Department of Psychology

The Psychology Department seeks to provide a curriculum that stimulates the necessary knowledge base and skills for participation in a variety of fields open to the psychology major upon graduation or entrance into a graduate program in psychology. Three primary goals for majors in the program are to (a) create an appreciation for and understanding of the discipline of psychology and the complexity of human behavior, (b) foster critical thinking about the integration of the Christian faith with the discipline of psychology and (c) provide preparation for graduate study or entry-level employment in a psychology-related field.

Students who choose psychology as a major for the bachelor of arts degree complete PY 111, 211 or 215, 221, 285, 351, 375, 380, 385, 461, 480, and 485; and 12 additional hours in psychology. (PY 230 does not count towards major requirements.) The following specific courses are necessary and will fulfill requirements in the core curriculum: BI 111/L and MA 151.

The minor in psychology requires PY 111; six hours from PY 211, 221, 351, 375, and 461; and nine additional hours from psychology courses numbered 200 or above, which may include NU 335/C.

For information about requirements for Indiana teacher licensing in psychology, refer to the major in history education. 

Courses in Psychology

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PY 106 Relationships and Emotions
(3 credits )

This course examines the key elements of healthy relationships. It explores the main problems that damage relationships. Topics include key research findings on successful relationships, family-of-origin influences on relationships, and information on grief and loss. Students will learn practical scientific-based skills for improving relationships.
This is a concurrent course offered at local area high schools. May be counted as an elective in the psychology major.

PY 107 Human and Social Services
(3 credits )

An introductory/exploratory course for students interested in careers in human and community services and other helping professions. Areas of exploration include family and social services, youth development, adult and elder care, and other for-profit and non-profit services. This project-based course will help students integrate higher order thinking, communication, leadership and management processes to conduct investigations in human and social services at the local, state, national, or global/world level. Students will be introduced to human and social services professions through presentations from a variety of guest speakers, job shadowing, field trips and introductory and exploratory field experiences.
This is a concurrent course offered at local area high schools. May be counted as an elective in the psychology major.

PY 108 Understanding Diversity
(3 credits )

Understanding Diversity encourages cultural awareness and appreciation of diversity. This class focuses on cultural variations in attitudes, values, language, gestures, and customs. It includes information about major racial and ethnic groups in the United States and how psychological explanations may vary across populations and sociocultural contexts.
This is a concurrent course offered at local area high schools. May be counted as an elective in the psychology major.
Prerequisite: PY 107

PY 109 Human and Social Services IIA
(3 credits )

This course prepares students for occupations and higher education programs related to assisting individuals and families in meeting their potentials. Through work-based experiences, students apply the knowledge and skills developed in the Human Services Foundations course. Concentration areas include family and social services, youth development, and adult and elder care. Ethical, legal, and safety issues, as well as helping processes and collaborative ways of working with others, will be addressed. Learning experiences will involve analysis of the influence of culture and socioeconomic factors on individual choices and opportunities, service delivery models, and theoretical perspectives. Intensive laboratory/field experiences in one or more human social service agencies are a required component of this course. Student laboratory/field experiences may be either school-based, if available, or "on the job' in community-based agencies, or a combination of the two. A standards-based plan guides the students' laboratory/field experiences. Students are monitored in their laboratory/field experiences by the instructor. Achievement of applicable standards will be documented through a student portfolio.
This is a concurrent course offered at local area high schools. May be counted as an elective in the psychology major.
Prerequisite: PY 108

PY 110 Human and Social Services IIB
(3 credits )

A continuation of PY 109 Human and Social Services IIA
This is a concurrent course offered at local area high schools. May be counted as an elective in the psychology major.
Prerequisite: PY 109

PY 111 Introduction to Psychology
(3 credits - Fall, Spring)

A survey of the principles, methods and findings in various areas of psychology. Specific topics include development, socialization, consciousness, personality, motivation and emotion, learning and memory, physiology, neuroscience, stress and coping, and psychopathy.

