BS in Psychology, General Psychology, FlexPath Option
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. Learners who pursue this
specialization through the FlexPath option earn a BS in Psychology
through self-paced demonstrations of competencies. These
specialization requirements are not designed or intended to meet
professional licensure requirements for the counseling or psychology
professions.
General Education Requirements
Choose 22.5 program points with a minimum of 2 program points from each category; see General Education Courses, FlexPath option.†
Required courses:
BIO-FPX1000 |
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. | 3 program points |
---|---|---|
ENG-FPX1000 |
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. | 3 program points |
MAT-FPX2001 |
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. | 3 program points |
PHI-FPX2000 |
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. | 3 program points |
PSYC-FPX1000 |
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. | 3 program points |
Additional Program Requirements
Core courses - At least 33 program points
PSYC-FPX3002 |
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, FlexPath option learners only. Learners
may only earn credit for PSYC3002 or PSYC-FPX3002 or
PSYC3003. Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot
be fulfilled by transfer or prior learning assessment.
| 3 program points |
---|---|---|
PSYC-FPX3210 * |
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): PSYC-FPX1000, completion of or concurrent registration in PSYC-FPX3540. | 3 program points |
PSYC-FPX3500 * |
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): PSYC-FPX1000, completion of or concurrent registration in PSYC-FPX3520. | 3 program points |
PSYC-FPX3520 * |
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): PSYC-FPX1000, completion of or concurrent registration in PSYC-FPX3210. | 3 program points |
PSYC-FPX3540 * |
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): PSYC-FPX1000.
| 3 program points |
PSYC-FPX4100 * |
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): PSYC-FPX3520.
| 3 program points |
PSYC-FPX4310 * |
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): BIO-FPX1000, PSYC-FPX3520.
| 3 program points |
PSYC-FPX4600 * |
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): PSYC-FPX4700. Cannot be fulfilled by prior
learning assessment.
| 3 program points |
PSYC-FPX4700 * |
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): MAT-FPX2001, PSYC-FPX3520. Cannot be fulfilled
by transfer or prior learning assessment.
| 3 program points |
In addition, choose 6 program points of undergraduate psychology courses.†
Elective courses - At least 31.5 program points
Complete at least 31.5 program points of additional undergraduate courses.†
Capstone course - At least 3 program points
Taken during the learner’s final quarter:
PSYC-FPX4900 * |
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, FlexPath option learners only. Must be
taken during the learner’s final quarter. Prerequisite(s):
PSYC-FPX4600. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or prior learning assessment.
| 3 program points |
---|
Total
At least 90 program points, including a minimum of 27 program points 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 in this
specialization choose general education, undergraduate psychology,
and elective courses from the FlexPath (-FPX) course list.
GuidedPath courses and FlexPath courses fulfill the program requirements and prerequisites for each delivery model.