Department of Psychology

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Chair: Kelly A. Charlton

Faculty:  Ashley Allen, Tara M. Busch, William Collier, Rachel Morrison, Shilpa Pai Regan, Brian Smith, Erik Tracy

People throughout history have been intrigued by the question, “What is human nature?” Psychology’s approach to this topic is aimed at understanding basic patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior. It uses a variety of scientific methods, including interviews, case studies, field observations, neurophysiological recordings, and controlled experimentation. Psychology’s fund of knowledge has grown very rapidly over the past century. We now have a much clearer understanding of how people learn, how childhood experiences affect adult personality, how people influence one another during normal social relations, how to treat emotional and behavioral problems, how the brain’s biochemistry influences behavior, and many other significant topics.

The Department’s courses strive to blend general conclusions with practical application. Many topics are presented through role playing, discussions promoting personal involvement, and other experiential techniques. In addition to teaching established knowledge, the Department attempts to convey the excitement, controversy, and spirit of exploration that pervade the field of psychology today.

The Department offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. The Department also offers minors in General Psychology (described below) and Personnel and Organizational Leadership (described under Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors in the Academic Programs section of the catalog) and an academic concentration in Psychology (described below).

These avenues of study prepare students for a variety of occupational paths. Many graduates build careers in human services, administration, entrepreneurship, and other fields of practical endeavor. Others enter graduate school and pursue careers as professional psychologists.

Programs

• Psychology, B.S.

• Psychology Minor

• Psychology Academic Concentration

Courses

• PSY 1010. Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 1030. Psychology of Parenthood (3 credits)
• PSY 1250. Human Potential (3 credits)
• PSY 1900. Career and Professional Perspectives in Psychology (1 credit)
• PSY 2050. Childhood and Adolescence (3 credits)
• PSY 2060. Animal Cognition and Behavior (3 credits)
• PSY 2080. Research Statistics (3 credits)
• PSY 2100. Research Methodology (3 credits)
• PSY 2150. Psychology of Learning (3 credits)
• PSY 2160. Social Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 2200. Behavior Modification (3 credits)
• PSY 2250. Health Psychology: Wellness and Health (3 credits)
• PSY 2700. Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 3040. History and Systems of Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 3050. Psychology of Adult Development and Aging (3 credits)
• PSY 3120. Cognitive Processes (3 credits)
• PSY 3150. Guiding Young Children (3 credits)
• PSY 3160. Psychology of Leadership (3 credits)
• PSY 3550. Sensation and Perception (3 credits)
• PSY 3600. Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 3750. Personality Theories (3 credits)
• PSY 3990. Directed Study (1-6 credits)
• PSY 4000. Research Methods Capstone (3 credits)
• PSY 4010. Biopsychology (3 credits)
• PSY 4030. Psychological Testing (3 credits)
• PSY 4090. Psychology and Law (3 credits)
• PSY 4150. Motivation and Emotion (3 credits)
• PSY 4170. Clinical and Counseling Psychology (3 credits)

• PSYS 2xxx. Current Topics in Psychology (3 credits)
• PSYS 3xxx. Current Topics Seminar (3 credits)

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