Psychology, BA
Program Description
Mission
In keeping with the University’s mission, the discipline of Psychology seeks to discover, communicate, and apply knowledge about human behavior in a complex and changing world. The specific mission of the undergraduate program is three-fold:
- to provide a basic education within the field of psychology as a foundation for graduate work in a professional field of psychology, such as clinical or counseling psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, or developmental psychology;
- to provide disciplinary knowledge through a broadly-based curriculum which can be applied to related careers such as human services, business, communications, and research; and
- to contribute to the education of students majoring in other areas of study.
An on-campus PSYC major provides a mix of face-to-face, blended, and online courses. The online PSYO major provides all psychology requirements via the web. Students enrolled in the online PSYO program will not be permitted to register for classes held in person. The course schedule for the online BA degree in Psychology (PSYO) will differ from on campus offerings and may not include all course options available to on-campus students in any given semester.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge Base of Psychology
Students will demonstrate understanding of the concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in psychology. - Research Methods in Psychology
Students will understand and apply research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation. - Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology
Students will use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
Program Requirements - Psychology BA (PSYC) & Psychology BA Online (PSYO)
A primary objective of the psychology program is to provide the psychology major with a broadly-based education in the discipline. Therefore, all psychology majors are expected to complete the required curriculum listed below. The remaining coursework will be selected by the student in consultation with the academic advisor and is designed to meet individual students’ needs and interests. The combination of psychology with a minor from another area, such as sociology or communications, often provides more marketable credentials at the bachelor’s level of training (note that within the College of Liberal Arts, only 6 SCH that count toward a major can be applied to a minor).
- In order to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in psychology, students must complete the following requirements of the College of Liberal Arts: the Core Curriculum Program, 6 hours of a foreign language.
- Psychology majors must complete a minimum of 37 semester credit hours (SCH) of psychology courses exclusively applied to the major with at least 25 of these SCH at the upper-division level.
- PSYC 2301 General Psychology (3 sch) or permission of the instructor is required for admission into all psychology courses beyond the 1000-level.
- The Psychology degree also requires knowledge of basic statistical theories and applications. This requirement is fulfilled by the successful completion of MATH 1442 or MATH 1342, or transfer courses such as PSYC 2317 or other courses with MATH, MAT, STAT, STA, PSY, AND PSYC prefixes AND the course title which includes Statistics, Quantitative Reasoning and/or Psychological Science Methods.
General Requirements
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Program | 42 |
| First-Year Seminars (when applicable)1 | 0-2 |
| Psychology Major Requirements | 37 |
| University Electives2 | 35 |
| Foreign Language Requirements | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-122 |
- 1
Full-time, first time in college students are required to take the first-year seminars.
- 2
University Electives: 30-35 hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time, First-Year Students | ||
| First year seminars | 0-2 | |
| University Seminar I * | ||
| University Seminar II * | ||
| Core Curriculum Program | ||
| University Core Curriculum (because PSYC 2301 is required for the Psychology major, students majoring in Psychology must also complete one of the following courses to fulfill the Social and Behavioral Sciences core curriculum requirements: SOCI 1301, ECON 1301, ECON 2301, or ECON 2302) | 42 | |
| Psychology students must take the following: | ||
| Mathematics | ||
Fulfilled by MATH 1442 or approved transfer course. | ||
| Psychology Major Requirements | ||
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology 3,* | 3 |
| PSYC 3411 | Experimental Psychology 1,* | 4 |
| PSYC 4310 | Psychology Capstone Seminar 2,* | 3 |
| Block 1: Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Lifespan Developmental Psychology * | ||
| Social Psychology * | ||
| Psychology of Personality * | ||
| Abnormal Psychology * | ||
| Block 2: Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Cognitive Psychology * | ||
| Learning and Behavior * | ||
| Physiological Psychology * | ||
| Sensation and Perception * | ||
| Psychology Electives | ||
| Select five of the following or any other upper division Psychology course listed above which does not count towards the required major hours in another area: | 15 | |
| Topics in Psychology (can be taken multiple times as long as the topic is different) | ||
| Close Relationships | ||
| Forensic Psychology * | ||
| Psychology of Language | ||
| Evolutionary Psychology * | ||
| Health Psychology * | ||
| Psychology of Religion | ||
| Human Sexuality * | ||
| Introduction to Clinical Psychology * | ||
| History and Systems of Psychology | ||
| Cross-cultural Psychology * | ||
| Drug Use and Abuse | ||
| Positive Psychology | ||
| Gender Issues in Psychology | ||
| Feminism & Science * | ||
| Psychological Testing | ||
| Industrial/Organizational Psychology * | ||
| Topics in Psychology (can be taken multiple times as long as the topic is different) | ||
| Undergraduate Research 6,* | ||
| Directed Individual Study 6,* | ||
| Applied Experience * | ||
| University Electives | ||
| Select 30-35 hours of university electives. | 30-35 | |
| Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| See the College of Liberal Arts for the college language requirement. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 120-122 | |
- 1
MATH 1442 Statistics for Life (4 SCH) or its equivalent is a prerequisite course for taking PSYC 3411 Experimental Psychology (4 SCH).
