A minor in psychology enriches all fields which involve interpersonal connections, including business, education, allied health, and social work. Students are exposed to foundational coursework in psychology, including theories and research methods.

 

Required Courses:

 

PSY 101         Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)

Provides a comprehensive introduction to the science of psychology. Addresses historical perspectives, research methods, biological bases to behavior, sensation and perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, language, lifespan development, intelligence, stress and health, personality, and social behavior. Also examines abnormal behavior and treatment options. Discusses applications of psychology in a culturally diverse world.

Prerequisite(s): None

 

PSY 322         Research Methods in Psychology (3 credits)

Introduces experimental design and inference in the field of psychological research. Teaches the experimental method and its application to recent problems in psychological research. Discusses research-related ethics and the feasibility of different research designs.

Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology)

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): STA 201 (Introduction to Statistics)

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STA 201         Introduction to Statistics (3 credits)

Develops an understanding of statistical methodology and use of critical judgment in analyzing data sets. Includes descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency, introduction to probability, both normal and binomial distributions, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, linear regression, and correlation. Emphasizes developing the practical skills of interpreting and reporting descriptive and inferential univariate and bivariate statistical information.

Prerequisite(s): None

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ETH 362         Psychology Ethics and Jewish Law (3 credits)

Discusses the structure and development of Jewish ethics, philosophy, and halacha (law) connected to the fields of psychology and social work practice.  Covers the Jewish approach, as informed by a range of rabbinic texts both ancient and contemporary, as relates to some of the most pressing and important issues in the field of therapy and human psychology.  Explores issues of Jewish law that relate to the practitioner of mental health in the modern era.

May be offered as two courses of 1.5 credit hour each (ETH 362A and ETH 362B).

Credit given for ETH 362 or JLW 362

Prerequisite(s): Completion of 12 credits of Jewish studies or permission of the Executive Dean/Menaheles

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Choose four elective courses from the following:

(Cannot use Field Experience or Internship to satisfy minor)

 

PSY 230         Psychological Foundations of Education (3 credits)

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Studies the psychological foundations of learning, memory and creativity, as related to educational processes. Emphasizes characterization of educational approaches in the context of important physical, cognitive, and motivational variables. Surveys relevant scientific research and relates research findings to practical applications within and beyond the classroom. Addresses complex topics such as standardized tests, bilingual populations, and the influences of home and community attitudes towards learning and education.

Credit given for PSY 230 or EDU 230

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): PSY 101(Introduction to Psychology)

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PSY 280         Human Growth and Development (3 credits)

Provides students with a broad knowledge and understanding of the field of developmental psychology. Emphasizes major theories, perspectives, and associated research as they relate to the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of development from conception through the end of life. Examines typical growth and development patterns, as well as factors that lead to disruption and change in those patterns. Students will develop insight into the factors that make people the way they are and how to support healthy human growth and development.

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): PSY 101(Introduction to Psychology)

 

PSY 290         Multicultural Psychology (3 credits)

Explores diversity from a psychological perspective. Applies psychological theories and research methods to explore how factors such as gender, age, mental and physical abilities, race, ethnicity, relationships, socioeconomic status, family structures, and religion shape human perspectives and interactions. Explores the psychological impact of racism, discrimination, stereotypes, prejudice, privilege, and oppression on society, politics, and education. Considers the role of social movements and consciousness-raising in psychologically empowering individuals and minority groups. 

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): PSY 101(Introduction to Psychology) 

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PSY 301         Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior (3 credits)

Provides a comprehensive analysis of individual and group behavior in organizations. Offers an understanding of how organizations can be managed more effectively while enhancing the quality of employees’ work-life. Covers topics including motivation, rewarding behavior, stress, individual and group behavior, conflict, power and politics, leadership, job design, organizational structure, culture, decision making, communication and organizational change and development. Explores international organizational cultures and global perspectives of management.     

Credit given for PSY 301 or MGT 301

Prerequisite(s): None

 

PSY 331         Introduction to Counseling (3 credits)

​Discusses the role, dynamics, and goals of counseling. Examines the nature of the helping relationship; counseling skills and techniques; ethics in counseling; components of effective helping in a theoretical, as well as practical framework; and counseling resources.

Prerequisite(s): None

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PSY 352         Theories of Personality (3 credits)

Explores major personality theories and related research. Covers basic personality traits and their measurements and developmental influences.

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology)

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PSY 360         Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)

Presents in-depth analyses of the historical and philosophical foundations of abnormal psychology and psychopathology. Examines the development of classification systems for mental disorders and the implications for diagnosis and treatment. Discusses the integrated roles of biology, psychology, and social context in the assessment and diagnostic process, legal considerations, and the role of ethics and morality.

Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology)

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PSY 370         Social Psychology (3 credits)

Provides an introduction to social psychology, including research, theory, and general principles of how people interact with and influence each other both individually and in groups. Covers the processing of social information, social influence, persuasion and attitude change, social interaction, prejudice, conformity, social psychology in court, and group phenomena. Highlights landmark studies in social psychology and applies social psychology principles to current social problems, topics and experiences.

Credit given for PSY 370 or SOC 370

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology) or SOC 101 (Introduction to Sociology)

 

PSY 378         Psychobiology (3 credits)

Focuses on the relationship between biological and psychological phenomena (i.e., the mind-body connection). Explores the genetic foundations, developmental processes, and neurobiological systems that underlie and influence behavior, cognition, emotion, motivation, learning, memory, vision, sensation, and movement. Develops an appreciation for the reciprocal relationship between psychological experiences and environment and neurological development and brain functioning. Also studies the various illnesses and disabilities that occur when biological and psychological processes go awry and how knowledge of psychobiology can contribute to diagnosis and important treatment decisions.

Credit given for PSY 378 or BIO 301

Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology)

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PSY 381         Differentiated Instruction (3 credits)

Introduces the principles of differentiated instruction, including reading across the curriculum, implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs) in the general education classroom, and teaching through different modalities. Focuses on effective co-teaching, universal design for learning, formative and summative assessment, and response to intervention/multi-tiered systems of support.

Credit given for PSY 381 or EDU 415

Prerequisite(s): PSY 383 (Survey of Exceptional Children)

 

PSY 383         Survey of Exceptional Children (3 credits)

Introduces the concepts and principles of special education, and the academic, behavioral, and physical disabilities practitioners may encounter in the field. Discusses the construction and implementation of Individual Education Programs (IEPs). Covers basic diagnostic procedures, interventions, and strategies for the inclusive classroom.

​Credit given for PSY 383 or EDU 383

Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology)

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​PSY 397         Group Dynamics (3 credits)

Provides an understanding of group processes, group formation, and the development of social skills in small groups. Covers group development, power structures in groups, leadership, group processes, communication in groups, decision making, conflict, and bias. Investigates the application of theory to contemporary issues in group dynamics.

Credit given for PSY 397 or SOC 397

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): PSY 101 (Introduction to Psychology) or SOC 101 (Introduction to Sociology)

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PSY 490         Senior Thesis in Psychology (3 credits)

Requires the development of a project based on existing research and data sets that models the application of appropriate research methodology. Examines the process of publishing research in the field of psychology. Note: Credit may not be earned for both PSY 490 and PSY 491.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 101 (English Composition I), PSY 322 (Research Methods in Psychology), STA 201 (Introduction to Statistics), and senior standing in Psychology minor

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