Department of Psychology

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Kiesa Kelly, Ph.D., Department Chair
303 Clay Hall
(615) 963-5451

Faculty: J. Campbell, L. de la Mothe, J. Dossett, M. Hammond, O. Holmes, K. Kayoung,  K. Kelly, M. Lee, E. Lynch, M. Morrison, R. Oatis-Ballew, J. Popkin, M. Shelton, J. Shive, A. Sibulkin, T. Webb, T. Williams

General Statement

The philosophy of the Department of Psychology is embodied in the concept that psychology is a discipline that contributes to the understanding of human behavior and experience. The emphasis of the program is on the scientific study of behavior and practical applications of this knowledge.

The objectives are to provide undergraduate majors and minors with courses of study and related experiences that provide 1) A general avenue for increased understanding of human behavior, 2) A solid foundation for advanced study leading to careers in the fields of psychology, counseling, and guidance, or to study in the health professions, social work, and pupil personnel services 3) Training for bachelor’s level entry into careers in mental health services, industry, and human services, and 4) the ability to enhance the quality of one’s life and to relate more effectively with others.

As a scientific discipline, the Department of Psychology seeks opportunities for students to gain valuable research experiences in the field and further expand their understanding of various aspects of human behavior. Readings and Research courses (PSYC 4515/6/7) allow for students to conduct research with faculty members for course credit, Senior Project (PSYC 4500) allows students to design and conduct their own independent research project, while the TSU-NERVE (Neuroscience Education and Research Vanderbilt Experience) Program provides educational, research, and professional development opportunities, in partnership with Vanderbilt University, to support students interested in obtaining a doctoral degree in Neuroscience.

Admission, Retention, Graduation

The undergraduate curriculum in psychology terminates in a Bachelor of Science Degree. All majors are required to take a total of 33 hours of psychology courses. Of this number, there are 15 hours of required psychology courses and 18 hours of elective psychology courses.

The required courses include: PSYC 2015 (Introduction to  Psychology for Majors), PSYC 2185   ( Descriptive Statistics), and 9 additional hours in psychology at the 3000/4000 level. The 9 hours of additional required coursework includes: PSYC 2125 , PSYC 3185 ,  PSYC 4500 , or PSYC 4820  . A total of 18 hours of psychology electives are required.

Majors must earn a grade of C or better in all psychology courses counted towards the major. Majors who receive a grade of D or F in a required psychology course must repeat and pass the course with a grade of C or better. When a course is a prerequisite for another psychology course, a grade of C must be earned in the course before taking the psychology course for which it is a prerequisite.

Majors are required to participate in performance evaluation measures (taking various tests, responding to inquiries) designated by the Department, College, or University.

Bachelor’s Level Employment

Students planning to seek employment in the mental health services area with the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology should enroll in Field Placement,  PSYC 4360 , (after completing course prerequisites), or in other internship opportunities. They should also consider declaring a minor (or if this is not possible, taking equivalent course work) in non-profit management, social work, criminal justice, or sociology. Students who plan to seek employment in the area of business should consider a minor in Business. 

Degree Requirements  (Overview)

Psychology Major Requirements

In addition to the General Education Core, psychology majors complete 15 hours of required courses (Introduction to Psychology for Majors 2015 plus a research track), and18 hours of Block electives. See details below.

Psychology Minor Requirements

Students who minor in psychology complete General Psychology 2010 plus 18 additional semester hours of psychology

Social Science Concentration Requirements for IDS Majors

A student may elect to pursue a social science major with a concentration in psychology (see Arts and Science Interdisciplinary Degree Program  in this catalog for a detailed description). Students in this program may design a course of study comparable to the educational background provided through the psychology major while at the same time tailoring it to their specific goals and interests.

Requirements to Teach Psychology in Secondary Schools

Students seeking endorsement to teach Psychology at the high school level must:

1. Be licensed in a specialty area of Social Studies (Admission to Teacher Education Program is required; see section on Teacher Education Admission and Retention in this catalog)
2. Major in History or Political Science;
3. Minor in Psychology (PSYC 2010 and 18 Upper Division Hours in PSYC);
4. Have the enhanced student teaching experience in the secondary school and middle school (Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required.)
5. Successfully pass the Praxis II Series Examinations: Principles of Learning and Teaching Test (PLT 7-12) and Specialty Area Test for Psychology

Departmental Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Total 120 Semester Hours 

All majors in Psychology must take the following courses (or approved equivalents):

General Education Core (41 hours): The General Education Requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology are the same as the University Requirements. The following courses and hours are required: Communication (9), Humanities (9), Natural Sciences (8), Math (3), History (6), Social Science (6).

Major Required Core (15 hours): PSYC 2015, PSYC 2125 , PSYC 2185 , PSYC 3185 , and either PSYC 4500  * or PSYC 4820 .

*For students choosing PSYC 4500 , PSYC 4125   is required as a pre-requisite; this course counts as a Block 4 Psychology Elective.

