Mission Statement The Department of Psychology supports majors designed for the student planning graduate work in psychology and other related fields. The curriculum is designed to develop strong skills in the theory and practice of the science of psychology, with an emphasis on dealing with the emotional, mental, social, and spiritual needs of others.
Academic Opportunities Rochester College offers the Bachelor of Science degree with a psychology major or behavioral science major, which includes tracks in counseling and social work. Interdisciplinary studies majors may choose a behavioral science concentration as part of the Bachelor of Science degree. Minors are available in behavioral science, counseling, psychology, and social work. Career Opportunities A major in psychology or behavioral science may lead to entry-level jobs in crisis intervention centers, counseling clinics, community service agencies, or other social agencies. These majors may also be used to prepare for graduate studies in psychology, psychotherapy, professional counseling, or social work. The psychology major also supports graduate work in experimental, applied, academic, theoretical, or professional psychology (clinical, counseling, or school psychology, or marriage and family therapy). Psychology graduates are also often sought by employers in sales, public relations, or other human services and resources.
Degree Options in Psychology, Course Descriptions
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology BS with Behavioral Science Major: Features tracks in counseling or social work. Both tracks include practicums in the student’s chosen field of study. Graduate studies normally are required to certify for practice in most agencies and for licensure as a private therapist. GENERAL EDUCATION CORE ..................................... 51 credit hours BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE MAJOR .................................. 24 credit hours PSY 2013 General Psychology ......................................................... 3 PSY 2223 Life Span Development .................................................... 3 PSY 3013 Psychology of Personality or PSY 3093 History and Systems of Psychology........................... 3 PSY 3303 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences ............................. 3 PSY 3323 Research Methods in the Social Sciences ....................... 3 PSY 3403 Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling ........... 3 PSY 3423 Cross Cultural Counseling .............................................. 3 PSY 4493 Field Practicum or SWK 4893 Field Practicum .......................................................... 3 TRACK (select one) ......................................................... 18 credit hours Counseling Track (18 hours) PSY 3033 Abnormal Psychology PSY 3313 Introduction to Psychological Assessment PSY 3413 Substance Abuse Counseling PSY 4403 Career Guidance Research and Counseling PSY 4413 Family Systems Therapy PSY 4423 Group Counseling Techniques Social Work Track (18 hours) PSY 3413 Substance Abuse Counseling or PSY 4423 Group Counseling Techniques SWK 2013 Introduction to Social Work SWK 3003 Human Behavior and the Social Environment SWK 3103 Social Welfare and Public Policy SWK 4403 Social Work Practice I SWK 4413 Social Work Practice II MINOR ........................................................................... 18 credit hours ELECTIVES..................................................................... 17 credit hours TOTAL FOR BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE MAJOR .......... 128 credit hoursBS with Psychology Major: Presents a broad study of human behavior and insight into psychology as a scientific discipline and professional career. Graduate work is required to certify for practice in most agencies and for licensure as a private therapist. GENERAL EDUCATION CORE ..................................... 51 credit hours PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR ................................................. 36 credit hours PSY 2013 General Psychology ......................................................... 3 PSY 3303 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences ............................. 3 PSY 3323 Research Methods in the Social Sciences ....................... 3 PSY 4893 Psychology Seminar......................................................... 3 Non-Laboratory Core ........................................................................ 9 PSY 2113 Psychology of Adjustment, or PSY 2223 Life Span Development, or PSY 3013 Psychology of Personality, or PSY 3033 Abnormal Psychology, or PSY 3043 Brain and Behavior, or PSY 3053 Health Psychology, or PSY 3093 History and Systems of Psychology, or PSY 3123 Social Psychology, or PSY 3143 Psychology of Religion Laboratory Core ................................................................................ 7 PSY 3503 Cognitive Psychology, or PSY 3514 Learning and Memory, or PSY 3524 Sensation and Perception Advanced Core ................................................................................... 8 PSY 3053 Health Psychology, or PSY 3203 Child Development, or PSY 3213 Adolescent Development, or PSY 3223 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging, or PSY 3313 Introduction to Psychological Assessment, or PSY 3403 Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling, or PSY 4403 Career Guidance Research and Counseling, or PSY 4911/4912/4913 Directed Research, or PSY approved by Department Chair MINOR ............................................................................ 18 credit hours ELECTIVES (below recommended) ............................. 23 credit hours BIO 2114 Human Anatomy and Physiology I CIS 1102 Software Applications of Computers SOC 2453 Marriage and the Family TOTAL FOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR ........................ 128 credit hours
Behavioral Science Minor: Requires 18 hours of PSY, SOC, SWK above 2000 level, including six upper-division hours. Counseling Minor. Requires 12 hours of PSY or SOC; and six hours selected from MIN 3613; PSY 3403, 3413, 4403, 4413, 4423; or SWK 3003. Psychology Minor. Requires 18 hours of PSY, including six upper division hours, for a psychology minor, and/or SWK 3003. Program Notes: BIO 2114, CIS 1102, and SOC 2453 recommended for behavioral science and psychology majors. Both majors require 36 hours of upper-division credit, inclusive of all course work.
