Major in Psychology
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts
The following major curriculum applies to both the B.A. and B.S. degrees in psychology and will provide the student with a general background in psychology preparatory for graduate work in the main areas of psychology.
This curriculum consists of 36 semester hours, with the requirement that at least 18 of the 26 advanced hours be taken at SFA.
The student should also refer to the general education requirements under the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees for students in the College of Liberal & Applied Arts listed in the SFA General Bulletin.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, courses are 3 semester credit hours, 3 hours lecture per week. WE = Writing Enhanced
| Required Courses: 27 hours | |
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| Course | Title |
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PSY 133 Survey of fundamental principles of behavior, including physiological, perceptual, developmental, learning, motivational, cognitive, social, historical, and methodological perspectives. |
General Psychology |
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PSY 200 (4) - WE 4 semester hours, 3 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory per week. Topics include information literacy and APA writing, ethics, introductory concepts in psychological statistics and research methods, and interpretation of data tables and graphs. Foundation course for psychological statistics and research design, preparing students to be better consumers of psychological science. Prerequisite: PSY 133. |
Scientific Literacy in Psychology |
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PSY 330 (4) 4 semester hours, 3 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory per week. Application of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques in processing behavioral data. Includes normative techniques, parametric and nonparametric applications. PSY 330L is a corequisite for this course. Prerequisite: PSY 200. Course fee: $40. |
Psychological Statistics |
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PSY 341 (4) - WE 4 semester hours, 3 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory per week. Research methods, emphasizing use of experimental control, and analysis of data for reporting experimental results in the psychological study of human and non-human behavior. Prerequisites: PSY 330 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor. Course fee: $40. |
Experimental Psychology |
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PSY 420/497 - WE 420 - Survey of the historical background of psychology, emphasizing its philosophical origins and evolution of the psychological point of view. Contributions of major schools of psychology to modern psychology also emphasized. Prerequisite: Senior standing 497 - Capstone course. Students design, conduct, analyze, and write up research for publication/presentation. Prerequisite: Advanced standing and grade of C or better in PSY 341. Course fee: $40. |
History & Systems of Psychology/ Research Seminar |
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Cluster Requirements: Choose 1 course from 3 of the following 4 pairs: |
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PSY 310/311 310 - Comprehensive study of the use of applied psychology in the areas of business and industry. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. 311 - Study of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals relate to and are influenced by the presence of others. Topics include conformity, aggression, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, social cognition, attitudes, stereotypes, prejudice, and group and intergroup behaviors. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. |
Industrial Organizational/ Social Psychology |
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PSY 350/351 350 - Examination of relationships between behavior and underlying physiological mechanisms. Aspects covered include neural conduction, sensory receptor mechanisms, learning and memory, and other aspects of higher cortical functioning in both humans and animals. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. 351 - Overview of how humans and other animals sense and perceive the world around us. All the senses will be discussed, with a focus on vision. Coverage includes psychophysical and physiological research and how perception applies in our daily lives. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. |
Biopschology/Sensation & Perception |
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PSY 360/361 360 - Introduction to current theory and research in the psychology of thought with an emphasis on human information processing system.Topics include perceptual processes, attention, memory, language, categorization, imagery, problem solving and decision making. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. 361 - Principles and research on and use of behavioral techniques in clinical, academic, correctional, and industrial settings. Areas covered include behavioral management of children's disorders, self-management skills enhancement, productivity enhancement, and other interventions. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above. |
Cognitive Psychology/ Learning & Conditioning |
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PSY 375/376 375 - Theories and research on the incidence, classification, etiology, and treatment of abnormal behaviors. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. 376 - Examination of development from conception to death. Coverage includes theories and current research on the domains of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, with a focus on how biological and environmental factors interact to influence development in these domains. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. |
Abnormal Psychology/ Lifespan Development |
| Electives: 9 hours, 6 of which are advanced | |
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Psychology as a Second Major
A second major in psychology is suggested for students majoring in the natural sciences, preprofessional programs, or applied mental health fields.
This curriculum, with the selection of courses in psychological statistics, experimental psychology, and other appropriate electives, will meet the minimum requirements for graduate work in psychology. Consult a graduate advisor. At least 12 of the 15-17 hours of the advanced psychology courses must be taken at SFA.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, courses are 3 semester credit hours, 3 hours lecture per week.
| Required Courses: 12 hours | |
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| Course | Title |
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PSY 133 Survey of fundamental principles of behavior, including physiological, perceptual, developmental, learning, motivational, cognitive, social, historical, and methodological perspectives. |
General Psychology |
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PSY 350 Examination of relationships between behavior and underlying physiological mechanisms. Aspects covered include neural conduction, sensory receptor mechanisms, learning and memory, and other aspects of higher cortical functioning in both humans and animals. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. |
Biopsychology |
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PSY 361 Principles and research on and use of behavioral techniques in clinical, academic, correctional, and industrial settings. Areas covered include behavioral management of children's disorders, self-management skills enhancement, productivity enhancement, and other interventions. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above. |
Behavior Modification |
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PSY 375 Principles and research on and use of behavioral techniques in clinical, academic, correctional, and industrial settings. Areas covered include behavioral management of children's disorders, self-management skills enhancement, productivity enhancement, and other interventions. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above. |
Abnormal Psychology |
| Elective Courses: 12 hours | |
| 3 hours lower-level PSY electives (100-299) | |
| 9 hours advanced PSY electives (300-499) | |
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