Psychology Program
Psychology Program
Psychology Program
Prospectus
The Field
As a behavioral science, and as a distinct, but integral, part of natural science, psychology links the social and biological sciences. The major areas of psychological study focus on individual human behavior conceptualized as a natural phenomenon; studied by scientific methods, including experimentation; and understood in terms of psychological theories and laws.
Relevance
The general objectives of the Psychology Program are to increase students’ understanding of themselves and others, to enhance the skills of those specializing in related areas of study, and to prepare those pursuing psychology for careers. Within the Micronesian region, in particular, those educated in psychology are able to help address critical issues including drug abuse, domestic violence, and the prevention of suicide.
Career Possibilities
Psychology graduates pursue careers in mental health and social services, child and family services, substance abuse counseling, residential care, rehabilitation, case management, and more. Many psychology majors also continue on to graduate study.
Learning Outcomes
The student learning objectives for the Psychology Program are articulated with those of the American Psychological Association. Graduating students will demonstrate that they have:
- Developed a broad and deep knowledge base in psychology;
- Acquired and can appropriately apply knowledge of psychological research skills;
- Acquired and can appropriately apply critical thinking skills in psychology;
- Developed competence in making appropriate applications of psychology;
- Acquired and can appropriately apply the values of psychology;
- Developed competence in information and technological literacy;
- Developed competence in communication skills;
- Acquired and can appropriately apply sociocultural and international awareness;
- Acquired effective personal development skills;
- Acquired knowledge and competence in career planning and development.
Psychology Major Requirements (41-42 credit hours)
Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in any course to be credited toward completion of the Psychology major. This requirement applies only to the 42 credits counted specifically toward completion of Psychology major requirements. It does not apply to General Education courses or to generic electives.
Required Courses (17-18 credit hours)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PY101 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY + This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of psychology, to methods
for research in psychology, and to key finding from its subfields. Topics include
the biological bases of behavior sensation and perception, consciousness and altered
states, learning, human memory, problem-solving, motivation and emotion, development
across the life span, personality, stress and coping, psychological disorders, psychotherapy,
and social behavior.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PY210 | INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY + This is an introduction to experimental design, methods, and statistics used in psychological
research. Prerequisite: PY101. Corequisite: PY210L.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PY210L | INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY LABORATORY + This is the laboratory component of PY210. They MUST be taken concurrently. The lab
meets for three hours each week. Students learn APA writing style, conduct experiments,
analyze data, write reports, and present results. Prerequisite: PY101. Corequisite:
PY210.
|
1 credit hour | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PY413 | RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES + This course is an in-depth study of the scientific research process, and an application
of its principles and techniques to proposing, designing, conducting and analyzing
original research. Students demonstrate mastery of APA style and deliver research
results orally and in written format. Prerequisite: PY101, PY210, and MA385 or MA-387
MA-387L. Corequisite: PY413L.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PY413L | RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES LAB + This course is the laboratory component of PY413. This lab must be taken concurrently.
Students are expected to complete a list of project-specific reading, design an independent
study, participate in data collection, analyze the data, and report the results in
writing and orally. Prerequisite: PY-101, PY-210,MA-385 or MA-387 MA-387L. Co-requisite:
PY413/G.
|
1 credit hour | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Choice of:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PY492A | PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICUM + This practicum course in clinical psychology places students in a mental health or
social service facility under the supervision of an approved practicum supervisor.
Students are required to attend a weekly seminar on professional issues and ethics
and minimally spend one day a week in a placement setting. This course is restricted
to psychology majors. PY492a and/or PY492b may be repeated for elective credit. Prerequisites:
PY101, PY370, PY420 or consent of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PY492B | PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICUM + This practicum course in clinical psychology places students in a mental health or
social service facility under the supervision of an approved practicum supervisor.
Students are required to attend a weekly seminar on professional issues and ethics
and minimally spend one day a week in a placement setting. This course is restricted
to psychology majors. PY492a and/or PY492b may be repeated for elective credit. Prerequisites:
PY101, PY370, PY420 or consent of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Choice of:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| MA385 | APPLIED STATISTICS + This course covers: statistical inference, sampling theory, hypothesis testing, correlation,
and non-parametric statistics as applied to the social, life and physical sciences
and to business. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MA151 or equivalent course.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| MA387 | STATISTICS FOR SCIENCES + The topics include exploring data in graphs and in numerical values, introducing basic
probability theory for statistics, sampling distributions, estimation theory, testing
hypothesis, correlation, linear regression, variance analysis, and non-parametric
statistics. The course consists of three hours of lecture weekly. The lab, MA387L
must be taken concurrently. Prerequisite: Grade C or better in MA161A or higher. Students
enrolled in MA387 Statistics for Sciences for credit may not also earn credit for
MA385 Applied Statistics.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| MA387L | STATISTICS FOR SCIENCE LABORATORY + MA387L is the laboratory part of MA387and MUST be taken concurrently. The purpose
of lab is to reinforce concepts learned in lecture, with an emphasis on translating
familiar statistical problems into SPSS tasks. It emphasizes the principles and criteria
for selecting the appropriate statistical techniques as well as making proper conclusions.
Students will get hands-on experience applying the topics covered to real datasets.
