Psychology Degree Requirements

2009-2010 catalogCollege of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Presented by The Psychology Department and the Office of Academic Services and Advising

Why Change the Curriculum?

The Psychology Faculty developed the new degree requirements based on the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines for undergraduate psychology majors and the St Mary’s Conference for Undergraduate Studies in Psychology.

Data and information gathered through the NAU psychology department’s award-winning assessment strategies was also used to inform our new curriculum. These changes reflect:

skill development (statistics and research methods) and knowledge base development (content courses)

adequate background for upper-division coursework and capstone coursework.

What has changed?

The new structure of the degree requirements does this through foundational courses, breadth courses and depth courses.

These changes include two new required lower-division courses (PSY 255 – Introduction to Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and PSY 260 - Cognitive Psychology)

consistent prerequisites including statistics (PSY 230) and research methods (PSY 302W),

and the relevant breadth courses for upper division and capstone courses.

The Psychology faculty are confident that these new degree requirements will bolster students’ knowledge of psychological concepts and research, fortify their understanding of research processes, and strengthen their critical thinking skills.

New Major Requirements

Psychology Major Flow Psychology Core Courses (11)

units) PSY 101-Intro to Psychology or PSY

101H PSY 230- Intro to Statistics in

Psychology PSY 302W*- PSY Research Methods

Breadth Psychology Course Requirements PSY 240-Developmental

Psychology PSY 255- Intro to Cognitive and

Behavioral Neuroscience PSY 260- Cognitive Psychology

One of the following courses: PSY 227- Intro to Personality OR PSY 250- Social Psychology

Depth Psychology Course Req. 3 or more courses from the following:

PSY 320- Principles of Learning

PSY 326- Group Behavior PSY 340-Child and Adolescent

Development PSY 350-Advanced Cognitive

and Behavioral Neuroscience PSY 355-Sensation and

Perception PSY 375- Social Psychology of

Self and Identity PSY 406- Clinical Psychology PSY 415- Abnormal

Psychology PSY 461- Language and

Cognition

Psychology Major Flow

Capstone Courses (3 units ) PSY 408C Fieldwork PSY 450C Historical Systems of

Psychology PSY 460C Community

Psychology PSY 480C Health Psychology PSY 486C Advanced Research PSY 490C Senior Capstone

Topics

Psychology Electives (6 additional units from any Psychology courses not taken for other requirements)

Psychology Minor Requirements

Minimum of 21 credit hours psychology courses12 credit hours must be taken at NAU (may not include

individualized study courses)

Required Courses: PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits) PSY 240 Developmental Psychology (3 credits) PSY 250 Social Psychology (3 credits) OR PSY 227 Personality (3

credits) PSY 255 Introduction to Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience (3

credits) PSY 260 Cognitive Psychology (3 credits)  6 additional credit hours in psychology

New Psychology Courses

Psychology 255 Intro: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience

Psychology 260 Cognitive Psychology

Psychology 344 Adult Development and Aging

Psychology 406 Clinical Psychology

Psychology 326 Group Behavior

Psychology 461 Language and Cognition

Psychology Course Changes

PSY 486C Name Change to Advanced Research Pre-Requisites Added (PSY 101, PSY 230, PSY 302W)

PSY 480C Health Psychology Pre-Requisites Added (PSY 101, PSY 230, PSY 302W, PSY 255 and Junior Status) Pre-Requisites deleted (PSY 350)

PSY 460C Community Psychology Pre-Requisites Added (PSY 101, PSY 230, PSY 302W and Junior Status or higher)

PSY 320 Psychology of Learning Pre-Requisite Added (PSY 260)

PSY 450C Historical Systems of Psychology Pre-Requisites Added (PSY101, PSY 230, PSY 302W and Junior Status or Higher)

PSY 415 Abnormal Psychology Pre-Requisites Added (PSY 230, PSY 302W)

PSY 408C Fieldwork Experience Pre-Requisites Added (PSY101, PSY 230, PSY302W) Pre-Requisites deleted (admission to major or minor in Psychology).

PSY 355 Sensation and Perception Pre-Requisite Added (PSY 255)

Psychology Course Changes

PSY 350 Name Change to Advanced Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Pre-requisite Added (PSY 255)

PSY 340 Child and Adolescent Development Pre-Requisites Added (PSY 101, PSY 230, PSY 302W, PSY 240)

PSY 375 Social Psychology of Self and Identity Course description changed “Theory and research on the structure and functioning of the “self” and its impact on affect, behavior, and cognition.” Pre-Requisites Added (PSY 230, PSY 302W)

Should I Change Catalogs?A student’s degree requirements are determined by the catalog they are

declared in when they become a student at NAU. Students may change to a

newer catalog to take advantage of changes to degree requirements if they

determine the change is in their best interest.

If you are a Freshman or Sophomore we strongly recommend that you move to the Fall 2009-2010 after verifying that it will not delay graduation.

If your are a Junior you can select the new degree requirements after checking with an advisor and exploring the new plan. If you are a Senior planning to graduate Spring 2009, Fall 2009 or Spring 2010 we recommend that you remain in your current catalog.

 When should a student consider a change of catalog of their degree requirements? If the student want to incorporate the new curriculum into their degree

plan. If the change of catalog will not increase their time remaining toward the

degree. If the student’s minor and or 2nd major will not change in the new catalog.

 

 

 

How do I change catalogs?

 How can a student figure out whether it would be best to change catalogs?

Meet with a professional academic advisor to go over the degree requirements and compare plans for all components of your degree.

 How can a student change to the newer catalog?After meeting with an advisor, complete a major change request form to submit to the Office of Academic Services and Advising. The change of catalog will be entered by office staff.

Summer Psychology Courses

Enroll before April 13th Summer Session I 6/1/09 to

6/30/09

PSY 101 Intro to Psychology online

PSY 227 Intro to Personality online

PSY 230 Intro to Statistics in Psyin person

PSY 240 Developmental Psy online

PSY 320 Psy of Learning online

PSY 346 Industrial and Org Psy online

PSY 381 Psy of Emergency Responline

Summer Session II 7/6/09 to 8/4/09

PSY 101 Intro to Psychology online

PSY 250 Social Psychology online

PSY 302W Research Methods in Psy in person

PSY 340 Child and Adolescent Psyonline

PSY 365 Psy of Stress Mgt online

PSY 423 Psychophysiology of Drugs and Behavior online

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE NEW PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The class I was planning to take for the Fall 2009 semester (mysenior year) has a new pre-requisite that I cannot take, now what? Contact the Office of Academic Services and Advising or your

Psychology Faculty to verify your need and assist with a requisite override. The Psychology Faculty will have permission numbers that will allow you to enroll. (until 2010)

Can I take a new Psychology course to use for a previous catalog degreeRequirements?Yes any Psychology courses may be taken as Psychology department

electives.

Does the change to the degree requirements mean I cannot graduateuntil I complete 41 units of Psychology requirements?

No, as long as you remain in your earlier catalog for all of your degree requirements and are a continuing student at NAU you may earn your Psychology degree by completing 36 units.

More Information

Visit the Psychology Department Website at

www.nau.edu/~psych/index.html

Or contact Dr. Laurie Dickson at Laurie.Dickson@nau.edu

Or visit the Office of Academic Services and Advising

www.nau.edu/sbs/advising or Email sbs.advisor@nau.edu

Or Call 523-6540