Psychology Department

Psychology is a field of inquiry which is called the science of behavior and answers questions about how and why organisms behave as they do. The field of psychology is enormous with many sub fields. Some areas pertain to animals, while others are focused on the behavior of humans. Still other areas focus on, abnormal behavior or complex social and emotional behavior while the cognitive area focuses on how people perceive, learn, remember, and think.

Psychology is a discipline based on theoretical perspectives and information gained through research. Therefore, the psychology major is based on understanding theory as well as learning the methods of inquiry, evaluation, and drawing appropriate conclusions. These skills are useful for problem solving in many applied settings.

Career/Employment for Psychology Majors

Psychology is a diverse field with hundreds of career paths. Some specialties, like caring for mentally ill people, are familiar to most of us. Others, like studying how we know and remember things, are less well known.

Across the nation, psychology is the second most popular undergraduate major, even though many of those who choose psychology as a major may not be interested in psychology as a career. About 10 percent of psychology majors pursue graduate training and at CSU Pueblo there is excellent preparation available for students wishing to apply to graduate programs in psychology.

For those students who do not wish to become professional psychologists, many jobs are available. Psychology is a valuable major for a Liberal Arts degree. Jobs are found in various sectors of society and psychology graduates are most often employed as interviewers, counselors, mental health workers, human service practitioners, personnel analysts, probation officers, and writers. Employers find that psychology graduates possess strong people skills and psychology majors also value these skills themselves.

Psychology majors cite courses in the principles of human behavior as especially important to life after college. Additional insight gained from these courses into what motivates people to perform at their peak helps them, whether they are functioning as parents at home, coaching athletics, or managers on the job.

Training in the scientific method - the requirement to do thorough, objective research, analyze data logically, and put forth the findings with clarity - stands psychology majors in good stead as they pursue future careers.

Psychology (PSYC)

PSYC 100 General Psychology (GT-SS3) 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Overview of the field of psychology including learning, perception, motivation, emotion, heredity, personality, development, abnormal and psycho-therapy.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.
(Gen Ed: SS, GT-SS3)

PSYC 103 Introductory Psychology for Majors 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Explore psychology as a career in addition to an introduction to the basic skills required for conducting psychological research including APA writing style, journal article analysis, and basic statistics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 105 (ANTH 105, DS 105, SOC 105, WS 105) Understanding Human Diversity 3(3-0)

As Needed.
Americans live in a complex and diverse society. This course examines the nature, impact and strategies for dealing with diversity in personal and social contexts.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 151 Human Development (GT-SS3) 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Survey of human development through life span. A multi-disciplinary approach to the study of both change and stability in physical, cognitive, social and personality development Review of relevant developmental theory and research.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.
(Gen Ed: SS, GT-SS3)

PSYC 205 Introduction to Sport Psychology 3(3-0)

Fall.
An introduction to psychological theories and constructs affecting performance, coaching & development in sports and athletics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 207 Quantitative Research Methods I 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Introduction to research development and use of quantitative methods.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 103.
Corequisites: PSYC 207L.
Registration Information: General Education Math strongly recommended as prerequisite.

PSYC 207L Quantitative Research Methods Lab I 1(0-1)

Fall, Spring.
Introduction to methods of psychological experimentation.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 103.
Corequisites: PSYC 207.
Registration Information: General Education Math strongly suggested as prerequisite.

PSYC 209 Quantitative Research II 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Continuation of PSYC 207. Focus on research development and quantitative methods.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 103 and PSYC 207 and PSYC 207L.
Corequisites: PSYC 209L.
Registration Information: General Education Math strongly recommended as prerequisite.

PSYC 209L Quantitative Research Methods Lab II 1(0-1)

Fall, Spring.
Continuation of Quantitative Research Methods Lab I.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 103 and PSYC 207 and PSYC 207L.
Corequisites: PSYC 209.
Registration Information: General Education Math strongly recommended as prerequisite.

