The Department of Psychology, Counseling and Guidance serves the citizens of the region and state by offering instruction, research, and services designed to advance the understanding of behavioral and cognitive processes and to improve the quality of life. The principle function of the department is to prepare students at the undergraduate and graduate levels to pursue careers within the disciplines and affiliated areas. A related purpose is to provide courses for programs in education, nursing, and other disciplines. At the baccalaureate level, the students develop basic skills in scientific research, knowledge of psychological nomenclature and concepts, and are introduced to the diverse applications of psychology. The graduate program prepares students to apply skills in schools, mental health agencies, government, industry, and other settings. Training at the graduate level is designed to prepare qualified, responsible professionals who may provide assessment, consulting, counseling, and other services to the citizenry of the region.
 
 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS - PSYCHOLOGY BA/BS
The psychology program of study consists of 60 hours of upper division course. The BA and the BS are differentiated in Area F and selection of electives.
AREA F (18 HOURS)
BA
PSYC 2500 Foundations of Psychology
BVE 2400 Computer Technology for the Workplace or CS 1000 Microcomputer Concepts and Applications
PHI 2010 Survey of Philosophy or PHI 2020 Logic and Critical Thinking
Three courses in the same foreign language (9 hrs)

BS
PSYC 2500 Foundations of Psychology
BVE 2400 Computer Technology for the Workplace or CS 1000 Microcomputer Concepts and Application
PHI 2010 Survey of Philosophy or PHI 2020 Logic and Critical Thinking
1 natural science 3 hrs.
1 math 3 hrs.
1 natural science or math 3 hrs.
(all math courses must be 1111 or higher)

UPPER DIVISION COURSES (36 HOURS)
PSYC 3500 Statistical Methods in Psychology 3 hrs.
PSYC 3200 Child Psychology 3 hrs.
PSYC 3600 Experimental Psychology 3 hrs.
PSYC 3900 Tests and Measurements 3 hrs.

PSYC 3450 Theories of Personality or PSYC 3400 Abnormal Psychology 3 hrs.

PSYC 3300 Applied Behavior Analysis or PSYC 3700 Rehabilitation Psychology or PSYC 3710 Social Psychology or PSYC 3800 Industrial/Organizational Psychology (2 classes, 6 hrs.)

PSYC 4100 Physiological Psychology or PSYC 4150 Sensation and Perception 3 hrs.

PSYC 4000 Cognitive Psychology or PSYC 4050 Psychology of Learning 3 hrs.

PSYC 4900 History of Psychology or PSYC 4950 Senior Seminar or PSYC 4991,2,3 Senior Thesis (need all 3 Senior Thesis classes for credit) 3 hrs.

Two of the following 4000 level courses (not taken to fulfill above requirements) PSYC 4000, PSYC 4100, PSYC 4050, PSYC 4150, PSYC 4300, PSYC 4500 (check if acceptable) PSYC 4800, PSYC 4900, PSYC 4950, PSYC 4990

ELECTIVES (24 HRS)
Students, in consultation with their advisor, will take an additional series of courses (including an optional minor) that will further differentiate between the BA and the BS. These electives will also allow for increased skill development that will help the student continue on to a graduate or professional school or get a job in a career not requiring post-bachelor training
 
 
 

OUTCOMES
Mission -- B.A. and B.S. Psychology Programs
The B.A. and the B.S. Psychology programs introduce students to the liberal arts and to psychology as a scientific discipline, with content and methods to improve the human condition.

Outcomes -- B.A. and B.S. Psychology Programs
Students completing the program with an emphasis in humanities and language for the Bachelor of Art degree or in science and mathematics for the Bachelor of Science degree will:
1. use the scientific method as a primary basis for engaging in critical thinking and evaluating multiple sources of information
    a. review empirical studies of psychology, analyze their research findings, and draw appropriate inferences in reference to
    reliability and validity
    b.synthesize psychological theory and relevant research to formulate original hypotheses
    c. design, run, and analyze descriptive, correlational, and experimental studies, and write research reports using APA style
    d. articulate controversial and ethical issues related to psychological intervention and research
.
2. identify appropriate psychosocial and biological principles that influence behavior and cognition, given a particular context or situation
    a. use appropriately the technical language of the science of psychology in oral and written communication
    b. articulate the developmental changes resulting from both hereditary and environmental factors that shape individual
    differences
    c. compare and contrast differing theoretical perspectives within and among the differing disciplines of psychology
    d. describe the impact of society and culture on human diversity, especially as it relates to gender, ethnicity, and
    socioeconomic status

3. examine, evaluate, and pursue career and educational opportunities available with an undergraduate psychology degree.
    a. use appropriate computer technology (e.g., statistical software, word processing programs, internet resources, etc.) to
    complete relevant assignments
    b. communicate and present psychological concepts, principles, and theories clearly and effectively, both in oral and written
    form
    c. interact effectively and work productively with others

Outcomes specific to the B.A.
Students who graduate with a B.A. in psychology, in addition to the above outcomes, will also:
1. have in-depth knowledge about one culture and its heritage
2. have the ability to understand a second language and culture

Outcomes specific to the B.S.
Students who graduage with a B.S. in psychology, in addition to the above outcomes, will also
1. have more well-developed laboratory research skills
2. have increased proficiency in science and math
 
