General survey of psychology, the scientific study of behavior and experience, including overt actions and mental activity. Covers how psychologists think and act as scientists and how the study of its subject matter may be integrated at the biological, psychological, and social levels of analysis. Fulfills one of the Foundations - Social and Behavioral Sciences. Offered every academic year.
Winter 2026 - Online Spring/Summer 2026 - Online
Examination of basic research methods in psychology. Emphasis on the logic of psychological research, the formulation and testing of hypotheses, research design, sampling procedures, and the ethics of conducting research. Offered every academic year. Prerequisites: PSY 101, Foundation - Writing, and (STA 215 or STA 312).
Explores the development of the child from conception to adolescence in the home, school, and society. Interactions among physical, cognitive, personality, and social developments are considered. Practical implications for child development of theories and research on these topics will be emphasized. Field observation required. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Winter 2026 - Hybrid Spring/Summer 2026 - Online
The study of a wide range of psychological disorders that affect people, especially adults. The detailed analysis of the symptoms, effects, etiology, and treatments of selective psychological disorders. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Examines the development of the child from conception through age five. Theories and research in the areas of biological, perceptual, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, as well as their interrelationships, will be presented and discussed. Field observation required. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Winter 2026 - Hybrid
Study of the application of learning principles, techniques, and procedures to the understanding and treatment of human psychological problems in a wide range of settings. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Develops the skills of critical thinking (analyzing the arguments of other people and forming one's own reasoned judgments) about controversial issues. Skills are applied to selected psychological issues, such as "Is intelligence inherited?'' and "Can suicide be rational?'' Offered every academic year.
Spring/Summer 2026 - Online
Examination of a wide range of childhood and adolescent disorders using developmental theory and research to inform issues related to classification, assessment, and intervention. Explores the biological basis of behavior and the role of broader systems (e.g., family, school, community) in the development and alleviation of psychopathology. Offered every academic year. Prerequisites: PSY 101 and (PSY 301 or PSY 364).
Winter 2026 - Online
Study of psychological principles applied to classroom instruction, including development, nature and conditions of learning, motivation, individual differences, home and school adjustment, evaluation, and test construction. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
An overview of historical perspectives, current practices, and lifespan issues for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The course covers diagnostic and assessment practices, etiology, and prevention and intervention strategies. Offered every academic year. Prerequisites: PSY 101 and (PSY 301 or PSY 364).
This course provides an introduction to behavioral neuroscience, the scientific study of the interaction between biological processes and behavior. Topics covered include the basic structure of the nervous system, research methods in behavioral neuroscience, psychopharmacology, neural mechanisms involved in sensory and perceptual processes, and psychiatric disorders. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Examination and application of data analysis techniques used in the psychological sciences. Emphasis on interpretation of published research, best practices in analyzing data from correlational and experimental designs, assessing reliability and validity quantitatively, probability theory, statistical significance, effect sizes, and exposure to statistical software. Offered every semester. Prerequisites: PSY 101, STA 215, PSY 300 (PSY 300 may be taken concurrently).
Psychology of language is a discipline that focuses on psychology’s insights into human language. Topics include biological bases of language; human language and other communication systems; lexical, sentence, and discourse processing; speech production and perception; acquisition of spoken and written language; bilingualism; and the relationship between language and thought. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Relation of the individual to the social environment with emphasis on personality development and role behavior. Analysis of interpersonal behavior with reference to problems of conformity and influence. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
A survey of theories and research on human development from conception through death. Physical, perceptual, cognitive, personality, social, and emotional changes are reviewed, and their interrelationships are discussed. Does not satisfy the requirements for teacher certification. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Study of methodology and research findings concerning human and animal information processing. Includes a review of literature pertinent to subject and task variables as they relate to attention, memory, and decision behavior during thinking. Laboratory. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Study of the relationship between human and animal behavior. Includes discussion of mind in nonhumans, the sociobiology debate, natural selection and human behavior, including language and sexual behavior, and implications for child development and schooling. Includes zoo or field observations. Lecture and field study. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Consideration of selected topics not ordinarily dealt with in other courses. Topics to be determined by faculty interest and student request. Consult class schedule for specific topics. Can be repeated, but no more than six credits in PSY 380 can be applied toward a psychology major. Offered occasionally. Prerequisites: Variable.
