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)

Undergraduate Courses

PSYC 100 General Psychology 3(3-0)

Overview of the field of psychology including learning, perception, motivation, emotion, heredity, personality, development, abnormal and psycho-therapy. (F, S, SS) (Gen Ed: SS, GT-SS3)

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

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. (F, S)

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

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. (AN)

PSYC 151 Human Development 3(3-0)

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. (F, S, SS) (Gen Ed: SS, GT-SS3)

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

An introduction to psychological theories and constructs affecting performance, coaching & development in sports and athletics. (F)

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

Introduction to research development and use of quantitative methods. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 103 and Gen Ed Math. Corequisite: PSYC 207L. (F, S)

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

Introduction to methods of psychological experimentation. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 103 and Gen Ed Math. Corequisite: PSYC 207. (F, S)

PSYC 209 Quantitative Research II 3(3-0)

Continuation of PSYC 207. Focus on research development and quantitative methods. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 103 and PSYC 207 and PSYC 207L and Gen Ed Math. Corequisite: PSYC 209L. (F, S)

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

Continuation of Quantitative Research Methods Lab I. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and PSYC 103 and Gen Ed Math and PSYC 207 and PSYC 207L. Corequisite: PSYC 209. (F, S)

PSYC 211 (WS 211) Women and Society 3(3-0)

Statistical overview of the current status of women, followed by examination of theories concerning equality of the sexes. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. (F)

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

To raise awareness of social inequities, promote cultural competency & appreciation of differences. (AN)

PSYC 220 Drugs and Behavior 3(3-0)

Principles of drug action with attention to beneficial and harmful uses of drugs. (F, S)

PSYC 222 Understanding Animal Behavior 3(3-0)

Basic comparative and ethological perspectives regarding animal behavior. Scientific techniques for observation of animal behavior may be demonstrated at the Pueblo Zoo. (F, S) (Gen Ed: SS, GT-SS3)

PSYC 231 (SOC 231, WS 231) Marriage and Family Relationships 3(3-0)

Marriage and family from an institutional and relationship perspective: cross-cultural diversity, mate selection, marital dynamics, parenting, divorce, remarriage, emerging patterns. (F, S) (Gen Ed: SS)

PSYC 241 Human Sexuality 3(3-0)

Psychological and biological aspects of human sexual behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and sophomore standing. (AN)

PSYC 251 Childhood and Adolescence 3(3-0)

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. (F, S) (Gen Ed: SS)

PSYC 291 Special Topics (1-4 V)

Special Topics. Prerequisite: Instructor permission. (AN) Repeatable (6).

PSYC 311 Theories Of Personality 3(3-0)

Major theories of personality and the methods of personality investigation. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. (F, S)

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

Application of the principles of psychology to the workplace, including personnel selection, motivation, group processes, leadership, job analysis, and organization. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. (AN)

PSYC 331 Physiological Psychology 3(3-0)

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. Corequisite: PSYC 331L. (S)

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

Physiological Psychology Lab. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Corequisite: PSYC 331. (S)

PSYC 334 Perception 3(3-0)

The senses and how they cooperate with the brain to provide awareness and knowledge of the world about us. Empirical findings and theoretical analysis of the processes of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching. Role of learning in normal and illusory perception is considered. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Corequisite: PSYC 334L. (AN)

PSYC 334L Perception Lab 1(0-2)

Perception Lab. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Corequisite: PSYC 334. (AN)

PSYC 336 Learning and Motivation 3(3-0)

Principles of learning and memory. Empirical findings and theoretical analyses of topics including conditioning, reinforcement and punishment. Research and application. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor. (AN)

PSYC 337 Memory and Cognition 3(3-0)

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. (F)

PSYC 342 Educational Psychology 3(3-0)

The contribution of psychology theory, research and methods to our understanding of teaching and learning. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or 151. (AN)

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

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. (AN)

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

General and applied psychological principles of the individual's interaction with a group. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. (AN)

PSYC 360 Forensic Psychology 3(3-0)

PSYC 362 Abnormal Psychology 3(3-0)

Etiology, diagnosis and therapy of maladaptive or abnormal behaviors and mental functioning. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. (F, S)

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

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 209 and and 209L. (F, S)

PSYC 403 Emotional Intelligence 3(3-0)

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. (AN)

PSYC 405 Positive Psychology 3(3-0)

This course examines the latest scientific research constituting positive psychology. Topics include: Well-Being, Gratitude, Empathy, Forgiveness, Hope, Resilience, and Humor. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. (AN)

PSYC 463 Psychopathology of Childhood 3(3-0)

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 362. (AN)

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

Traditional and contemporary theories of counseling and psychotherapy through use of case studies and other selected materials. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 311 and 362. Corequisite: PSYC 464L or permission of instructor. (F)

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

Systems of Counselng & Psycho-therapy Lab. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 311 and 362. Corequisite: PSYC 464. (F)

PSYC 465 Behavior Modification 3(3-0)

Advanced methods and techniques of behavior modification as practiced in various agencies and institutions. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and junior or senior standing. (AN)

PSYC 471 Clinical Psychology 3(3-0)

Survey of clinical psychology as a profession. Training requirements, opportunities, future directions, current research and ethical problems. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 362 and junior or senior standing. (F)

PSYC 475 Group Process 3(3-0)

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 311 and 362 and, 464 and 464L and junior or senior standing. (S)

PSYC 481 Psychology of Trauma 3(3-0)

PSYC 491 Special Topics (1-3 V)

Special Topics. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (AN) Repeatable (99).

PSYC 492 Research (1-3 V)

Faculty directed research project for undergraduate student. Prerequisite: Junior or senior level standing or permission of instructor. (F, S, SS) Repeatable (3).

PSYC 494 Field Experience (1-12 V)

In-depth, on-the-job experience in psychology, individually designed. Ability to use psychological tests and counseling techniques recommended. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and 311 and 362 and 464 and 464L and junior or senior standing and permission of instructor. (F, S, SS) Repeatable (12).

PSYC 495 Independent Study (1-3 V)

Independent Study. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and junior or senior standing. (F, S, SS) Repeatable (3).

2020-2021 Catalog

Academic Catalog

Psychology Department

Career/Employment for Psychology Majors

Academic Programs

Psychology (PSYC)

Undergraduate Courses

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