Corequisite: Must take MA387 concurrently.
|
1 credit hour | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Elective Courses (24 credit hours)
At least 18 hours of upper division courses. Six hours of these must be 400-level Psychology (PY) courses; otherwise, students may select from upper division (300- and 400-level) Psychology courses or from BI-157/157L and BI-158/158L. Student must also take an additional six hours of electives selected from any non-required Psychology course.
General Education (Recommended Courses)
See the Student Advisement Sheet of General Education Requirements and include under:
Tier II: Direction Building (9-11 credit hours)
1) CF, DF, or UU as a prerequisite (can be within a declared major):
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PY210 | INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY + This is an introduction to experimental design, methods, and statistics used in psychological
research. Prerequisite: PY101. Corequisite: PY210L.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PY210L | INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY LABORATORY + This is the laboratory component of PY210. They MUST be taken concurrently. The lab
meets for three hours each week. Students learn APA writing style, conduct experiments,
analyze data, write reports, and present results. Prerequisite: PY101. Corequisite:
PY210.
|
1 credit hour | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
2) DF or major exploration
Any DF course in Biology (BI), Philosophy (PI), Sociology (SO), or Social Work (SW) or any of the following courses:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PY100 | PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT + This is an applied introductory-level course intended to help students learn personal
adjustment skills through a variety of experiential activities and projects. Students
are encouraged to work together to create a supportive environment for addressing
important psychological issues, such as self-concept, identity stress, anxiety, depression,
loneliness, substance use, relationships, gender roles, sexuality, family, and culture.
The course applies evidence-based techniques for modifying behavior to goals selected
by the individual student. The course also focuses on behavioral health issues of
regional significance, including risk of suicide, domestic violence, and substance
abuse. The course addresses these issues in part by drawing on cultural strengths,
protective factors, and forms of resilience that are unique to the Pacific Island
region.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PY201 | CHILD DEVELOPMENT + This course provides a scientific and up-to-date picture of child development in physical,
cognitive, emotional and social areas from the prenatal period up to adolescence.
The course examines the way children actually live, the current social conditions
that influence their lives, and the practical applications of child development research
and its relevance to the lives of children and their families in the Western Pacific
region. Course material enables students to appreciate the developmental capabilities
and needs of children at different ages and the role of culture in early child development.
Prerequisite: PY101.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| AN101 | INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY + This course is an introduction to anthropology: the comparative study of human beings.
The basic principles of archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics and physical
anthropology are explored as they relate to the study of human beings, and to each
other as sub disciplines of anthropology.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| WG101 | INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN & GENDER STUDIES + This course provides an introduction to basic concepts and key issues in women and
gender studies, utilizing a life-span approach. Topics include gender socialization
and identity formation, sexuality, cultural representations, gender relations, family,
work, class stratification, violence, constructions of masculinity, and oppression,
as well as racial and cultural diversity.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
3) DF or UU exploration outside major requirement (may apply to a minor or second major):
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| BA260 | FUNDAMENTALS OF MARKETING + This course covers the principles, practices, and concepts involved in the performance
of business activities, which direct the transfer of goods and the acquisition of
services from producer to consumer or user. Included are the study of marketing functions
and institutions; activities having to do with effecting change in ownership and possession
of goods and services; and the study of applied economics relating to the creation
of time, place and possession utility.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| EN311 | CREATIVE WRITING: + This course offers its students semester-long practice in writing such literary forms
as the short story, the novel, the novella, stage drama, screen drama, verse, and/or
the nonfiction essay. Since one literary form will normally be studied for an entire
semester, the course may be repeated for credit with different subject matter.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| EN316 | PROFESSIONAL WRITING + This course focuses on formal written communication in the professional workplace.
Topics include planning, writing, revising, purpose, audience, style, organization,
format, technology and strategies for persuasion when writing professional memoranda,
documents and reports. The course emphasizes skills and content necessary to communicate
effectively in the professional world.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| EN319 | ADVANCED COMPOSITION + The course involves the study and writing of different types of expository prose with
some attention to other forms of rhetoric: narration, description, argumentation,
and includes a review of grammar, punctuation, and sentence construction.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
OR any other DF course
Tier III – Capstone Experience
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PY413 | RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES + This course is an in-depth study of the scientific research process, and an application
of its principles and techniques to proposing, designing, conducting and analyzing
original research. Students demonstrate mastery of APA style and deliver research
results orally and in written format. Prerequisite: PY101, PY210, and MA385 or MA-387
MA-387L. Corequisite: PY413L.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Psychology Minor Requirements (19 credit hours)
Required Courses (7 credit hours)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PY101 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY + This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of psychology, to methods
for research in psychology, and to key finding from its subfields. Topics include
the biological bases of behavior sensation and perception, consciousness and altered
states, learning, human memory, problem-solving, motivation and emotion, development
across the life span, personality, stress and coping, psychological disorders, psychotherapy,
and social behavior.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PY210 | INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY + This is an introduction to experimental design, methods, and statistics used in psychological
research. Prerequisite: PY101. Corequisite: PY210L.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PY210L | INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY LABORATORY + This is the laboratory component of PY210. They MUST be taken concurrently. The lab
meets for three hours each week. Students learn APA writing style, conduct experiments,
analyze data, write reports, and present results. Prerequisite: PY101. Corequisite:
PY210.
|
1 credit hour | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Elective Courses (12 credit hours)
Any 200-, 300-, or 400-level Psychology (PY) courses, six credits of which must be at the 400 level.
Program Chair
Program Faculty
Baquiano J. Marshaley
Office Location: