Psychology (Bachelor of Arts and Minor)
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. A bachelor
of arts degree in psychology can prepare you for a variety of career
options, including careers in the human services, business management,
personnel, counseling, behavioral instruction, or as a family worker
and youth advocate. The major is also an excellent preparation for graduate
study in a variety of areas including psychology, business, education,
social work, law and recreation. As a psychology major, you will study
human behavior from a life-span developmental perspective; including
both abnormal and normal behavior as it is affected by the learning process,
personality development, motivation, and interaction with others.
This dynamic field has long been one of the most popular areas of study
for Aurora University students. Because of the flexible program requirements
and the opportunity to develop individual interests, the psychology major
is often teamed with criminal justice, sociology, social work, recreation,
political science, business, communication, or computer science, in a
student's pursuit of a double major, or at least as a minor area of concentration.
Independent study and internship opportunities are readily available.
Aurora University students have worked in local hospitals, social agencies,
group homes and schools, as well as in various businesses, state institutions,
and government offices. The major can be completed with evening classes.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY - 30 semester hours‡
Required Courses: 31 or 32 semester hours
PSY1100 General Psychology (4)
PSY3380 Brain and Behavior (4)
PSY/SOC3500 Research and Statistical Methods (4)
PSY3520 Experimental Psychology (4)
PSY4700 Contemporary Issues in Psychology (4)
Two courses from Group A: 7 or 8 semester hours
PSYSOC3450 Social and Applied Psychology (4)
PSY2340 Personality (3)
PSY3660 Abnormal Psychology (4)
PSY3350 Child and Adolescent Development (4)
or
PSY3360 Adult Development and Aging (4)
One course from Group B: 4 semester hours
PSY2300 Learning and Motivation (4)
PSY3400 Cognitive Psychology (4)
PSY4200 Sensation and Perception (4)
Selected Courses: 4 to 5 semester hours (to total 36 semester hours) listed below: PSY 2210 Careers in Psychology (1)
PSY/SOC3430 Gender, Sexuality and Society (4)
PSY3460 Exceptional Individual (3)
PSY3470 Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
PSY3810,4810 Selected Topics (3 or 4)
PSY3940,4940 Internship in Psychology (1-3)
PSY4520 Psychological Assessment (3)
PSY4550 Introduction to Clinical and Counseling Psychology (4)
Or
Another 4-hour course from Required Courses list, excluding PSY3250 Lifespan Development
MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY - 18 semester hours
Required Course:
PSY1100 General Psychology (4)
Selected Courses:
Choose 14 semester hours in the Psychology Program.
PSYCHOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
PSY1100 General Psychology 4 semester hours
The study of psychology as a behavioral science; basic research methods and design, learning, motivation, emotion, perception, development, personality, abnormal behavior, and the social and biological bases of psychology (Fall and Spring)
No prerequisites.
Meets General Education "Observation of Ourselves and Others" Group A requirement.
PSY2210 Careers in Psychology 1 semester hour
This course is designed to help students decide whether a degree in psychology will prepare them for the career they wish to pursue or identify the kinds of careers they could pursue once they obtain a degree in psychology. Topics and issues to be explored include: life as a psychology major; what can you do with a B.A. in psychology; psychology majors in the workplace; presenting yourself to employers; preparing and applying to graduate school; credentialing and licensure; psychology as a profession; and issues of special interest groups. (Fall)
Prerequisite: PSY1100.
PSY2300 Learning and Motivation 4 semester hours
This course is an introduction to the topics of learning and memory, with an emphasis on experimental studies that have applications to human behavior. The topics of learning theories will include classical and instrumental learning, reinforcement, generalization, forgetting, and the limits of learning. Additionally, this course will cover factors that motivate humans in terms of their behaviors, desires and aspirations. To fully appreciate human motivation, this course will explore conditions in the person, environment and culture that explain human behavior, goals and thoughts. Applied areas such as addictions, phobias, depression, and eating disorders will also be explored.
Prerequisite: PSY1100.
PSY2340 Personality 3 semester hours
A study of the major historical and contemporary theoretical viewpoints advanced to explain human behavior and personality development. (Fall)
Prerequisite: PSY1100.
PSY3250 Lifespan Development 4 semester hours
Cognitive, physical, biological, emotional, moral, and social development of the normal individual from conception through old age and death. Developmental process, issues, and stages will be explored. Note that credit cannot also be earned in either PSY3350 or PSY3360. (Spring)
Prerequisite: PSY1100.
Meets General Education "Observation of Ourselves and Others" Group A requirement.
PSY3350 Child and Adolescent Development 4 semester hours
This course introduces the cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and sex/gender role development of the normal individual from conception through adolescence. Racial/ethnic variation and vocational development of the adolescent are also explored. (Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite: PSY1100 or EDU2260.