PSYC 212 (WS 212) Psychology of Diversity 3(3-0)

Fall.
To raise awareness of social inequities, promote cultural competency & appreciation of differences.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 217 (MAE 217, WS 217) Women & Society 3(3-0)

As Needed.
Statistical overview of the current status of women, followed by examination of theories concerning equality of the sexes.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 220 Drugs and Behavior 3(3-0)

Fall, Summer.
Principles of drug action with attention to beneficial and harmful uses of drugs.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 222 Understanding Animal Behavior (GT-SS3) 3(3-0)

Spring.
Basic comparative and ethological perspectives regarding animal behavior. Scientific techniques for observation of animal behavior may be demonstrated at the Pueblo Zoo.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.
(Gen Ed: SS, GT-SS3)

PSYC 231 (SOC 231) Marriage & Family Relationships 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Marriage and family from an institutional and relationship perspective: cross-cultural diversity, mate selection, marital dynamics, parenting, divorce, remarriage, emerging patterns.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.
(Gen Ed: SS)

PSYC 241 Human Sexuality 3(3-0)

Fall.
Psychological and biological aspects of human sexual behavior.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Sophomore standing required.

PSYC 251 Childhood and Adolescence 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Physical, social, cognitive, and emotional growth of the individual from childhood through adolescence. Topics include intelligence, social development, self development, moral development, family relations.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.
(Gen Ed: SS)

PSYC 291 Special Topics (1-4 V)

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Special Topics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Instructor permission required. Repeatable (6).

PSYC 311 Theories Of Personality 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Major theories of personality and the methods of personality investigation.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 315 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 3(3-0)

Fall, Summer.
Application of the principles of psychology to the workplace, including personnel selection, motivation, group processes, leadership, job analysis, and organization.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 331 Physiological Psychology 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Structure and function of the brain, nervous and endocrine systems; biological basis of sensation, perception, sleep and arousal, motivation, learning and memory, and drug action.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: PSYC 331L.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 331L Physiological Psychology Lab 1(0-2)

Fall, Spring.
Physiological Psychology Lab.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: PSYC 331.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 333 Animal Behavior & Cognition 3(3-0)

Fall.
Basic comparative and ethological perspectives regarding animal behavior. Scientific techniques for observation of animal behavior may be demonstrated at the Pueblo Zoo, the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center, and in labs.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: PSYC 333L.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 333L Animal Behavior & Cognition Lab 1(0-2)

Fall.
Basic comparative and ethological perspectives regarding animal behavior. Scientific techniques for observation of animal behavior may be demonstrated at the Pueblo Zoo, the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center, and labs.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: PSYC 333.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 334 Perception 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Senses & how they cooperate w/ the brain to provide awareness & knowledge of world about us. Empirical findings & theoretical analysis of processing five senses. Role of learning in normal & illusory perception considered.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: PSYC 334L.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 334L Perception Lab 1(0-2)

Fall, Spring.
Perception Lab.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: PSYC 334.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 336 Learning and Motivation 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Principles of learning and memory. Empirical findings and theoretical analyses of topics including conditioning, reinforcement and punishment. Research and application.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor.

PSYC 337 Memory and Cognition 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Theory and research on current topics in cognition, including attention, concept formation, imagery, memory, decision making, language acquisition, problem solving and text comprehension.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 342 Educational Psychology 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
The contribution of psychology theory, research and methods to our understanding of teaching and learning.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or PSYC 151.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 351 Psychology of the Exceptional Individual 3(3-0)

Fall.
Survey of characteristics of those individuals considered significantly above or below the norm of the population. Emphasis on behavioral identification and modification of the home, school and social environment .
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 352 (SOC 352) Social Psychology 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
General and applied psychological principles of the individual's interaction with a group.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 360 Forensic Psychology 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
Using social, cognitive, and clinical perspectives, this course will examine individual and interpersonal phenomenon related to memory, judgment, psychological testing, bias, and social influence in the legal field.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 362 Abnormal Psychology 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Etiology, diagnosis and therapy of maladaptive or abnormal behaviors and mental functioning.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 380 Nutrition for Mental Health Fundamentals 3(3-0)

As Needed.
Explores fundamental concepts for the study of nutrition for mental health, including nutrients, the gut-brain-immune axis, HPA axis, hormones, neurotransmitters, and other related factors, with a focus on emerging research.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 382 Personal Food Relationships 3(3-0)

As Needed.
This course explores the value and importance of our personal relationships with food, the scope and impact of diet culture, and the evidence-based practices of Mindful Eating and Intuitive Eating.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 384 Food Psychology 3(3-0)

