Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Overview

The South University Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program is designed to provide students with a broad background in general education, and can provide initial training and quality instruction for students seeking entry-level careers in psychology or a graduate degree in the behavioral sciences.

This versatile bachelor's degree in psychology is applicable to a number of industries. Coursework includes topics on:

• Psychological disorders and the contrasting theoretical views and representative research investigating these disorders.
• Intrapersonal and interpersonal processes such as conformity, social perception, persuasion, group dynamics, and self-esteem.
• The major theoretical perspectives of personality development, structure, dynamic assessment, and psychological adjustment.

The online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology allows students to choose from the following specializations:

• General
• Behavioral Health
• Experimental/Research

Employment Opportunities

According to the U.S. Department of Labor,"Employment of psychologists is expected to grow 12 percent from 2008 to 2018, about as fast as the average for all occupations."  "A bachelor's degree in psychology qualifies a person to assist psychologists and other professionals in community mental health centers, vocational rehabilitation offices, and correctional programs. Bachelor's degree holders may also work as administrative assistants for psychologists. Many, however, find employment in other areas, such as sales, service, or business management."  "In the Federal Government, candidates must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 24 semester hours in psychology, or a combination of education and experience to qualify for entry-level positions. However, competition for these jobs is keen because this is one of the few ways in which one can work as a psychologist without an advanced degree."

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Psychologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos056.htm.

Academic Requirements

To be admitted to any of the programs at South University online programs, the prospective student must be a high school graduate from an acceptable high school or the equivalent (e.g. GED) with a minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and be required to complete the University administered placement test during their first session of attendance, or meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student. South University accepts the International Baccalaureate Program diploma as meeting the requirement for high school graduation.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - 180 Total Hours

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology are required to take a total of 46-47 courses as follows:

• Area I: 16 general education courses - 64 credits
• Area II: 8-9 foundation courses- 32-36 credits
• Area III: 22-23 major courses- 80-84 credits

 

Area I:  General Education Curriculum - 64 Credits
Students are required to take 16 general education courses as follows:

Professional Development - 8 Credits
Students are required to take 2 professional development courses as follows:

ITS1000 - Computer and Internet Literacy

This course is for students to obtain basic knowledge and skills in using computer office production software and internet features. A broad range of software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and internet usage concepts will be covered. Students will also use computer and communications technology to develop information literacy skills.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

UVC1000 - Strategies for Success

Designed to help entering students develop a more effective approach to college success, this course emphasizes positive self-evaluation, goal-setting, and motivation; practical skills of successful students; effective use of the library and the many sources of information available; and the concepts and tools of critical thinking, and their applications.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Basic Communications - 16 Credits
Students are required to take 4 basic communications courses as follows:

ENG1001 - Composition I

Students will be introduced to college-level writing processes, including theme, composition, and research. Emphasis will be placed on refining individual skills, writing styles and voices, and on writing procedures. Selected readings in prose, drama, and poetry supplement the course and provide topics for discussion and writing assignments.

Prerequisite(s): ENG0099 or Exemption

Credits: 4

ENG1002 - Composition II / Literature

This course is designed to introduce the student to fiction, poetry, and drama and, through literary analysis and interpretation, to develop the life skills of critical thinking and written expression.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1001

Credits: 4

ENG2001 - Composition III

The goal of this course is to refine the student's reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. By analyzing ineffective arguments and constructing effective ones, the student will discover how ambiguity, evasiveness, vagueness, and obscurity weaken his or her credibility as a writer.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1001

Credits: 4

SPC1026 - Public Speaking

Students will develop and refine presentation skills focusing on compiling, organizing and outlining the research material in preparation for the assignments.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Mathematics and Statistics - 12 Credits
Students are required to take 3 mathematics and statistics courses as follows:

MAT1001 - Intermediate Algebra

Concepts of algebra including linear and quadratic equations, polynomials, exponents, logarithms and functions. Emphasis on graphical representations of functions. This course is designed to build an adequate background for the college-level mathematics, science and business courses.

Prerequisite(s): and ENG1001 Co/Pre-Requisite MAT0099 or Exemption

Credits: 4

MAT1500 - College Mathematics

College Mathematics covers the fundamentals of several areas of mathematics, including set theory, logic, geometry, graph theory, probability, and statistics.