PY 195 Job Shadow in Psychology
(1 to 2 credits - Fall, Spring)

Students observe the daily routines and activities of employed professionals and see how skills and knowledge acquired in class are applied in the psychology field.
Prerequisite: Consent

PY 211 Child and Adolescent Development
(3 credits - Spring)

This course focuses on development from conception through adolescence. Physical, cognitive, psychosocial and moral development during this period are covered. Special emphasis is placed on the dynamics of parent-child interaction and practical methods of enhancing the healthy growth of children.
Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 215 Adult Development
(3 credits - Fall)

This course focuses on development dynamics from early adulthood through old age. Adult life stages are examined in terms of physical, cognitive, moral and psychosocial factors to gain understanding of the specific tasks and the potential problems involved in each of the developmental stages, both from an individual and a relational perspective.
Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 230 Human Development
(3 credits - Fall)

This course focuses on the basic processes of cognitive, moral, physical and psychosocial development from conception through death. Attention is given to both theories and research regarding the stages and transitions encountered by persons over the lifespan. Special attention is given to the relationship between physical and psychological problems during development.
Does not count in the psychology major but may count in the psychology minor.
Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 232 Education of the Exceptional Learner
(3 credits - Fall, Spring)

This course provides an overview of the developmental, behavioral, intellectual and educational characteristics of students with disabilities. Early intervention, identification and placement as well as appropriate adaptations for diverse learners in inclusive classroom settings will be emphasized. In addition, the special methodologies related to the instruction of gifted and talented students are addressed.
Identical with SE 232.
Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 233 Foundations of Special Education
(3 credits - Spring)

This course focuses on special education as a profession. Emphasis will be placed on historical, philosophical and legal foundations of special education. The rights and responsibilities of parents, students, educators and other professionals as these relate to students with exceptional needs will also be studied. Programming options and ethical practices for mild interventions will be emphasized.
Identical with SE233.
Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 236 Educational Psychology
(3 credits - Fall, Spring)

Applications of theories of teaching, learning, development and measurement to classroom environments are explored. This course also examines qualities of classroom interaction, particularly related to instructional processes, motivation of students and classroom management.
Identical with ED 236.
Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 265 Human Sexuality
(3 credits - Summer)

This course examines the development and dynamics of human sexual functioning and behavior. Topics will include sexual physiology, sexual response, sex across the lifespan, gender roles and sexual deviations. Sexuality will be studied in light of current social trends, ethical considerations and Christian perspectives and values.
Prerequisites: PY 111 and sophomore standing at time of registration

PY 318 Sport and Exercise Psychology
(3 credits - Fall)

This course is an introduction to the science and theory of sport and exercise psychology. Factors related to individual, group and institutional behavior in the following physical activity settings are emphasized: competitive and recreational athletics, exercise, physical education and rehabilitative.
Identical with EX 318.
Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 321 Interpersonal Relationships
(3 credits - Fall, Spring)

This course examines the dynamics of effective interpersonal relationships and how those dynamics are applied within the counseling field. Topics include personal factors that influence relationships, verbal and nonverbal behavior, barriers to effective communication and conflict, contextualized to basic counseling concepts and skills. Practical exercises and group work to develop those basic skills are an integral part of the course.
Prerequisites: PY 111; psychology, sociology, or social work majors who have sophomore standing at time of registration; or consent of instructor

PY 331 Psychology of Health and Wellness
(3 credits - Spring Odd Years)

This course examines health and wellness psychology and looks at the efforts people make in promoting good health, how effectively people cope with and reduce stress and pain, and the recovery, rehabilitation, and psychosocial adjustment of patients with serious health problems. Topics include factors that are related to health habits and lifestyles, methods to enhance health behavior and prevent illness, and stress and stress management. Practical exercises and group work to develop those basic skills are an integral part of the course.
Prerequisites: PY 111 and sophomore standing at time of registration

PY 341 Religion and Behavioral Science
(3 credits - Spring Odd Years)

This course considers issues relative to the integration of the behavioral sciences and Christianity, and the contributions of psychology and sociology to the understanding of religion. The influence of personality and social factors on religious behavior is considered. Topics include faith development, conversion, mysticism, cults and religion and mental health.
Identical with SO 341.
Prerequisite: PY 111 or SO 111

PY 351 Social Psychology
(3 credits - Fall)

A study of how the thoughts, feelings and behavior of individuals are influenced by others. Topics include attitude formation and change, prejudice, conformity, leadership, interpersonal attraction, prosocial behavior and cooperation/competition.
Identical with SO 351.
Prerequisites: PY 111 or SO 111 and sophomore standing at time of registration

PY 375 Cognitive Neuroscience
(3 credits - Spring Even Years)

An introduction to the biological mechanisms and processes that underlie human behavior. Emphasis will be on how the central nervous system controls and affects individual neurons, sensory and motor systems, emotion and motivation, learning, memory, speech, development and aging and abnormal behavior. Effects of brain injury and psychopharmacology will also be discussed.
Identical with BI 375.
Prerequisites: PY 111; BI 111 or 161; and sophomore standing at time of registration

PY 380 Introduction to Research Methods
(3 credits - Fall)