Of varying focus, the course makes use of the history, culture, and society of a host country in order to highlight disciplinary perspectives in context. To be taught in that country (or countries) as part of an approved study abroad program. By permit only. Offered occasionally.
Research in designated areas (e.g., perception, cognition, social, developmental, etc.). See current schedule of classes for areas offered. Original research project required. Formal presentations of research proposals and project reports, following APA style is required. Offered every academic year. Prerequisites: PSY 300, PSY 350, and course in relevant content area.
Work in a psychologically relevant capacity at one of many possible professional agencies for up to 20 hours a week. Prearranged tutorials and work-log of hours completed required. Six credit total course limit. Graded credit/no-credit. Offered every academic year. Prerequisites: PSY 101 and permission of instructor.
Survey of major viewpoints on research findings in contemporary scientific psychology. Emphasis on integration of those viewpoints and their relations to other disciplines, such as biology, medicine, social sciences, philosophy. Offered every academic year. Prerequisites: PSY 300, senior standing, and a major in psychology or behavioral neuroscience or behavioral science.
Introduction to the ethical and professional delivery of psychological and educational services to a diverse group of clients. This course will introduce the ethical guidelines of major psychological professional organizations and the application of those principles to a variety of situations. Offered every academic year. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program in school psychology or the graduate certificate program in applied behavior analysis or with instructor approval.
This course will provide future school psychologists with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to assist learners experiencing academic difficulties. Participants will learn strategies for implementing and evaluating evidence-based interventions and for effectively communicating findings with teachers and parents, to help them develop academic intervention plans. Offered winter semester. Prerequisite: Admission to the school psychology program.
This course addresses characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including diagnosis and special education eligibility. A specific emphasis is placed on using intervention approaches that address the unique learning and social needs of children with ASD. Various evidence-based interventions that promote inclusive opportunities and improved outcomes are covered. Offered on sufficient demand. Prerequisite: Admission to the College of Education and Community Innovation or with instructor approval.
This course examines the behavioral characteristics of students with autism spectrum disorder and overviews interventions to reduce problem behavior. Topics include data collection and functional behavior assessment, as well as the development of behavior intervention plans based on knowledge of functions. Interventions include preventative, skill development-based, and reinforcement strategies. Offered on sufficient demand. Prerequisites: Admission to the College of Education and Community Innovation or undergraduate special education major.
This course focuses on behavioral research methodologies to evaluate interventions in applied settings. Students will be taught to use single-case study methodologies to assess various dimensions of behavior and to evaluate the effects of treatment interventions on those behaviors. Offered spring/summer semester. Prerequisite: Admission to the school psychology graduate program or with instructor approval.
This course will cover special education evaluation processes and eligibility criteria for a variety of disability categories. Students will apply their skills in assessment administration, scoring, and interpretation to a range of special education evaluation cases. This will include selecting appropriate assessment tools, interpreting collected data, and developing instructional recommendations. Offered each academic year. Prerequisites: Admission to the school psychology program and PSY 622.
For this school-based practicum, students provide support supervised by a classroom teacher. Students will be actively involved, with increasing independence, in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of behavioral and educational assessments. Students will support teachers with behavior management, and provide academic, behavioral, and/or social-emotional interventions and supports. Offered each academic year. Prerequisite: Admission to the School Psychology graduate program.
A study of special topics not regularly covered in the curriculum. Expectations of this course approximate those in other 600-level courses. May be repeated for credit when the content varies. Offered occasionally.
The final supervised clinical experience. Under the supervision of a School Psychologist, students will work with teachers, families, and students from K-12 schools. Students will engage in different aspects of the practice of School Psychology including case management, assessment, prevention and intervention, and consultation. Course offered each academic year. Prerequisites: Admission to the school psychology program and instructor's approval.
