Chair and Professor: A. Gillaspy (PhD), 450-3193
Professor: E. Bihm (PhD), R. Bramlett (PhD), S. Charlton (PhD), J. Simon (PhD), K. Sobel (PhD), F. Varghese (PhD)
Associate Professor: K. Boniecki (PhD), H. Martens (PhD), D. Reed (PhD), K. Rowell (PhD), M. Sestir (PhD)
Assistant Professor: C. Jeffrey (PhD), A. Park (PhD), M. Price-Blackshear (PhD), D. Rumble (PhD), J. Wages (PhD)
Clinical Instructor II: V. Charlton (MRC), S. Riedmueller (MS)
[1] Purposes
The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Science program in psychology is to prepare undergraduates: (1) to think scientifically about behavior and (2) for advanced studies in psychology and other professional areas where an understanding of the principles of behavior is required.
[2] Honors in Psychology
Students who major in Psychology and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the Honors in the Major Program. For details, see Honors in the Major Program.
[3] Curricula
[3.1] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Science
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The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements through major courses, including PSYC 2331: Research Methods, PSYC 4301:Apprenticeship in Psychology I (Z), PSYC 4311: Psychology in Context (D) and a Responsible Living course to include PSYC 4323: Health Psychology (R), PSYC 4327: Positive Psychology (R) or a (R) designated course from the minor (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements; and (3) 45 hours in the department as indicated below. A minor, second major, or certificate program of at least 14 hours is required and must be worked out with the student’s advisor in the other department.
Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Psychology enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.
UD = Upper Division
D = Diversity
I = Critical Inquiry
Z = Capstone Experience
[3.1.1] BS, Major in Psychology (45 hours)
Introduction to the Major (Complete both course; 6 hours)
PSYC 1310 Applications of Psychology
Scientific Foundations of Psychology (Complete both courses; 6 hours)
PSYC 2331 Research Methods
Biological Foundations (Complete one course; 3 hours)
PSYC 3302 Sensation and Perception
Learning and Cognition (Complete one course; 3 hours)
PSYC 3312 Psychology of Learning
Individual Differences (Complete one course; 3 hours)
PSYC 3322 Theories of Personality
PSYC 3323 Abnormal Psychology
Social Influences (Complete one course; 3 hours)
PSYC 3336 Intergroup Relations
Inclusion & Diversity (Complete one course; 3 hours)
PSYC 3342 Psychology of Women [UD UCA Core: D]
Apprenticeship in Psychology (Complete both courses; 6 hours)
PSYC 4302 Psychology Apprenticeship II
Major Capstone (Complete during senior year; 3 hours)
Psychology Electives (9 hours; May use any PSYC course as an elective that is not being used in another major or minor)
PSYC 4323 Health Psychology [UD UCA Core: R]
PSYC 4324 Industrial / Organizational Psychology
PSYC 4326 Media Psychology [UD UCA Core: C]
PSYC 4327 Positive Psychology [UD UCA Core: R]
PSYC 4328 Sports Psychology
PSYC 4341 Data Analysis and Application
PSYC 4342 Tests and Measurements
PSYC 4351 Applied Behavior Analysis [UD UCA Core: C]
PSYC 4352 Adult Development and Aging
PSYC 4354 Judgement & Decision-Making [UD UCA Core: I, C]
PSYC 4371 Introduction to Mental Health Professions
PSYC 4372 Professional Development in Psychology
PSYC 4377 Study Abroad in Psychology [UD UCA Core: D]
PSYC 4V80 Independent Readings in Psychology
PSYC 4V82 Independent Research in Psychology
[3.2] Minors
[3.2.1] Minor in Psychology (21 hours)
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Twenty-one hours including Introduction to Psychology, and 18 additional PSYC hours selected in consultation with departmental advisor (excluding PSYC 4311: Psychology in Context).
[3.2.2] Minor in Sports Psychology (21 hours)
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The minor in Sports Psychology requires 21 hours (3 hours of prerequisites that may also count towards the lower-division core and 18 hours of course work from the PSYC, NUTR, BIOL, and EXSS).
Required Prerequisite
PSYC 1300 Introduction to Psychology [ACTS: PSYC1103]
Note: Psychology majors must take one additional 3-credit psychology course to substitute for the PSYC 1300 prerequisite because PSYC 1300 must be used for the psychology major. Note also that this prerequisite may count as the social science course for the critical inquiry component of the UCA Core lower-division requirement in addition to a minor requirement.
Other Required Courses
PSYC 4328 Sport Psychology
One of the following courses below. Courses must not be required for major field of study. The remaining class can be taken as an elective.
EXSS 4395 Sport in American Society
SOC 3330 Sociology of Sports
Elective Courses
EXSS 2340 Motor Development and Learning
EXSS 3331 Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
NUTR 4315 Sports Nutrition
PSYC 3312 Psychology of Learning
PSYC 3321 Developmental Psychology
PSYC 3322 Personality Psychology
PSYC 3335 Social Psychology
PSYC 4323 Health Psychology
PSYC 4351 Applied Behavior Analysis [UD UCA Core: C]
Students who complete a BS degree in Psychology can minor in Sports Psychology, but PSYC courses used for the major will not also count for the minor.
