Psychology

PSYC 1000. TCC Dual Admit. 0 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

PSYC 1100. Transitioning to University Studies in Psychology. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 1 Hour).

Practical study designed to prepare the student for university life, and in the development of skills for academic success, promote personal growth and responsibility, and encourage active involvement in the learning process from an individual college perspective. Also included will be the development of skills to promote physical and mental health.

PSYC 2301. General Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An overview of psychology, the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes and the variables that influence these processes. Topics covered in the course include motivation, emotions, intelligence, sensory processes, perception, learning, thinking, mental health, and psychotherapy. All psychology majors must earn a C or better in the course.

PSYC 2308. Child Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of children from infancy through adolescence with emphasis on the analysis of behavior based on experimental evidence and contemporary theory.

PSYC 2314. Life Span Growth & Development. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A lifespan study of the development of human beings from conception to death. The growth and developmental patterns of the eight age groups are studied with attention directed to experimental evidence, case studies, and contemporary theories. May not be counted as part of the professional education component for teacher certification.

PSYC 2315. Psychology of Adjustment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of human behavioral and mental processes that permit us to adjust or to meet the demands of a changing physical or psychological environment with an emphasis upon effective personal-social adjustment. Topics covered include social influence, stress, psychological factors and physical health, health-enhancing behaviors, addictive behaviors, methods of coping, gender roles and differences, and interpersonal attraction.

PSYC 2317. Statistical Methods in Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Study of statistical methods used in psychological research, assessment, and testing. Includes the study of measures of central tendency and variability, statistical inference (including analysis of variance), and correlation and regression as these apply to psychology. All psychology majors must earn a C or better in the course. Prerequisites: PSYC 2301 and either MATH 1314, MATH 1316, MATH 1332, MATH 1324, MATH 1325, MATH 1342, MATH 2412, or MATH 2413.

PSYC 2319. Social Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introduction to the theories and topics of social psychology. This course emphasizes the effect of social variables upon the behavior of individuals. Topics covered include socialization, language and communication, prejudice, social attitudes, attitude change, aggression, prosocial behavior, and group behavior. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2301 or approval of the department head. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or approval of the department head.

PSYC 2320. Abnormal Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An overview of the history, causes, and treatments of deviant behavior. Psychological, social, and physiological factors as they relate to the development of abnormal behavior and its subsequent treatment. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or approval of the department head.

PSYC 2345. Biological Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introductory course in the biological and neuroscientific basis of behavior with emphasis on how the brain influences behavior. The basic chemical, electrical, and functional components of the nervous system that influence behaviors, cognition, and emotion will be examined. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.

PSYC 3301. Psychology of Learning. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An investigation into the major theoretical approaches, concepts and principles, and experimental methods of learning. All psychology majors must earn a C or better in the course. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 - must pass this course with a C or better, or approval of the department head.

PSYC 3303. Educational Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The study of the psychology of learning within educational settings. Topics include theories and research on human development, cognition, learning, and motivation, and their application to the processes of teaching and learning. Issues such as cultural diversity, standardized testing, individual differences, exceptionalities, and the learning environment are also considered.

PSYC 3305. Human Cognitive Processes. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A survey of human cognition and information processing, including perception, attention, memory, reasoning, and problem solving. Also included are the experimental methods and current theories of human cognition. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or approval of the department head.

PSYC 3307. The Human Lifespan. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys development from conception through adulthood with emphasis on social adaptation of individuals and roles in families, groups, and communities. Cognitive, social, personal and biological factors of the stages of development are included.

PSYC 3309. Writing in Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours). [WI]

The study of advanced technical communication in psychology. Involves learning and using the current edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for formal research reports, literature reviews, grant proposals, and professional articles. Also involves learning to write professional psychological reports. Psychology majors must pass the course with a C or better. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 with a C or better.