Prerequisite(s): MAT0099

Credits: 4

MAT2058 - Statistics

This course introduces the student to fundamental laws of probability, levels of measurement, measures of central tendency and variance, random variables, hypothesis testing, correlation, regression, small sample techniques and non-parametric methods.

Prerequisite(s):
MAT1005, or MAT1001 and MAT1500

Credits: 4

Natural Sciences - 8 Credits
Students are required to take 2 natural sciences courses as follows:

BIO1020 - Biology I

Principles of Biology I is the first in a two-course sequence in biology. The course introduces biology, scientific methods, biological chemistry, cells, energy for life, basic genetics, and biotechnology. The course also compares human and plant organization and function. The student will also complete writing assignments that will introduce the student to scientific literature.

Prerequisite(s): and ENG1001 Co/Pre-Requisite MAT0099

Credits: 4

BIO1021 - Biology II

Principles of Biology II is the second in a two-course sequence. This course continues the study of biology detailing the roles of the endocrine and nervous systems in maintaining homeostasis. The course continues with the study of human development, chromosomal, inheritance, human evolution, and the environment. The student will also complete writing assignments that will advance the student's use of scientific literature.

Prerequisite(s): BIO1020 WITH "C" or better and ENG1001 Co/Pre-Requisite

Credits: 4

Arts and Humanities - 8 Credits
Students are required to take 2 arts and humanities courses as follows:

ENG2003 - World Literature II

Organized by period, genre and theme, this course explores global viewpoints expressed in novels, poems, plays, short fiction, and philosophical and theological works from the late 17th century through to the prsent day.  Parallels and contrasts will be drawn between cultures and across time.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1002

Credits: 4

PHI2301 - Introduction to Philosophy

This course introduces students to critical philosophical thinking. Students will confront fundamental questions of self and identity, of freedom and determinism, of belief and truth, and of ethics and morality. Critical thinking activities will challenge students to incorporate philosophy into their daily lives by applying the questions of philosophy to themselves and their world. As a methodology, this course will use the specifics of current events in the world to give a concrete context for the philosophic topics covered in the study materials.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1002 or ENG2001

Credits: 4

Social and Behavioral Sciences - 12 Credits
Students are required to take 3 social and behavioral sciences courses as follows:

POL2076 - American Government

This course is an introduction to American politics and government, focusing on political processes and institutions and on contemporary political issues.

Prerequisite(s):

Credits: 4

PSY1001 - General Psychology

The fundamental questions guiding this course are relatively simple. In what ways are we all alike and in what ways are we different? And why? Although these questions may be simple, the answers, as we shall see, are complex, interconnected, and too often invisible to the untrained eye. Different families... different backgrounds...different sexes... different cultures...different ethnic groups...different ways of looking at things...different behaviors...different values—how are we to understand this incredible diversity of human experience so that we can navigate successfully in an increasingly chaotic and shrinking world? The intent of this course is to examine the psychological foundations underlying the identity of the "self," "identity" and "world view" in an effort to understand the differences that exist from culture to culture, from generation to generation, from family to family, from profession to profession, and from individual to individual.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

SOC1001 - Introduction to Sociology

This course, a scientific study of human social activity, will provide the student with a new way of looking at the world. In learning about the sociological perspective, the student will be challenged to see the general in the particular, the strange in the familiar, and the importance of the global perspective.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Area II:  GENERAL CONCENTRATION:  Foundation Curriculum - 32 Credits
Students in the General Concentration are required to take 8 foundation courses as follows:

Foundation Core - 12 credits
Students in the General Concentration are required to take 3 foundation core courses as follows:

AHS1001 - Medical Terminology

This course presents a study of basic medical terminology. Prefixes, suffixes, combining forms, plural forms, abbreviations, and symbols are included in the content. Emphasis is placed on spelling, definition, usage, and pronunciation. This course is designed for health profession students who require study in the fundamentals of medical terminology as part of their professional curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): ENG0099

Credits: 4

BUS1101 - Introduction to Business

An introduction to business functions and their opportunities. Students will also be given information about resources available to them through a variety of sources, including the university.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

CRJ1101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement

This course is intended to be an overview of the various facets of the criminal justice system and an in-depth look at contemporary policing in the United States. Emphasis will be placed on crime information, the processing of offenders, the criminal justice system and subsystems (and how they interrelate), and punishment and its alternatives. Additionally, the course explores the principles of policing, history of police, police administration, and police operations. The overall goal of the course is to acquaint students with the operation of the criminal justice system and law enforcement in the United States and to provide an appreciation for the diverse values and viewpoints that make up that system.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Foundation Free Electives - 20 credits
Students in the General Concentration are required to take 5 foundation free elective courses as follows:

PSY3520 - Child/Adolescent Development

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY3530 - Adult Development

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4470 - Psychology and Law

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4490 - Biological Psychology

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4550 - Introduction to Psychological Testing and Assessment

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

Area II:  BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONCENTRATION:  Foundation Curriculum - 32 Credits
Students in the Behavioral Health concentration are required to take 8 foundation courses as follows:

Foundation Core - 12 credits
Students in the Behavioral Health Concentration are required to take 3 foundation core courses as follows:

AHS1001 - Medical Terminology

This course presents a study of basic medical terminology. Prefixes, suffixes, combining forms, plural forms, abbreviations, and symbols are included in the content. Emphasis is placed on spelling, definition, usage, and pronunciation. This course is designed for health profession students who require study in the fundamentals of medical terminology as part of their professional curriculum.

Prerequisite(s): ENG0099

Credits: 4

BUS1101 - Introduction to Business

An introduction to business functions and their opportunities. Students will also be given information about resources available to them through a variety of sources, including the university.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

CRJ1001 - Introduction to Criminal Justice System

The course introduces the criminal justice system with an overview of law enforcement, courts and corrections.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Foundation Free Electives- 20 credits
Students in the Behavioral Health concentration are required to take 5 foundation free elective courses as follows:

PSY3602 - Statistics for Behavioral Sciences II

This statistics course is an advanced examination of the methodological principles regarding behavioral science research with multivariate statistical techniques, including analysis of covariance, multivariate analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of covariance, multiple and logistic regression, discriminant analysis, and canonical correlations.

Corequisite- PSY3652

Prerequisite(s): PSY2007 PSY2008

Credits: 4

PSY3652 - Research Methods II

This course will address multivariate research design and methodology.  Students will be exposed to an analysis of the approaches to developing, understanding, and interpreting multivariate psychological phenomena.  The primary topics will include MANOVA, MANCOVA, multiple regression, logistic regression.  Additional areas will include a concentration on an understanding of reliability, validity, and experimental control issues.

Corequisite- PSY3602

Prerequisite(s): PSY2060 PSY2061

Credits: 4

PSY4200 - Psychology and the Media

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4420 - Health Psychology

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4560 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology is an applied discipline of psychology that specializes in the theory and application of psychological principles to understanding behavior in the workplace and within organizations. This course examines the main aspects of I/O psychology including job analysis, training, performance, organizational culture and dynamics, leadership, worker satisfaction, improving the workplace environment, group behavior and conflict in the work place.

Prerequisite(s): PSY2022 PSY3010 PSY3300

Credits: 4

Area II:  EXPERIMENTAL/RESEARCH CONCENTRATION:  Foundation Curriculum - 36 Credits
Students in the Experimental/Research concentration are required to take 9 foundation courses as follows:

Foundation Core- 16 credits
Students in the Experimental/Research concentration are required to take 4 foundation courses as follows:

BUS1101 - Introduction to Business

An introduction to business functions and their opportunities. Students will also be given information about resources available to them through a variety of sources, including the university.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

ITS1101 - Foundations of Information Technology

This course introduces students to Information Technology in a non-programming context and provides students with a solid foundation in computer organization, computer systems, operating systems, safety issues and technologies.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

ITS2111 - Multimedia Web Development

This course will provide a basic understanding of the methods and techniques of developing a simple to moderately complex Web site. Using the current standard Web page language, students will be instructed on creating and maintaining a Web site. After the foundation language has been established, the aid of an internet editor will be introduced. A second Web-based language will be included to further enhance the Web sites.

Prerequisite(s): ITS1101

Credits: 4

MKT2010 - Principles of Marketing

This is an introductory course in the primary activities and practices of domestic and global marketing. It provides an overview of the marketing environment, consumer behavior, market segmentation and target marketing, branding, the distribution of goods and services, the pricing system, promotional and communication activities, and new product development.