As Needed.
This course explores why we eat the way we do, the complexity of personal food relationships, and the importance of a comprehensive, multidimensional approach for understanding and influencing eating behavior.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 401 History and Systems of Psychology 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
The historical development of modern psychology from its roots in classical philosophy and the social, cultural, and political context within which psychological theory emerged.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 209 and PSYC 209L.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 403 Emotional Intelligence 3(3-0)

Fall.
This course examines scientific research from the fields of Affective Neuroscience, Personality and Positive Psychology regarding emotional intelligence, specifically: emotional awareness, expressivity, motivation and regulation.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 405 Positive Psychology 3(3-0)

Fall.
This course examines the latest scientific research constituting positive psychology. Topics include: Well-Being, Gratitude, Empathy, Forgiveness, Hope, Resilience, and Humor.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 428 Cannabinoids as Medicine 3(3-0)

Fall, Spring.
The Cannabis plant has a long history of medical use. This course is intended to be a unique experience to help students to develop a broad understanding of cannabis and its medical uses.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 452 (SOC 452) The Individual & Society 3(3-0)

As Needed.
How does our society shape the way we define ourselves and others? This class explores the relationship between the individual and society, and how that relationship affects the choices we make and the actions we take.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100 or PSYC 352 or SOC 101 or SOC 352.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 463 Psychopathology of Childhood 3(3-0)

Fall.
A survey of the unique conceptual models of etiology, assessment and therapy appropriate to the study of the psychological disorders of childhood.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 362.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 464 Systems of Counseling and Psycho-Therapy 3(3-0)

Fall.
Traditional and contemporary theories of counseling and psychotherapy through use of case studies and other selected materials.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 311 and PSYC 362.
Corequisites: PSYC 464L.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor.

PSYC 464L Systems of Counselng & Psycho-therapy Lab 1(0-2)

Fall.
Systems of Counseling & Psycho-therapy Lab.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 311 and PSYC 362.
Corequisites: PSYC 464.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 465 Behavior Modification 3(3-0)

Spring.
Advanced methods and techniques of behavior modification as practiced in various agencies and institutions.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Junior or senior standing required.

PSYC 471 Clinical Psychology 3(3-0)

Spring.
Survey of clinical psychology as a profession. Training requirements, opportunities, future directions, current research and ethical problems.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 362.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Junior or senior standing required.

PSYC 475 Group Process 3(3-0)

Spring.
Study and practice of basic group theory and approaches as they are applied in mental health. Basic group therapeutic techniques and procedures will be demonstrated in an experiential setting.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 311 and PSYC 362 and PSYC 464 and PSYC 464L.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Junior or senior standing required.

PSYC 481 Psychology of Trauma 3(3-0)

Fall.
This course is designed to introduce recent research about experienced trauma in individuals. Understanding the history of trauma, the physiological changes in the brain, and responses will be introduced.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor.

PSYC 484 Advanced Nutrition for Mental Health 3(3-0)

As Needed.
In-depth exploration of nutritional factors affective to specific neurological and psychological conditions, with a focus on current and emerging research.
Prerequisites: PSYC 380.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 486 Botanicals for Mental Health 3(3-0)

As Needed.
Exploration of botanicals and fungi used to manage, support, and treat various mental health conditions. Traditional knowledge systems are considered, then balanced against empirically supported practice.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: None.

PSYC 491 Special Topics (1-3 V)

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Special Topics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor. Repeatable (99).

PSYC 492 Research (1-3 V)

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Faculty directed research project for undergraduate student.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor. Repeatable (3).

PSYC 494 Field Experience (1-12 V)

Fall, Spring, Summer.
In-depth, on-the-job experience in psychology, individually designed. Ability to use psychological tests and counseling techniques recommended.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 311 and PSYC 362 and PSYC 464 and PSYC 464L.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor. Repeatable (12).

PSYC 495 Independent Study (1-3 V)

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Independent Study.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100.
Corequisites: None.
Registration Information: Permission of instructor. Repeatable (3).

2024-2025 Catalog

Academic Catalog

Psychology Department

Career/Employment for Psychology Majors

Academic Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Minors

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Psychology (PSYC)

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