PSYC 3311. Behavior Analysis and Behavior Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Examines the basic principles and methods of behavior analysis and behavior management techniques. Includes a systematic review of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral methodologies for dealing with human problems such as disruptive behavior, personal adjustment difficulties, behavioral deficits, phobias and fears, developmental disorders, stress and maladaptive behavior in a variety of settings. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or approval of the department head.

PSYC 3320. Psycholinguistics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course emphasizes the study of language, understanding languages, producing language and speech, language development, and related topics such as reading, language and the brain, linguistic diversity, and universals. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or approval of the department head.

PSYC 3332. Neuropsychopharmacology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of the neuroscientific basis of the effects of drugs on behavior. Emphasis will be placed on major antipsychotic, antianxiety, and antidepressant drugs and their clinical use and side effects. Drug abuse such as alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine will also be reviewed. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 AND 8 hours of lab science.

PSYC 3340. Child Psychopathology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will cover psychological disorders affecting children, the ways in which they differ in presentation from childhood to adulthood, and the developmental impact of childhood psychological disorders. The causes, nature, identification, and treatment of behavioral and emotional disorders in children will be addressed. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.

PSYC 3350. Personality. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introduction to personality, which is the unique and relatively stable patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings that make human beings different. Various theoretical approaches - psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, and existential - will be covered and will be related to personality and personality development. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or approval of department head.

PSYC 3360. Sport Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will provide students with an overview of the theories and research related to sport and exercise behavior. Topics to be covered include the history of sport psychology, behavioral principles, anxiety, motivation, leadership, group dynamics, gender, and personality. The course will also be designed to relate these principles to exercise and sport performance. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or approval of department head.

PSYC 3435. Principles of Research for the Behavioral Sciences. 4 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 1 Hour). [WI]

The study of various research designs used in the behavioral sciences. Includes laboratory exercises to acquaint and give students hands-on experience with experimental procedures and basic and applied research. Experiences are also provided in developing a research proposal, obtaining approval and consent to conduct research, using statistical computer applications, and writing a research report. Ethical and legal issues in conducting research are also considered. All psychology majors must earn a C or better in the course. Prerequisites: PSYC 3309 with a C or better and PSYC 2317 with a C or better.

PSYC 4086. Problems in Psychology. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 1-3 Hours).

Independent reading and research on various topics related to Psychology. Entry into the course will be arranged by the director of the Psychology program.

PSYC 4301. Psychological Tests and Measurements. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introduction to the fundamental concepts of psychological testing and measurement. Includes discussion of the basic theoretical concepts underlying psychological measurement, including psychological scaling, covariance/correlation, dimensionality, reliability, and validity. Also includes discussion of practical issues with test development, including test construction, item analysis, and scoring. Prerequisites: PSYC 2301 and PSYC 2317, or approval of the department head.

PSYC 4302. Adaptive Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A consideration of how adaptation has influenced social, cognitive and developmental processes in humans. Comparisons between humans and other species, and between different human cultures will be included. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or approval of the department head.

PSYC 4303. Animal Behavior. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A survey of the major areas of animal behavior research from a psychological perspective. Research examining the development and display of behaviors will include subject samples ranging from insects to humans conducted in natural, quasi-experimental, and experimental studies. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 AND 8 hours of lab science.

PSYC 4310. Industrial/Organizational Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A survey of the basic theories and practices of Industrial/Organizational psychology including selection testing, job analysis, performance appraisal training, employment motivation, job satisfaction, leadership and group processes within organizations. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or approval of department head.

PSYC 4312. Behavioral Neuroscience. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the biological basis of behavior. Includes an in-depth examination of the physical structure of the human body and the role of chemical and electrical operations within it and how it influences psychological functioning. Emphasis will be placed on the developmental, cognitive, affective and behavioral effects of such operations. Recent research will also be reviewed. Prerequisite: PSYC 2301, 8 hours of lab science (preferably BIOL), or approval of the department head.