Prerequisite(s): BUS1101 ECO2071

Credits: 4

Foundation Free Electives- 20 credits
Students in the Experimental/Research Concentration are required to take 5 foundation free elective courses as follows:

 

PSY3400 - Sensation & Perception

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY3530 - Adult Development

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4480 - Psychology of Religion

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4490 - Biological Psychology

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4560 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology is an applied discipline of psychology that specializes in the theory and application of psychological principles to understanding behavior in the workplace and within organizations. This course examines the main aspects of I/O psychology including job analysis, training, performance, organizational culture and dynamics, leadership, worker satisfaction, improving the workplace environment, group behavior and conflict in the work place.

Prerequisite(s): PSY2022 PSY3010 PSY3300

Credits: 4

Area III:  GENERAL CONCENTRATION: Major Curriculum - 84 Credits
Students are required to take 23 major courses as follows:

Major Core - 44 credits
Students in the General Concentration are required to take 13 major core courses as follows:

PSY2007 - Statistics for Behavioral Sciences (11-week course)

An investigation of the methodological principles regarding behavioral science research, descriptive and inferential techniques, and the process of using these techniques for psychological experimentation and data analysis.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better; MAT1001 and MAT1002 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2008 - Statistics for Behavioral Sciences Lab (11-week course)

An understanding of the statistical principles associated with the study of behavioral science research through application and computerized data analysis (i.e., SPSS).

Prerequisite(s): PSY2007 with a C or better

Credits: 2

PSY2010 - Abnormal Psychology

This course exposes students to a survey of psychological disorders, contrasting theoretical views and representative research investigating these disorders. Topics include a concentration on classification, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2022 - Human Growth and Development

In Human Growth and Development, students will learn the normal developmental stages of the human life cycle. The stages of human development will be examined within the context of the biological, psychological, sociological, intellectual, and emotional processes. Relevant cross-cultural comparisons are used to illustrate the unity and diversity of human life.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001

Credits: 4

PSY2050 - History and Systems

A survey of the major and modern theories in psychology through an examination of historical controversies and an understanding of the roots of psychology in natural and social sciences as well as a consideration of the diversity of psychological study and the future of psychology.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2060 - Research Methods (11-week course)

Research design and methodology. An analysis of the approaches to developing, understanding, and interpreting psychological phenomena. Topics include experimental vs. nonexperimental research such as survey, observation, case study, and archival data. An understanding of reliability, validity, and experimental control issues.

Prerequisite(s): PSY2007 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2061 - Research Methods Lab (11-week course)

An understanding of the methodological principles associated with behavioral science research through an application of the theoretical, conceptual, and practical principles.

Prerequisite(s): PSY2060 & 2008 with a C or better

Credits: 2

PSY3001 - Cognitive

The Cognitive course is designed to provide historical and current perspectives regarding the examination of human attention, language, vision, memory, and other forms of information processing (e.g., decision making).

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY3002 - Cognitive Lab

This course explores the design, operation, analysis, and write-up of experiments focusing on human cognition (for example, attention, memory, and information processing).

Prerequisite(s): PSY3001 with a C or better; PSY2061 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY3010 - Social Psychology

The study of intrapersonal and interpersonal processes such as conformity, social perception, attribution theory, altruism, aggression, prejudice, persuasion, group dynamics, self-concept, and self-esteem.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 PSY1010

Credits: 4

PSY3011 - Social Psychology Lab (11-week course)

An understanding of the methodological principles associated with research in social psychology. The application of psychosocial processes such as learning, attitudes, and social behaviors.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 2

PSY4030 - Multicultural Psychology

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4320 - Psychology and Gender

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

General Track Concentration Core - 24 credits
Students in the General Concentration are required to take 6 general track concentration core courses as follows:

PSY3300 - Personality

This course covers the major theoretical perspectives of personality development, structure, dynamics, assessment, and psychological adjustment. Additional topics include consideration of biological and environmental indices of personality.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY4001 - Addictions

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4040 - Human Sexuality

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4200 - Psychology and the Media

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4300 - Anxiety Disorders

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4570 - Mood Disorders

This course will examine the major, minor, and associated categories of mood disorders with an emphasis on Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder. An additional focus of the course will be on etiology, incidence and prevalence rates, course, duration, assessment, and diagnostic and treatment issues. Students will learn about ongoing changes in categorization including newly emerging ideas about "spectrum" disorders. The contributions of research will be covered and the dynamic interaction between biological, psychological, and social/cultural factors in the field will also be addressed.

