

An in-depth study of developmental and behavioral issues in adolescence. Emphasis is on adjustment to adolescent roles, the search for self-identity, and healthy and unhealthy personality development.
Prerequisite: Take PS 110

This seminar course will explore the differences and similarities in the cognitive development of animals and humans, particularly infants and children. Often in comparative courses the focus is "what makes humans unique?" but this course will also explore the many ways our development and behavior parallel those found in the animal world through discussion of theory and research related to this field. The course will focus on various cognitive abilities including those in perception, language, and theory of mind and play.
Prerequisite: TAKE PS-110

Examines principles, theories, applications, and ethics of psychological tests used for clinical, educational, industrial, or legal purposes. Specific tests and issues unique to their use and abuse are presented.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

This is an introduction to child and adolescent psychopathology including etiology, classification, and treatment. Disorders include neurodevelopmental conditions, conduct issues, processing disorders, emotional and thought disorders, and health related disorders.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Engaging with Irish preschoolers, visiting the aquarium and creating enrichment activities for the animals, participating in a Celtic Cub Scavenger Hunt, immersing yourself in meditation in an Irish forest during Shinrin-Yoku and being exposed to Irish music and language through guest speakers and excursions.  These are just some of the experiences you will have in this course which offers an applied approach to understanding neuroscience, the intersection between psychology and biology. Students will examine key concepts in neuroscience including neuroplasticity, language acquisition, learning, stress, and environmental enrichment in applied settings.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110 or BI-111

A culminating course which integrates theory and practice with supervised placement in agencies, schools, and/or institutions. Seminars focus on career assessment, personal growth, and work skills.

Students conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member. Course may involve a review and discussion of relevant literature in a seminar format and/or data collection in a laboratory setting. Intended for students who are planning to go to graduate school in psychology.

Examines the causes, symptoms, and treatment of mental disorders from biopsychosocial scientific perspectives.
Prerequisite: PS 110

Provides an understanding of basic principles and tools used in clinical practice to implement behavioral interventions. Students are expected to master some of the elemental principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and to demonstrate the applicability of these principles to their own experience.
Prerequisite: PS-110

Examines the nature of drug use, legal and illegal, in contemporary society. Emphasis is on behavioral and physiological effects of psychoactive substances, addictions, rehabilitation strategies, and ethical issues.
Prerequisite: PS 110

Provides information on and facilitates understanding of individual sport behavior. Emphasis is on the psychological constructs and concepts that relate to and help explain the phenomena of sports performance.
Prerequisite: PS-110

Explores scientific perspectives on personality including trait, biological, Freudian, neo-Freudian, social learning, and humanistic.
Prerequisite: PS-110

This course presents the fundamentals of counseling and psychotherapy. Approaches covered include cognitive- behavioral, client- centered, and rationally- emotive therapy.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Focuses on the relationship between attitudes and personality factors and health. Emphasis is on stress management and behavioral change methods for health improvement and maintenance.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Designates new or occasional courses that may or may not become part of the department's permanent offerings. Courses capitalize on a timely topic, a faculty member's particular interest, an experimental alternative to existing courses, etc. Prerequisites established by the department as appropriate for the specific course. Course title is shown on the student's transcript. Consult the current course schedule for available topics and current prerequisites.

This course delves into numerous aspects of the field of forensic psychology, such as careers in forensic psychology, forensic psychological assessment, psychopathy, expert testimony, serial killers and mass murders, sanity and insanity plea, aggression and violence, police investigations and psychology and effects of mental illness in the field.  Students will understand profiling techniques, psychological risk assessments, interrogation and interview techniques, and the importance of landmark legal cases pertaining to forensic psychology.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Study of the diagnosis, causes, and treatment of the major psychological disorders through examination of their portrayal in popular films.
Prerequisite: PS-110

This is an introduction to child and adolescent psychopathology including etiology, classification, and treatment. Disorders include neurodevelopmental conditions, conduct issues, processing disorders, emotional and thought disorders, and health related disorders.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Explores how people are affected by the persons around them. Topics include person perception, first impressions, interpersonal attraction, nonverbal communication, romantic love, prejudice, stereotyping, aggression, conformity, obedience, and environmental influences on behavior.
Prerequisite: PS 110

This course is an introduction to the theories and methods of social neuroscience, which uses biological and social psychology approaches to understand the mechanisms that underlie social behavior.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Themes and concepts related to the expanding field of political psychology. Topics include the impact of media, nationalism, extremism, and security. The psychology of leadership is examined through case studies.
Prerequisite: PS 110

This course examines the psychology of diversity which is rooted in social and cognitive processes. We will explore advantages and challenges of a diverse society.

