Psychology
- Department Office: SS 103
- Phone Number: 507-537-6224
- Website: https://www.smsu.edu/academics/programs/psychology/
The major in Psychology at SMSU blends a background in experimental methodology with an applied approach to the study of behavior. Our faculty’s expertise encompasses five of the major areas of contemporary psychology—personality, experimental, developmental, applied, and social psychology. In addition, faculty from other programs at SMSU, as well as professionals from the community who hold degrees in psychology and closely related areas, frequently offer courses in their special areas of competence.
The Degree
A bachelor’s degree in Psychology can lead to employment in a number of different areas, such as work in group home, educational, human resource, non-profit, criminal justice, and social service settings, as well as careers in other fields for which a liberal arts degree is appropriate. In addition, the degree can lead to graduate school and subsequent professional employment as a psychologist in areas such as counseling, clinical, experimental, physiological, industrial/organizational, developmental, health, forensic, or school psychology.
A grade of “C-” or better is required for major or minor coursework applied toward a degree from the Psychology Program.
Note: Students seeking licensure to teach social science in grades 5-12 may major in psychology and follow the Teacher Licensing Requirements listed in the Education section. Students should contact the Education Department for the most up-to-date licensure information.
Note: Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits in order to graduate with a Bachelor's degree.
Anderson, Benjamin
Associate Professor of Psychology
Hess, Zoe
Instructor
Koenig, Laura
Associate Professor of Psychology
Nalabandian, Taleen
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Olson, Christine
Professor of Psychology
Peterson, Scott
Professor of Psychology
See the "Psychology Program Contact Information" page for more details.
PSYC 101 General Psychology Credits: 3
This course surveys content areas of general interest in psychology. Topics include major schools of thought in psychology, development, states of awareness, learning, memory, health and stress, personality, abnormal behavior, psychotherapy, and social issues.
Goal: Goal: 05- Hist/Soc/Behav Sci
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years Summer All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 110 Psychology Seminar Credits: 2
This is a lecture and seminar course which helps students develop skills related to finding, reading, abstracting, and synthesizing published research in psychology. It also introduces students to the psychology major and to career planning in psychology.
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 120 Introduction to Community Psychology Credits: 2
Course provides an orientation to topics and evaluation methods of Community Psychology as a formal multi-disciplinary profession, with primary aims of promotion of health/well-being and empowerment at individual and systemic levels, prevention programming, strengthening of social support networks, community development, cultural competency, and policy change. Course will also include overview of professions in community/health psychology and relevant career development resources/processes.
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 150 Applied Psychology Credits: 3
This course acquaints the student with the application of psychological principles and methods in a wide variety of settings. Topics include problems addressed by applied psychologists working in business and industry, clinical, community, health, legal, environmental and developmental settings.
Fall: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 200 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Credits: 3
This course provides students with an introduction to the use of statistical methods in behavioral sciences research. Topics covered include descriptive statistics, tests, analysis of variance with post-hoc tests, correlation, linear regression, and chi-square tests. Students taking this course should also enroll in the laboratory section, in which they will learn how to use statistical software for data analysis.
Pre-Requisite : MATH 101 OR MATH 110 OR MATH 115 OR MATH 125 OR MATH 135 OR MATH 150 OR MATH 151 OR DATA 100
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 200L Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences Lab Credits: 1
This course provides students with instruction on the use of statistical software to perform analysis of behavioral research data. Students will learn how to run and interpret outputs for a wide variety of common statistical procedures, including descriptive statistics, t tests, analysis of variance, correlation, and chi-square tests. The required preparation is completion or current enrollment in PSYC 200, or familiarity with basic statistical procedures.
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 201 Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences Credits: 3
This course covers the fundamentals of research design and methodology in a variety of settings of interest to behavioral scientists. A lab component is included which involves students in collecting data, applying statistical methods, and writing a report in APA journal format. Students use SPSS, a computer package for data analysis.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 200
Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 217 Social Psychology Credits: 3
Social psychology is the study of how an individuals behavior is affected by other people. Topics covered include social perception, interpersonal attraction, prejudice, altruism, power, social influence, and group interaction.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 101
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 235 Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
Causes and treatment of abnormal behavior patterns, diagnosis of such behaviors and investigation of normal and abnormal behaviors are studied.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 101
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 238 Psychology of Personality Credits: 3
Major theories of personality are studied.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 101
Fall: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 240 Health Psychology Credits: 3
This course provides an overview of major theoretical perspectives and constructs related to the field of health psychology, assuming a biopsychosocial model of health and illness. Topics include empirical foundations, role of psychological factors in health and illness, stress and coping, mindfulness, and relevant professions.