PSYC 4320. History of Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Historical analysis of prescientific psychology including philosophical and physiological roots leading to the development of the early schools of psychological thought to current psychological theoretical positions. All psychology majors must earn a C or better in the course. Prerequisites: PSYC 2301 and PHIL 1301 or approval of department head.

PSYC 4350. Senior Capstone. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours). [WI]

A focus on the application, integration, and demonstration of knowledge gained throughout psychology major coursework. In this course, students will be expected to demonstrate the following: knowledge base in multiple areas of psychology, knowledge of methods of scientific inquiry and critical thinking, ethical and social responsibility, effective written and oral communication, and professional development. All psychology majors must earn a C or better in the course. Prerequisites: PSYC 3435 and 90 hours completed, or permission of the department head.

PSYC 4388. Undergraduate Research Experience. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will provide students the opportunity to engage in research with faculty. Students will have the opportunity to gain experience working in a lab setting, which may include engagement in design, collection, analyzing, interpreting, writing and presenting data. Students must be currently working in a lab and be invited by a faculty member to take this course. Prerequisite: PSYCH 2301.

PSYC 4390. Special Topics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Independent reading and research on various topics related to Psychology. Prerequisites: Senior standing.

PSYC 5048. Applied Project Capstone. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-6 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course requires students to design and complete an independent project that integrates what the student has learned in the program and advances the application of the scientific principles of psychology. Students will communicate the results of their project via a written report and a public presentation.

PSYC 5086. Problems. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 1-3 Hours).

Directed independent study or research under the supervision of a member of the psychology faculty. Prerequisites: graduate standing and approval of department head.

PSYC 5088. Thesis. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-6 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Scheduled when the student is ready to begin the thesis. No credit until the thesis is completed. Prerequisites: Completion of all course work required by the degree and consent of the major professor.

PSYC 5090. Special Topics. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An examination of different topics each semester with a focus on contemporary issues in counseling. This course may be repeated for credit as the topic changes.

PSYC 5098. Pre-Doctoral Research. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Doctoral students who do not already have a Master's degree will conduct original research on a variety of topics in experimental psychology. Course will be graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 5300. Behavioral Statistics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course explores the fundamentals of experimental research in the psychological sciences. Students will learn frameworks for hypothesis testing and effect size estimation in the context of classical statistical methods, including t-tests, analysis of variance, and correlation. Students will also gain an understanding of the interrelationships among statistical methods as well as computer skills required for data analysis.

PSYC 5301. Research Methods. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides students with a big-picture overview of the process of experimental research in the psychological sciences. Students learn to design, conduct, and evaluate experimental research. Students will learn to critically evaluate the methodology and conclusions of existing and proposed research. Students will develop a formal research proposal and will learn about the process of grant submission and peer review. Prerequisite: PSYC 5300 or equivalent graduate statistics course.

PSYC 5302. Social Psychological Processes. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An in-depth examination of the individual in a social and cultural context. Topics include: the behavior of groups, the roles of individuals within groups, and the influence of groups on an individual¿s perceptions, attitudes, emotions, and behavior. Major theories and supporting research are covered. Includes a selected emphasis on specific topics, with individual or team projects and/or original research.

PSYC 5303. Learning and Cognition. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course presents the primary theories of learning, cognition, and the factors that influence human learning and cognition. Students in this course will gain broad knowledge of how these theories and related research findings may be applied to general and special populations and in various contexts. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5303 and PSYC 6303.

PSYC 5304. Human Development. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces major theoretical perspectives that shape human development from infancy to adulthood. Students will explore the biological, cognitive, and social aspects of human development throughout the lifespan. Students will examine empirical research, theories, cultural, and contextual factors that shape development. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5304 and PSYC 6304.

