Psychology

Professor: 

  • Howard Weems, Ph.D. (Administrator) 

Associate Professors: 

  • Carmen Bucknor, Ph.D. 
  • Martin Hodnett, Psy.D (Chair)

Purpose 

It is the purpose of the Department of Psychological Sciences to provide a liberal arts, undergraduate foundation with a basic understanding of the theories, principles, facts, approaches, and methods of research in psychology. The goal of the department is to aid the student in (1) acquiring knowledge and developing skills for entry-level professional service, (2) understanding and embracing the scientific nature of the field, (3) preparing for entry into graduate programs, (4) receiving a Christian perspective of psychology, and (5) expanding an understanding of self and others with an appreciation of the origin and nature of individual differences from the psychological viewpoint.

High School Preparation 

A strong academic background with emphasis on biology, computer skills, mathematics, and social sciences will be valuable for aspiring psychology majors. 

Application for Admission 

Students seeking to pursue a degree in the Department of Psychological Sciences will be admitted upon completion of the following admission criteria:

  • Submission of departmental application in the fall semester of the student’s sophomore year. Applications must be obtained from and returned to the department.
  • Applications must be submitted and approved by the end of the sophomore year.
  • A cumulative college GPA of at least 2.50. This GPA must be maintained until graduation.

Exit Examination 

All Psychology students are required to take an exit examination during their final semester. The minimum passing score is 70 percent. Students who do not achieve a passing score on their first attempt may apply to take the exam again after completing remediation recommended by the department. Students must complete the second administration of the exam within one calendar year of the first administration during the officially scheduled exam time. Students who do not successfully pass the second exam within one year will be referred to another degree program (e.g. General Studies)

Career Opportunities 

Human understanding and service constitute great needs among people today. Psychology graduates are entering a multiplicity of occupations including business, law, government, private practice or mental health agency employment, and education. The bachelor’s degree in psychology is a flexible and versatile way to prepare for a career in human services and diverse lines of work. Psychology graduates are upwardly mobile, but their advances are strongly correlated with training beyond the bachelor’s degree.

Degrees

Courses

PY 101: Principles of Psychology

Credits 3
This course is designed for non-psychology majors. In this course the student will explore the science of psychology. Concepts include but are not limited to: emotion, motivation, neurological and cognitive processing, brain development, learning, sex and gender, health and stress, memory, human development, personality, sensation, perception, social psychology, measurement and experimental methods, psychological disorders and therapies.

PY 105: Introduction to Psychology for Majors

Credits 3
This course is designed for psychology majors. In this course the student will explore the science of psychology. Concepts include but are not limited to: emotion, motivation, neurological and cognitive processing, brain development, learning, sex and gender, health and stress, memory, human development, personality, sensation, perception, social psychology, measurement and experimental methods, psychological disorders and therapies. Students are required to attend periodic recitation sessions. The recitation sessions are combined with the lecture class as the primary components for this course.

PY 201: Psychology of Religion

Credits 3
A study of the psychological aspects of religion and an analysis of several systems in psychology from a Christian perspective, utilizing the writings of Ellen G. White, Christian authors, and research findings.

PY 236: Black Psychological Perspectives

Credits 3
This course is designed to introduce the student to the issues and concerns regarding psychological development from a Black perspective. The pervasive impact of racism and discrimination will be reviewed. A fee of $200.00 is required for this class.

PY 280: Seminar in Psychology (SL)

Credits 2
In-depth examination of particular topics of current interest in the field of psychology. Critical evaluation of current research. The course also reviews the graduation, admission, and employment searching processes.

PY 303: Women’s Studies

Credits 3
This course provides an overview of the events/issues that have served to shape the psychology that women adopted with reference to themselves and others toward them, and how that has changed over the years. The dynamics of shaping women’s lives along with Biblical portrayals of women.

PY 306: Psychology of Men and Masculinities

Credits 3
A survey of men’s gender role socialization over the life span focused on men’s developmental issues, gender role conflicts, interpersonal dynamics with women and other men, along with Biblical portrayals of men and masculinity. Theory, research, and personal exploration are integrated through lectures, discussions, and psychoeducation.

PY 307: Statistical Methods

Credits 3
An introduction to statistical procedures used in research. Topics include preparation and use of graphs and tables, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability and sampling, and statistical tests including chi-square, t tests, correlation, regression, and analysis of variance.

PY 319: Theories of Personality

Credits 3
Code
W
A study of the main theories of personality structure, with consideration of the essential ingredients of healthy attitudes and behavior patterns.

PY 320: Social Psychology

Credits 3
Code
W
The study of group affiliations, group standards, social perceptions, and other social factors influencing the behavior of individuals and interaction among groups. (formerly PY 301 Social Psychology).

PY 321: Abnormal Psychology

Credits 3
Explores historical views and current perspectives of abnormal behavior. Emphasizes major diagnostic categories and criteria, individual and social factors of maladaptive behavior, and types of therapy. Includes methods of clinical assessment and research

PY 325: Developmental Psychology

Credits 3
This course is a study of current psychological theories as they relate to psychological development of the human being throughout the life span from conception to death.