 

Educational Outcomes to Course Requirements
While many of the courses will help the student achieve the desired outcomes, these identified courses address listed outcomes specifically.
Outcome 1: 3500, 3600, 3900, 4950, 4991,2,3
Outcome 1a: 3600, 3900, 4000, 4050, 4950, 4991,2,3
Outcome 1b: 3600, 4000, 4050, 4991,2,3
Outcome 1c: 3500, 3600, 4000, 4500, 4150, 4991,2,3
Outcome 1d: 4950
Outcome 2: 3200, 3300, 3700, 3710, 3800, 4100, 4150
Outcome 2a: All courses
Outcome 2b: 3200
Outcome 2c: 3400, 3450, 4900
Outcome 2d: 3710, 4900
Outcome 3: 3000, 4950, Advising
Outcome 3a: 3500, 3600, 4950
Outcome 3b: All courses
Outcome 3c: 3600, 4950
 
 
 

Introduction to Major Content
The introductory courses in psychology are designed to (1) introduce the student to the various disciplines of psychology and (2) learn the basic skills in scientific research. The student is taught these basic competencies in the following three classes. The first course that all psychology majors are required to take is PSY 2500 (Fundamentals of Psychology). In this course, students are introduced to the diverse applications of psychology and to basic psychological terminology, concepts, and theory. Students are introduced to and develop scientific research skills in PSY 3500 (Statistical Methods in Psychology) and PSY 3600 (Experimental). More specifically, students are introduced to the statistical methods of research in the social sciences in PSY 3500 and then, in PSY 3600, are introduced to the scientific research methods used in psychology.

Development of Major Content
The major in psychology consists of 4 required courses (2 listed in the introduction section) and a series of forced choice electives (one listed in the application section). Students will be taught developmental issues from conception to adolescence in PSY 3200 (Child Psychology) and theory underlying psychological and educational test construction and usage in PSY 3900 (Test and Measurements). By taking either PSY 3450 (Personality) or PSY 3400 (Abnormal Psychology), the student will be exposed to the major theoretical viewpoints in psychology. In PSY 4100 (Physiological Psychology) or PSY 4150 (Sensation and Perception) the student will learn the relationship between biology and behavior. In PSY 4000 (Cognitive Psychology) or PSY 4050 (Learning), the student will apply the research methods used in PSY 3600 in the current experimental disciplines of psychology. The remaining courses expose students to a more advanced exploration of specific content areas in the field of psychology. Students will take 2 courses at the 3000 level: PSY 3300 (Applied Behavior Analysis I), 3700 (Rehabilitation Psychology), 3710 (Social Psychology), 3800 (Industrial Psychology). Students will also take 2 4000 level courses. These may be PSY 4000, PSY 4100, PSY 4050, PSY 4150, PSYC 4300 (Behavior Analysis II), PSYC 4500 (Special Topics), PSY 4800 (Introduction to Clinical Psychology), PSY 4900, PSY 4950, PSY 4991-3 as long as those courses are not used to fill a different section of the core.

Application of Major Content
Psychology students will more fully develop and apply their knowledge and skills in one of the following required capstone experiences: PSY 4900 (History of Psychology), PSY 4950 (Senior Seminar), or PSY 4991-3 (Senior Thesis). These courses are specifically designed to be an across-the-discipline integration of information. PSY 4900 will accomplish this goal by examining the origins of psychology and tracing its development into the science psychology is today. PSY 4950 is designed to explore diverse career options, debate controversial issues, and discuss other current issues. PSY 4991-3 requires the student to develop, conduct, and write up an original psychological experiment.

Description of Assessment
The Psychology Department will assess program outcomes using a variety of methods. These include student advising, yearly student goal descriptions, course performance data, student evaluations (both advisor and course), exit interviews, examination of student admission and retention data, and institutional research reports from alumni questionnaires.
 
 

Course Descriptions
These are listed in the Catalog
Prerequisites must be completed with a "C" or better when you enter that course.
Fundamentals of Psychology (PSYC 2500): Prerequisite for ALL psychology courses.

Behavioral Analysis I (PSYC 3300): Prerequisite for PSYC 4300

Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 3400): Prerequisite for PSYC 4800

Statistical Methods in Psychology (PSYC 3500): Prerequisite for PSYC 3600, PSYC 3900, PSYC 4000, PSYC 4050, PSYC 4100, PSYC 4150, PSYC 4300, PSYC 48000, PSYC 4991-3

Experimental Psychology (PSYC 3600): Prerequisite for PSYC 4000, PSYC 4050, PSYC 4100, PSYC 4150, PSYC 4991-3

 Test and Measurements (PSYC 3900): Prerequisite for PSYC 4800

Senior Standing: Prerequisite for PSYC 4800, PSYC 4900, PSYC 4950
 

When Courses Are Offered
Every Term - PSYC 3200, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3900, 4100, Senior Thesis
Fall - PSYC 3000, 3210, 3300, 3450, 3710, 3800, 4000, 4150, 4900
Spring - PSYC 3000, 3220, 3450, 3700, 4000, 4050, 4300, 4800, 4950
Summer - PSYC 3800, 4050, 4150, 4800, 4900