Psychology Courses

PSYC 100 Career Choice and Planning (1-0-1), fall, spring. Current information about the job market and career decision-making. Assessment of personal goals, interests, values, and abilities. Strategies for achieving Christian service, personal satisfaction, and economic security in careers.

PSYC 120 Introduction to Psychology (3-0-3), fall, spring, summer. A comprehensive survey of the science of psychology emphasizing human behavior. May be used to satisfy Social Science Degree Core requirements.

PSYC 201 Psychology Seminar I (1-4*-1), fall, spring. Introduction to the training and career opportunities in psychology; strategies for studying psychology. Relation of Christian beliefs to the study of psychology. To be taken in the first semester of the psychology major. *Fifty hours of community experience in an approved setting is required.

PSYC 232 Developmental Psychology (3-0-3), fall, spring. A survey of the biological, cognitive, moral, and psycho-social development of the individual from conception through death. PSYC 233 Physiological Psychology (3-0-3), fall, spring. Special emphasis on the nervous system, brain and behavior, neuroanatomy, genetics, neurological basis of learning, cognition, sensation, memory, motivation, and abnormal behavior. Prerequisite: BIOL 120 or 203 or 112/113.

PSYC 233 Physiological Psychology (3-0-3), fall, spring.  Special emphasis on the nervous system, brain and behavior, neuroanatomy, genetics, neurological basis of learning, cognition, sensation, memory, motivation, and abnormal behavior.  Prerequisite:  BIOL 120 or 203 or 112/113.

PSYC 240 Principles of Learning (3-0-3), fall, spring, summer. Includes the fundamentals of perception, learning, memory, cognition, and intelligence.

PSYC 252 Mental Health (3-0-3), Maymester. The principles of psychology as they relate to effective living. Same as HED 252.

PSYC 278 Stress and Its Management (3-0-3), spring, Maymester. The impact of stress on physical and emotional health; survey and practice of stress management methods.

PSYC 301 Psychology Seminar II (1-4*-1), fall, spring. Discussion of personal, professional, and Christian ethics in psychology. Application of psychological knowledge to contemporary social issues. *Either 50 hours of approved community experience or a social issue paper is required.

PSYC 311/511 Elementary Statistics (3-0-3), fall, spring, summer. Introduction to basic formulas, methods, and interpretations of statistical measures, both descriptive and inferential. Prerequisite: Completion of General Education mathematics requirement.

 PSYC 342/542 Applied Sports Psychology (3-0-3), fall. Development of knowledge and skill in the application of psychology to the enhancement of sport and exercise performance and to the personal development of the athlete.

PSYC 343 Selection and Performance Appraisal (3-0-3), spring. Application of the theory and analytical skills of job analysis, selection, and performance appraisal to staffing organizations. Skill in developing job descriptions and criteria, use of tests, biographical data, and other selection devices. Design of appraisal systems is emphasized. Prerequisite: PSYC 368 or equivalent.

PSYC 350 Applied Research Design and Analysis (3-0-3), on demand. Focuses on development of conceptual and technical skills for doing research in the workplace and other applied settings. Emphasis is on research as a problem-solving strategy.

PSYC 351 Experimental Psychology (3-2-4), fall, spring. A survey of experimental methods employed in the study of human behavior. Special attention is given to the sensory systems, perception, and learning. Required laboratory is graded with the course. Prerequisite: PSYC 368.

PSYC 368 Psychological Tests and Measurements (3-0-3), fall, spring. A study of the principles of psychological measurement including scale development and evaluation. An overview of the major assessment instruments in each area of psychological testing. Prerequisite: Completion of General Education mathematics requirement.

PSYC 370 Social Psychology (3-0-3), fall, spring, summer. A study of the processes of intersocial stimulation and their consequences. Prerequisite: PSYC 120 or SOCI 111.

PSYC 373/573 Characteristics and Needs of Exceptional Children (3-0-3), fall. A survey of the nature and needs of exceptional children, such as the mentally retarded, gifted, and emotionally disturbed. Same as SPED 473/573.

PSYC 374/574 Emotionally Disturbed Child (3-0-3), fall. A study of social and emotional problems in children and adolescents including intervention and prevention strategies. Same as SPED 474/574.

PSYC 375 Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3-0-3), spring. The application of psychological principles to business and industrial problems. Prerequisite: PSYC 368.

PSYC 376/576 Psychology of Mental Retardation (3-0-3), spring. The nature and characteristics of mental retardation and its social, emotional, and cognitive aspects. Same as SPED 476/576.

PSYC 382 Abnormal Psychology (3-0-3), fall, spring, summer. A study of the types of psychopathologies, their causes, and accepted methods of treatment. PSYC 388 Teams and Team Leadership (3-0-3), fall. Analysis of the factors contributing to the success of teams in complex organizations; focusing on team selection, development, training, and evaluation. Students will develop skills through team building, and by leading in simulations and team projects.

PSYC 392/592 Child Psychology (3-0-3), fall. An advanced course in the study of children and adolescents, including physical, emotional, cognitive, moral, and social development.

PSYC 401 Psychology Seminar III (1-4*-1), fall, spring. Detailed study of graduate school admissions and job search strategies including school selection, personal skills assessment, resume writing, and interviewing. To be taken in the junior year. *Fifty hours of approved community experience or other approved experience is required.

PSYC 451 Statistics in Psychological Research (3-0-3), fall. Basic formulas, methods and interpretations of statistical measures, both descriptive and inferential. Special emphasis placed on the integration of statistics and experimental design in psychological research. Provides extensive training in SPSS software skills for data analysis and display. Prerequisite: PSYC 351.

 PSYC 471/571 Behavior Modification (3-0-3), on demand. An introduction to behavior and cognitive-behavior therapy. Major topics include learning foundations and theoretical bases. Therapy techniques, applications to specific clinical problems, prominent research, and ethics are also considered. Prerequisites: PSYC 240, 12 hours of psychology.

PSYC 485 Introduction to Counseling (3-2-4), fall, spring. Introduction to theory and practice of counseling. Emphasis is on the development of essential attending, interviewing, and influencing skills. Course requires a lab. Laboratory graded and credited with course. Prerequisite: PSYC 382.

PSYC 487 Theories of Personality (3-0-3), on demand. Personality theories, their historical development, concepts, issues, and methods of research, assessment, and treatment that are essential for preparation for professional areas of applied psychology. Prerequisite: 15 hours of psychology or consent of advisor.

PSYC 493 History of Theories in Psychology (3-0-3), on demand. Survey of major psychological theories and systems and an overview of the history of psychology with an emphasis on modern history. A writing-intensive course. Prerequisites: psychology major or minor and 12 hours of psychology.

PSYC 499 Senior Project and Seminar (1-6-3), on demand. Observation, experience, and research in a specific area. Each student will be required to attend a weekly seminar. Guest speakers and ACU faculty will address professional issues.