A Guide to Planning Your 20 Credits of Psychology Electives

Overview
A Few Words About Choosing Your Experimental Course

Courses Related to Social Psychology

Social/Cross-cultural Psychology
Applied Social Psychology – Industrial/Organizational
Applied Social Psychology - Social Justice/Community/Forensic
Psychology of Gender & Sexuality

Courses Related to Development

Developmental Disabilities and Applied Behavioral Analysis
Child Psychopathology
Child Development

Courses Related to Health /Clinical Psychology

Public Health/Health Psychology
Clinical/Counseling Psychology

Courses Related to Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience & Neuropsychogy

Experimental Cognitive Neuroscience
Experimental/Cognition
Experimental/Neuroscience
Clinical Neuropsychology

Overview

Since the psychology major now allows students a degree of flexibility with planning 20 credits of psychology electives at the 200 level or above, what follows are suggested courses that fit into particular themes related to several branches of psychology.  These groupings of courses are to be used as a guide to assist you in choosing courses that are related to each other.  It should be noted here that the courses listed may not be offered on a regular basis, so it is important that you seek advisement in planning your courses.  It benefits ALL psychology majors to take courses across these groupings.  However, if you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in a particular area, be sure that you are taking courses related to that area. In addition to these electives, it is recommended that students participate in independent study research with a faculty member doing research in their area of interest (if applicable).  Internships may also be available for students to gain valuable field experience in their area of interest.  Please consult with a psychology advisor, in your area of interest, who will discuss your options with you.

A Few Words About Choosing Your Experimental Course

All students are required to take a lab course in order to fulfill their psychology major requirements.  The psychology department offers four different labs that present different perspectives on how psychologists do research within the field of psychology.  Most of these labs fit with the course themes related below and most have pre-requisites that fall under those groupings of courses.  The only lab that does not have a pre-requisite other than PSY 266 is PSY 333 – Experimental Psychology: Learning and Behavior.  So if you begin to take electives within a particular area, you may also then plan to take the lab course related to that area.  Be careful in your planning however, since all the labs are not offered every semester.  Please consult with a psychology advisor as to which lab class is right for you.        

Courses Related to Social Psychology

Social/Cross-cultural Psychology: These courses are for students who are interested in a career that combines an understanding of psychological concepts within a global context. Possible careers include International Education (assisting international students and US students studying abroad), entry-level positions with multinational corporations, intercultural training, working with immigrants and immigrant services, multicultural counseling. 

Course #	Course Name
PSY212	Social Psychology (pre-req for PSY334 lab)
PSY213	Cross-cultural Psychology
PSY223	Health Psychology
PSY350	Prejudice and Social Identity
PSY523	Psychology and Chinese Culture

This can be combined with the Certificate in Modern China Studies with the minor in International Studies

Other college courses of relevance:

SOC340  Ethnicity and Immigration
ANT201  Cultural Anthropology
ANT460  Personality and Culture
BUS200  Introduction to International Business

Applied Social Psychology – Industrial/Organizational: “Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology is a general practice specialty of professional psychology with a focus on scientifically-based solutions to human problems in work and other organizational settings. In these is contexts, I/O psychologists assess and enhance the effectiveness of individuals, groups, and organizations” (From: http://www.apa.org/crsppp/io.html, accessed: 10/5/07)

Course #	Course Name
PSY212	Social Psychology (pre-req for PSY334 lab)
PSY214	Psychology of Advertising
PSY223	Cross-cultural Psychology
PSY322	Industrial Psychology
PSY350	Prejudice & Social Identity
PSY416	Group Dynamics

Applied Social Psychology – Social Justice/Community/Forensic Psychology: “Community Psychology is about understanding people within their social worlds and using this understanding to improve people's well-being (Orford, 1992). Researchers systematically examine the ways individuals interact with other individuals, social groups, clubs, churches, schools, families, neighborhoods, and the larger culture and environment. It is an applied discipline where researchers examine various social issues including poverty, substance abuse, school failure, community development, risk and protective factors, empowerment, diversity, prevention, intervention, delinquency, high risk behaviors, aggression, violence, and many other topics” (From: http://www.communitypsychology.net/cmmtypsych.shtml, accessed: 10/5/07).

