Psychology

Mission Statement
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.  The field seeks to understand the biological, social, and cognitive underpinnings of behavior.  In doing so, psychology examines nearly every facet of human experience, from memory, to helping behavior, to the nature of prejudice.

The psychology program at Nevada State College is dedicated to providing students with rigorous academic preparation in the science of psychology.  This preparation includes the opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in a variety of contexts in both written and oral formats.  The department emphasizes an empirical approach to the study of psychology with a concerted focus on research methodology and the statistical evaluation of evidence.  The psychology student will take courses in core areas of the field, with emphasis in the domains of social psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, abnormal psychology, health psychology, and the biological roots of behavior and mental processes.  The program further aims to cultivate intellectually and emotionally well-rounded students with the knowledge and skills required to achieve success in the workplace and in graduate school.

Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes represent the essential knowledge and abilities a student should have acquired upon graduating from the psychology program at NSC.  They largely reflect intellectual growth, but a prime component of the outcomes is the confidence and ability to address pertinent real-world problems, particularly through the application of sound quantitative reasoning skills (i.e., methodological and statistical aptitude).
Content
Successful psychology students will acquire knowledge about the core disciplines in psychology along with several burgeoning subfields.  The core disciplines include abnormal, biological, cognitive, counseling, developmental and social psychology.  Key subfields include evolutionary, forensic, health, human factors, and sport psychology.
Critical Thinking
At its core, critical thinking is about thinking more effectively.  While any college major should enhance the critical thinking of its students, psychology focuses largely on thinking better about issues that influence your daily life.

Successful psychology students will develop and hone their quantitative reasoning skills, which entails a thorough understanding of both statistical and methodological techniques.  Overall, students will acquire an elaborate understanding of the research methodologies and statistical techniques needed to assess the scientific endeavors of others, to conduct research of their own, and to handle quantitative tasks in occupations ranging from business to forensic science.  Students also will exercise a more thorough and sophisticated understanding of human behavior in their everyday lives. 

Communication
The successful student will develop the ability to comprehend the scientific and statistical terminology employed by researchers and educators in the field of psychology.  Students also will develop the ability to conduct literature reviews and write APA-style papers that would be fit for publication in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal.  Finally, successful students will be well-learned in the art of presenting psychological ideas and findings in oral format.
Values
Successful students will cultivate a deep understanding of factors affecting their role as productive citizens in society, including knowledge of such topics as prejudice, prosocial behavior, leadership, and biases in person perception.  The successful student also will demonstrate the ability to work well with others in a professional context and to uphold standards of integrity and ethics in accordance with the American Psychological Association.

 

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Curriculum

  1. Core Curriculum ....................................................................... 33-42
    1. English (3-6 credits)
      1. ENG 101 – Composition I ......................................................................... 3
      2. ENG 102 – Composition II ........................................................................ 3
        Note: Students who place in ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101.

    2. Study and Technology Skills (2 credits)
      1. CEP 121 – Introduction to the College Experience ................................................................... 1
      2. CEP 122 – Enhancing Academic Success..................................................................... 1

    3. Mathematics (3-5 credits) - Refer to the Mathematics section of the Core Curriculum
    4. Natural Sciences (7-8 credits) - Refer to the Natural Sciences section of the Core Curriculum
    5. Social Sciences (3 credits) - Refer to the Social Sciences section of the Core Curriculum
    6. Fine Arts (3 credits) - Refer to the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum
    7. Humanities (6 credits) - Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum
    8. Constitution (3-6 credits) - Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum
    9. Community-Based Learning Capstone (3 credits) - Refer to the Community-Based Learning section of the Core Curriculum

  2. Additional College requirements.................................................................... 6-20

    1. Foreign Language – 3 options (0-14 credits)
      1. Complete and/or transfer to NSC a fourth semester in a foreign language or American Sign Language (AM)
      2. Demonstrate proficiency through a placement exam
      3. Show transcript evidence of successful completion of a fourth year high school course in foreign language

    2. ANTH 101 – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology............................................................................ 3
    3. Another Social Science course: ECON 103, GEOG, PSC, WMST........................................................................ 3

  3. Major Requirements ................................................................. 36

    1. Introductory course (3 credits)
      1. PSY 101 - General Psychology ...................................................................... 3

    2. Methods (6 credits)
      1. PSY 210 – Introduction to Statistical Methods ........................................................................ 3
      2. PSY 240 – Introduction to Research Methods ........................................................................ 3