Meets General Education "Observation of Ourselves and Others" Group A requirement.
PSY3360 Adult Development and Aging 4 semester hours
Cognitive, physical, biological, emotional, moral, and social development of the normal individual from emerging adulthood through old age and death. (Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite: PSY1100.
Meets General Education "Observation of Ourselves and Others" Group A requirement.
PSY3380 Brain and Behavior 4 semester hours
A study of the anatomical, biochemical, and neurological bases of behavior with particular attention to such phenomena as cognition, emotion, perception, sensation, and behavioral pathologies. (Fall and Spring)
Prerequisites: PSY1100 and a course in cell biology or human anatomy.
PSY3400 Cognitive Psychology 4 semester hours
This course is an introduction to the concepts in cognitive psychology including theories and applications of memory systems, pattern recognition, attention, decision-making, problem solving, language and text comprehension, reasoning, and neurocognition.
Prerequisite: PSY1100.
PSY/SOC3430 Gender, Sexuality, and Society 4 semester hours
Cross-listed with SOC3430. See SOC3430 for description.
PSY/SOC3450 Social and Applied Psychology 4 semester hours
This course is a general survey of the field of social and applied psychology. Although a broad range of subjects is sampled, the primary focus of this course is on individuals and their social environment. Social psychology focuses on how one's social environment affects his or her thoughts, attitudes and behaviors.
Prerequisite: PSY1100.
PSY3460 Exceptional Individual 3 semester hours
Focuses on causes and characteristics of persons evidencing exceptionality. Also includes the psychology of prevention, identification, rehabilitation, and methods of teaching the exceptional individual. Covers major areas of exceptionality, including learning disabilities. (Fall and Spring)
Prerequisites: PSY1100 required; PSY3350 recommended.
PSY3470 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 3 semester hours
A survey course of industrial/organizational psychology: Includes selection, testing, interviewing, EEO law, training, performance evaluation, leadership, organizational structure, motivation, and stress. (Fall — every other year)
Prerequisite: PSY1100.
PSY/SOC3500 Research and Statistical Methods 4 semester hours
Basic research methodology and the scientific method of inquiry for psychological research. Concepts, methods and designs involved in the statistical evaluation of research data. Instruction in the SPSS statistical package. Includes laboratory work. (Fall and Spring)
Prerequisites: PSY1100 and MTH1100 with a "C" or better.
PSY3520 Experimental Psychology 4 semester hours
Advanced research methods for psychological research. Student projects will involve a literature review, research design, recruitment of appropriate participants, data collection, statistical analyses, and an APA style research report. Includes SPSS laboratory work. (Fall and Spring)
Prerequisites: PSY1100 and PSY 3500 with a "C" or better.
PSY3660 Abnormal Psychology 4 semester hours
Major categories of mental illness and maladjustment affecting adults and aging persons; causes, symptoms, methods of treatment, and prevention. (Spring) Prerequisites: PSY1100, PSY2340.
PSY4200 Sensation and Perception 4 semester hours
This advanced laboratory course examines the mechanisms of our primary senses as well as how our brain interprets stimuli in order to allow us to respond with thoughts, emotions and behaviors. The influence of experience, cultural background, mood, social situations, and physiological factors on our interpretation of sensory stimuli will also be explored. There is a laboratory component with this class.
Prerequisite: PSY3520.
PSY4520 Psychological Assessment 3 semester hours
Major concepts of testing: sample populations; random samples; reliability; validity. Includes the nature, administration, scoring, interpretation, and use of representative tests of ability, aptitude, interest, intelligence, and personality. (Spring — every other year)
Prerequisites: PSY1100, PSY3500.
PSY4550 Introduction to Clinical and Counseling Psychology 4 semester hours This class is an introduction to the theory and practice of clinical and counseling psychology with an emphasis on clinical interviewing, psychodiagnostic methods and psychotherapeutic techniques appropriate to helping those with personal disorders or maladaptive behavior.
Prerequisites: PSY1100, PSY2340 and upper class status (abnormal psychology highly recommended).
PSY4700 Contemporary Issues in Psychology 4 semester hours
Students select topics from the major areas of contemporary psychology for in- depth study. May cover such areas as mental health, industrial psychology, developmental psychology, personality theory, social psychology, physiological psychology, behavior disorders, learning, motivation, perception, or group dynamics. (Fall and Spring)
Prerequisites: PSY1100, PSY3520.
Please note:
The information listed on this page is current according to the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog, unless otherwise noted.
‡ This information has been added since the printing of the 06-08 Undergraduate Catalog.
±This information is additional information specific to the Web site, not provided in the Undergraduate Catalog.
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