The major course work is organized in a common structure for the baccalaureate curriculum: a required introductory course, three methodology courses, six advanced content courses, and the integrated capstone experience.

Common elements of the curriculum include active and collaborative learning, research projects, fieldwork, practice and community service, discussion of ethical issues and values, and courses and research methods that heighten the student’s understanding of diversity in human behavior. Learning about psychology occurs in multiple settings: the classroom, internships, participation in psychology Psi Chi (the National Honor society for Psychology), and attendance and presentation of research at regional and national conferences. The program places a strong emphasis on effective student advising that goes beyond guidance in course selection and information about institutional procedures. The intent is to motivate students to explore and develop their values, interests, abilities, and career and life goals and to encourage students to consider post-baccalaureate educational possibilities, including graduate and professional school.

The psychology curriculum enables students to think scientifically about behavior and mental processes, to appreciate and respect others, and to pursue a variety of post-baccalaureate alternatives, including employment and graduate or professional school. This major is applicable to any career in which an understanding of human thought and behavior is central, including the health sciences, personnel/human resources, social work, introductory level counseling, interviewing, and data collection.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Psychology major, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts and empirical findings related to Human Development.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts and empirical findings related to Biological Bases of Behavior.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts and empirical findings related to Learning and Cognition.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts and empirical findings related to Social Influences of Behavior and Individual Differences.
5. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of research methods for implementation of quasi-experimental, correlational and/or qualitative research with the use of statistical software packages.
6. Apply critical thinking to determine the credibility of information and develop, defend and criticize arguments.
7. Demonstrate skills in written and oral communication including the presentation of scientific and own ideas in a public forum.
8. Demonstrate awareness of how basic psychological principles and theories may apply differently across cultures.
9. Demonstrate personal development through fulfillment of student responsibilities and the application of psychological knowledge to self-development.
10. Demonstrate professional development and professionalism through appropriate use of supervision/advising, career exploration and participation in career related internships and/or independent studies.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical issues and behavior in relation to the treatment of human and non-human research subjects, and in the application and practice of psychology.

Chatham University Psychology

Curriculum

+Major Requirements

11 courses, including:

PSY101	General Psychology An introduction to the scientific study of behavior with an emphasis on the origins of behavior, learning, social influences, physiological factors, individual differences, personality, and adjustment and maladjustment.	3
PSY213	Statistics and Research Design This course is designed to introduce students to essential research tools. Topics include frequency distributions, indices of central tendency, variability, and various inferential statistics, including nonparametric techniques. This course also examines research design procedures with an emphasis on analysis of variance. Priority given to psychology, social work and forensics majors.	3
PSY217W	Critical Thinking in Psychology	3
PSY314W	Foundations of Behavioral Research This course examines the scientific method employed by psychologists. Topics include sampling, validity and reliability, experimentation, and field research. Students also conduct laboratory assignments on areas within learning, cognition, and social psychology.	3
INTPSY303	Internship - Psychology Internship - Psychology	3
PSY490	Integrative Capstone The integrative capstone, undertaken by the student during the senior year, is an extended project that helps the student complete their transition from an undergraduate student to a world-ready professional. The study usually centers on the student’s major and may be conducted, at least in part, in the context of a group experience. Such programs are crafted to meet the unique needs of each major, and could include, for example, fieldwork, theater production, creative work in the arts, independent research, or independent readings. The integrative capstone in an interdisciplinary major must have the approval of both academic programs.	3
1 course in learning and cognition from the following:
PSY307	Cognitive Psychology A survey of theories and research concerned with human cognitive processes. Topics include attention, memory, problem solving, and concept formation.	3
PSY326	Psychology of Learning An overview of the principles and research associated with modern learning theory. Topics include classical conditioning, operant learning, reinforcement theory, and stimulus control of behavior.	3
PSY324	Motivation A survey of concepts and data related to the arousal and direction of behavior.	3
1 course in individual differences, personality and social from the following:
PSY323	Personality A survey of individual characteristics from four conceptual strategies: psychoanalytic, dispositional, phenomenological, and behavioral. All conceptual strategies address issues of theory, assessment, research, and personality change. Emphasis is on enduring principles and contemporary issues, illustrated with selected examples and personal application.	3
PSY331	Social Psychology An examination of human social behavior with an emphasis on social influences that people have upon the beliefs or behaviors of others. The course covers methods of inquiry as well as the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another. Representative topics include conformity, persuasion, social cognition, prejudice, aggression, and interpersonal relationships.	3
PSY333	Abnormal Behavior A study of definitions of normality and abnormality, functional and organic syndromes, theories of causation, and procedures for the diagnosis and modification of disturbed behavior.	3
1 course in biological bases from the following:
PSY340	Psychopharmacology The influence of drugs on behavior and psychological state. Topics include neuron morphology, neurochemistry, principles of pharmacology, and the action and effects of psychotropic drugs.	3
PSY341	Psychobiology An examination of the biological correlates of behavior. Emphasis is placed on the central nervous system and its structure, organization, and function. Specific topics considered are sleep, learning, memory, sexual behavior, motivation, and complex processes such as thought and language.	3
PSY230	Animal Behavior A general introduction to the study of animal behavior from evolutionary and sociobiological perspectives. Emphasis is on social behaviors and interactions.	3
1 developmental course from the following:
PSY351	Childhood and Adolescence A general introduction to theories and methods of developmental psychology. The course covers patterns and possible mechanisms of behavioral development from conception through adolescence. Audio- and videotapes of infants, children, and their families supplement lectures, discussions, and written exercises. The life-span perspective is continued in PSY 352.	3
PSY352	Adult Development The periods of adolescence and adulthood are examined through current theories of development. A life cycle perspective is adopted to study physical, cognitive and social/emotional development. Questions of qualitative changes, continuity/discontinuity stages, individual differences and the impact of biological, environmental and cultural factors throughout adulthood are addressed. This course is designed to follow PSY 351, but may be taken as a stand-alone course.	3
PSY357	Adolescence & the Transition to Adulthood An in-depth study of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of adolescent development and the transition to adulthood (including individuals ages 18-25 years), with a focus on how healthy development during this period can be enhanced by parenting and educational strategies.	3
2 additional psychology program electives