PSYC 5306. Behavioral Neuroscience. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the neuroscientific basis of behavior and provides an advanced appraisal of the in-depth mechanisms of the nervous system. Students will examine the role of chemical and electrical operations within the nervous system and how it influences psychological functioning. Topics will include the neural basis (chemical, electrical, and mechanistic) of behavior and cognition, and processes such as somatosensation, motor processing, perception, reward, nociception, learning and memory, and neurological disorders. Methods of research in behavioral neuroscience and experimental paradigms will also be explored. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 5315. Physiological Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the inter-disciplinary knowledge of the advanced structure and function of physiological systems that underlie psychological processes. Includes an exploration of the physiology of psychological processes, behavior and cognition including focus on somatosensation, motor processing, perception, reward and psychopharmacology, nociception, learning and memory, and neurological disorders. Methods of research and experimental paradigms in physiological psychology will also be explored. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5315 and PSYC 6315.

PSYC 5316. Advanced Quantitative Methods and Experimental Design. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides students with a solid grounding in the theory and practice of experimental design and statistical modeling that forms the empirical basis of modern psychological and behavioral sciences. Topics include frequentist and Bayesian approaches to classical between-subject designs (including single-factor and two-factor designs), repeated-measures designs, covariate designs, classical regression models, and linear mixed-effects models. Prerequisite: PSYC 5300 or equivalent graduate statistics training.

PSYC 5318. Statistical Modeling for Experimental Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides doctoral students with a foundation of theory and practice in statistical modeling in the context of experimental psychology. Topics include frequentist and Bayesian approaches to estimating parameters and assessing fit of predictive models (including linear, generalized linear, and nonlinear models) in a variety of contexts beyond the typical regression context, including analysis of binary choice data, ordinal data, and count data. Topics also include an introduction to process models of behavioral and cognitive phenomena. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing; PSYC 5316.

PSYC 5320. History and Systems of Psychological Science. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides an overview of the historical development of the modern field of psychology. It examines the early roots of psychological thought beginning in ancient times through the middle ages, and the Renaissance, to the emergence of empiricism that heralded the field’s formal founding. Students will examine the major schools of thought in psychology with a focus on how historical events shaped the prevailing thoughts of the time. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5320 and PSYC 6320.

PSYC 5321. Evolutionary Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the evolutionary basis of behavior and psychological processes. Students will study mechanisms of evolution and adaptation on change, selection, mate choice, individual differences, altruism, parental investment, competition, fitness, language, emotion, culture, and cognition with a primary focus on how adaptation and evolution have influenced psychological processes. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5321 and PSYC 6321.

PSYC 5322. Psychometrics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces students to the quantification of human behavior. Students will learn how to construct reliable and valid measures of behavior, with particular emphasis on psychological tests. The course will cover statistical techniques for evaluating reliability and validity of these tests and other types of measurement instruments. Both classical test theory and modern test theory, including factor analysis and item response theory, will be considered. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5322 and PSYC 6322.

PSYC 5323. Mathematical Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides students with an introduction to using mathematical modeling to understand psychological and behavioral processes. The student will learn the basic mathematical techniques employed in mathematical psychology, and the course will cover a number of mathematical models and theories that have been developed and employed in various important areas of experimental psychology, including memory and forgetting, learning, and decision-making. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5323 and PSYC 6323.

PSYC 5324. Behavioral Data Science. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course teaches students how to use methods of data science to answer research questions in the psychological and behavioral sciences. Students will learn the full scope of skills and knowledge needed to complete a basic behavioral data science project including data acquisition (e.g., collecting data through APIs and web scraping), data processing (e.g., high performance computing and feature extraction), and data analysis (e.g., machine learning, natural language processing, and advanced regression analyses). Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5324 and PSYC 6324.

PSYC 5331. Group Processes. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is a survey of major topics in the psychology of group dynamics. The course introduces and develops students’ knowledge of history, theoretical underpinnings, and contemporary research on the psychological issues related to group behavior and collective cognition. Among the issues covered will be performance, motivation, goal setting, decision-making, creativity, social influence, memory, leadership, teamwork, and collective behavior. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 5340. Psychopathology and Assessment of Children. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to provide an overview of emotional and behavioral disorders of children and adolescents and theoretical foundations and applications of psychological assessment with this population.