Summer All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 260 Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
Developmental psychology is the study of the development of behavior across the entire life span from birth until old age.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 101
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 265 Behavior Modification Credits: 3
The use of learning principles to modify behavior in a variety of settings is studied. Educational, therapeutic, and self-control domains are explored.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 101
Fall: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 286 Special Topics Psychology Credits: 1-4
A study of more advanced topics in psychology not normally provided as part of the curriculum.
Fall: Department Discretion Spring: Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 287 Mental Health Topics Credits: 1
Common topics addressed by the Mental Health topics (287) course, regardless of the particular mental health concern addressed in given semester (e.g., eating disorders, PTSD, borderline personality disorder) include the following; nature, prevalence, etiology, treatment outcome literature, prevention programs, and critical consideration of the self-help literature of a given mental health concern. In addition there will be opportunities to apply effective coping/intervention strategies. Mental health topics will be considered from the perspective of those experiencing symptoms of a given mental health disorder and concerned others. This course may be taken multiple times, assuming the particular focus of a given course is different from Mental Health topics courses previously taken. NOTE: Students may opt to enroll at the upper division (487) instead of (287), for which completion of a Final Research Paper assignment will be required in addition to fulfilling all other assignments at the lower division (287) level.
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 292 Honor Credit Psychology Credits: 1
An independent study course designed primarily for Honors Program students. This course allows more in-depth or comprehensive study or research by certain students concurrently enrolled in at least one other psychology course.
Fall: Department Discretion Spring: Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 301 Sport & Performance Psychology Credits: 3
This course provides an introduction to sport & performance psychology. Topics such as motivation, reinforcement, communication, psychological skills training, and ethics associated with the field will be covered.
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 302 Research Seminar Credits: 1-3
This course provides a forum for the development, implementation, and presentation of original research projects. A seminar format is used to discuss research ideas, designs, problems, and the presentation and discussion of findings. It includes an on-campus presentation of individual research projects.
Fall: Department Discretion Spring: Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 309 Biological Psychology Credits: 4
The course deals with the relationship between the brain, physiological systems, and behavior. Topics include neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, sensory systems, learning, mental disorders, and drug actions.
Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 312 Cognitive Psychology Credits: 4
This course provides students with an overview of important principles and research methods in the area of cognitive psychology, a field of scientific study devoted to understanding the operation of the human mind. Students will examine basic findings and important theories/models related to various aspects of human cognition including perception, attention, memory, language, decision-making, and problem solving.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 201
Fall: Odd Years
Course Outline
PSYC 318 Group Dynamics Credits: 3
This course surveys factors influencing behavior in small groups. Included are topics such as leadership, social power, and group structures.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 101
Fall: Odd Years
Course Outline
PSYC 320 Sensation & Perception Credits: 4
This course provides a survey of classical theories and current research in the areas of sensation and perception. Topics include vision, object recognition, attention, audition, taste, smell, and touch.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 201
Fall: Even Years
Course Outline
PSYC 325 Attitudes & Persuasion Credits: 3
This course reviews theory and research on attitude formation, attitude change, and the relationship between attitude, beliefs, and behavior.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 101
Fall: Even Years
Course Outline
PSYC 337 Counseling & Psychotherapy Credits: 3
This course provides an introduction to counseling fundamentals, definitions of a helping relationship, counseling goals and expectations, counselor role and function, theories and approaches, techniques and skill building, ethical and legal considerations, and counseling special populations.
Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 339 Positive Psychology Credits: 3
This course is intended as an introduction to the emerging field of positive psychology. The sub-field of positive psychology is focused on the experience of happiness, subjective well-being, resilience, and human flourishing. Topics will include classical philosophical models of well-being, contemporary theories and concepts, a review of current findings, and discussion of potential applications and future directions.