    3. Foundations and Principles (12 credits)
      Choose four courses from the following:
      1. PSY 403 – Physiological Psychology....................................................................... 3
      2. PSY 405 – Perception...................................................................... 3
      3. PSY 416 – Cognitive Psychology ...................................................................... 3
      4. PSY 420 – Psychology of Learning ........................................................................ 3
      5. PSY 430 – Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood ..................................................................... 3
      6. PSY 434 – Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Adulthood............................................................... 3
      7. PSY 460 – Social Psychology....................................................................... 3

    4. Applied Methods and Populations (3 credits)
      Choose one course from the following:
      1. PSY 307 – Principles of Educational Psychology....................................................................... 3
      2. PSY 435 – Personality.......................................................................
      3. PSY 436 – Drugs, Addiction, and Mental Disorders.........................................................................
      4. PSY 441 – Abnormal Psychology ......................................................................
      5. PSY 466 – Psychology of Sex.................................................................... 3
      6. PSY 481 – Principles of Psychological Assessment.......................................................................... 3

    5. Direct Learning (3 credits)
      Choose one course from the following:
      1. PSY 375 – Advanced Undergraduate Research......................................................................... 3
      2. PSY 497 – Supervised Field Experience.................................................................... 3

    6. Psychology Electives (9 credits)
      1. Except for PSY 101 and PSY 210, all psychology courses, including those listed above, may be considered electives. At least 18 credits in the major field must be upper division.

 

Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
College Core Curriculum ...................................................................................... 33-42
Additional College Requirements........................................................................... 6-20
Major Requirements.................................................................................................. 36
Electives (at least 22 must be upper division)...................................................... 39-63
Total Credits .......................................................................................................... 128

 

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Curriculum

  1. Core Curriculum ....................................................................... 37-45
    1. English (3-6 credits)
      1. ENG 101 – Composition I .................................................................. 3
      2. ENG 102 – Composition II ........................................................................... 3
        Note: Students who place in ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101.

    2. Study and Technology Skills (2 credits)
      1. CEP 121 – Introduction to the College Experience.................................................................... 1
      2. CEP 122 – Enhancing Academic Success 1

    3. Mathematics (4 credits)
      1. MATH 181 – Calculus or higher....................................................................... 4

    4. Natural Sciences (10-12 credits)
      1. One course in Biological Science (BIOL 100, 189, 196, 197, 223, 224, 251, or any other college level BIOL course)
      2. One course in Physical Science (AST 103, 104, 105, CHEM 105, 121, 122, PHYS 151, or 152)
      3. One course in Earth Science (GEOG 117, GEOL 100, 101, ENV 101, AST 103, 104, 105 or any other college level Environmental Science course)
      4. One course must be completed with a lab

    5. Social Sciences (3 credits)
      1. SOC 101 – Principles of Sociology......................................................................... 3

    6. Fine Arts (3 credits) - Refer to the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum
    7. Humanities (6 credits) - Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum
    8. Constitution (3-6 credits) - Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum
    9. Community-Based Learning Capstone (3 credits) - Refer to the Community-Based Learning section of the Core Curriculum

  2. Additional College requirements (6 credits)

    1. Another Social Science Course: ECON 103, GEOG, PSC, ANTH......................................................................... 3
    2. PHIL 102 – Critical Thinking.................................................................... 3

  3. Major Requirements ............................................................................................. 36

    1. Introductory course (3 credits)
      1. PSY 101 – General Psychology ............................................................ 3

    2. Methods (9 credits)
      1. PSY 210 – Introduction to Statistical Methods......................................................................... 3
      2. PSY 240 – Introduction to Research Methods ........................................................................ 3
      3. PSY 375 – Advanced Undergraduate Research......................................................................... 3

    3. Foundations and Principles (15 credits)
      Choose five courses from the following:
      1. PSY 403 – Physiological Psychology....................................................................... 3
      2. PSY 405 – Perception...................................................................... 3
      3. PSY 416 – Cognitive Psychology ...................................................................... 3
      4. PSY 420 – Psychology of Learning ........................................................................ 3
      5. PSY 430 – Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood ..................................................................... 3
      6. PSY 434 – Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Adulthood......................................................................... 3
      7. PSY 460 – Social Psychology....................................................................... 3

    4. Applied Methods and Populations (6 credits)
      Choose two courses from the following:
      1. PSY 307 – Principles of Educational Psychology....................................................................... 3
      2. PSY 435 – Personality....................................................................... 3
      3. PSY 436 – Drugs, Addiction, and Mental Disorders......................................................................... 3
      4. PSY 441 – Abnormal Psychology ...................................................................... 3
      5. PSY 466 – Psychology of Sex.................................................................... 3
      6. PSY 481 – Principles of Psychological Assessment.......................................................................... 3

    5. Direct Learning (3 credits)
      1. PSY 497 – Supervised Field Experience.................................................................... 3

    6. Psychology Electives (9 credits)
      1. Except for PSY 101 and PSY 210, all psychology courses, including those listed above, may be considered electives. At least 18 credits in the major field must be upper division.