PSYC 5361. Teaching of Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of pedagogical theories, styles, and strategies as they apply to college-level teaching of psychology. Students will explore a range of techniques for teaching of psychology courses, including presentation of course material, learning assessment tools, test construction, and grading.

PSYC 5362. Teaching of Psychology Practicum. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

The Teaching of Psychology Practicum is designed to give students supervised practical application related to teaching experience within the realm of Psychology. Students will be paired with a current faculty member teaching, but not limited to, PSYC 2301 General Psychology and PSYC 1100 Transitioning to University Studies in Psychology courses. Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School.

PSYC 5379. Human Language and Discourse Processing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides an overview of current theory and research related to human language and discourse processing. Topics addressed in this course include linguistic principles, the perception of language, the mental lexicon, sentence and discourse comprehension, language production, language acquisition, linguistic diversity, and cultural influences on language. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5379 and PSYC 6379.

PSYC 5381. Assessment and Evaluation Fundamentals. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course examines the nature and development of standardized tests, with emphasis on ethical standards, psychometric theory, test standards and test construction. Selection criteria and utilization of standardized and other instruments in various environments are considered. Includes evaluations and critiques of published tests and experiential exposure to different types of psychological tests.

PSYC 6098. Doctoral Research. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Doctoral students conduct original research on a variety of topics in experimental psychology. Course will be graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6302. Doctoral Proseminar in Experimental Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course provides new doctoral students in the Ph.D. program in Experimental Psychology the opportunity to hear and participate in discussions with doctoral faculty in the Department of Psychological Sciences. The course focuses on the development of tangible research skills, including discussion of faculty research and research strategies, thinking critically about research, and other topics relevant to students beginning Ph.D. studies. The course will address many Issues of importance to new students, including degree planning, achieving program milestones, CV development, and job opportunities following graduation. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6303. Learning and Cognition. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course presents the primary theories of learning, cognition, and the factors that influence human learning and cognition. Students in this course will gain broad knowledge of how these theories and related research findings may be applied to general and special populations and in various contexts. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5303 and PSYC 6303. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6304. Human Development. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces major theoretical perspectives that shape human development from infancy to adulthood. Students will explore the biological, cognitive, and social aspects of human development throughout the lifespan. Students will examine empirical research, theories, cultural, and contextual factors that shape development. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5304 and PSYC 6304. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6305. Topics in Developmental Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the major topics in developmental psychology. The course will examine various theoretical perspectives and research methods used in the study of topics across the lifespan. Topics may include infant, child, and adult development, aging and end-of-life topics, self-control, technology impacts on development, developmental changes across decades, gender, sexuality, social and cultural impacts, parenting, peer influences, stereotypes, disabilities, emotional, and mental health aspects that may impact development at any stage of life. In addition, students will explore the professional role that psychology brings to the field of development. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6306. Psychology of Aging. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A comprehensive study of the biological, cognitive, and social aspects of aging. The course will cover a range of topics, including cognitive changes in aging, memory, attention, and language abilities, as well as personality changes and social roles. Students will also investigate the impact of age-related changes on mental health, including depression and anxiety, as well as issues related to caregiving and end-of-life decisions. Emphasis is placed on adjusting to the evolution of the family, workplace, and societal roles. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6310. Topics in Neuroscience and Behavior. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the inter-disciplinary knowledge of an advanced topic in behavior and neuroscience as it relates to psychological processes. Develops knowledge of foundational theories, issues, historical research findings, and contemporary directions in fundamental areas of behavior and neuroscience. Methods of research and experimental paradigms in physiological psychology will also be explored. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6312. Neuropsychopharmacology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced exploration of the neural mechanisms of the effects of drugs on behavior and the neuroscientific principles within psychopharmacology. Modules will include the neuroscientific knowledge of drug abuse, addiction, specific drugs (such as opioids, antidepressants, and cocaine), drugs for psychological disorders, and neurological disorders. Methods of research in psychopharmacology will also be explored. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6313. Animal Behavior. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Explores the knowledge of animal behavior from a psychological perspective. Students will examine the principles of animal behavior, behavioral endocrinology, learning, cultural transmission, selection (artificial, natural, and sexual), mating, kinship, foraging, cooperation, antipredator behaviors, habitat selection, aggression, and genetics. Students will curate a curiosity of the natural world using a scientific lens. Methods of research in animal behavior will also be explored. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6315. Physiological Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the inter-disciplinary knowledge of the advanced structure and function of physiological systems that underlie psychological processes. Includes an exploration of the physiology of psychological processes, behavior and cognition including focus on somatosensation, motor processing, perception, reward and psychopharmacology, nociception, learning and memory, and neurological disorders. Methods of research and experimental paradigms in physiological psychology will also be explored. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5315 and PSYC 6315. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6317. Applied Experimental Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces and develops students’ knowledge base and skillset related to contemporary applications of experimental psychology. Topics include human-computer interaction, UX design, expert systems, and ergnonomics. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6319. Research Ethics in Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course develops students’ knowledge of the ethical principles, codes and research ethics that guide research on human participants and animal subjects in the discipline of psychology. The course examines human and animal research and related federal regulations. Related to human research, students will develop an understanding of assessing risk, informed consent, protecting privacy and the confidentiality of research results, protecting vulnerable human research participant populations, appropriate conduct for internet based research, and conflicts of interest. Additionally, this course addresses issues of data ownership and sharing, bias and fraud in research, issues related to authorship, and professional practices related to the publication of research findings. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6320. History and Systems of Psychological Science. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides an overview of the historical development of the modern field of psychology. It examines the early roots of psychological thought beginning in ancient times through the middle ages, and the Renaissance, to the emergence of empiricism that heralded the field’s formal founding. Students will examine the major schools of thought in psychology with a focus on how historical events shaped the prevailing thoughts of the time. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5320 and PSYC 6320. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6321. Evolutionary Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the evolutionary basis of behavior and psychological processes. Students will study mechanisms of evolution and adaptation on change, selection, mate choice, individual differences, altruism, parental investment, competition, fitness, language, emotion, culture, and cognition with a primary focus on how adaptation and evolution have influenced psychological processes. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5321 and PSYC 6321. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6322. Psychometrics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces students to the quantification of human behavior. Students will learn how to construct reliable and valid measures of behavior, with particular emphasis on psychological tests. The course will cover statistical techniques for evaluating reliability and validity of these tests and other types of measurement instruments. Both classical test theory and modern test theory will be considered, including factor analysis and item response theory. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5322 and PSYC 6322. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6323. Mathematical Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides students with an introduction to using mathematical modeling to understand psychological and behavioral processes. The student will learn the basic mathematical techniques employed in mathematical psychology, and the course will cover a number of mathematical models and theories that have been developed and employed in various important areas of experimental psychology, including memory and forgetting, learning, and decision-making. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5323 and PSYC 6323. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6324. Behavioral Data Science. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course teaches students how to use methods of data science to answer research questions in the psychological and behavioral sciences. Students will learn the full scope of skills and knowledge needed to complete a basic behavioral data science project including data acquisition (e.g., collecting data through APIs and web scraping), data processing (e.g., high performance computing and feature extraction), and data analysis (e.g., machine learning, natural language processing, and advanced regression analyses). Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5324 and PSYC 6324. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6325. Topics in Quantitative Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces and develops students’ knowledge of theories, issues, historical research findings, and contemporary research directions in fundamental areas of quantitative psychology. Students will study topics broadly related to quantitative psychology, including hierarchical modeling, structural equation modeling, nonparametric statistics, mediation analysis, and Bayesian methods. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6330. Topics in Social Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces and develops students’ knowledge of theories, issues, historical research findings, and contemporary research directions in fundamental areas of inquiry within social psychology. Students will study broadly within the areas of social cognition, interpersonal relations, prosocial behavior, prejudice and discrimination, group behavior, attitudes, aggression, and social identity. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6332. Theories of Personality. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will provide an overview of Personality Psychology, including the prevailing theories and research methods in the field, to explain what makes people the way that they are, the factors that shape personality, and the forces that help people behave consistently from one situation to the next. Students will learn how to identify and explain personality characteristics and their functions in a person’s life. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6333. Psychology of Leadership. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course examines the social and cognitive psychological processes that characterize effective leadership, including the qualities of leaders, psychological exchanges between leaders and followers, and the relevant research informing the practice of leadership in various contexts. Students will gain an understanding of leadership theories, leaders and leadership development with a global perspective learning the models from different periods of history and different cultures. The group discussions and projects will create a learning environment that will not only expand students’ thinking about leadership in general but also facilitate personal growth and reflection. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6340. Topics in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course will expose the student to the research, theory, and real-life application of organizational psychology. Topics covered will include the motivation of workers; group decision-making; leadership styles; career management, and organizational development. The class format will consist of experiential exercises combined with lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. The students will participate in work-environment-related activities in which they will learn to limit both bias and error in personnel-related decisions by applying research and theory in organizational psychology. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6341. Psychology of Creativity and Innovation. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course will provide a broad range of empirical, theoretical, and practical approaches to creativity and innovation in groups and individuals. The topics will include the importance of group factors in stimulating creativity and innovation, social and cognitive processes underlying individual and collaborative creativity and innovation, the role of observable and deeper level diversity in creativity and innovation, individual and collective self-efficacy for creativity, ways to promote collaborative creativity, and how creativity, innovation and adaptability function in organizations and business. The course will take a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of human groups and teams, cutting across different areas of thought and research. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6342. Psychology of Organizational Behavior. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed for graduate students who are interested in industrial/organizational psychology. Apart from surveying the theory and research related to human behavior in organizational context, the course describes the methodological tools the researchers use to examine how individuals, groups, and organizations behave. Some of the topics include job performance, motivation, innovation, decision-making, job satisfaction, work stress, organizational climate and culture, leadership, groups and teams, and experimental approach to organizational behavior. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6350. Professional Seminar in School Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Professional preparation and socialization to the field of school psychology. History of school psychology as a discipline will be presented, along with roles and functions of the school psychologist. Ethical principles and responsibilities will be emphasized.