- 2
PSYC 3411 Experimental Psychology (4SCH) is a prerequisite for this course. In order to register for PSYC 4310 Psychology Capstone Seminar (3 SCH), students must first complete 24 SCH of psychology coursework and have senior class standing or permission of the instructor.
- 3
This requirement is fulfilled by the successful completion of PSYC 2301or PSYC 2301 transfer courses or other transfer courses with PSY or PSYC prefixes AND the course title which includes “Introductory Psychology” or “Introduction to Psychology” or “General Psychology.”
- 4
This requirement may also be fulfilled by the successful completion of PSYC 2314 transfer courses or other transfer courses with PSY or PSYC prefixes AND the course title which includes “Developmental” or “Lifespan Growth & Development” or “Human Growth and Development” or “Development Through the Life Span.”
- 5
This requirement may also be fulfilled by the successful completion of PSYC 2319 transfer courses or other transfer courses with PSY or PSYC prefixes AND the course title which includes “Social Psychology.”
- 6
Only 6 hours total from PSYC 4395 & PSYC 4396 can count towards the major.
- *
Online offering
Course Sequencing
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| UNIV 1101 | University Seminar I | 1 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Writing and Rhetoric I | 3 |
| HIST 1301 | U.S. History to 1865 | 3 |
| Creative Arts Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNIV 1102 | University Seminar II | 1 |
| SOCI 1301 | Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Economics or Macroeconomics Principles or Microeconomics Principles | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 or COMM 1311 | Writing and Rhetoric II or Foundation of Communication | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | U.S. History Since 1865 | 3 |
| MATH 1442 | Statistics for Life | 4 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Foreign Language I | 3 | |
| POLS 2305 | U.S. Government and Politics | 3 |
| Life & Physical Science Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Core Component I | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 2306 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| Life & Physical Science Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Core Component II | 3 | |
| Foreign Language II | 3 | |
| One course from Block 1 - PSYC 2314 Lifespan Development, or PSYC 2319 Social Psychology, or PSYC 3361 Psychology of Personality, or PSYC 3363 Abnormal Psychology | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSYC 3411 | Experimental Psychology | 4 |
| One course from Block 1 - PSYC 2314 Lifespan Development, or PSYC 2319 Social Psychology, or PSYC 3361 Psychology of Personality, or PSYC 3363 Abnormal Psychology | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| PSYC Elective I | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| One course from Block 2 - PSYC 3342 Cognitive Psychology, or PSYC 3343 Learning & Behavior, or PSYC 4352 Physiological Psychology, or PSYC 4354 Sensation & Perception | 3 | |
| PSYC Upper Division Elective II | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| One course from Block 2 - PSYC 3342 Cognitive Psychology, or PSYC 3343 Learning & Behavior, or PSYC 4352 Physiological Psychology, or PSYC 4354 Sensation & Perception | 3 | |
| PSYC Elective III | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYC 4310 | Psychology Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| PSYC Elective IV | 3 | |
| PSYC Elective V | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Courses
An introduction to the fundamental concepts and theories in psychology. Topics include biological processes, development, learning, personality, abnormal behavior, therapy, and social interactions.