 

Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Psychology
College Core Curriculum ................................................................................ 37- 45
Additional College Requirements .......................................................................... 6
Major Requirements ............................................................................................. 36
Electives (at least 22 must be upper division) .................................................41-49
Total Credit ...................................................................................................... 128

 

Psychology Minor

  1. PSY 101 – General Psychology................................................................................. 3
  2. Foundations and Principles (Select from PSY 403,405,416,420,430,434,460)............................................................................ 6
  3. Applied Methods and Populations....................................................................... 3
  4. (Select from PSY 307,435,436,441,466,481)
  5. Psychology Electives (not PSY 101 or 210)...................................................................................... 6

 

Addiction Treatment and Prevention Minor

The Addiction Treatment and Prevention Minor provides students with a background in addiction, treatment, and prevention. Students have two options in this minor. To complete the academic minor, students must complete 18 credits of coursework. To pursue certification as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, students will need to complete a year-long internship in an accredited substance abuse treatment program. Upon completion of the minor and the bachelor’s degree (in psychology or nursing), students will be eligible to make application to the Board of Examiners for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Intern. Upon completion of 1,500 hours of internship in a community agency, students will have the prerequisites to sit for the Certification Examination for Addiction Counselors for the State of Nevada.

  1. COU 300 – Introduction to Human Services and Counseling........................................................................ 3
  2. COU 315 – Counseling Skills in Human Services................................................................... 3
  3. COU 320 – Drugs and Behavior............................................................................. 3
  4. COU 322 – Perspective on Addictions................................................................................... 3
  5. COU 427 – Identification & Assessment in Addictions................................................................................... 3
  6. COU 430 – Advanced Professional Issues in Substance Abuse..................................................................... 3
  7. The following is not required for the minor, but is recommended:
    1. COU 497 – Supervised Field Experience................................................................................. 6

 

Domestic Violence Treatment and Prevention Minor

The Domestic Violence Treatment and Prevention Minor consists of a sequence of six courses totaling 18 credits. If students are interested in pursuing a career in this area, it is recommended that they complete a year-long internship in an accredited domestic violence treatment program.

  1. COU 300 – Introduction to Human Services and Counseling........................................................................ 3
  2. COU 315 – Counseling Skills in Human Services................................................................... 3
  3. COU 360 – Contemporary Marriage and Family Relationships............................................................................ 3
  4. COU 376 – Perspective of Domestic Violence................................................................... 3
  5. COU 377 – Identification and Assessment of Domestic Violence................................................................... 3
  6. COU 431 – Advanced Professional Issues in Domestic Violence...................................................................................... 3
  7. The following is not required for the minor, but is recommended:
    1. COU 497 – Supervised Field Experience................................................................................. 6

 

Gerontology Minor

  1. COU 300 – Introduction to Human Services & Counseling................................................................................ 3
  2. COU 315 – Counseling Skills in Human Services................................................................... 3
  3. NURS 486 – Gerontology.............................................................................. 3
  4. NURS 493 – Biology of Aging.................................................................... 3
  5. PSY 442 – Psychology of Aging.......................................................................................... 3
  6. HCA 480 – Organization and Management of Long-Term Care Services...................................................................................... 3
  7. The following is not required for the minor, but is recommended:
    1. COU 497 – Supervised Field Experience................................................................................. 6

Human Services Minor

  1. COU 300 – Introduction to Human Services & Counseling....................................................... 3
  2. COU 315 – Counseling Skills in Human Services................................................................... 3
  3. COU 325 – - Mental Illness and the Human Services Profession................................................... 3
  4. COU 375 – Ethics and Professional Issues in Human Services.................................................. 3
  5. COU 400 – Field Experience in Human Services I...................................................................... 3
  6. COU 401 – Field Experience3 in Human Services II.................................................................... 3