Chair, Department of Psychology: Mara Aruguete,
Ph.D.
Psychology Faculty:
Rosemary Barrow, Ed.D.
James Hertel, Ph.D.
The training provided by the Department of Psychology is designed to meet the
great diversity of tasks that professional psychologists perform. They work in
academic and educational settings, hospitals, human services settings, business
and government settings as teachers, researchers, clinicians, administrators,
consultants and as service providers. The B.A. degree prepares a student for
entry-level employment into occupations where psychological background is an
advantage (i.e. management, child care, teaching, social services, drug or alcohol
abuse counseling). The B.S. degree provides preparation for graduate school for
students desiring careers that demand M.A. or
Ph.D. degrees, like clinical psychology.
The Stephens College Department of Psychology
requires of its students:
- academic discipline and integrity
- ethical behavior, including:
--professionalism-high standards-appropriate personal confidentiality
--knowledge of dual-relationship issues-avoidance of plagiarism - sensitivity to individual and cultural differences
- research, writing and library skills
- group participation
- critical-thinking skills
These liberal arts degrees are flexible within the boundaries
of course requirements common to an undergraduate degree in psychology. Several
courses are required to ensure students have grounding in the basic sub-fields
of psychology. Electives are then taken to meet the student's needs for her
post-undergraduate career and life plans.
A minor in psychology is an alternative route to utilize the many facets of
the discipline of psychology. A minor combined with a major, or concentration
in other disciplines like business administration, communication, social sciences,
art, dance or theatre prepares a student for her chosen career. Examples of
such combinations are preparation for graduate degrees in art therapy or public
relations.
Requirements for the B.A. Major in Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology requires the completion
of at least 12.5 psychology courses (PSY 111S, 203, 310, 315, 320, 331, 430,
441, and 4.5 electives). In addition, students must take MAT 207M as a required
liberal arts course. Students must have at least 7.0 psychology courses at
the 300 or 400 level to graduate. A grade of C- or better must be earned in
each of the required(*) psychology courses.
NOTE: In the following course listings, (1c) = 1.0 course or 3 semester
hours.
Required Courses
*PSY 111S: Introduction to Psychology (1c)Required Liberal Arts courses
*PSY 203: Psychological Research Methods (1c)
*PSY 310: Developmental Psychology (1c)
*PSY 315: Social Psychology (1c)
*PSY 320 Abnormal Psychology (1c)
*PSY 331: Learning and Cognition (1c)
*PSY 430: Physiological Psychology (1c)
*PSY 441: Senior Research (1c)
and
4.5 courses from the list of Psychology Electives
including at least one at the 300 level or above.
MAT 207M: Introduction to Statistics (1c)Requirements for the B.S. Major in Psychology
The Bachelor of Science degree in psychology requires the completion of at least 12.5 psychology courses (PSY 111S, 203, 310, 315, 320, 331, 430, 441, and 4.5 electives), MAT 111M or MAT 211M, and one 1.5 credit natural science (biology, chemistry or physics) course. In addition, students must take MAT 207M and BIO 181N as required liberal arts courses. Students must have at least 7.0 psychology courses at the 300 or 400 level to graduate. A grade of C- or better must be earned in each of the required(*) psychology courses.
Required Courses
*PSY 111S: Introduction to Psychology (1c)Required Liberal Arts courses
*PSY 203: Psychological Research Methods (1c)
*PSY 310: Developmental Psychology (1c)
*PSY 315: Social Psychology (1c)
*PSY 320 Abnormal Psychology (1c)
*PSY 331: Learning and Cognition (1c)
*PSY 430: Physiological Psychology (1c)
*PSY 441: Senior Research (1c)
MAT 111M: College Algebra (1c) or
MAT 211M: Calculus/Analytical Geometry (1.5)
and
1.5 course credits of Natural Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
and
4.5 courses from the following list of Psychology Electives
including at least one at the 300 level or above.
MAT 207M: Introduction to Statistics (1c)
BIO 181N: Investigations in Biological Concepts (1.5)
Psychology Electives
CHS 114S: The Child: Lifespan and Cross-Cultural Perspective (1c)
EDC 121: Psychology of Adjustment (1c)
PSY 211: Educational Psychology (1c)
PSY 271: Human Sexuality (1c)
PSY 280: Topics in Psychology (1c)
PSY 301D Psychology of Women (1c)
PSY 317: Psychology of Personality (1c)
PSY 333 Sensation and Perception (1c)
EDC 359: Counseling (1c)
PSY 380: Topics in Psychology (1c)
PSY 390D: History and Systems of Psychology (1c)
PSY 481: Internship (.5c.-2c)
Students who major in psychology will participate in an
assessment program in
their senior year.
Requirements for a Minor in Psychology
The minor in psychology requires completion of a minimum
of 5.0 PSY/EDC courses, including at least 2.0 courses at or above the 300
level. Students may elect additional PSY/EDC courses for a total of 8.0 in
a 40.5 course degree program.