The study of normal physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development from infancy to late adulthood.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
The scientific study of how a person's thoughts and behavior are influenced by others. Topics will include social cognition, attitudes, persuasion, interpersonal relationships, and group behavior. (Credit may not be given for both this course and SOCI 2326.) Cross listed with SOCI 2319.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
This is a lower-level special topics course. Various topics, which will change from semester to semester, are presented by Psychology department faculty. They cover topics of special interest which will not be made a regular on-going part of the curriculum. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
This course is designed as an overview to the field of close relationships. The major theories of close relationships will be emphasized, including examinations of evolutionary, attachment, interdependence, and cognitive approaches. Additional topics include attraction, relationship development and maintenance, infidelity, and relationship violence.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
This course examines the relationship between the practice of psychology and the functioning of the legal system. The course surveys many aspects of clinical forensic psychology, including assessment, treatment, and consultation services.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
A survey of current research and theory in the field of human cognition, emphasizing the information processing model. Topics include attention, memory, language, and problem solving.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
The study of the fundamental principles of learning through a consideration of theories and constructs, such as associations, reinforcement, punishment, generalization, discrimination, and modeling.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
The purpose of the course is to introduce students to a multidisciplinary study of language. This course will provide an introduction to psychological, sociolinguistic, and social-interactive theories of language use, acquisition/development, knowledge, context, perception, disorders, and related cognitive and social processes.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
Evolutionary psychologists argue that much of human behavior is the output of neural and psychological adaptations that evolved to solve recurrent problems in human ancestral environments. Some challenges addressed in this course involve survival, mating, familial relationships, and living in social groups.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
This course will provide an overview of the field of health psychology, examining how psychological theories and research are applied to enhance health and well-being and to prevent and treat illness.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
An introduction to major theories of personality. Personality processes and development are discussed from psychoanalytic, behavioral, humanistic, and other perspectives.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
An introduction to the study of abnormal behavior. Studies the etiology and characteristics of the major behavioral disorders, including current research findings and treatment practices. Competency in personality psychology, such as that obtained by completing PSYC 3361, is assumed for this course.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
This course examines religious experience and behavior from a psychological perspective. Topics include historical and theoretical perspectives, development of religious beliefs across the lifespan, religious conversion, social and group experiences, and the varieties of religious belief.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
The study of human sexual behavior from a biological and psychosocial perspective. Emphasizes current research methods and findings.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
A survey of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies employed by clinical psychologists. The scientist-practitioner model is emphasized through the critical analysis of theories and empirical research that provide the foundation for determining effective treatments of mental disorders.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
An introduction to the methods of scientific experimentation in psychology. Skills to critically analyze journal articles, design experiments, collect and analyze data, and write reports in APA style will be developed. Students are required to enroll in a laboratory section of this course. The laboratory component of this course offers applications of the principles discussed in the large lecture.
A study of the development of modern psychology through an examination of major philosophic, scientific, and social-political antecedents. Contemporary positions are discussed within the context of broader theoretical frameworks.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
All TAMU-CC Psychology students take a Capstone course in order to graduate. The Psychology Capstone Seminar, the final and required class that completes the Psychology curriculum, provides an opportunity for senior Psychology majors to demonstrate comprehensive learning in Psychology through intensive, integrative work on a specific topic in Psychology at an advanced level. The goal is to provide an enriching and culminating experience at the end of each student's undergraduate education. Core components of the Capstone courses include reading and discussing peer-reviewed and primary source work, completing a final project, and presentations of ongoing and final projects.
This course is designed to provide students with both a theoretical and a practical understanding of the effects of culture on human thinking, values, and behavior. As such, it is focused on the effects of culture on the nature and behavior of individuals, their adaptations to institutions and environments, and their relations with others within and outside their culture. Knowledge presented in the class is drawn from both qualitative and quantitative research.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
Study of the physiological, psychological, and social effects of drug use and abuse. Following a review of basic neuroanatomy and pharmacology, the actions and known effects of specific drugs of use and abuse will be examined. Treatments and prevention issues related to substance abuse will also be discussed.
This course provides an overview of the field of positive psychology, which focuses on the scientific study of human flourishing, including psychological strengths, resiliency, and fulfillment.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
This course is an introduction to the physiological mechanisms that underline behavior with emphasis on the nervous, the endocrine and sensory systems.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
Basic sensory processes as they relate to the sensory experience and to the construction of our conception of physical reality.
This course is designed to introduce the undergraduate student to the theoretical and empirical issues related to the psychology of gender. Both traditional and contemporary theories that focus on the unique aspects in the psychological development of women as well as men will be examined.
Science has been and continues to be thought of as the objective, empirical pursuit of natural facts. In this class we will discuss feminist approaches to science that encourage us to question such fundamental tenets, to understand how such an approach is biased, and ironically, quite far from objective in its over-reliance on masculine, patriarchal frameworks.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
Statistical and research basis for test construction. Instruction in use of group and individual tests in intelligence, achievement, interest and personality. Understanding of individual measures in these areas.
Prerequisite: MATH 1442.
This course will provide an Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology, a scientific discipline that studies human behavior in the workplace. Topics will include the history of Industrial/Organizational psychology, job analysis, psychological assessments, personnel decisions, training and development, organizational change, teamwork, motivation, leadership and work stress and health.
Prerequisite: (PSYC 2301).
May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301.
A research project in psychology designed in consultation with a faculty director. The study is to be conducted by the student under the supervision and direction of the faculty member and may culminate in a formal report written in APA journal style. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
See College description.
See College description.