Prerequisite(s): PSY2010 PSY2022 PSY3010 PSY3300

Credits: 4

Psychology 3000 Level Electives - 8 Credits
Students in the General Concentration are required to take 2 psychology 3000 level elective courses as follows:

PSY3400 - Sensation & Perception

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY3500 - Motivation

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

Psychology 4000 Level Electives - 8 Credits
Students in the General Concentration are required to take 2 psychology 4000 level elective courses as follows:

PSY4400 - Child and Adolescent Disorders

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4420 - Health Psychology

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

Area III:  BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONCENTRATION: Major Curriculum - 84 Credits
Students are required to take 23 major courses as follows:

 

Major Core - 44 credits
Students in the Behavioral Health Concentration are required to take 13 major core courses as follows:

PSY2007 - Statistics for Behavioral Sciences (11-week course)

An investigation of the methodological principles regarding behavioral science research, descriptive and inferential techniques, and the process of using these techniques for psychological experimentation and data analysis.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better; MAT1001 and MAT1002 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2008 - Statistics for Behavioral Sciences Lab (11-week course)

An understanding of the statistical principles associated with the study of behavioral science research through application and computerized data analysis (i.e., SPSS).

Prerequisite(s): PSY2007 with a C or better

Credits: 2

PSY2010 - Abnormal Psychology

This course exposes students to a survey of psychological disorders, contrasting theoretical views and representative research investigating these disorders. Topics include a concentration on classification, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2022 - Human Growth and Development

In Human Growth and Development, students will learn the normal developmental stages of the human life cycle. The stages of human development will be examined within the context of the biological, psychological, sociological, intellectual, and emotional processes. Relevant cross-cultural comparisons are used to illustrate the unity and diversity of human life.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001

Credits: 4

PSY2050 - History and Systems

A survey of the major and modern theories in psychology through an examination of historical controversies and an understanding of the roots of psychology in natural and social sciences as well as a consideration of the diversity of psychological study and the future of psychology.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2060 - Research Methods (11-week course)

Research design and methodology. An analysis of the approaches to developing, understanding, and interpreting psychological phenomena. Topics include experimental vs. nonexperimental research such as survey, observation, case study, and archival data. An understanding of reliability, validity, and experimental control issues.

Prerequisite(s): PSY2007 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2061 - Research Methods Lab (11-week course)

An understanding of the methodological principles associated with behavioral science research through an application of the theoretical, conceptual, and practical principles.

Prerequisite(s): PSY2060 & 2008 with a C or better

Credits: 2

PSY3001 - Cognitive

The Cognitive course is designed to provide historical and current perspectives regarding the examination of human attention, language, vision, memory, and other forms of information processing (e.g., decision making).

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY3002 - Cognitive Lab

This course explores the design, operation, analysis, and write-up of experiments focusing on human cognition (for example, attention, memory, and information processing).

Prerequisite(s): PSY3001 with a C or better; PSY2061 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY3010 - Social Psychology

The study of intrapersonal and interpersonal processes such as conformity, social perception, attribution theory, altruism, aggression, prejudice, persuasion, group dynamics, self-concept, and self-esteem.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 PSY1010

Credits: 4

PSY3011 - Social Psychology Lab (11-week course)

An understanding of the methodological principles associated with research in social psychology. The application of psychosocial processes such as learning, attitudes, and social behaviors.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 2

PSY4030 - Multicultural Psychology

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4320 - Psychology and Gender

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

Behavioral Health Track Concentration Core - 24 credits
Students in the Behavioral Health Concentration are required to take 7 behavioral health track concentration core courses as follows:

PSY4001 - Addictions

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4300 - Anxiety Disorders

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4540 - Introduction to Professional Counseling

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4550 - Introduction to Psychological Testing and Assessment

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4570 - Mood Disorders

This course will examine the major, minor, and associated categories of mood disorders with an emphasis on Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder. An additional focus of the course will be on etiology, incidence and prevalence rates, course, duration, assessment, and diagnostic and treatment issues. Students will learn about ongoing changes in categorization including newly emerging ideas about "spectrum" disorders. The contributions of research will be covered and the dynamic interaction between biological, psychological, and social/cultural factors in the field will also be addressed.

