BS in Psychology, General Psychology
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Undergraduate learners in the General Psychology specialization
integrate psychology knowledge with associated skills by engaging in a
curriculum that presents fundamental psychological concepts, theories,
empirical findings, and historical trends. In particular, learners
focus on social, abnormal, positive, and biological psychology and
lifespan development, motivation and performance, learning and
cognition, research methodology, culture and diversity, and ethics.
Successful graduates of this specialization are prepared to build on
their knowledge and skills at the graduate level or pursue careers in
a variety of settings, including education, public service, law
enforcement and corrections, business, human development, and
rehabilitation and mental health. These specialization requirements
are not designed or intended to meet professional licensure
requirements for the counseling or psychology professions.
General Education Requirements
Choose 45 quarter credits with a minimum of 4 quarter credits from each category; see General Education Courses.
Required courses:
BIO1000 |
Human Biology
In this course, learners examine the integrative relationship between human biological systems and the social sciences, arts, and communications. Learners build and apply an understanding of topics such as human anatomy, nature versus nurture, biological psychology, human disease, and concepts related to ancestry and biology. Learners also evaluate the accuracy of biological topics in the media. This course includes a lab experience. | 6 quarter credits |
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ENG1000 |
English Composition
This course is an introduction to writing research techniques and various forms of writing, including expository writing. Learners strengthen and demonstrate their ability to think critically; to develop and organize writing topics; and to revise their writing for clarity of purpose, readability, and style. | 6 quarter credits |
MAT2001 |
Statistical Reasoning
This course introduces fundamental concepts of elementary statistics, including descriptive statistics, methods of counting, probability distributions, approximations, estimation, and hypothesis testing. Learners use these concepts to apply and interpret statistical results. | 6 quarter credits |
PHI2000 |
Ethics
In this course, learners apply major ethical theories to evaluate actions and apply them to contemporary issues. Learners reflect on their own value systems and the ways these values influence and inform their judgments and behavior. | 6 quarter credits |
PSYC1000 |
Introduction to Psychology
This course is an introduction to the basic theories and principles of psychology and of the scientific methods of psychologists. Learners build understanding of core psychological theories and research and their application in areas of the brain, learning, memory, personality, social influence, lifespan development, psychopathology, and applied psychology. Learners apply the psychological concepts they learn to everyday situations through discussions and assignments. | 6 quarter credits |
Additional Program Requirements
PSYC1003 |
Developing Psychology Thinking †
Learners in this course develop skills needed to succeed in their academic program by analyzing the science of academic success. Learners cultivate critical thinking, information literacy, and academic writing and research skills to enable their academic success. Additionally, learners gain an understanding of evidence-based decision making, APA style, and the fundamental principles behind academic success. For BS in Psychology and BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling learners only. Learners who are determined to need additional support developing academic and professional writing and reading skills based on academic assessment must take PSYC1003 during their first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or prior learning assessment. | 6 quarter credits |
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Core courses - At least 54 quarter credits
PSYC3003 |
Developing a Psychology Perspective ‡
In this course, learners build and strengthen psychology-related
skills needed to succeed in their program and the workplace. Learners
expand their critical-thinking, organizational, problem-solving, and
research skills in order to demonstrate and apply a psychology
perspective. Learners also communicate effectively and exhibit ethical
behavior.
For BS in Psychology and BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling
learners only. Learners may only earn credit for PSYC3002 or
PSYC3003. Prerequisite(s): ENG1000, PSYC1000, PSYC1003. Cannot be
fulfilled by transfer or prior learning assessment.
| 6 quarter credits |
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-or- | ||
PSYC3002 |
Developing a Psychology Perspective §
This course builds and strengthens learners’ academic writing,
critical-thinking, problem-solving, research, and organizational
skills in relation to psychology, so that they may apply a psychology
perspective within their program and the workplace. During the course,
learners develop an understanding of ethical principles and standards
as they relate to topics in psychology.
For BS in Psychology and BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling
learners only. Learners may only earn credit for PSYC3002 or
PSYC3003. Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot
be fulfilled by transfer or prior learning assessment.
| 6 quarter credits |
PSYC3210 * |
Human Lifespan Development
This course is a survey of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development throughout the lifespan as viewed by research and theories, both classical and contemporary. Learners explore the interaction between heredity and the environment, the research methods used by developmental psychologists, and apply stage and non-stage human development theories and research to modern problems and individual experiences. Prerequisite(s): PSYC1000, completion of or concurrent registration in PSYC3540. | 6 quarter credits |
PSYC3500 * |
Learning and Cognition
Learners in this course apply theories, research, and methods of human learning and cognition to lifelong learning and development. Learners gain and demonstrate their knowledge of classical and operant learning, perception, attention, memory systems, and encoding and retrieval processes and the role of reasoning, knowledge, and language in learning and cognition. Prerequisite(s): PSYC1000, completion of or concurrent registration in PSYC3520. | 6 quarter credits |
PSYC3520 * |
Introduction to Social Psychology
This course is an introduction to the scientific study of the social context on an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and the three areas of social perception, interaction, and influence in particular. Learners gain and demonstrate knowledge of social cognition; the social self; interpersonal relationships; helping behavior; group behavior; attitude formation; aggression; conformity; obedience; and social perceptions related to gender, race, and culture. Prerequisite(s): PSYC1000, completion of or concurrent registration in PSYC3210. | 6 quarter credits |
PSYC3540 * |
Culture, Ethnicity, and Diversity
In this course, learners integrate their knowledge of theories and
research of culture, ethnicity, diversity, and social interaction with
current trends and challenges associated with cultural diversity.
