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PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology
PSYCHOLOGY
medical school or graduate school in public heath are advised to contact the Chairperson of the Psychology Department.
Department chair
Robert A. Hoff, M.A
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR DEGREE REQUIREMENTS BACHELOR OF ARTS
FACULTY
Majors in psychology must maintain a 2.5 GPA in the major concentration to be recommended for graduation. The core sequence involves:
Professor: Robert A. Hoff, M.A.; Marilyn Livosky, Ph.D. Associate Professor: Gerard T. Barron, Psy.D.; Thomas J. Gamble, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor: Melissa Heerboth, Ph.D.; Matthew Weaver, Ph.D. Adjunct Faculty: Philip Belfiore, Ph.D.; Thomas Kitchen, M.S., BCBA; Bruce Kobal, Ph.D.; Bradley McGarry, M.A.; Judith Smith, Ph.D.; Gerald Tobin, Ph.D.
INTRODUCTION
Psychology is a dynamic and growing discipline dedicated to the scientific study of mind and behavior. Researchers strive to gain an understanding of the processes underlying human behavior by examining influences ranging from the neurobiological to the sociocultural. Students become interested in psychology for a wide variety of reasons: for personal development, to obtain job-related skills, to prepare for careers in psychology, as a valuable elective for other professional careers, or as one of many areas of study leading to a broad liberal arts education. The psychology program at Mercyhurst University prepares its majors for diverse professional and job experiences. Many graduates enter graduate and professional programs at either the master’s or doctoral level in psychology or related areas such as law, health and medicine, social work, education, government, sports, or business. Other students enter the job market in a variety of applied settings immediately after graduation, most commonly in social services and the helping professions. The psychology major stresses an empirical approach to the broad range of psychological issues and problems.
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology PSYC 203/204/205 Majoring in Psychology PSYC 290 Statistics for Psychology PSYC 291 Research Methods I PSYC 292 Research Methods II PSYC 301 History of Psychology PSYC 475 Psychology: Internship PSYC 490 Senior Research Practicum
3 credits 0 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits
behavior analysis that can be used with diverse populations (e.g., individuals with autism, mental health clients, students, employees) in a wide variety of settings (e.g., schools, prisons, health and fitness centers, hospitals, organizations). Offered in collaboration with the Education Department, the ABA Concentration prepares students with the skills needed to describe, understand, predict, and modify behavioral processes, with an overall aim of promoting health-enhancing behaviors. Students who successfully complete this concentration will be eligible to take a national certification exam to become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA), sponsored by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). Students seeking to pursue this concentration must have completed PSYC 281, Behavior Modification, before starting in on the Core Sequence.
Majors also take at least seven electives in psychology.
The CORE sequence includes: PSYC 282 Basic Principles of Applied All sophomore Psychology majors are required to take Behavior Analysis the year-long sequence PSYC 203/204/205 Majoring PSYC 283 Behavioral Research: in Psychology. Student credentials are reviewed by the Single Subject Design Department at the end of the student’s sophomore year. PSYC 284 Advanced Principles of Students with a major GPA lower than 2.5 may be asked Applied Behavior Analysis to discontinue the major in Psychology. PSYC 482/483/484 Intensive Practicum: Applied Behavior Analysis
NEUROSCIENCE CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
The Neuroscience Concentration offers a program of study that relates behavior to bodily processes, especially the workings of the brain. The main goal of this area of study is to understand behavior and experience in terms of their biological substrates. Like the other sciences, neuroscience is ultimately concerned with improving the human condition. The CORE sequence includes: PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits PSYC 252 Biopsychology 3 credits PSYC 290 Statistics for Psychology 3 credits PSYC 291 Research Methods I 3 credits BIO 142 Cellular and Molecular Biology 3 credits BIO 146 Ecology & Evolutionary Bio of Organisms 3 credits BIO 450 Neurobiology 3 credits In addition, any THREE from the following:
PSYC 211 Abnormal Psychology 3 credits PSYC 237 Memory and Cognition 3 credits PSYC 253 Drugs and Human Behavior 3 credits As such, the program is intended to expose students to BIO 310 Genetics 3 credits both theory and research in selected areas, and research BIO 320 Comparative experience and methodology, including statistics and Vertebrate Anatomy 3 credits experimental design, are essential to the curriculum. BIO 330 Immunology 3 credits During the senior year, students may elect either to BIO 370 Cellular Biochemistry 3 credits pursue a research practicum or an internship providing field experience. The Psychology Department also offers APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) concentrations in Neuroscience and Applied Behavior CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS Analysis as well as an interdisciplinary minor in the The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Concentration Psychology of Crime and Justice. The Psychology Major allows students to gain specialized knowledge and is a desirable major for students intending a career in additional proficiency in the concepts and principles of medicine or public health, and students considering
3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 9 credits
PSYCHOLOGY MINOR
A Minor in Psychology would be a useful complement to any major area of study. Seven courses are required for the Psychology Minor, including three CORE courses: PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits PSYC 290 Statistics for Psychology 3 credits PSYC 291 Research Methods I 3 credits Four (4) electives in Psychology
INTERDISCIPLINARY MINOR IN THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIME AND JUSTICE
The Departments of Psychology and Criminal Justice have developed a sequence of study to provide students with an interdisciplinary focus in the psychology of crime and justice. The minor is designed to complement undergraduate degrees in psychology, criminal justice and other social and behavioral sciences. In addition to the course requirements for a Psychology degree, Psychology majors who seek to qualify for the Interdisciplinary Minor in the Psychology of Crime and Justice must complete these additional courses and maintain a 2.5 GPA: PSYC 211 Abnormal Psychology 3 credits PSYC 253 Drugs and Human Behavior 3 credits CRJS 101 American Criminal Justice 3 credits CRJS 104 Introduction to Corrections 3 credits CRJS/SOC 230 Criminology 3 credits CRJS 310 Constitutional Law in Criminal Procedure I 3 credits CRJS/PSYC 350 Antecedents of Aggression 3 credits CRJS 361/PSYC 240 Psychology and the Law 3 credits
2013-2014 Mercyhurst University Course Catalog • www.mercyhurst.edu