Prerequisite(s): PSY2010 PSY2022 PSY3010 PSY3300

Credits: 4

PSY4901 - Field Placement I

This course is the first of two field placements designed to provide psychology majors with shadowing experience that exposes them to the practice of psychology and other human services professions. Students are required to spend a minimum of 5 hours per week at the field placement site, a site that the student will secure and the field practicum instructor must approve. In addition, students are required to participate in one and a half hours of weekly group supervision with the field practicum instructor and other students who are engaged in the field placement experience. Finally, students are required to participate fully in the didactic component of the course. The global aims of the field placement experience are for students to see the work of seasoned professionals first hand, integrate prior coursework with their field placement observations, and to gain insight into whether they are interested in pursuing a career in one of these areas.

Prerequisite(s): PSY4540 PSY4541

Credits: 2

PSY4902 - Field Placement II

This course is the second of two field placements designed to provide psychology majors with a shadowing experience that exposes them to the practice of psychology and other human services professions. Students are required to spend a minimum of 10 hours per week at the field placement site, a site that the student will secure and the field practicum instructor must approve. In addition, students are required to participate in one and a half hours of weekly group supervision with the field practicum instructor and other students who are engaged in the field placement experience. Finally, students are required to participate fully in the didactic component of the course. The global aims of the field placement experience are for students to see the work of seasoned professionals first hand, integrate prior coursework with their field placement observations, and to gain insight into whether they are interested in pursuing a career in one of these areas.

Prerequisite(s): PSY4901

Credits: 2

Psychology 3000 Level Electives - 8 Credits
Students in the Behavioral Health Concentration are required to take 2 psychology 3000 level elective courses as follows:

PSY3300 - Personality

This course covers the major theoretical perspectives of personality development, structure, dynamics, assessment, and psychological adjustment. Additional topics include consideration of biological and environmental indices of personality.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY3500 - Motivation

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

Psychology 4000 Level Electives - 8 Credits
Students in the Behavioral Health Concentration are required to take 2 psychology 4000 level elective courses as follows:

PSY4040 - Human Sexuality

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4400 - Child and Adolescent Disorders

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

Area III:  EXPERIMENTAL/RESEARCH CONCENTRATION: Major Curriculum - 80 Credits
Students are required to take 22 major courses as follows:

 

Major Core - 44 credits
Students in the Experimental/Research Concentration are required to take 13 major core courses as follows:

PSY2007 - Statistics for Behavioral Sciences (11-week course)

An investigation of the methodological principles regarding behavioral science research, descriptive and inferential techniques, and the process of using these techniques for psychological experimentation and data analysis.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better; MAT1001 and MAT1002 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2008 - Statistics for Behavioral Sciences Lab (11-week course)

An understanding of the statistical principles associated with the study of behavioral science research through application and computerized data analysis (i.e., SPSS).

Prerequisite(s): PSY2007 with a C or better

Credits: 2

PSY2010 - Abnormal Psychology

This course exposes students to a survey of psychological disorders, contrasting theoretical views and representative research investigating these disorders. Topics include a concentration on classification, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2022 - Human Growth and Development

In Human Growth and Development, students will learn the normal developmental stages of the human life cycle. The stages of human development will be examined within the context of the biological, psychological, sociological, intellectual, and emotional processes. Relevant cross-cultural comparisons are used to illustrate the unity and diversity of human life.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001

Credits: 4

PSY2050 - History and Systems

A survey of the major and modern theories in psychology through an examination of historical controversies and an understanding of the roots of psychology in natural and social sciences as well as a consideration of the diversity of psychological study and the future of psychology.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2060 - Research Methods (11-week course)

Research design and methodology. An analysis of the approaches to developing, understanding, and interpreting psychological phenomena. Topics include experimental vs. nonexperimental research such as survey, observation, case study, and archival data. An understanding of reliability, validity, and experimental control issues.

Prerequisite(s): PSY2007 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY2061 - Research Methods Lab (11-week course)

An understanding of the methodological principles associated with behavioral science research through an application of the theoretical, conceptual, and practical principles.

Prerequisite(s): PSY2060 & 2008 with a C or better

Credits: 2

PSY3001 - Cognitive

The Cognitive course is designed to provide historical and current perspectives regarding the examination of human attention, language, vision, memory, and other forms of information processing (e.g., decision making).

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY3002 - Cognitive Lab

This course explores the design, operation, analysis, and write-up of experiments focusing on human cognition (for example, attention, memory, and information processing).