“Forensic psychology deals with the intersection of psychology and the legal process. Forensic psychologists can be employed in a variety of settings including jails, prisons, state hospitals, federal and local law enforcement agencies, community mental health centers, juvenile detention facilities, private practice, or colleges and universities” (From: http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_58.asp , accessed: 10/5/07).

Course #	Course Name
PSY212	Social Psychology (pre-req for PSY334 lab)
PSY290	Death & Dying
PSY340	Mentoring & Adolescent Development
PSY350	Prejudice & Social Identity
PSY416	Group Dynamics

Other suggested courses:
SOC 212       Criminology
SOC 240       Minority Groups
SOC 260       Class Status & Power

Psychology of Gender & Sexuality: This group of courses deals with important topics related to sexual relationships and sexual health as well as the construction and performance of gender.  The essential elements of a feminist approach to the study of psychology and sexuality are the beliefs that men and women are equally competent and worthy of respect, and that 'sexism' or 'patriarchy' exists in our culture, such that women, and things understood to be 'feminine', are generally undervalued in this culture.  In these classes, we are committed to learning more about sexism and how it affects people of all ethnicities, sexualities, and varieties of gender expression.  We are interested in learning how we can work against sexism and sex-negative attitudes as psychologists as well as incorporate the intricate intersections of race, class and sexuality that have been systematically ignored or stigmatized by psychology.

Course #	Course Name
PSY235/WMS 235	Gender & Sexuality
PSY268/WMS 268	Psychology of Women
PSY355	Contemporary Issues in Human Sexuality
PSY350	Prejudice & Social Identity

Can be combined with major/minor in Women’s Studies

Other courses of relevance (leads to Minor in Women’s Studies):
WMS 100 (HST182): Women’s History & Feminist Theory (3)
WMS 202 (SOC 202): Gender, Race, Ethnicity & Class (4)
WMS 222 (ENH 222): Women & Literature (4)
WMS 238 (SOC 238): Sociology of Men (4)
WMS 330 (SOC 330): Women and Work (4)

Courses Related to Development

Developmental Disabilities and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA): This group of courses is for students who are interested in a career that involves working with people with developmental disabilities.  This cluster has a unique focus on a particular therapeutic intervention that is used with people with autism: Applied Behavioral Analysis.  It is strongly suggested that students interested in ABA take PSY 333 to fulfill their lab requirement.  This in combination with a Disabilities Studies Minor could prepare our students for future certification in these fields.  These certifications are more and more required for jobs at group homes and schools. More information: http://www.bacb.com/becom_frame.html

Course #	Course Name
PSY211	Methods of ABA
PSY220	Motivation
PSY232	Physiological Psychology: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (pre-req for PSY330 lab)
PSY239	Physio & Motivated Behavior
PSY242	Developmental Psychology
PSY332	Psychological Tests and Measurement
PSY464	Applied Behavior Analysis
PSY594	Field Work @Eden II

In addition to the courses listed above, for a Disabilities Studies Minor students are required to take:
SWK 107 Introduction to Developmental Disabilities 3 credits
SOC 350 Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities 4 credits
One additional course chosen from the following:
ASL 113 American Sign Language I 5 credits
EDP 220 Special Education Needs of the Developmentally Disabled 4 credits
EDP 310 Survey of Exceptional Children I 4 credits
EDP 311 Survey of Exceptional Children II 4 credits
NRS 230 Health in Persons with Developmental Disabilities 4 credits
SWK 440 Internship in Developmental Disabilities 4 credits

Child Psychopathology: “Like adults, children and adolescents can have mental health disorders that interfere with the way they think, feel, and act. When untreated, mental health disorders can lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse, violence, and even suicide” (From: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/Ca-0004/default.asp , accessed: 10/5/07).  This group of courses provides an introduction to the treatment of mental health disorders in children and adolescents.

Course #	Course Name
PSY202	Psychopathology
PSY242	Developmental Psychology (pre-req for PSY335 lab)
PSY203	Child Psychopathology
PSY302	Advanced Psychopathology
PSY332	Psychological Tests and Measurement
PSY362	Approaches to Psychotherapy
PSY480	Advanced Learning & Behavior

Child Development: The field of child development is devoted to the understanding of stability and change in humans, from conception to adolescence. Domains of development include physical (changes in the body, brain and in perceptual and motor skill), cognitive (changes in thought processes, knowledge, language and memory), and emotional and social (changes in interpersonal relationships, understanding of feelings, self-understanding, and moral reasoning).