+Interdisciplinary Major Requirements

8 courses, exclusive of the Integrative Capstone

PSY101	General Psychology An introduction to the scientific study of behavior with an emphasis on the origins of behavior, learning, social influences, physiological factors, individual differences, personality, and adjustment and maladjustment.	3
PSY213	Statistics and Research Design This course is designed to introduce students to essential research tools. Topics include frequency distributions, indices of central tendency, variability, and various inferential statistics, including nonparametric techniques. This course also examines research design procedures with an emphasis on analysis of variance. Priority given to psychology, social work and forensics majors.	3
PSY314W	Foundations of Behavioral Research This course examines the scientific method employed by psychologists. Topics include sampling, validity and reliability, experimentation, and field research. Students also conduct laboratory assignments on areas within learning, cognition, and social psychology.	3
1 course in learning and cognition from the following:
PSY307	Cognitive Psychology A survey of theories and research concerned with human cognitive processes. Topics include attention, memory, problem solving, and concept formation.	3
PSY326	Psychology of Learning An overview of the principles and research associated with modern learning theory. Topics include classical conditioning, operant learning, reinforcement theory, and stimulus control of behavior.	3
PSY324	Motivation A survey of concepts and data related to the arousal and direction of behavior.	3
1 course in individual differences, personality and social from the following:
PSY323	Personality A survey of individual characteristics from four conceptual strategies: psychoanalytic, dispositional, phenomenological, and behavioral. All conceptual strategies address issues of theory, assessment, research, and personality change. Emphasis is on enduring principles and contemporary issues, illustrated with selected examples and personal application.	3
PSY331	Social Psychology An examination of human social behavior with an emphasis on social influences that people have upon the beliefs or behaviors of others. The course covers methods of inquiry as well as the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another. Representative topics include conformity, persuasion, social cognition, prejudice, aggression, and interpersonal relationships.	3
PSY333	Abnormal Behavior A study of definitions of normality and abnormality, functional and organic syndromes, theories of causation, and procedures for the diagnosis and modification of disturbed behavior.	3
1 course in biological bases from the following:
PSY340	Psychopharmacology The influence of drugs on behavior and psychological state. Topics include neuron morphology, neurochemistry, principles of pharmacology, and the action and effects of psychotropic drugs.	3
PSY341	Psychobiology An examination of the biological correlates of behavior. Emphasis is placed on the central nervous system and its structure, organization, and function. Specific topics considered are sleep, learning, memory, sexual behavior, motivation, and complex processes such as thought and language.	3
PSY230	Animal Behavior A general introduction to the study of animal behavior from evolutionary and sociobiological perspectives. Emphasis is on social behaviors and interactions.	3
1 developmental course from the following:
PSY351	Childhood and Adolescence A general introduction to theories and methods of developmental psychology. The course covers patterns and possible mechanisms of behavioral development from conception through adolescence. Audio- and videotapes of infants, children, and their families supplement lectures, discussions, and written exercises. The life-span perspective is continued in PSY 352.	3
PSY352	Adult Development The periods of adolescence and adulthood are examined through current theories of development. A life cycle perspective is adopted to study physical, cognitive and social/emotional development. Questions of qualitative changes, continuity/discontinuity stages, individual differences and the impact of biological, environmental and cultural factors throughout adulthood are addressed. This course is designed to follow PSY 351, but may be taken as a stand-alone course.	3
PSY357	Adolescence & the Transition to Adulthood An in-depth study of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of adolescent development and the transition to adulthood (including individuals ages 18-25 years), with a focus on how healthy development during this period can be enhanced by parenting and educational strategies.	3
One additional approved psychology program elective.