[3.2.3] Minor in Cognitive Neuroscience (22 hours)
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The minor in Cognitive Neuroscience requires 22 hours as detailed here:
Required Prerequisites
BIOL 1440 Principles of Biology I (4 credits)
Note: Psychology majors must take one additional 3-credit psychology course to substitute for the PSYC 1300 prerequisite because PSYC 1300 must be used for the psychology major. Note also that the prerequisites may fulfill UCA Core lower-division requirements in addition to minor requirements.
Elective Courses
BIOL 3370 Introduction to Neuroscience
BIOL 4425 Experimental Neurobiology
CSD 2306 Neuroscience for Communication
CSD 3311 Fundamentals of Speech and Hearing Science
CSD 3321 Language Acquisition and Literacy
CSD 4311 Introduction to Audiology
CSD 4330 Neurogenic Communication Disorders
LING 3315 Semantics
LING 4305 Cognitive Linguistics [UD UCA Core: I]
LING 4320 Grammatical Structures of English
LING 4345 Morphology and Syntax
PHIL 3341 Theories of Knowledge
PHIL 3375 Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 4330 Philosophy of Language
PSYC 3301 Physiological Psychology
PSYC 3302 Sensation and Perception
PSYC 3311 Cognitive Psychology
Students who complete a BS degree in Psychology can minor in Cognitive Neuroscience, but PSYC courses used for the major will not also count for the minor.
[3.2.4] Minor in Health Psychology (21 hours)
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The minor in Health Psychology requires 21 hours as detailed here:
Required Courses
HLTH 4300 Community Health Problems or HLTH 3325 Disease Management for Health Promotion¹ (for students completing the health coaching certificate)
Note: Prerequisites may fulfill UCA Core lower-division requirements in addition to minor requirements.
Elective courses
Choose 15 hours from the following. No more than two courses may come from the same department unless completing the health coaching certificate (3 HLTH courses: 2201, 4398, and 4399).
HLTH 2201 First Aid¹
HLTH 2320 Mental Health
HLTH 4343 Health Strategies for Multicultural Populations
HLTH 4395: Contemporary Health Concerns: Women
HLTH 4396 Contemporary Health Concerns: Men
HLTH 4398 Health Coaching I¹
HLTH 4399 Health Coaching II¹
EXSS 3350 Obesity Prevention and Management
NUTR 1300 Foundations of Nutrition
NUTR 4395 Nutrition Contemporary Issues
NUTR 4315 Sports Nutrition
PSYC 3323 Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 3335 Social Psychology
PSYC 4327 Positive Psychology
PSYC 4328 Sport Psychology
PSYC 4351 Applied Behavior Analysis [UD UCA Core: C]
Students who complete the BS in Psychology can minor in Health Psychology, but PSYC courses used for the major will not also count for the minor.
¹ Health Coaching Certificate: Students completing the health coaching certificate must complete HLTH 2201, 3325, 4398, and 4399.
[3.2.5] Minor in Multicultural Psychology, Diversity, and Inclusion (21 hours)
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The minor in Multicultural Psychology, Diversity, and Inclusion requires 21 hours as detailed here:
Required Prerequisite
Note: Psychology majors must take one additional 3-credit psychology course to substitute for the PSYC 1300 prerequisite, because PSYC 1300 must be used for the psychology major. Note also that prerequisites may fulfill UCA Core lower-division requirements in addition to minor requirements.
Required courses
PSYC 3341 Multicultural Psychology [UD UCA Core: D, I]
Elective courses
12 Hours of course work selected from the following (Students must take no more than two elective courses from the same department: PHIL, PSYC, RELG, ENGL, HLTH, AFAM.)
ENGL 3315 Gender and Language
HLTH 3305 Human Sexuality
HLTH 4310 Health Concerns of the Aging
HLTH 4395 Contemporary Health Concerns: Women
HLTH 4396 Contemporary Health Concerns: Men
PHIL 2360 Gender, Race, and Class: Philosophical Issues
PHIL 3340 Critical Theories of Race
PHIL 3345 Feminist Philosophy
PSYC 3342 Psychology of Women
PSYC 3336 Intergroup Relations
RELG 1320 World Religions
RELG 3320 Modern Religious Thought
RELG 3330 Religion and Gender
[3.3] Graduate Degrees
The Department of Psychology and Counseling offers a master’s degree (MS) in Mental Health Counseling, an educational specialist degree (EdS) in School Psychology, and a doctoral degree (PhD) in Psychology (School Psychology and Counseling Psychology). See the Graduate Bulletin for details.
[4] Courses in Psychology (PSYC)
Follow this link to PSYC course descriptions: course link.