PSYC 6351. Legal, Ethical, and Multicultural Issues in School Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Major legislation, ethical codes, and rulings that govern the provision of psychological services in schools and in psychological practice that pertain to the professions of Licensed Specialist in School Psychologist and Licensed Psychological Associate. Prerequisite: PSYC 6350.

PSYC 6352. Theory and Practice of Counseling with Children and Adolescents. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental theories, techniques, and approaches within the field of psychotherapy with children and adolescents. Students will delve into the historical evolution of psychotherapy, gaining an in-depth understanding of major theoretical frameworks and their practical applications. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, case studies, role-play exercises, and critical analysis, students will develop a solid foundation in psychotherapeutic principles that can be applied across various clinical settings. Ethical considerations, cultural sensitivity, and current trends in child therapy will be examined to foster a well-rounded understanding of contemporary practice. Prerequisite: PSYC 6350.

PSYC 6353. Evidence-Based Intervention with Children and Adolescents. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced course covering the implementation of empirically validated individual and group interventions with an emphasis on best practices for children and adolescents. Prerequisite: PSYC 6350.

PSYC 6354. Consultation and Supervision in Schools and Psychological Practice. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Introduction to theory and practices of consultation and supervision. Course goal is to facilitate development of a conceptual framework for providing consultative services to parents, families, teachers, other educational professionals, other mental health professionals, systems within public school or other educational settings and programs, and mental health or clinical settings. The second course goal is to develop a framework for providing supervision to trainees, students, and individuals working in service delivery. Prerequisite: PSYC 6350.