Course Descriptions
PSY 1011 Writing in APA Style. Writing and revising academic and research papers using the American Psychological Association (APA) Style. A study of APA paper format guidelines including style, structure, organization, references, citations, and grammar.
PSY 1012 Life Learning Skills. Self-concept, relationships, personal ethics, and planning for success.
PSY 1031 Career Exploration and Development. Career and job search preparation with practical instruction on writing résumés, preparing for interviews, and handling rejection. Required if ACT composite is less than 17 or if high school GPA is less than 2.00.
PSY 2013 General Psychology. Study of human behavior, personality, motivation, emotion, intelligence, personal adjustment, and the social and physiological bases of behavior.
PSY 2113 Psychology of Adjustment. Psychological approaches to everyday problems, coping skills, anxiety, personal growth and health, and interactions of individuals within personal and social environments.
PSY 2223 Life Span Development. This course focuses on the major theoretical foundations of the development of human beings across ages and cultures over the course of the life span. Emphasis is on the integration of physical, cognitive, affective, social, as well as moral and spiritual development. Developmental research will be utilized to address the scope of issues during the course of life.
PSY 3013 Psychology of Personality. Personality theories and the understanding of human development, psychopathology, and behavior. Prerequisites: PSY 2013.
PSY 3033 Abnormal Psychology. Theories related to the development of various mental and personality disorders, including the function of abnormal behavior. Introduction to diagnostics, using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV), methods of investigation, and psychotherapy. Prerequisites: PSY 2013.
PSY 3043 Brain and Behavior. Biology of behavior and mental processes. Behavioral effects of neuroanatomical structures and neurochemical processes. Structure, chemistry, and function of the brain.
PSY 3053 Health Psychology. Behavioral and psychological processes and their influence on human health, wellness, and health care. Introduction to behavioral medicine, psychoneuroimmunology, and the psychological literature on cardiovascular disorders, somatoform disorders, and other medical conditions. Prerequisite: PSY 2013.
PSY 3093 History and Systems of Psychology. Historical, philosophical, and scientific roots of psychology and the contemporary models of sociology, psychology, and counseling training. Emphasizes important contributions of major leaders and schools of psychology, and on current issues in the field of psychology. Prerequisites: PSY 2013.
PSY 3123 Social Psychology. Individual psychology in a group setting; Social thinking, influence, and relations studied through a review of current research and experimentation. Prerequisite: PSY 2013.
PSY 3143 Psychology of Religion. Religion in classical psychological theories, psychological views on religious experience, and recent research and theory in the field of psychology and religion. Emphasizes integration of biblical and theological studies on psychology and psychopathology.
PSY 3203 Child Development. Interactive theories of change involved in growth from birth to puberty. Considers physiological, intellectual, psychological, and social change as it is affected by the child’s parents, family, school, and general social environment. Prerequisite: PSY 2013.
PSY 3213 Adolescent Development. Interactive theories of change involved in the growth of the person from puberty to young adulthood. Physiological, intellectual, and social change as affected by involvement in family, school, community, church, and peers. Prerequisite: PSY 2013.
PSY 3223 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging. Sources of psychological growth and crises in adulthood and aging. Changes in intellectual functioning, attitudes toward aging, experience in the family, retirement, needs of the elderly, and death. Prerequisite: PSY 2013.
PSY 3303 Statistics for Behavioral Sciences. Quantification and statistics. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including measures of central tendency, variability, basic hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, correlation, and regression. Application of statistical concepts to research. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in MAT 1003.
PSY 3313 Introduction to Psychological Assessment. This is an introduction to the field of psychological testing and assessment. The emphasis is on test theory, construction, standardization, and review of assessment procedures, and surveys current assessment instruments for measurements of personality, intelligence, neuropsychological functioning, achievement, vocational interest, and special abilities and aptitudes. Prerequisites: PSY 3013 or 3093.