+Minor Requirements

6 courses, including:

PSY101	General Psychology An introduction to the scientific study of behavior with an emphasis on the origins of behavior, learning, social influences, physiological factors, individual differences, personality, and adjustment and maladjustment.	3
1 course in learning and cognition from the following:
PSY307	Cognitive Psychology A survey of theories and research concerned with human cognitive processes. Topics include attention, memory, problem solving, and concept formation.	3
PSY326	Psychology of Learning An overview of the principles and research associated with modern learning theory. Topics include classical conditioning, operant learning, reinforcement theory, and stimulus control of behavior.	3
PSY324	Motivation A survey of concepts and data related to the arousal and direction of behavior.	3
1 course in individual differences, personality and social from the following:
PSY323	Personality A survey of individual characteristics from four conceptual strategies: psychoanalytic, dispositional, phenomenological, and behavioral. All conceptual strategies address issues of theory, assessment, research, and personality change. Emphasis is on enduring principles and contemporary issues, illustrated with selected examples and personal application.	3
PSY331	Social Psychology An examination of human social behavior with an emphasis on social influences that people have upon the beliefs or behaviors of others. The course covers methods of inquiry as well as the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another. Representative topics include conformity, persuasion, social cognition, prejudice, aggression, and interpersonal relationships.	3
PSY333	Abnormal Behavior A study of definitions of normality and abnormality, functional and organic syndromes, theories of causation, and procedures for the diagnosis and modification of disturbed behavior.	3
1 course in biological bases from the following:
PSY340	Psychopharmacology The influence of drugs on behavior and psychological state. Topics include neuron morphology, neurochemistry, principles of pharmacology, and the action and effects of psychotropic drugs.	3
PSY341	Psychobiology An examination of the biological correlates of behavior. Emphasis is placed on the central nervous system and its structure, organization, and function. Specific topics considered are sleep, learning, memory, sexual behavior, motivation, and complex processes such as thought and language.	3
PSY230	Animal Behavior A general introduction to the study of animal behavior from evolutionary and sociobiological perspectives. Emphasis is on social behaviors and interactions.	3
1 developmental course from the following:
PSY351	Childhood and Adolescence A general introduction to theories and methods of developmental psychology. The course covers patterns and possible mechanisms of behavioral development from conception through adolescence. Audio- and videotapes of infants, children, and their families supplement lectures, discussions, and written exercises. The life-span perspective is continued in PSY 352.	3
PSY352	Adult Development The periods of adolescence and adulthood are examined through current theories of development. A life cycle perspective is adopted to study physical, cognitive and social/emotional development. Questions of qualitative changes, continuity/discontinuity stages, individual differences and the impact of biological, environmental and cultural factors throughout adulthood are addressed. This course is designed to follow PSY 351, but may be taken as a stand-alone course.	3
PSY357	Adolescence & the Transition to Adulthood An in-depth study of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of adolescent development and the transition to adulthood (including individuals ages 18-25 years), with a focus on how healthy development during this period can be enhanced by parenting and educational strategies.	3
One additional approved psychology program elective.

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