PY 331: Group Dynamics

Credits 3
A study of the dynamics of groups, with special emphasis being placed upon patterns of leadership, solidarity, cohesion, conflict, accommodation, and cooperation.

PY 340: Behavior Disorders in Children

Credits 3
This course is designed to give the student a descriptive and theoretical survey of the major forms of child psychopathology, with a detailed analysis of behaviors of children, methods of identification, and present methods of prevention and treatment.

PY 345: Adolescent Psychology

Credits 3
This course is designed to give the student a descriptive and theoretical survey of the developmental period of adolescence, to include a critical examination of the biological, cognitive, socio-emotional and sociocultural factors impacting adolescent development.

PY 351: Organizational Psychology

Credits 3
Application of psychology to the study of personnel problems, including such areas as human relations, selection, training, employee motivation, and morale.

PY 355: Engineering Psychology

Credits 3
This course will provide an introduction to some of the psychological concepts and facts most useful for a design. Topics will be pulled out from several of the more “experimental” branches of psychology, including sensory and perceptual psychology, cognitive psychology, motor control, and the fields of human-computer interaction and reliability analysis. The emphasis is on theories and findings on human performance, rather than the design of systems per se, although implications for design are continually analyzed.

PY 357: Health Psychology

Credits 3
An introduction to the subfield of psychology, which investigates the psychological and behavioral aspects of physical health. Mental functioning as a causative factor in physical illness/wellness will be explored.

PY 361: Marriage and the Family

Credits 3
This course is a survey of the family in society. Students explore how the family is impacted by changing societal trends. Students will explore relationship formation, marriage, parenting, family stressors, and marital disruption from a spiritual perspective.

PY 371: Biological Psychology

Credits 3
Physiological correlates of behavior, with special emphasis on the physiology and anatomy of the nervous system as a basis for relating behavior to its physiological components. This course familiarizes students with major concepts, theories and findings in biological psychology, from a Christian perspective.

PY 380: Cognitive Psychology

Credits 3
This course focuses on human cognition with emphasis on the following: attention, knowledge representation, learning and memory, comprehension, and problem solving. Contributions of neuroscience and connectionism to the development of cognitive theory, experimentation, and applications will also be examined.

PY 398: Psychology and the Law

Credits 3
This course examines the U.S. legal system through the use of psychological concepts, methods, and findings. It offers coverage of topics relevant to understanding how psychology interfaces with the legal system, it’s participants, and victims.

PY 411: Research I

Credits 3
Code
W
The course is an introduction to the field of research in the behavioral sciences and is the first of the three-course sequence. Topics include scientific method, research ethics, literature review, research designs, sampling, research question and hypothesis development. Students will be expected to develop a research proposal using the survey method of data collection. Course presented through lecture, research activities, exams, and research proposal.

PY 415: Research II

Credits 3
Code
W
The course is the second of the three-course sequence. Topics include research ethics, data collection techniques, statistical analysis, data presentation. Students will complete a research study using quantitative methods. Topics will cover advanced ethics of research, statistical analysis, qualitative methods, and introduction to experimental design.

PY 421: Counseling Skills

Credits 3
This course acquaints the student with the practical applications of communication, helping skills, ethics and major counseling theories.

PY 430: Psychological Testing

Credits 3
A course designed to familiarize students with the history of the development of psychological testing, the theory behind it, and the various objective and projective instruments used to assess intellectual and personality functioning.

PY 431: Black Psychological Perspectives

Credits 3
This course is designed to introduce the student to the issues and concerns regarding psychological development from a Black perspective. The pervasive impact of racism and discrimination will be reviewed. A fee of $200.00 is required for this class.

PY 460: Research III - Experimental Methods

Credits 3
A survey course acquainting the student with the experimental analysis of behavior. The scientific method is used to investigate basic behavioral phenomena and principles. Students will also develop competence in reading, writing, and interpreting reports. This course will emphasize how to design and execute an experiment, analyze and interpret the results and write and present a research report, all conforming to rigorous ethical standards. Students must register concurrently for PY 460 and PY 460L.

PY 460L: Research III - Experimental Psychology Lab

Credits 1
A practical companion course where students can participate in online and technology assisted experiments including an operant conditioning study. Students will also design and execute an experiment, and analyze results using SPSS software, and write a research report. Students will also be exposed to experiments conducted by others. Students must register concurrently for PY 460 and PY 460L.

PY 490: Research and Independent Study

Credits 1 Max Credits 3
Code
W
Majors in psychology who desire further independent research are encouraged to do so under the direction of an advisor. Students participating in psychology faculty research may register to receive credit. Students participating in summer research opportunity programs or with faculty in other disciplines may register with prior consent of the chair. The student will produce an original research document.

PY 491: Research and Independent Study

Credits 1 Max Credits 3
Code
W
Majors in psychology who desire further independent research are encouraged to do so under the direction of an advisor. Students participating in psychology faculty research may register to receive credit. Students participating in summer research opportunity programs or with faculty in other disciplines may register with prior consent of the chair. The student will produce an original research document.