Cultural psychology focuses on the relationships between thought processes, behaviors, and cultures. The course explores the basic psychological functions that culture serves and investigates how cultural variables relate to topics such as cognition, emotion, personality, the self, interpersonal relationships, health and well-being, morality, and social and cultural conflict. Moreover, the course also seeks to connect theory and research on cultural psychology to real world social issues.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Surveys and examines current research and theories about women and gender including LGBTQ+ community and men. Examines social issues around gender.  Topics include gender-role stereotypes, attitudes toward women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and men, gender-role socialization, women and work, sexuality, and the biology of women.
Prerequisite: PS 110

This course explores theories and methods involved in application of the psychological principles in work settings. Emphasis is on understanding theory, research, learning methods and techniques used in practice.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Students conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member. Course may involve a review and discussion of relevant literature in a seminar format and/or data collection in a laboratory setting. Intended for students who are planning to go to graduate school in psychology.

This course covers research-based psychological and behavioral factors that promote well-being as well as the application of, and reflection on, the use of strategies to promote well-being.

Focuses on the relationship between attitudes and personality factors and health. Emphasis is on stress management and behavioral change methods for health improvement and maintenance.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

An in-depth analysis of issues relating to human sexuality including historical perspectives and their significance, research evaluation, gender identity, communication, sexual response and sexual dysfunction and its treatment, influence of media on sexuality, and how sexuality is a component of overall wellness and well-being.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Examines the causes, symptoms, and treatment of mental disorders from biopsychosocial scientific perspectives.
Prerequisite: PS 110

Examines the nature of drug use, legal and illegal, in contemporary society. Emphasis is on behavioral and physiological effects of psychoactive substances, addictions, rehabilitation strategies, and ethical issues.
Prerequisite: PS 110

Provides information on and facilitates understanding of individual sport behavior. Emphasis is on the psychological constructs and concepts that relate to and help explain the phenomena of sports performance.
Prerequisite: PS-110

Provides an understanding of basic principles and tools used in clinical practice to implement behavioral interventions. Students are expected to master some of the elemental principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and to demonstrate the applicability of these principles to their own experience.
Prerequisite: PS-110

This course examines the principles, core elements, and models/theories regarding prevention science and health promotion. Course content will examine selected topics in prevention with a particular emphasis on evidence-based programs and practices. Research methods utilized in the evaluation of prevention and health promotion programs will also be covered.

This course presents the fundamentals of counseling and psychotherapy. Approaches covered include cognitive- behavioral, client- centered, and rationally- emotive therapy.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

Designates new or occasional courses that may or may not become part of the department's permanent offerings. Courses capitalize on a timely topic, a faculty member's particular interest, an experimental alternative to existing courses, etc. Prerequisites established by the department as appropriate for the specific course. Course title is shown on the student's transcript. Consult the current course schedule for available topics and current prerequisites.

This course explores the psychological dimensions of death and dying while fostering an appreciation for life. It emphasizes how individuals perceive and cope with mortality and discover meaning in their lives.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

This is an introduction to child and adolescent psychopathology including etiology, classification, and treatment. Disorders include neurodevelopmental conditions, conduct issues, processing disorders, emotional and thought disorders, and health related disorders.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110

This course introduces students to the nervous system and the principles by which it is organized, processes information, and produces complex behaviors and cognitive processes.  Beginning with the neurophysiology of neurons, this course proceeds through synaptic transmission, neuropharmacology, hormonal regulation of behavior, the neural basis of sensory perception, biological rhythms/sleep, theories of emotion, learning and memory and consciousness.
Prerequisite: Take PS-110 or BI-111