Required Course
Plus four (4.0) PSY/EDC electives of which 2.0 must be at or above the 300 level.PSY 111S: Introduction to Psychology (1c)
Psychology Courses
PSY 111S: Introduction to Psychology
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
An introduction to the major sub-fields of comtemporary psychology. Emphases
on the diversity of psychology as a discipline and how psychological principles
pertain to everyday life.
PSY 203: Psychological Research Methods
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSY 111S and MAT 207M)
This course is designed to introduce students to the research methods used
in psychology. Students incorporate class materials into research of their
own, guided by the instructor. This course is a "hands-on" research design
course.
PSY 211: Educational Psychology
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: PSY 111S)
The nature and conditions of human learning, methods of assessing relevant
intellectual and personality characteristics of pupils, personality and social
dynamics, as pupils enter into the learning process.
PSY 271: Human Sexuality
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: PSY 111S or sophomore standing)
Course examines human sexuality from several perspectives (biological, social,
cultural, ethical). Topics include anatomy and reproduction, gender roles,
love, varieties of sexual expression, birth control, the development of sexuality
over the life span, diseases, dysfunction and treatment.
PSY 280: Topics in Psychology
(1.0 course)
Topics courses are devoted to special subjects that may not be covered in depth
in other courses. Topics previously offered include Health Psychology.
PSY 301D: Psychology of Women
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: PSY 111S, completion of English requirement and lower-division
liberal arts requirements)
This course includes a survey and an evaluation of research and theory on the
psychology of women and sex differences. Physiological, developmental, personality,
and social aspects of women's experiences will be studied. Writing intensive.
PSY 310: Developmental Psychology
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: PSY 111S or permission of instructor; must be psychology major
or minor.)
This course uses major psychological theories to explore the normal stages
of development from birth until death. Selected controversial issues and case
studies relating to development will also be discussed.
PSY 315: Social Psychology
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSY 111S; or permission of instructor.)
A survey of major topics in social psychology, including social perception,
social interaction and social influence, will form the core of this course,
with attention to stereotypes, aggression, conformity and persuasion.
PSY 317: Psychology of Personality
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSY 111S and 1.0 PSY/EDC course)
An introduction to the general subject of personality. Emphasis upon the development
of personality in the normal individual with special attention to personality
development in women. Offered every other year.
PSY 320: Abnormal Psychology
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSY 111S.)
Survey of basic areas of abnormal psychology, history of mental disorders,
survey of extent and severity of problems today. Emphases in biological, psychological
and social approaches to explaining mental disorders.
PSY 331: Learning and Cognition
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSY 111S and 2.0 PSY/EDC courses)
Provides an introduction to the study of learning and cognition through an
examination of the basic learning paradigms of classical and instrumental conditioning
and issues fundamental to the structure and function of cognitive theory. Emphases
on applied and theoretical findings.
PSY 333: Sensation and Perception
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSY 111S and 2.0 PSY/EDC courses; BIO 111N recommended)
Surveys (1) the anatomy and physiology of the various sensory organs, neural
processing and brain centers for the different sensory systems; and (2) psychological
studies of the various aspects of perception and brain anatomy and sense organs.
Offered every other year.
PSY 380: Topics in Psychology
(1.0 course)
Topics courses are devoted to special subjects that may not be covered in depth
in other courses.
PSY 390D: History and Systems of Psychology
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: completion of all lower level liberal arts requirements.)
This course is designed to give the student a broad background in the history
of the development of different theories of psychology. Specifically, this
course gives a student perspective into science, a deeper understanding of
the field of psychology, and greater knowledge about the directions psychology
might take in the future. This course covers the history of psychology from
Aristotle to the present. Writing intensive.
PSY 430: Physiological Psychology
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: at least 3.0 PSY/EDC courses.)
This course uses current knowledge of the brain, nervous system and endocrine
system to explore the roles of physiological factors in health, disease, behavior,
emotions, and mental disorders.
PSY 441: Senior Research
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: 5.0 PSY/EDC courses; senior standing and PSY major recommended)
In-depth original research of topics not covered in other courses. Check semester
course schedule for topic offered. This is the required senior capstone course
for psychology majors. The course uses both research writing skills and seminar
discussion as learning tools.
PSY 481: Internship
(.5c-2.0 courses)
(Prerequisites: psychology major and at least sophomore standing.)
Students complete 126 hours per course credit of work in an agency or institution
as a contributing member of the staff. Student carries on as wide a range of
duties as she is qualified to execute under the direct supervision of a professional
in the agency or institution.
Independent Study
Independent studies (special studies, tutorials, readings,
projects) may be proposed by students who wish to investigate a subject not
otherwise available. Information about independent studies may be obtained
by contacting a faculty member to sponsor the study and in the Office of the
Registrar.