Introduces behavioral science research as a scientific process. Students become familiar with the basics of empirical research design, descriptive and basic inferential data analysis techniques and interpretation, measurement considerations, empirical journal articles, APA style scholarly writing and ethical issues in research. Students will analyze and interpret data and write APA style reports. Students will also develop basic skills in analyzing data using statistical analysis software.
Identical with CJ 380, CO 380 and SO 380.
Prerequisites: PY 111 or SO 111, and successful completion of MA 151

PY 391 Psychological Assessment
(3 credits - Fall Odd Years)

An overview of the field of psychometrics. Principles and techniques of test selection, administration and interpretation will be covered. Primary emphasis will be given to measures of intelligence, personality and psychopathology. Methods of test construction and the ethics of testing will also be emphasized. Students will also receive training in the use of a limited number of personality instruments.
Prerequisites: PY 380 (can be taken concurrently) and sophomore standing at time of registration

PY 395 Practicum
(1 to 3 credits - Fall, Spring)

Involvement in a psychology-related field which allows the student to gain practical experience. An in-depth paper is required.
Prerequisite: Consent

PY 402 Writing and Research for Publication and Application
(3 credits - Summer)

Upon instructor approval of exemplary work in PY 382, students will advance their research and writing skills by planning, producing and submitting manuscripts for publication. This course includes analysis of professional journals and review of the different types of publications. A more thorough literature review, advanced reading and obtaining an inclusive and representative participant sample will also be required. Final article must be submitted to a journal and presented at a regional or national research conference. Students will also attempt to implement their research in an applied setting.
Prerequisites: PY 480 and consent

PY 411 Fundamentals of Counseling
(3 credits - Spring Even Years)

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the counseling process ' both cognitively and experientially. Content will include the dynamics of helping interventions and practicing the skills that provide the foundation of effective counseling. The focus of the course will be on the understanding, discussion and use of basic counseling skills. Careful attention will be given to examining the field of counseling/therapy from a Christian perspective.
Prerequisites: PY 111, 321, and sophomore standing at time of registration

PY 441 Theories of Personality
(3 credits - Fall Even Years)

An introduction to the psychological study of personality. Representative theorists from each of the major schools of thought are studied, including psychoanalytic, behavioral and humanistic.
Prerequisites: PY 111 and sophomore standing at time of registration

PY 452 Topics in Psychology
(3 credits - Spring Even Years)

A detailed examination of a selected topic in psychology.
Prerequisites: Psychology major or minor and junior standing at time of registration

PY 452FTH Topics in Psychology: Faith and Psychology Integration
(3 credits - Offered on Sufficient Demand)

A seminar examining approaches to integrating psychological study and practice with the Christian faith. Students and faculty will discuss readings on integrative approaches and models, also including worldview perspectives and some philosophical and theological foundations. The students and faculty will also spend time discussing potential tensions between psychology and Christianity and possible resolution of those tensions.
Prerequisites: Psychology major or minor and junior standing at time of registration

PY 452TRA Topics in Psychology: Trauma
(3 credits - Offered on Sufficient Demand)

In this course students will develop an understanding of trauma as well as its biological and psychosocial impact. Students will learn how to recognize trauma and understand a variety of traumatic experiences while exploring research-based methods of dealing with trauma.
Prerequisites: Psychology major or minor and junior standing at time of registration

PY 461 Abnormal Psychology
(3 credits - Fall, Spring)

An examination of the symptoms, etiology and treatment of abnormal behavior. Current diagnostic classifications are used as a conceptual framework.
Prerequisites: PY 111 and sophomore standing at time of registration

PY 480 Applied Research Methods
(3 credits - Spring)

A continuation of the 380 course, though additional focus is placed on the execution and dissemination of behavioral science research. Topics include empirical research design and statistical data analysis, analysis and critique of empirical research, implications of research results and writing in APA style. Students will plan, conduct, analyze and present a research project during the course, and they will further develop skills in analyzing data using statistical analysis software.
Identical with CJ 480, CO 480, and SO 480.
Prerequisite: PY 380

PY 485 Senior Seminar in Psychology
(3 credits - Spring)

The purpose of this course is to synthesize and review the various components of the psychology curriculum to which the student has been exposed. Students also contribute to the selection of additional course topics. Students will complete a scholarly faith integration paper. Students will also complete a service learning experience as part of course work.
Prerequisites: Major in psychology and senior standing

PY 490 Independent Study
(1 to 4 credits - Fall, Spring)

Advanced readings and study of some problems in psychology giving the student experience in the techniques of independent study.
Prerequisite: Consent

PY 495 Internship
(2 to 4 credits - Fall, Spring)

Full-time involvement in a field situation of psychology maintaining close cooperation with the supervisory personnel in the field. An in-depth paper is required.
Prerequisite: Consent