Psychology

Program Description

The Psychology program provides students with a working knowledge of the methods and findings of modern psychology. Students may pursue the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology that is congruent with APA guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major. All majors are required to complete some laboratory coursework in which they conduct psychological science research using modern statistical analyses. Internships are available for senior psychology majors and are based on student interest and availability in the local community. Students majoring in psychology are prepared to work in a wide variety of settings, including human services (counseling and social work), public affairs, business, sales, criminal justice and (following graduate study) mental health counseling, teaching, and research. The Psychology program provides a strong foundation for graduate study in psychology and related disciplines.

The Psychology program sponsors the Psychology Club, NAMI on Campus, and a local chapter of the national honor society in psychology, Psi Chi. Through active membership in these organizations, students are encouraged to become involved in community service and to attend and present their research at regional and national psychology conferences.

A minor in psychology requires the student to acquire working knowledge of the methods and findings of modern psychology. To earn the minor, a student must take the research methods course, along with several topical courses in psychology. A student with this minor will have a deeper understanding of the processes that shape behavior, which can then be applied to a wide variety of areas.

A minor in forensic investigation – psychology provides students a base in forensic psychology. Students may be better prepared to enter graduate programs in forensic psychology. Students will be better prepared to use psychological concepts in criminal justice investigation jobs.

Contact Information

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Lowell Heiny Hall 413
970.248.1696

Psychology (PSYC)

PSYC 150 General Psychology-GTSS33 Credits

Introduction to psychological principles, theories, and research methods applied to the study of behavior and mental processes. Encourages application of psychological knowledge, science, and theories to enhance human life.

Essential Learning Categories: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Colorado Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways General Education Curriculum

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

PSYC 201 Orientation to the Psychology Major3 Credits

Foundations for further study in psychology. Content includes CMU major requirements, career planning, applying to graduate school, and self-management skills. Emphasis on research writing using APA Style.

Prerequisites: Declared psychology major, PSYC 150 and ENGL 112.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

PSYC 202 APA Style of Writing for Psychology Minors1 Credit

Research writing in psychology using APA style. Not intended for psychology majors.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150, ENGL 112, and declared minor in psychology.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

PSYC 216 Research Methods in Psychology4 Credits

Fundamentals of psychological research techniques used in the study of behavior and mental processes. Discourse on experimental and correlational design, participant recruitment, ethical practices, and management/analysis of data. Development of skills associated with professional writing, data analysis, collaboration, and presentation of research.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150, STAT 215, and PSYC 201.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

PSYC 233 Human Growth and Development-GTSS33 Credits

Exploration of major topics, theories, and methodological approaches in the study of human lifespan development. Focuses on physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development in infancy, early and middle childhood, adolescence, emerging and middle adulthood, and late adulthood. Development of skills associated with recognizing changes throughout the lifespan and understanding how psychology relates to everyday life.

Essential Learning Categories: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Colorado Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways General Education Curriculum

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

PSYC 296 Topics1-4 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

PSYC 300 Health Psychology3 Credits

Health and psychology are intertwined in a variety of ways. This course examines what it means to be healthy and look at the connection between behavior and both physical health and illness and mental health and illness.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150 or PSYC 233.

PSYC 310 Child Psychology3 Credits

A study of the principles of human development and psychology from conception to puberty.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150.

PSYC 314 Psychology Of Learning3 Credits

Classic and modern explanations of the phenomena of learning in both lower animals and humans. Classical and operant conditioning covered in detail.

Prerequisites: Junior or senior status and PSYC 150.

PSYC 320 Social Psychology3 Credits

Social influences upon behavior with consideration given to topics such as: social perception, attitude formation and change, communication, and leadership.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150.

PSYC 330 Psychology of Adolescents and Emerging Adulthood3 Credits

Study of principles of human development (biological, cognitive, and social/emotional) from puberty through emerging adulthood.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150.

PSYC 335 Psychology of Women3 Credits

A brief account of the role of women in mythology and history will be followed by coverage of women's heritage in psychology. Then gender specific aspects of physical, psychological and social development will be covered. Current areas of interest will be included, e.g., communication, work related issues, relationships.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150.

PSYC 340 Abnormal Psychology3 Credits

Concepts related to psychopathology and personality disorders including functional causation, general psychological theory, and behavior deviation patterns.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 345 Abnormal Child Psychology3 Credits

Child and adolescent disorders within the context of a developmental framework. This course will encourage the developmental consideration that influence diagnosis, behavioral manifestation, and treatment of childhood disorders as well as the contextual influences on development, maintenance, and treatment of childhood disorders.

Prerequisites: PSYC 233 or PSYC 310.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

PSYC 350 Psychology Of Adulthood3 Credits

Study of principles of human development (biological, cognitive, and social/emotional) from the latter part of young adulthood through late adulthood.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150.

PSYC 370 Cross-Cultural Psychology3 Credits

Survey of theory and methods in cross-cultural psychology.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150.

PSYC 395 Independent Study1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.

PSYC 396 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

PSYC 400 Psychological Testing3 Credits

Theory, problems, methods, and content of psychological measurement, including concepts of the purpose of testing, test administration and scoring, standardization, reliability, validity test evaluation, and a survey of the major tests used in educational and psychological testing.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150 and STAT 215.

PSYC 401 Sport Psychology3 Credits

Introduction to theories and research in Sport Psychology. Includes aggression and violence in sport, psychological characteristics of participants, sexual identity and motivation.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150.