Learners analyze social issues related to gender, age, race, religion,
sexual orientation, and mental and physical disability and assess the
effects of prejudice, discrimination, and institutional oppression.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC1000.
| 6 quarter credits |
PSYC4100 * |
History and Modern Systems of Psychology
Learners in this course build and demonstrate their knowledge of the
history of psychology as an academic discipline, with an emphasis on
the lives of various significant psychologists and the historical and
social events that shaped the development of the field as a science.
Learners also identify the evolution of the field’s ideas of the mind,
paradigmatic approaches influencing the discipline, and various
psychology systems that have developed as a result of rapid social and
technological change.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC3520.
| 6 quarter credits |
PSYC4310 * |
Biological Psychology
In this course, learners synthesize theories of mind-body connection
with the biological bases of behavior. Learners demonstrate their
knowledge of the structure and functions of the nervous system; brain
evolution and plasticity; methodology of physiological psychology; and
the neurological bases of sensation, perception, motivation, emotion,
and higher cortical functions.
Prerequisite(s): BIO1000, PSYC3520.
| 6 quarter credits |
PSYC4600 * |
Research Methods in Psychology
Learners in this course demonstrate their knowledge of fundamental
research methods and tools used in psychology. Learners use research
methods and designs to show how the scientific method can be applied
to the study of human behavior and thought, including ethical
considerations for conducting research with human participants.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC4700. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or
prior learning assessment.
| 6 quarter credits |
PSYC4700 * |
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
In this course, learners apply quantitative statistics to the study
of human behavior. Learners systematically examine and test hypotheses
and relationships using statistical software; interpret, display, and
present statistical data; and analyze the validity of arguments based
on statistics. In particular, learners gain and demonstrate skills
required to conduct statistical sampling, define statistical
assumptions and requirements, test statistical differences between and
among groups, evaluate correlations, calculate effect size and
confidence intervals, and determine practical and statistical
significance.
Prerequisite(s): MAT2001, PSYC3520. Cannot be fulfilled by
transfer or prior learning assessment.
| 6 quarter credits |
Specialization courses - At least 12 quarter credits
Choose an additional 12 quarter credits of psychology courses.
Elective courses - At least 63 quarter credits
Choose 63 quarter credits of additional undergraduate courses. ║
Capstone course - At least 6 quarter credits
Taken during the learner’s final quarter:
PSYC4900 * |
Psychology Capstone Project
The capstone project is the culmination of the bachelor’s degree
program in Psychology and provides learners the opportunity to
demonstrate the research, analysis, writing, and communication skills
they’ve gained during their program. Throughout the course, learners
examine real-life implications of psychology and how practicing the
principles of the field may optimally contribute to society. During
the capstone experience, learners also explore how this degree can
support their next steps, both professionally and personally.
For BS in Psychology and BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling
learners only. Must be taken during the learner’s final quarter.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC4600. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or
prior learning assessment.
| 6 quarter credits |
---|
Total
At least 180 quarter credits, including a minimum of 54 quarter credits from the 3000/4000 level
Honors Pathway
Learners enrolled in the honors pathway complete the following general education courses.
Honors courses
At least 15 quarter credits
PHI-H2005 |
Honors Seminar: Critical Thinking for the Professional World
This is the first course in the honors pathway. Learners apply critical thinking skills to develop a professionally relevant question in their discipline or program of study to investigate throughout the honors pathway. Learners gain the knowledge and skills necessary to ask questions and solve problems from multiple perspectives. Learners analyze their question from multiple perspectives and engage in enriching discussions with faculty and peers. For honors pathway learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 3 quarter credits |
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COM-H4005 * |
Communicating and Integrating Solutions in the Professional World
In this course, learners apply communication skills, information literacy, and first-hand research to complete a final professional presentation and share their findings with their instructor and peers. For honors pathway learners only. Prerequisite(s): SOC-H3005. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 6 quarter credits |
SOC-H3005 * |
Honors Professional Seminar
Learners in this course take a sociological approach to professional growth in the workplace. This course provides learners with the opportunity to complete a professional project that addresses an organizational need or solves a problem. Learners explore questions and develop their project with faculty and peers through engaging discussions and assignments. Throughout the course, learners use a sociological perspective to further develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address interdisciplinary issues. For honors pathway learners only. Prerequisite(s): PHI-H2005. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 6 quarter credits |
These courses are applied toward the general education
requirement and taken in addition to the remaining required courses.
Total
At least 180 quarter credits, including a minimum of 54 quarter credits from the 3000/4000 level
* Denotes courses that have prerequisite(s). Refer to the descriptions for further details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
† Learners who are determined to need additional support developing academic and professional writing and reading skills based on academic assessment must take PSYC1003 during their first quarter.
‡ Learners who have completed PSYC1003 are required to take PSYC3003.
§ Learners who are not required to take PSYC1003 are placed in PSYC3002.
║ Learners who have completed PSYC1003 choose 57 quarter credits of additional undergraduate elective courses.
GuidedPath courses and FlexPath courses fulfill the program requirements and prerequisites for each delivery model.