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2025-26 Academic Draft Catalog

PSYC Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

PSYC 100 Personhood

3 credit hours

The key objective for this course is to examine and apply psychological constructs to the biblical command to Love your neighbor as yourself. Towards this end, we will learn about a variety of influences which shape many of the characteristics of personhood, focusing on consideration of the interplay of factors and the complexity of being human. Students will be encouraged to apply the psychological, biological, social, and spiritual lenses of psychology to understand themselves and others, including how and why the virtue of temperance is a key factor in successful healthy living. Additional course fee is required.

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PSYC 150 General Psychology

3 credit hours

An introduction to the scientific study of human behavior. Major topics include the biological bases of behavior, sensation, perception, thinking, learning, memory, development, emotion, motivation, personality, social interaction, and abnormal behavior. Prerequisite to most other psychology courses.

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PSYC 220 Biological Psychology

3 credit hours

By focusing on the structures and functions of the nervous system, this course provides a biological framework for understanding normal and abnormal complex human behaviors and mental processes such as perception, motor control, learning, memory, and emotions. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 240 Statistical Procedures

3 credit hours

Applied statistics for the social and behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on statistical logic and decision making. Prerequisite: High school algebra or equivalent.

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PSYC 275 Exploratory Field Experience

2-3 credit hour

An opportunity to observe professionals in the helping environment. Pass/No Pass.

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PSYC 285 Selected Topics

1-3 credit hour

A course dealing with various topics, as announced, that represent current faculty interests and competencies and student interest. This course option can also be selected to develop an individualized professional development experience. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 290 Professional Seminar

1 credit hour

This course examines psychology as a career. Career options are examined. Goal setting, professional development, and networking are emphasized. Required for all psychology and psychological science majors.

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PSYC 295 Individualized Study

1-3 credit hour

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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PSYC 310 Lifespan Development

3 credit hours

A study of physical, intellectual, personality, social, and moral development from infancy to old age. Will not count as part of the psychology or psychological science major. Students who take PSYC 310 are not eligible to also take PSYC 311, PSYC 314, or PSYC 312 for credit Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 311 Child Development

3 credit hours

A study of physical, intellectual, personality, social, and moral development from the prenatal period through adolescence. Students who take PSYC 310 Lifespan Development are not eligible to also take PSYC 311 for credit. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 312 Adult Development

3 credit hours

A study of physical, intellectual, personality, social, and moral development from young adulthood to old age. Students who take PSYC 310 Lifespan Development are not eligible to also take PSYC 312 for credit. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 314 Adolescent Development

3 credit hours

A study of the unique physical, intellectual, personality, social, and moral developmental changes during the period of adolescence. Students who take PSYC 310 Lifespan Development are not eligible to also take PSYC 314 for credit. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 320 Neuroscience

3 credit hours

This upper-level course delves into complex topics in neuroscience, integrating advanced concepts in neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and neural circuits. Students will explore brain functions such as sensory processing, motor control, learning, and memory, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying neurological diseases. The accompanying lab component provides hands-on experience with techniques in neurosurgery, optogenetics, and behavioral assays. Students will conduct experiments, analyze data, and present their findings. Prerequisite: PSYC 220 Biological Psychology or instructor permission. Additional course fee is required.

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PSYC 330 Personality Theory

3 credit hours

What shapes your personality? The answer is multi-layered. This course is a survey of the major theories of personality, including trait, biological, psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive behavioral theories. Students will practice important skills of psychology as they apply multiple theories to targeted inquiry. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 331 Positive Psychology

3 credit hours

What does it mean to flourish? This course will examine the paradigm shift from pathology to strengths-based psychology, with a growing understanding that mental health is much more than simply the absence of mental illness. We will explore the concepts, research, techniques, and exercises to enhance optimism, decrease stressors, and increase well-being. The format of the course will be experiential and interactive. Students will apply their learning to increase well-being in people around them. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 350 Social Psychology

3 credit hours

Understand the power of the situation. This course explores the social and psychological processes of human interaction. Major topics to be covered include conformity, aggression, self-justification, persuasion, prejudice, attraction, and interpersonal communication. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 353 Culture and Psychology

3 credit hours

What you see as "normal" is probably your culture. This course will cover the nature of culture and its applications to understanding human functioning. Students will examine their own and other cultures, as well as cultural influences on their thought, behavior, and relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 360 Learning

3 credit hours

A survey of learning theories and the basic research questions being asked in this important field. Special emphasis will be placed on translating experimental theory into practical methods. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 370 Cognition

3 credit hours

Traditional areas of study in cognitive psychology will be discussed. These areas include perception, attention, memory, reasoning, problem solving, and language. Traditional views as well as current trends will be discussed. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 381 Counseling

3 credit hours

A study of theory and technique of person-centered counseling. The course is designed to teach basic theoretical postulates and to focus on effective intervention skills for those anticipating future work in Christian ministries, teaching, or mental health settings. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or above.

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PSYC 382 Advanced Counseling

3 credit hours

This course builds on the knowledge and skills learned in PSYC 381 Counseling. The course is designed to enhance the clinical skills necessary to form a therapeutic relationship and to connect these skills to a theoretical orientation. A focus of the course is on utilizing counseling skills in various settings including schools and clinics, and with various populations. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: PSYC 381 Counseling. Recommended: PSYC 330 Personality Theories.

