Psychology

Michele Ramirez, Ph.D., Coordinator
Diane Mello-Goldner, Ph.D.
Nancy P. White, Ph.D.
Susan Enck, Ph.D.

The major in Psychology offers students the opportunity to grow in self-understanding and in the understanding of others. Psychology majors take a core of courses that provide basic knowledge of psychological theories, methods, and research techniques. Students then select a concentration in Child Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology or Human Services for Children, or Adolescents/Adults.

The major prepares students for careers in human services, research, and education and provides background for further training in medical or health-related fields. A minor in Counseling is available for non-Psychology majors and Psychology majors not concentrating in human services. 

Major Requirements

Psychology

PY 101 Introduction to Psychology (first year)
PY 340 Research Design and Applied Statistics
(third or fourth year)
PY 341 Community-Based Research Practicum and Applied Statistics (third or fourth year)
PY 490 Senior Seminar (fourth year)
PY 495 Senior Internship in Psychology (fourth year)
For Psychology as a Social Science, choose one of the following courses (second, third, or fourth year):
PY 206 Social Psychology
or
PY 211 Theories of Personality

For Psychology as a Natural Science, choose one of the following courses (third or fourth year):
PY 320 Physiological Psychology
or
PY 348 Cognitive Psychology

Child Development Concentration*

PY 216 Child Development
(first or second year)
PY 217 Childhood Disabilities (second, third or fourth year)
And one of the following:
PY 307 Children’s Thinking
(third or fourth year)
or
PY 309 Language Development (third or fourth year)
PY 234 Cross-Cultural Psychology
And one of the following:
PY 264 The Psychology of Adolescence and Young Adulthood
(second, third or fourth year)
PY 305 Personality and Social Development in Children (third or fourth year)
PY 328 Psychological Testing (third or fourth year)

Human Services Concentration

PY 221 Counseling and Interviewing
PY 345 Psychology of the Family
Plus the following additional courses, selected according to the student’s area of interest and consultation with her academic advisor:

For clinical work with children:
PY 216 Child Development
PY 217 Childhood Disabilities
One of the following:
PY 234 Cross-Cultural Psychology
PY 305 Personality and Social Development in Children
PY 328 Psychological Testing

For clinical work with adolescents/
adults:
PY 231 Abnormal Psychology
and
One of the following:
PY 264 The Psychology of Adolescence and Young Adulthood
or
PY 364 Adult Development and Aging
and
One of the following:
PY 115 Psychology of Women
PY 224 Group Dynamics
PY 234 Cross-Cultural Psychology
PY 328 Psychological Testing

Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration

PY 221 Counseling and Interviewing
PY 224 Group Dynamics
MN 211 Management Principles

Choose two of the following (one of which must be a Psychology course and one of which must be a Management course):
PY 364 Adult Development and Aging
PY 328 Psychological Testing
MN 220 Organizational Change: Strategies and Methods
MN 301 Human Resource Management

It is strongly recommended that students interested in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration select PY 206 Social Psychology as part of their Psychology core.
For students interested in working in Human Resources, it is also strongly recommended that you elect MN 301 Human Resources Management.

Minor Requirements

Psychology

PY 101 Introduction to Psychology
PY 340 Research Design and Applied Statistics
Two Psychology courses at the 200 level or above.
One Psychology course at the 300 level.

Counseling

Shari Maestre, Ph.D.
Michele Ramirez, Ph.D.

Requirements for students not majoring in Psychology, concentrating in Human Services:
PY 221 Counseling and Interviewing
PY 231 Abnormal Psychology
PY 345 Psychology of the Family: Theory and Practice
Two of the following:
PY 224 Group Dynamics
PY 234 Cross-Cultural Psychology
PY 328 Psychological Testing

In addition to the five courses listed above, an internship is highly recommended.