Psychology Elective Blocks (18-hours): 

Block 1: PSYC 3300, PSYC 4210, PSYC 3306

Block 2: PSYC 3150, PSYC 4130, PSYC 3305

Block 3: PSYC 3210, PSYC 3410, PSYC 3510

Block 4: PSYC 3230, PSYC 3310, PSYC 3530, PSYC 3590, PSYC 4125,PSYC 4240, PSYC 4250, PSYC 4350, PSYC 4360, PSYC 4370, PSYC 4380, PSYC 4400, PSYC 4515 PSYC 4516, PSYC 4517, PSYC 4605 PSYC 4606, PSYC 4607, PSYC 4608, PSYC 4620, PSYC 4810.

NOTE on course equivalencies: With permission, students may fulfill psychology major requirements by transferring in credit for an equivalent course taken at another university. For example, a student who has taken Lifespan Psychology at a community college will receive credit for Developmental Psychology, which is a Block 3 course. The psychology department can only approve equivalencies involving psychology courses. To request credit for other courses, go to the departments offering them.

General Electives (44 hours): These electives must include at least 18 hours of 3000 and 4000 level courses (which together with required Psychology courses meet the requirements of 42 upper-division hours). Electives can include PSYC courses as well as courses from other departments. The advisor can recommend and will approve such electives.

Upper Division Admission 

• Upper Division Admission is granted in the semester in which the student has completed or will complete all General Education Courses and PSYC 2015. A grade of C or higher must be made in the psychology courses.
• The following psychology courses require that the student has been given Upper Division Admission status before being permitted to enroll in them: PSYC 3150, 3180, 3300, 4110, 4115/4116, 4130, 4250, 4360, 4370, 4500, 4515, 4516, 4517, 4620, 4810 and 4820. Students must also meet any University testing or other requirements necessary for upper-division admission.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

1. become familiar with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
2. gain an understanding and ability to apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
3. develop respect and ability to think critically and creatively, to make a skeptical inquiry, and, use the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
4. gain an understanding of and ability to apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
5. develop the ability to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
6. build competence and demonstrate the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes.
7. develop the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
8. recognize, understand and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
9. develop insight into their own and other’s behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
10. develop realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.

Programs

• Psychology, B.S.

• Psychology Minor

Courses

• PSYC 2010 - General Psychology (3)
• PSYC 2015 - Introduction to Psychology for Majors (3)
• PSYC 2050 - Careers for Psychology Majors (3)
• PSYC 2125 - Introductory Research Methods 3
• PSYC 2180 - Elementary Statistics (3)
• PSYC 2185 - Descriptive Statistics for Majors 3
• PSYC 2420 - Human Growth and Learning (3)
• PSYC 3000 - Individual Projects in Psychology (1)
• PSYC 3001 - Individual Projects in Psychology (1)
• PSYC 3002 - Individual Projects in Psychology (1)
• PSYC 3150 - Principles of Learning (3)
• PSYC 3185 - Inferential Statistics for Majors 3
• PSYC 3210 - Abnormal Psychology 3
• PSYC 3230 - The Psychology of the Black Experience (3)
• PSYC 3300 - Physiological Psychology (3)
• PSYC 3310 - Principles of Human Sexuality (3)
• PSYC 3410 - Social Psychology (3)
• PSYC 3510 - Developmental Psychology (3)
• PSYC 3530 - Psychology of Death and Dying 3
• PSYC 3600 - Peer Tutoring and Mentorship Training (1) (2) or (3)
• PSYC 4125 - Advanced Research Methods 3
• PSYC 4130 - Human Learning and Cognitive Processes 3
• PSYC 4210 - Sensation and Perception (3)
• PSYC 4240 - Behavior Modification (3)
• PSYC 4250 - Introduction to Personality Theory (3)
• PSYC 4360 - Field Placement in Psychology (3)
• PSYC 4370 - Fundamentals of Counseling (3)
• PSYC 4381,4382,4383 - Internship in Psychology 1-3
• PSYC 4400 - Drugs and Behavior (3)
• PSYC 4500 - Senior Project (3)
• PSYC 4515 - Readings and Research in Psychology (3)
• PSYC 4516 - Readings and Research in Psychology (3)
• PSYC 4517 - Readings and Research in Psychology (3)
• PSYC 4605 - Special Topics in Psychology (3)
• PSYC 4606 - Special Topics in Psychology (3)
• PSYC 4607 - Special Topics in Psychology (3)
• PSYC 4608 - Special Topics in Psychology (3)
• PSYC 4610 - Special Topics 3
• PSYC 4620 - Introduction to Psychological Tests and Measurements (3)
• PSYC 4710 - TSU-NERVE Seminar 1
• PSYC 4720 - TSU-NERVE Seminar
• PSYC 4810 - History and Systems of Psychology (3)
• PSYC 4820 - Senior Seminar (3)

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