Prerequisite(s): PSY3001 with a C or better; PSY2061 with a C or better

Credits: 4

PSY3010 - Social Psychology

The study of intrapersonal and interpersonal processes such as conformity, social perception, attribution theory, altruism, aggression, prejudice, persuasion, group dynamics, self-concept, and self-esteem.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 PSY1010

Credits: 4

PSY3011 - Social Psychology Lab (11-week course)

An understanding of the methodological principles associated with research in social psychology. The application of psychosocial processes such as learning, attitudes, and social behaviors.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 2

PSY4030 - Multicultural Psychology

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4320 - Psychology and Gender

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

Experimental/Research Track Concentration Core - 24 credits
Students in the Experimental/Research Concentration are required to take 6 experimental/research track concentration core courses as follows:

PSY3602 - Statistics for Behavioral Sciences II

This statistics course is an advanced examination of the methodological principles regarding behavioral science research with multivariate statistical techniques, including analysis of covariance, multivariate analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of covariance, multiple and logistic regression, discriminant analysis, and canonical correlations.

Corequisite- PSY3652

Prerequisite(s): PSY2007 PSY2008

Credits: 4

PSY3603 - Statistics forBehavioral Sciences III

This statistics course is an advanced examination of the methodological principles regarding qualitative research including ethnography, phenomenology, case studies, and focus groups. Students will develop an understanding of the appropriate statistical techniques to use (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative) when encountering various research designs and the ability to utilize current qualitative statistical software in the examination of psychological phenomena.

Corequisite- PSY3653

Prerequisite(s): PSY3602

Credits: 4

PSY3652 - Research Methods II

This course will address multivariate research design and methodology.  Students will be exposed to an analysis of the approaches to developing, understanding, and interpreting multivariate psychological phenomena.  The primary topics will include MANOVA, MANCOVA, multiple regression, logistic regression.  Additional areas will include a concentration on an understanding of reliability, validity, and experimental control issues.

Corequisite- PSY3602

Prerequisite(s): PSY2060 PSY2061

Credits: 4

PSY3653 - Research Methods III

This course is an analysis of the qualitative methodological approaches to understanding and interpreting psychological phenomena.  Topics include the approaches to qualitative research (ethnography, phenomenology, case studies, grounded theory, and historiography) and methods of qualitative research (individual and focus group interviewing, written records of participants, and observation).  Students will develop an understanding of ethical issues associated with qualitative research, the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, and the use of qualitative data analysis techniques.

Corequisite- PSY3603

Prerequisite(s): PSY3652

Credits: 4

PSY3700 - Multimedia Assessment and Psychometrics

This course will examine the topic of psychometrics in reference to testing and assessment via paper and electronic surveys.  Students will be exposed to the essential factors involved with survey design and research according to the current and future demands of social and occupational settings.

Prerequisite(s): PSY3010 PSY3011 PSY3602 PSY3652

Credits: 4

PSY4200 - Psychology and the Media

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

Psychology 3000 Level Electives - 4 Credits
Students in the Experimental/Research Concentration are required to take 1 psychology 3000 level elective courses as follows:

PSY3300 - Personality

This course covers the major theoretical perspectives of personality development, structure, dynamics, assessment, and psychological adjustment. Additional topics include consideration of biological and environmental indices of personality.

Prerequisite(s): PSY1001 with a C or better

Credits: 4

Psychology 4000 Level Electives - 8 Credits
Students in the Experimental/Research Concentration are required to take 2 psychology 4000 level elective courses as follows:

PSY4040 - Human Sexuality

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

PSY4470 - Psychology and Law

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits:

Developmental Courses

Placement tests in Algebra and English are administered to determine if a student needs additional preparation in either of these areas.  If a need is indicated, accepted applicants are placed in developmental courses on the basis of their entrance/placement test scores and/or transfer credit.  Students must successfully complete or place out of developmental courses in order to progress in the program. Developmental course credits do not count towards the total number of credits for graduation however, they do count in determining the maximum time frame and incremental completion rate calculations.

ENG0099 - Principles of Composition

Principles of Composition provides students with a brief review of grammar and mechanics, and an in-depth introduction to writing. The focus is on writing as a process, finding and organizing ideas, composing a first draft, and rewriting subsequent drafts and proofreading.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

MAT0099 - Principles of Algebra

This course introduces those principles of algebra that are needed for intermediate and college algebra. Students must earn the grade of C to pass this course. Note: This course is offered for institutional credit only.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

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