Graduate Psychology Courses

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

Review of descriptive statistics with emphasis on inferential statistics. Includes correlation, one-way and two-way analysis of variance, regression analysis and experimental design. Use of computer software with emphasis on experience with SPSS. Prerequisite: undergraduate statistics recommended.

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

A study of the scientific method of research, types of research and research design. Students are required to review, analyze and interpret research findings in their major field and develop a research project with the assistance of their instructor. Prerequisite: PSYC 5300 or equivalent graduate statistics course. Lab fee assessed.

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. Theories of Learning. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Study of major theories of learning, factors which influence the process of learning, and application of these theories and processes to general and special populations. Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School or approval of department head.

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

A lifespan survey of the development of human beings from conception to death. Topics included will be research and theory into physical, cognitive, social, and personality development in each of the different age groups: prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

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

An examination of the biological basis of behavior with an emphasis on the structure and biochemistry of the human nervous system. Includes an exploration of the interactive relationships between biological processes, psychopharmacology, genetics, neurological disorders, normal growth and maturation, perception, memory, emotion, stress, mental disorders, consciousness, and communication. Contemporary theories and research are investigated and critiqued.

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

This course provides an overview of advanced statistical techniques to analyze quantitative data resulting from experimental and quasi-experimental research designs. This course is a continuation of PSYC 5300 and 5301 and requires students to demonstrate proficiency in the use of SPSS for data analysis. The course reviews One-Way and Two-Factor ANOVA. Other topics include ANCOVA, MANOVA, MANCOVA, multiple regression, logistic regression, data reduction techniques (factor analysis and principal components analysis), and non-parametric analyses appropriate for two- and multi-group designs. The course emphasizes the integration of multivariate and advanced statistical design with applicable research paradigms.

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

Historical analysis of the development of the science of psychology from early philosophical theories through the establishment of psychology as a science to modern theoretical positions.

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

In-depth evaluation of the current theories of adaptation with a large focus on how adaptation has influenced social, cognitive and developmental processes in humans. Evidence from cross-cultural studies as well as cross species studies will be reviewed and discussed.

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.

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.

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).

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

This course emphasizes linguistic principles, the perception of language, the mental lexicon, sentence and discourse comprehension, the production of speech and language, conversational interaction, first and second language acquisition, biological foundations of language, and related topics, such as reading, linguistic diversity, and cultural influences. Course is cross-listed with READ 5379. Credit will not be awarded for both READ 5379 and PSYC 5379.

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.