Psychology

This course will examine psychopathology, theory, and research associated with the identification of psychological disorders. A concentration on classification, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders will also be reviewed.

This course will examine the study of biological mechanisms of behavior in psychology. Topics include the development of the brain, brain-behavior relationships, hormones and sexual behavior, the biology of learning, memory, sensation, movement, sleep and mental health. Emphasis will be placed on clinical findings and application of biological research.

This course explores the major concepts in the study of sensation and perception. Topics include vision, audition, chemical, tactile, and proprioceptive senses, receptor mechanisms, psychophysical methods and perceptual phenomena.

The course will provide an examination of human motives and the impact of emotion on the decision-making process. Consideration of primary and secondary motivators regarding theoretical and practical application for reward, punishment, and avoidance scenarios will be explored.

This course will introduce students to the major developmental theories associated with childhood (age 3) through adolescence (age 21).  The primary areas of exploration include cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal, physical, and emotional systems in addition to contextual approaches involved in understanding these systems.

This course explores the major developmental theories and processes associated with adulthood (ages 18 through 65).  The primary areas of exploration include cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal, physical, and emotional systems in addition to the contextual approaches involved in understanding these systems.

This course will introduce students to the major developmental theories associated with late adulthood (age 65 and older). The primary areas of exploration include death and dying and cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal, physical, and emotional systems in addition to the contextual approaches involved in understanding these systems.

This course will provide an overview of psychological testing and measurement techniques, including self-report, interview, observation, and collateral information.  The importance of construction, utilization, and the psychometric background of tests will be considered for intellectual, emotional, behavioral, and personality applications. The course will also involve the ethical and pragmatic considerations involved with testing and measurement according to developmental level.

This course will provide a theoretical, conceptual, and practical overview of internal and external determinants of addictive behaviors across the lifespan.  Assessment and treatment approaches will be discussed along with issues influencing relapse.

This course will examine multicultural trends that include varied characteristics and populations of diverse groups. Topics will include gender, ethnicity, religion, geography, culture, age, sexual orientation, physical disability, education, and social class. Students will be exposed to the impact of these contexts on the intrapersonal and interpersonal psychosocial framework.

This course will introduce students to a biopsychosocial perspective of the determinants of human sexual behavior. Developmental views of normal and abnormal sexual behavior, treatment, and cultural influences will also be highlighted. The goal of this course is to increase student awareness of the field of human sexuality as well as their own beliefs and perceptions related to human sexuality.

This course provides students with a historical and contemporary examination of the psychological influences of the media.  Various types of media will be explored within a global context, and students will analyze media from a psychological perspective.

This course will examine a historical and contemporary review of the psychological issues of gender from a social, emotional, personality, physiologic, geographic, and cultural perspective.  Emphasis on the human experience will be examined through topics of career development, marriage, family, sex role development and expectations, role conflict, achievement, and sexuality.

This course will provide an introduction to the field of abnormal child psychology and the associated major theories.  The pathogenic process (i.e., developmental sequence) of psychological disorders will be explored from early childhood to late adolescence.  Students will engage in critical thinking on major issues including the genetic, biological, and environmental influences on behavior, emotions, and personality in conjunction with associated assessment, diagnostic, and treatment procedures.

This course will provide an overview of the major theories and trends associated with health psychology.  Key areas of focus include stress, mind-body connection, health behaviors, coping strategies, and the psychological impact of chronic illness. The psychological approaches to treating and preventing disease will be explored.

This course will provide an examination of the contemporary issues in psychology regarding religious beliefs, values, experience, and practice.  Additional topics include psychosocial comparisons of major religions, religious development, and the connection between religion and health-promotion.

This course will examine the theoretical, conceptual, and practical application of counseling regarding assessment, treatment, diagnostic, and ethical issues in Professional Counseling. Students will gain an understanding of contemporary assessment and interview techniques for mental health disorders and the array of specialties in the counseling profession.

This course examines the main aspects of Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology. Topics include job analysis, training, performance, organizational culture and dynamics, leadership, worker satisfaction, workplace environment, group behavior, and conflict. 

This course will examine the topic of psychometrics and assessment. The focus will be on ethical considerations and applications of survey design across social and occupational settings. Topics include test construction, scoring, interpretation, reliability, and validity.

This course examines the major, minor, and associated categories of anxiety and mood disorders and the dynamic interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in the development, course, and outcome of each of these disorders. Of specific focus are the etiology, prevalence rates, course, duration, assessment, diagnosis, and treatments related to each of the anxiety and mood disorders. Focus on developmental differences and ongoing changes in categorization, including emerging ideas about “spectrum” disorders will also be highlighted along with research contributions within these fields of study.

This course will address multivariate research design and methodology.  Students will be exposed to an analysis of the approaches to developing and interpreting multivariate psychological phenomena.  The primary topics will include Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA), multiple regression, and logistic regression.  Additional areas will include a concentration on reliability, validity, and experimental control issues.

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the theories and basic processes relevant to learning and behavior. Particular focus on the interplay and application of theory to real world phenomena will be discussed, such as training our pets, raising our children, treating mental illness, and treating drug addiction.

This course will examine the basic anatomy and physiology of the human nervous system and its control of physical functions as well as cognitive and motor behaviors.  By the very nature of the subject matter, the course requires learning the terminology that is typically used to describe the function and pathology of the nervous system. 

This course will explore how the nervous system uses a very precise system of neurochemical messengers to produce all aspects of sensation, perception, feelings, emotions, motivation, movement, and conscious experience. This course will address the role of neurochemicals in normal brain functioning and describe how drugs are used to treat neurological and psychological disorders. Drug abuse and toxicology will also be discussed.

This capstone course provides an exploration of historical and contemporary issues in the field of psychology. Specific emphasis is placed on application of psychological concepts and their connection to real-world examples. Students will conduct extensive research and critical analysis designed to support their understanding in the discipline of psychology.