PSYC 6355. Advanced Behavior Modification. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Instruction and practice in the skills of behavioral observation, behavior analysis, and behavior modification and its applications in across professional settings. Students will explore principles of behavior analysis and modification, with an emphasis on understanding how behavior is shaped, maintained, and changed through systematic interventions. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, practical exercises, case studies, and hands-on applications, students will develop a deep understanding of behavior modification strategies and their relevance in various settings. Prerequisite: PSYC 6350.

PSYC 6356. Preschool and Autism Assessment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Administration and interpretation of assessment procedures for both preschoolers and children and adolescents with autism spectrum and other developmental disorders. Prerequisite: PSYC 6350, PSYC 5340.

PSYC 6357. Cognitive Assessment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced course covering how to learn and apply psychological assessment techniques. Includes competency-based requirement for administration, scoring, interpretation and reporting of selected standardized assessment measures. Prerequisite: PSYC 6350, PSYC 5340.

PSYC 6358. Academic Assessment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced course covering how to learn and apply psychological assessment techniques in the area of academic assessment. Includes competency-based requirement for administration, scoring, interpretation and reporting of selected standardized assessment measures. Prerequisite: PSYC 6350, PSYC 5340.

PSYC 6359. Social-Emotional Assessment of Children. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Administration and interpretation of personality assessment procedures with children, including integration with other psychoeducational assessment information. Prerequisite: PSYC 6350, PSYC 5340.

PSYC 6360. Practicum I in Assessment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Supervised training experience within public schools in which the intern develops knowledge and skills in professional school psychology. Under supervision, the student will gain practice and proficiency in the many professional skills of the school psychologist including, but not limited to, psychoeducational assessment, direct intervention, consultation, systems-level assessment, and prevention and crisis intervention programming. Prerequisite: PSYC 6330, PSYC 6350, PSYC 6351, PSYC 6352, PSYC 6353, PSYC 6354, PSYC 6355, PSYC 6356, PSYC 6357, PSYC 6358, PSYC 6359.

PSYC 6361. Practicum II in Interventions. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Supervised training experience within public schools in which the intern develops knowledge and skills in professional school psychology. Under supervision, the student will gain practice and proficiency in the many professional skills of the school psychologist including, but not limited to, psychoeducational assessment, direct intervention, consultation, systems-level assessment, and prevention and crisis intervention programming. Prerequisite: PSYC 6360.

PSYC 6370. Topics in Cognitive Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces and develops students’ knowledge of theories, issues, historical research findings, and contemporary research directions in fundamental areas of human cognition. Students will study broadly within the areas of human learning and memory, attention, categorization, reasoning, decision making, problem solving, knowledge representation, and language. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6379. Human Language and Discourse Processing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides an overview of current theory and research related to human language and discourse processing. Topics addressed in this course include linguistic principles, the perception of language, the mental lexicon, sentence and discourse comprehension, language production, language acquisition, linguistic diversity, and cultural influences on language. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 5379 and PSYC 6379. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

PSYC 6384. School Psychology Internship I. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Supervised training experience within public schools in which the intern demonstrates knowledge and applies skills in professional school psychology with increasing independence. May be repeated as often as needed. Prerequisite: PSYC 6361.

PSYC 6385. School Psychology Internship II. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Supervised training experience within public schools in which the intern demonstrates knowledge and applies skills in professional school psychology with increasing independence. May be repeated as often as needed. Prerequisite: PSYC 6384.

PSYC 7088. Dissertation. 1-9 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Scheduled when the student is ready to begin the thorough and scholarly investigation of a topic acceptable to the dissertation committee. The dissertation must provide evidence that the candidate has pursued a coherent program of research related to the student’s area(s) of academic specialization, the results of which reveal academic excellence and which make an original contribution to the discipline. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.