Course #	Course Name
PSY242	Developmental Psychology (pre-req for PSY335 lab)
PSY203	Child Psychopathology
PSY340	Mentoring and Adolescent Development
PSY342	Language Development
PSY343	Infancy
PSY345	Motor Development Course

Child Language Development

Course #	Course Name
PSY242	Developmental Psychology (pre-req for PSY335 lab)
PSY288	Cognitive Psychology (pre-req for PSY330 lab)
PSY342	Language Development
ENL 422	Introduction to Linguistics

 

Courses Related to Health /Clinical Psychology

Public Health/Health Psychology: “Health Psychology seeks to advance contributions of psychology to the understanding of health and illness through basic and clinical research, education, and service activities and encourages the integration of biomedical information about health and illness with current psychological knowledge” (From: http://www.apa.org/about/division/div38.html , accessed 10/5/07).

Course #	Course Name
PSY202	Psychopathology
PSY213	Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSY216	Drugs and Behavior
PSY223	Health Psychology
PSY232	Physiological Psychology: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (pre-req for PSY330 lab)
PSY332	Tests and Measurements

Clinical/Counseling Psychology: “The field of Clinical Psychology integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate maladjustment, disability, and discomfort as well as to promote human adaptation, adjustment, and personal development. Clinical Psychology focuses on the intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of human functioning across the life span, in varying cultures, and at all socioeconomic levels. Clinical Psychologists’ work can range from prevention and early intervention of minor problems of adjustment to dealing with the adjustment and maladjustment of individuals whose disturbance requires them to be institutionalized. Practitioners of Clinical Psychology work directly with individuals at all developmental levels (infants to older adults), as well as groups (families, patients of similar psychopathology, and organizations), using a wide range of assessment and intervention methods to promote mental health and to alleviate discomfort and maladjustment” (From: http://www.apa.org/divisions/div12/aboutcp.html , accessed 10/5/07).

Course #	Course Name
PSY202	Psychopathology
PSY226	Theories of Personality (pre-req for PSY334 lab)
PSY340	Mentoring and Adolescent Development
PSY362	Approaches to Psychotherapy
PSY332	Tests and Measurements
PSY368	Counseling Psychology
PSY416	Group Dynamics

 
Courses Related to Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience & Neuropsychology

Experimental Cognitive Neuroscience: Cognitive Neuroscience is the study of “how the human brain supports thought, perception, affect, action, social processes, and other aspects of cognition and behavior. Topics may bear on core functions such as sensory, learning, language, reasoning, emotion, and executive processes, or more specialized processes such as empathy, creativity, representation of self and other, music, or intentionality, among many other possibilities. Topics may also include how such processes develop and change in the brain” (From: http://www.decadeofbehavior.org/fundsource/fdn_page.cfm?FdnNum=167&Start=1 accessed 10/5/07).

Experimental/Cognition:

Course #	Course Name
PSY288	Cognitive Psychology (pre-req for PSY330 lab)
PSY239	Physiological Psychology: Motivated Behavior
PSY216	Drugs and Behavior
PSY332	Tests and Measurements
PSY342	Language Development
PSY385	Psychology of Memory

Experimental/Neuroscience:

Course #	Course Name
PSY288	Cognitive Psychology (pre-req for PSY330 lab)
PSY232	Physiological Psychology: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (pre-req for PSY330 lab)
PSY216	Drugs and Behavior
PSY332	Tests and Measurements
PSY342	Language Development
PSY385	Psychology of Memory

Clinical Neuropsychology: Clinical Neuropsychology focuses on “the study of the relationships between the brain and human behavior. (It) promotes interdisciplinary interaction among various interest areas including physiological cognitive, developmental, clinical rehabilitation, school, forensic, and health psychology” (From: http://www.apa.org/about/division/div40.html , accessed 10/5/07).

Course #	Course Name
PSY288	Cognitive Psychology (pre-req for PSY330 lab)
PSY232	Physiological Psychology: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (pre-req for PSY330 lab)
PSY202	Psychopathology
PSY332	Tests and Measurements
PSY302	Advanced Psychopathology
PSY385	Psychology of Memory