PSYC 408 Foundations of School Counseling3 Credits

Examination of conceptual foundation of the counseling and school counseling professions including history, philosophy, principles and trends. Includes functions of counselors, administrators, teachers and parents in meeting students' needs in a K-12 education setting.

Prerequisites: PSYC 233 or PSYC 310.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

PSYC 410 Drugs and Human Behavior3 Credits

Study of pharmacological effects and behavioral consequences of self-administered depressants, stimulants, and euphoriants, of marijuana, alcohol and tobacco, and of medicines. Prevention of drug-related problems is considered briefly.

Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.

PSYC 411 Human Sexuality3 Credits

Study of the biological, psychological, and social bases and manifestations of human sexual behavior. Includes theory, research and diversity in sexuality, the biology of sex, gender development, sexual diseases, deviancy and coercion.

Prerequisites: PSYC 216.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

PSYC 412 Industrial and Organizational Psychology3 Credits

Psychological principles applied to formal, productive organizations such as businesses, governments, and schools. Personnel selection, placement, training, evaluation, motivation to work, job satisfaction, and morale are examined. Counts as a management course for BBA candidates.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 414 History of Psychology3 Credits

Systems and theories of modern psychology and the development of scientific psychology since 1879.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150, and good standing as a junior or above psychology major, or permission of instructor.

PSYC 416 Memory And Cognition3 Credits

Study of the mental processes that underlie our abilities to recognize stimuli, think, remember, learn language, and solve problems. Current research in each of these areas will be discussed. Includes a research paper written in APA style.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150.

PSYC 420 Personality3 Credits

Examination of personality psychology from the time of Freud through the present. Theories and various approaches to understanding the development and functioning of both the general and the unique in personality are emphasized.

Prerequisites: PSYC 216; PSYC 400 is recommended.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

PSYC 422 Sensation and Perception3 Credits

Introduction to the scientific study of human sensation and perception. Includes a detailed study of the major senses (vision, audition, touch, smell, taste). Covers the physical basis for perceptual information (e.g., light, odor), and the biological, psychological, and computational processes by which the brain converts such information to perceptions.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

PSYC 425 Forensic Psychology3 Credits

Introduction to the production and application of psychological knowledge to the civil and criminal justice systems.

Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.

PSYC 430 Biopsychology3 Credits

The biological bases of the behaviors of the organism, emphasizing the structure and function of the nervous system. The role of biological factors in such behaviors as sleep, sexual behavior, drug addiction, emotion, etc. will be examined.

Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and PSYC 216.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

PSYC 435 Applied Social Psychology3 Credits

Survey of theories and research in social psychology. Advanced topics in social psychology through readings and discussion on historical and current perspectives. May include self, person perception, attitudes, attributions, close relationships, social influence, and group conflict.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150 and upper division standing.

PSYC 495 Independent Study1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.

PSYC 496 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

PSYC 499 Internship1-12 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

Psychology - Counseling (PSYP)

PSYP 305 Suicide Intervention Training1 Credit

Provides a clear and direct method to intervene with those at risk of suicide. Students learn to identify risk factors, develop safety plans, practice skills to intervene, and develop an understanding of resources available. This is a two day (16 hour) suicide intervention workshop.

PSYP 306 Applied Ethics in Mental Health and Counseling1 Credit

Application of professional ethical principles and codes to mental health and health service settings.

PSYP 320 Career Development3 Credits

Theories of, and factors influencing, career development such as assessment, career maturity, decision making, problem solving, and planning. Current developments in adult career and life development will be discussed including life stages, transitions, midlife crisis, stress, and adjustments necessary for career development effectiveness.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201 or permission of instructor.

PSYP 322 Multicultural Service Learning3 Credits

Exploration of multiculturalism through ethnography and community service field work.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201.

PSYP 396 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

PSYP 410 Introduction to Marriage and Family Counseling3 Credits

Key theories and approaches for diverse problem areas in Marriage and Family Counseling, including domestic violence and substance abuse. Explore career options and training for counselors.

Prerequisites: PSYC 150 or SOCO 144.

PSYP 420 Counseling Processes and Techniques3 Credits

Counseling principles and practices which facilitate interpersonal communication and effective personal and social development. Counseling skills in attending behavior, listening, problem exploration, responding, understanding, and modes of action are examined, discussed and applied in classroom counseling situations.

Prerequisites: PSYP 320 and PSYC 340 or permission of instructor.

PSYP 422 Psychological Interviewing3 Credits

Psychological interviewing techniques, methods, and interpretation will be examined using the DSM-V. Interview types will include counseling, intake, assessment, and diagnosis.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201, PSYC 340 and PSYC 400.

PSYP 424 Group Processes3 Credits

Dynamics, procedures, and processes of the group. Focus will be on understanding self and learning how to help others develop self-understanding as well as personal and social skill.

Prerequisites: PSYP 420.

PSYP 496 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

PSYP 497 Practicum I4 Credits

Interpersonal training and counseling practice under professional supervision. A typed paper/journal must be submitted for approval and course credit.

Prerequisites: Senior standing and permission of instructor. Practicum must be arranged for the semester prior to enrollment.

PSYP 499 Practicum II4 Credits

Counseling experience in external field locations according to needs and career goals of the student. A typed paper/journal must be submitted for approval and course credit.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor. Internship must be arranged for the semester prior to enrollment.