Pre-Requisite : Requires minimum credits: 30
Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 341 Child & Adolescent Psychology Credits: 3
The course acquaints students with the basic theories, methods of study, and research findings on childrens and adolescents behavior and cognition. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking about claims made in this area.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 101
Spring: All Years Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 343 Adult Development & Aging Credits: 3
This course surveys the personality changes and life crises that occur from maturity to old age. Social and cultural factors and their interrelationships with psychological adjustment are stressed. Topics include marriage, childrearing, empty nest, retirement, widowhood, grief and death.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 101
Fall: All Years Spring: Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 358 Industrial/Organizational Psychology Credits: 3
Industrial/organizational psychology is the study of the application of psychology to business. Primary topics are in the areas of personnel psychology, organizational behavior, and the work environment.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 101
Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 360 Cross-Cultural Psychology Credits: 3
This course deals with the impact of culture on human experience. Topics include similarities and differences in personality, emotion, cognition, development, mental health, and interpersonal behavior across cultures.
Goal: Goal: 7A- Human Diversity
Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 399 Pre-Field Experience in Psychology Credits: 1
This course prepares students for the psychology field experience. Students, in consultation with the faculty internship coordinator, select field placements in community agencies, with site supervisor to be approved by the faculty coordinator. The course involves development of goals and objectives for the internship, completion of an internship contract, and consideration of ethical principles and codes of conduct as they apply in the human services setting.
Pre-Requisite : Requires minimum credits: 45
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 400 Field Experience in Psychology Credits: 3
Students will complete at least 120 hours of supervised field practice in community agencies and programs as a practical application of psychology knowledge and skills gained from major coursework. Course requirements include reflection journals and a final integration paper. This course may be repeated for credit once. NOTE: For students majoring in Community Psychology and Health Promotion, one of the internships must be directly related to community psychology and include a minimum of 30 field hours related to one or more of the following applied learning experiences: program evaluation; outcome/process evaluation of a mental health education workshop, health promotion initiative, or prevention program; narrative interview or other form of qualitative research; and/or grant writing experience.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 399 and junior status.
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 410 Memory in Mind and Culture Credits: 3
This course will be a multidisciplinary and in-depth study of human memory. Students will explore the ubiquitous nature of memory from the mental processes that are involved in the formation and retrieval of memory to broad scale representations of memory in the form of historical narratives. We will cover the fallibility of memory in a variety of situations such as cognitive aging, eyewitness testimony, and line-up identification. Students will cover approaches in marketing, advertising, and politics to gain an understanding of what makes something more or less memorable based on certain characteristics. Finally, students will review novel approaches in history and sociology toward gaining an understanding of how larger groups of individuals can hold a ¿collective memory¿ and how narratives can vary across cultural and historical backgrounds.
Spring: All Years Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 420 History & Systems of Psychology Credits: 3
This course provides an in-depth study of the major ideas in psychology and their origins, as well as key people in the history of psychology. Students trace the evolution of current psychological thought. Prerequisites: six courses in psychology.
Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 440 Advanced Health Psychology Credits: 3
This course provides an overview of major theoretical perspectives and constructs related to the field of health psychology, assuming a biopsychosocial model of health and illness. Topics include empirical foundations, role of psychological factors in health and illness, stress and coping, mindfulness, and relevant professions.
Summer All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 486 Advanced Special Topics Psychology Credits: 1-4
A study of more advanced topics in psychology not normally provided as part of the curriculum.
Fall: Department Discretion Spring: Department Discretion Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 487 Mental Health Topics Applied Credits: 1
Common topics addressed by the Mental Health topics 487 course, regardless of the particular mental health concern addressed in a given semester (e.g., eating disorders, PTSD, borderline personality disorder) include the following: nature, prevalence, etiology, treatment outcome literature, prevention programs, and critical consideration of the self-help literature of a given mental health concern. In addition there will be opportunities to apply effective coping/intervention strategies. Mental health topics will be considered from the perspective of those experiencing symptoms of a given mental health disorder and concerned others. This course may be taken multiple times, assuming the particular focus of a given course is different from Mental Health topics courses previously taken. NOTE: Students may opt to enroll at the lower division (287) instead of (487). If enrolled at the lower division (287) level, completion of a Final Research Paper assignment will not be required.
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
Course Outline
PSYC 494 Independent Study Psychology Credits: 1-4
Arranged Independent Study in Psychology
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline
PSYC 499 Extended Psychology Internship Credits: 1-6
Students register for this course when their internship requires more field hours than are credited in PSYC 400, or when they wish to explore additional areas of professional practice in psychology. Students will be required to spend 50 hours in the field for each credit hour.
Pre-Requisite : PSYC 399
Fall: Department Discretion Spring: Department Discretion Summer Department Discretion
Course Outline