The psychology program allows majors and minors to pursue their educational and career goals, and also provides essential courses about human behavior for those students majoring in other fields. A wide variety of courses stressing the scientific and applied nature of the field is offered every semester. Opportunities for hands-on experience in practicum, research, and independent study courses are readily available. The student who decides to major in Psychology has five program options:
The General Psychology Option encourages breadth of study and allows flexibility in course selection. For students who wish to have a comprehensive exposure to the discipline, it provides a general knowledge of human behavior and psychological functioning that is useful in many types of careers.
The Clinical/Counseling Psychology Option is for students who wish to have a career in the human services. This option offers basic counseling and clinical theory, supervised applied skills training and internship experience and prepares students for employment with various agencies or for graduate study.
The Experimental Psychology Option emphasizes the scientific aspects of
psychology, including theory, research methodology, statistical and laboratory skills.
The program prepares students for Ph.D. study, and/or careers in primary or applied research (e.g., government or industrial research labs).
The Business/Industry Option is for students interested in careers where psychology and business intersect. Such fields include advertising, marketing, personnel management, and human factors engineering. The program prepares students for graduate study or careers in business and industry.
The Child Psychology Option is for students interested in the social and cognitive development of children from infancy through adolescence. The program includes a supervised experience working with children, either conducting research or applying counseling skills. This option prepares students for graduate study or employment in child-related fields.
Requirements for the major Option 1: General Psychology Required courses:
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 4
PSYC 220 Psychological Methods and Statistics 4
PSYC 330 Neuropsychology 4
PSYC 497 Senior Seminar 2
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 129 One course from the following:
PSYC 251 Principles of Learning and Behavior Modification 4
PSYC 311 Sensation and Perception 4
PSYC 332 Cognitive Processes 4
Two courses from the following (limit – one Developmental course):
PSYC 261 Cognitive Development 4
PSYC 262 Social Development 4
PSYC 272 Adult Development and Aging 4
PSYC 282 Social Psychology 4
PSYC 341 Theories of Personality 4
plus electives in Psychology to equal a total of 36 credit hours
Total credit hours 36
Option 2: Clinical/Counseling Psychology Required courses:
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 4
PSYC 220 Psychological Methods and Statistics 4 PSYC 210 Communication and Counseling Skills 2
PSYC 330 Neuropsychology 4
PSYC 341 Theories of Personality 4
PSYC 342 Abnormal Psychology 4
PSYC 491 Clinical Procedures 4
PSYC 492 Clinical Practicum 4
PSYC 497 Senior Seminar 2
One course from the following:
PSYC 261 Cognitive Development 4
PSYC 262 Social Development 4
PSYC 272 Adult Development and Aging 4
One course from the following:
PSYC 251 Principles of Learning and Behavior Modification 4
PSYC 311 Sensation and Perception 4
PSYC 332 Cognitive Processes 4
Total credit hours 40
Option 3: Scientific Experimental Psychology Required Courses:
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 4
PSYC 220 Psychological Methods and Statistics 4
PSYC 330 Neuropsychology 4
PSYC 411 Psychological Research and Design 4
PSYC 497 Senior Seminar 2
Two courses from the following:
PSYC 251 Principles of Learning and Behavior Modification 4
PSYC 311 Sensation and Perception 4
PSYC 332 Cognitive Processes 4
Two courses from the following (limited to one Developmental course)
PSYC 261 Cognitive Development 4
PSYC 262 Social Development 4
PSYC 272 Adult Development and Aging 4
PSYC 282 Social Psychology 4
PSYC 341 Theories of Personality 4
Six credit hours from the following:
PSYC 352 Research Techniques 2-4
PSYC 450 Independent Study 2-6
Total credit hours 40
Option 4: Business/Industry Required Courses:
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 4
PSYC 210 Communication and Counseling Skills 2 PSYC 220 Psychological Methods & Statistics 4
PSYC 282 Social Psychology 4
PSYC 302 Psychological Measurement 4
PSYC 330 Neuropsychology 4
PSYC 362 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 4
PSYC 497 Senior Seminar 2
One course from the following:
PSYC 262 Social Development 4
PSYC 261 Cognitive Development 4
PSYC 272 Adult Development and Aging 4
PSYC 341 Theories of Personality 4
One course from the following:
PSYC 251 Learning and Behavior Modification 4
PSYC 311 Sensation and Perception 4
PSYC 332 Cognitive Processes 4
Related study: 9 hours from the following:
MGMT 328 Management & Organizational Behavior 3
*MGMT 431 Organizational Theory 3
*MGMT 472 Human Resources Management 3
*MKTG 321 Marketing Principles and Management 3
*MKTG 452 Marketing Research 3
*MKTG 479 Consumer Behavior 3
*MKTG 486 Promotion Strategies 3
*EDUC 520 Career Development and Planning 3
*Courses with prerequisites or requiring permission from instructor
Total credit hours 44
Option 5: Child Psychology Required Courses:
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 4
PSYC 220 Psychological Methods and Statistics 4
PSYC 261 Cognitive Development 4
PSYC 262 Social Development 4
PSYC 320 Parenting Seminar 2
PSYC 330 Neuropsychology 4
PSYC 497 Senior Seminar 2
One course from the following:
PSYC 282 Social Psychology 4
PSYC 341 Theories of Personality 4
One course from the following:
PSYC 251 Learning and Behavior Modification 4
PSYC 311 Sensation and Perception 4
PSYC 332 Cognitive Processes 4
One course from the following:
PSYC 471 Child Psychopathology 3
PSYC 472 Child Interventions 3
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 131 Four credits from the following:
PSYC 352 Research Techniques in Child Psychology 2-4
PSYC 485 Practicum 2-4
PSYC 492 Clinical Practicum (at an appropriate site) 4
Total credit hours 39
Requirements for the minor Required Core:
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 4
PSYC 220 Psychological Methods and Statistics 4 Content Group I (one course)
PSYC 251 Principles of Learning & Behavior Modification 4
PSYC 311 Sensation and Perception 4
PSYC 330 Neuropsychology 4
PSYC 332 Cognitive Processes 4
Content Group II (one course)
PSYC 261 Cognitive Development 4
PSYC 262 Social Development 4
PSYC 272 Adult Development and Aging 4
PSYC 282 Social Psychology 4
PSYC 341 Theories of Personality 4
PSYC 342 Abnormal Psychology 4
Electives in Psychology (eight credits required)
Total credit hours 24*
*Note: eight hours must be at the 300 or 400 level