PSY 3323 Research Methods in the Social Sciences. Application of proper research methods to specific problems related to the social sciences, including problem identification, development of research instruments, sample construction, variable control, application of statistical analyses, and publication of research results. Prerequisites: PSY 2013.
PSY 3403 Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling. A focus on the major theoretical foundations and current approaches in psychotherapy and counseling. Emphasis on the development of listening, communication, and empathetic skills necessary in the formation and maintenance of the counselor-counselee relationship. Analysis of dynamics in the counselor-counselee relationship, interviewing techniques, crisis counseling, suicide analysis, referrals, cross-cultural issues, and ethical problems in dealing with clients. Prerequisite: PSY 3013 or 3093.
PSY 3413 Substance Abuse and Addictive Behaviors. Major theoretical foundations and current understandings of physiological mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of substance abuse problems. Emphasis on exploring the differences in various drugs in use and their effects on individual functioning. This course will address issues of assessment, treatment interventions, the varied clientele affected by substance abuse problems as well as legal and ethical issues. Prerequisite: PSY 3403.
PSY 3423 Diversity and Cross-Cultural Psychology. A focus on the various aspects of psychology from a cross-cultural perspective. The nature of living in a pluralistic and multicultural society are addressed with an emphasis on issues of multicultural trends and characteristics of diverse groups. The student will examine cultural awareness and sensitivity in counseling and psychotherapy, gender issues, religious variables, and individuals with special needs. Prerequisite: PSY 3403.
PSY 3503 Cognitive Psychology. Psychological and biological processes in human thought, information processing, and decision-making; Study of mind-brain interaction; Role of computer science, philosophy, and linguistics in the study of cognition. Prerequisite: PSY 3323.
PSY 3514 Learning and Memory. Memory, attention, conditioning, and conceptual acquisition. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: PSY 3323.
PSY 3524 Sensation and Perception. Physical stimulation and behavior, thought, and experience; Physiology of sensory receptors of all modalities. Also, perceptual processes and characteristics of the visual system. Prerequisite: PSY 3323.
PSY 4403 Introduction to Career Development and Guidance. This course examines the theoretical foundations and meanings of work in contemporary society, how people select and adapt to work, and the research methods and counseling techniques utilized in the process of making suitable career choices. Students will become involved in career planning, interviewing, and resume writing as a workshop experience in career development. Prerequisite: PSY 3403.
PSY 4413 Introduction to Marital and Family Systems. Addresses the major theoretical foundations in marital and family systems, emphasizing the dynamics and development of marital and family relationships, behavior, conflicts, and relational resolutions. Explores principles of intervention as they relate to family systems theory and principles, multicultural differences, intergenerational and multigenerational issues, family processes, techniques, and professional issues. Prerequisite: PSY 3403.
PSY 4423 Psychology of Group Processes. A focus on the major theoretical foundations of group processes, including the psychological functions of group experience and behavior. The dynamics of group interactions including the concepts of boundaries, decision-making, and interaction. Explores the counselor’s role in group interventions with specific counseling populations, including cross-cultural and ethical issues. Students participate in, and conduct group activities. Prerequisite: PSY 3403.
PSY 4493 Field Practicum. Three-hundred hours of counseling agency experience. Student must compile a portfolio containing a journal of daily work experiences, description of the agency (including its services and the training it provides), journal article and critical book reviews reflecting 1,000 pages of reading on a topic approved by the advisor, an original paper on the student’s readings and practicum experience, and an evaluation of the practicum experience by the advisor and the student. Prerequisite: Junior standing and completion of 20 hours of major core.
PSY 4893 Psychology Seminar. Psychology major capstone course includes readings, discussions, written and oral reports on an advanced topics, and related psychology issues. Course topics rotate each semester and include health psychology, neuropsychology, child psychopathology, and others. Prerequisite: Senior status or instructor permission.
PSY 4911/4912/4913 Directed Research. Students conduct research study under instructor supervision. Literature reviews, data collection, statistical analysis and interpretation, and assistance in research report writing may be included. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
PSY 4921/4922/4923 Directed Readings in Psychology. Students read original source material in psychology under instructor supervision. Annotated bibliographies, content summaries, and literature review papers will be required. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
PSY 4942 Ethics in Behavioral Science. Reviews ethical standards such as patient rights, confidentiality, and duty to report in the context of professional human services organizations governed by State of Michigan laws. Contrasts philosophies of biblical imperative and humanistic practice. Prerequisite: PHI 4932.
