The Psychological Sciences program builds skills and knowledge important to the diverse science of behavior and mental processes. Students will use their background in psychology in many careers and will be better able to understand themselves and others.
The undergraduate Psychological Sciences program at Chadron State College adopted student learning outcomes associated with five learning goals developed by the American Psychological Association (APA).1 Students completing a major in Psychological Sciences will be tested through assignments embedded throughout the curricula as part of the assessment strategy adopted by the Undergraduate Psychological Sciences Program Committee.
1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of psychology.
2. Use scientific reasoning and critical thinking in psychology.
3. Apply ethical standards to psychological science and practice.
4. Demonstrate effective communication skills.
5. Apply psychological content and skills to career goals.
Source: APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major (Version 2.0) (August 2013). Visit https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/undergrad/index to find the revised APA undergraduate program guidelines.
PSYC 131 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES3 Credits
The course provides an overview of the subfields in current scientific psychology including the biology of behavior, motivation and learning, cognition, development, personality and social psychology. Emphasis is placed on the use of scientific methods to investigate, interpret and describe psychological phenomena.
Essential Studies: SLO #8
PSYC 160 SPECIAL TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY1-3 Credits
Special topics of current interest in psychology are considered in depth.
Notes: Students may take more than one special topics course for credit when topics have different course content.
PSYC 231 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
Examination of research, theory, and practice pertaining to important aspects of learning and teaching; the nature of learners, human development, cognition, problem solving, motivation, teaching approaches and assessment.
Prerequisites: EDUC 131 with a grade of C or better
PSYC 234 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
This course introduces the core psychological processes involved in thinking and cognition, including perception, attention, memory, language, decision making and problem solving.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131
PSYC 240 STATISTICS FOR PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
Methods used in summarizing data and generalizing research results are examined. Students develop skills in descriptive and inferential data analysis in the context of psychological research. Students explore statistical software. Familiarity with algebraic processes is assumed.
Essential Studies: SLO #4
Prerequisites: PSYC 131
PSYC 242 MEASUREMENT AND RESEARCH DESIGN3 Credits
Students explore a variety of data collection methods and how they relate to research questions. Students also develop hypotheses, understand the role of ethics in research, participate in psychological studies and prepare research papers.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131
PSYC 243 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
Students study the past and contemporary theories of abnormal behavior, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and other taxonomies, and explore research explaining adaptive and maladaptive human behavior.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131
PSYC 251 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
This course investigates the science of social influences on human thought and behavior. Topics include how we view others, interpersonal attraction, attitudes, group relations, conformity and leadership.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131
PSYC 254 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
Major theories and research in human developmental psychology are explored including biological, cognitive and psychosocial development from conception through adulthood.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131
PSYC 330 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
Health psychology examines the impact of behavior and mental state on one's health. We will focus on the impact of psychological and cultural factors on promotion and maintenance of health, the development of illness, and the management and treatment of illness.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131 for Psychological Sciences majors and Sophomore or above status
PSYC 341 SPORT, EXERCISE AND PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
This course focuses on the application of psychology theory, research and practice to skilled human performance in sports and other areas. Mental health of skilled performers will be addressed, as well as career paths in a growing area of psychology with applications in sports and other skilled performance areas.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131 and sophomore or above status
PSYC 342 CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
Survey of the science and practice of clinical psychology, including diagnoses and evaluations, interventions and prevention strategies for use with clinical populations, cultural applications, and ethical issues in the clinical profession.
PSYC 343 PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW3 Credits
Students will learn about how theory, research and practice in psychological science is applied in the legal system. Relevant research and theory in social, cognitive, clinical and developmental psychology will provide insight about many aspects of the legal system, and improve understanding of how psychology impacts all persons involved.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131 for Psychological Sciences majors and Sophomore or above status
PSYC 344 INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
This course addresses the sub-field of industrial-organizational psychology, which is concerned with how psychological science is applied to the workplace, with the goals of building better organizations, and improving the well-being and performance of individuals within organizations.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131 for Psychological Sciences majors and Sophomore or above status
PSYC 346 PSYCHOLOGY OF GENDER3 Credits
This course provides an overview of theory and research on the biological, psychological, and social aspects of gender. Differences and similarities between men and women's behavior and cognitive processes will be discussed, as well as how perceptions of gender affect behavior and cognition. Current issues and research in gender identity will be addressed.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131 for Psychological Sciences majors and Sophomore or above status
PSYC 390 INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY1-12 Credits
Students interested in practical experiences in psychology.
Prerequisites: Sophomore or above status
Add Consent: Department Consent
Notes: Interested students should contact the Internship and Career Services Office to secure application materials; application should be made prior to the semester the internship will be started; the amount of credit will be based on the availability of a suitable work position, the qualifications of the applicant and the work hours.
PSYC 400 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH3 Credits
Guided independent research in the area of psychology.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131
Add Consent: Department Consent
Notes: The number of credit hours varies in accordance with the topic and the amount of work required.
Requirements: Permission of the advisor, the instructor, and the Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences required.
PSYC 401 TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
Individual academic needs of those registered in this course will be accommodated. Normally, the instructor will select the topic in psychology.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131 and permission of the advisor, the instructor, and the Dean of the School of Education, Human Performance, Counseling, Psychology and Social Work
Add Consent: Instructor Consent
Requirements: Permission of the advisor, the instructor, or the Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences.
PSYC 421 CULTURE AND PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
Current methods and research findings in the field of cross-cultural psychology. The impact of culture on behavioral and psychological processes such as perception, cognition, development, psychopathology and social behavior is explored.
Essential Studies: SLO #10
Prerequisites: PSYC 131 and Junior or above status
PSYC 430 INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE3 Credits
This course surveys neural morphology and physiology and, more generally biology's role in the future of scientific psychology. Students examine how the brain drives and reflects behavior.
Essential Studies: SLO #6
Prerequisites: PSYC 131 and Junior or above status
PSYC 435 THEORIES OF PERSONALITY3 Credits
Major theoretical orientations and research in personality psychology are explored.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131 and Junior or above status
PSYC 442 HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY3 Credits
Survey of the historical background of psychology, emphasizing its philosophical and scientific origins and evolution of the psychological sciences. Contributions of major schools of psychology are emphasized.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131 and Junior or above status
PSYC 499 ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS3 Credits
Psychological sciences majors develop and complete a research project including data collection and analysis, as well as preparation of an APA Style research report. This course builds on knowledge from earlier classes and helps students develop skills valued in graduate school and careers.
Prerequisites: PSYC 131, PSYC 240, PSYC 242, and Junior or above status
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