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PSYC 391 Research Methods

3 credit hours

An introduction to methods of psychological research. Explores essential topics for experimental research including research design, reliability, validity, and research ethics. Students also learn how to critically assess research literature, assimilate information from a variety of sources, and interpret data. In addition, students learn how to prepare manuscripts in APA format and to prepare professional research presentations. Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology and PSYC 240 Statistical Procedures.

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PSYC 392 Advanced Nonexperimental Methods

3 credit hours

Students will use a variety of hands-on methods to explore research design, analyses, and computer applications appropriate for research questions related to association claims. Prerequisites: PSYC 240 Statistical Procedures and PSYC 391 Research Methods.

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PSYC 393 Advanced Experimental Methods

3 credit hours

This course offers an introduction to advanced experimental research methods in psychology. Concepts in data science, statistical modeling, and machine learning will be examined using tools like Python, Rapid Miner, and Tableau to clean, analyze, and visualize data. Through hands-on projects, students will design experiments, collect experimental data, and learn to work with real-world datasets to develop skills in data interpretation and communication. Topics include data wrangling, predictive modeling, and data-driven decision-making. Prerequisites: PSYC 240 Statistical Procedures and PSYC 391 Research Methods. Recommended: Some Python experience.

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PSYC 399 Cross-Cultural Experience

3 credit hours

This course offers in-depth discipline specific cross-cultural study designed to enhance the intercultural emphasis of various academic majors. The course includes class meetings followed by travel to various locations throughout the world. Students will use core disciplinary knowledge to serve, learn and interact with other cultures. Additional course fee is required.

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PSYC 410 Sensation and Perception

3 credit hours

Using psychophysical techniques, students will study sensory systems, including vision, audition, olfaction, taste, touch, and kinesthesis. Classic and current theories of perception and sensation will be discussed. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 420 Abnormal Psychology

3 credit hours

This course is an overview of the biopsychosocial-spiritual perspectives of abnormal behavior. Emphasis is given to understanding why some behaviors are determined to be abnormal while others are considered to be within the normal range of human diversity. Exploration includes the classification of psychological disorders according to the DSM-5 criteria, the standard currently used in the mental health field. Various causes, treatments, and the ethics of working with those dealing with psychological disorders will be explored. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology. Recommended: PSYC 220 Biological Psychology.

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PSYC 422 Child Psychopathology

3 credit hours

A study of the nature, causation and treatment of the major psychiatric and behavioral disorders among children and adolescents. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology. Recommended: PSYC 220 Biological Psychology.

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PSYC 424 Clinical Neuroscience

3 credit hours

This course explores the biological basis of neurological and psychiatric disorders, focusing on how the brain's structure and function relate to clinical symptoms. Topics include brain anatomy, neurophysiology, neuroimaging, and the mechanisms underlying conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, depression, and schizophrenia. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology. Recommended: PSYC 220 Biological Psychology.

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PSYC 430 Addictions

3 credit hours

Examines the complex interaction of biological, psychological, and sociological forces involved in substance abuse and addictions. Etiology, treatment options, and efficacy of treatments are reviewed. Recommended: PSYC 220 Biological Psychology.

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PSYC 433 Health Psychology

3 credit hours

This course is designed to provide an overview of the field of Health Psychology from a biopsychosocial perspective which assumes that health and illness are determined by the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors of an individual's life. Prerequisite: PSYC 381 Counseling. Recommended: PSYC 220 Biological Psychology.

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PSYC 450 History of Psychology

3 credit hours

The history of psychology course serves as a capstone for the psychology and psychological science majors. It examines the main themes, important figures, and prominent theories of the discipline, including their origins, distinguishing characteristics, and major contributions, as well as investigating the impacts on historical and contemporary issues. Required for psychology and psychological science majors. Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology and a minimum of two upper-division psychology courses; senior standing is recommended.

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PSYC 460 Human Sexuality

3 credit hours

This course explores human sexuality from psychological, cultural, biological and spiritual perspectives. Topics include the physiological, psychological, and cultural variables associated with the development and manifestation of sexual identity and sexual behavior. Special attention is given to the Christian perspective and response to a highly sexualized culture. Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology and junior status.

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PSYC 475 Field Experience

1-10 credit hou

This course provides supervised experiences in helping activities in mental health agencies and institutions. Students will have the opportunity to explore and apply psychology in professional settings. The course builds on knowledge and skills students gain in many of their other psychology courses. The applied emphasis of psychology through this course may include some elements of clinical, counseling, school, industrial/organizational, forensic, and/or research psychology. This course is Pass/No Pass. Recommended: PSYC 381 Counseling or other 300-level psychology course.

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PSYC 485 Selected Topics

1-3 credit hour

A course dealing with various topics, as announced, that represent current faculty interests and competencies and student interest. Prerequisite: PSYC 150 General Psychology.

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PSYC 490 Senior Seminar

1 credit hour

This is a capstone course for the major focusing on the integration of Christianity and psychology and the application of psychological principles and findings in everyday settings. Required for all psychology majors. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: Senior status.

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PSYC 495 Individualized Study

1-3 credit hour

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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