Psychology Courses Offered for Graduate Credit

Georgia Southern University

Psychology Department

Course numbers beginning with 5 (listed first) are upper level undergraduate courses cross-listed as graduate courses (i.e. both undergraduates and graduate may enroll). Course numbers beginning with 7 (starting with PSYC 7030 below) are for graduate students only.

PSYC 5030/5030G-Selected Topics Scheduled on an irregular basis to explore special areas in psychology not offered in the regular curriculum and will carry a subtitle. Prerequisite: PSYC 1101.

PSYC 5230/5230G-Health Psychology Surveys the application of psychological principles in the treatment and prevention of health related problems. Prerequisite: PSYC 1101

PSYC 5330/5330G-Psychology of Aging Examines developmental psychological processes in later adulthood, including changes with age in perception, intelligence, learning, memory, personality, and social behaviors. Prerequisite: PSYC 1101.

PSYC 5341/5341G-Experimental Developmental Psychology Provides the advanced psychology student with an in-depth examination of methodological and ethical issues underlying research in developmental psychology, provides exposure to important research areas within the field and fosters skills for critically evaluating research. Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in PSYC 3141 and in PSYC 3331 or PSYC 3333.

PSYC 5342/5342G-Experiemental Social Psychology Provides the advanced psychology student with an in-depth examination of selected content areas and research methodology in social psychology. Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in PSYC 3141 and in PSYC 3334.

PSYC 5430/5430G-Physiological Psychology A broad survey of the nervous system with emphasis on functional relationships between the nervous system and behavior and on the techniques and methods used to examine the physiological bases for human and nonhuman animal behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 1101.

PSYC 5431/5431G-Evolutionary Psychology A survey of the methods and theories of the new field of evolutionary psychology emphasizing how human behavior and cognition develop from an interaction of life experiences with inherited interests, tendencies, and abilities that have been shaped by natural selection. Prerequisite: PSYC 1101.

PSYC 5443/5443G-Experimental Physiological Psychology Students build on their knowledge of physiological psychology and research, conduct and analyze their own experiments. Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in PSYCC 3141 and in PSYC 5430.

PSYC 5530/5530G-History and Systems Examines the development of experimental and clinical psychology with emphasis on relating the development to current issues in psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 1101.

PSYC 7030-Selected Topics Scheduled on an irregular basis to explore several areas in psychology not offered in the regular curriculum and will carry a subtitle.

PSYC 7130-Statistics for Psychology Covers the logic of statistical inference, fundamental principles of analysis of variance, complex analysis of variance designs, selected non-parametric procedures, and a brief introduction to multivariate procedures with emphasis upon the application of these methods in psychological research. Prerequisite: An introductory course in statistics.

PSYC 7131-Research Design An examination of research techniques for dealing with specific problems in psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 7130.

PSYC 7132-Advanced Animal Learning A study of the principles of learning and cognition in nonhumans including the theoretical bases, experimental techniques, analysis and generalizations of scientific investigations.

PSYC 7133-Advanced Cognitive Psychology Provides an overview of contemporary cognitive psychology research and theory. Classic and recent theoretical approaches will be covered.

PSYC 7230-Research for Applied Psychology Exposes students to the terminology, methodology, and ethical considerations of quantitative and qualitative research with an emphasis on developing the skills necessary to critically read and evaluate research.

PSYC 7231-Intellectual Assessment Focuses on developing skill in the standardized administration and scoring, and interpretation of tests of intellectual functioning. Emphasis is placed on report writing and providing feedback to clients. Issues related to understanding, respecting, and accounting for client diversity are addressed. Topics of ethical conduct, test construction, reliability, and validity are also covered. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate program in psychology.

PSYC 7232-Foundations of Psychotherapy An advanced survey of major theories and efficacy research in psychotherapy and counseling. The concept of the “person of the therapist” as a central factor is introduced and foundational skills are taught. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PSYC 7233-Ethics and Professional Issues Designed to provide the clinician in training with a clear understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities incurred when working with clients in a clinical capacity. Lectures and class discussions will cover specific legal and ethical principles and the application of those principles in clinical settings. Topics related to professionalism will also be covered.

PSYC 7234-Personality Assessment Focuses on the administration, scoring, and interpretation of selected objective and projective tests. Projective theory and its relationship to perception, phenomenology and symbology are covered. Test construction strategies, diversity, and issues of reliability and validity are considered. Prerequisite: Grade of “B” or better in PSYC 7231.

PSYC 7235-Group Psychotherapy Provides the clinician in training with an overview of the concepts and various theories of group psychotherapy. Emphasis is placed on integrating theoretical knowledge and the practical skills necessary to facilitate therapy groups successfully. The ethical considerations unique to working with groups are also highlighted. The course has both didactic and experiential components. Prerequisites: Grade of “B” or better in PSYC 7237.

PSYC 7236-Neuropsychology Designed to provide basic comprehension of the mechanics of the brain and the human nervous system and to integrate this knowledge within a behavioral framework.

PSYC 7237-Psychotherapy Skills Lecture and laboratory of training in psychotherapy skills, including recognition of appropriateness of specific techniques for certain diagnostic categories. Prerequisites: Grade of “B” or better in PSYC 7235.

PSYC 7238-Child and Family Psychotherapy Offers clinicians in training an overview of theories and concepts of child and family psychotherapy. Matters related to clinical practice with children and family systems are addressed. Prerequisite: Grade of “B” or better in PSYC 7237.

PSYC 7239-Psychopathology Focuses on descriptions, hypothesized etiologies, and treatment modalities of major classes of mental disorders as classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate program in psychology.

PSYC 7331-Advanced Developmental Psychology An examination of the major themes, theories and research in developmental psychology.

PSYC 7332-Advanced Social Psychology Examines theory and research on selected topics in social psychology.

PSYC 7333-Psychotherapy Skills II Lecture and laboratory of training psychotherapy skills with supervised practice of skills in therapist-client role-play situations. Prerequisite: Grade of “B: or better in PSYC 7232.

PSYC 7390-Development of Original Research Provides students with opportunity to develop an original research idea and implement it.

PSYC 7490-Advanced Directed Study A directed study at the graduate level providing an examination and analysis of current literature pertaining to selected content areas in psychology.

PSYC 7610-Research Seminar An overview of ongoing research in the Department of Psychology designed to prepare students for research requirements of the MS degree program.

PSYC 7630- Clinical Seminar Seminar provides the opportunity to research clinical topic of current interest to the class and to present scholarly work before peers. Emphasis is on the development of skills in researching the literature, development of ideas through critical thinking, and oral and written presentation. May be repeated with different topics. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PSYC 7730- Practicum I Provides supervised experience in psychological assessment, counseling, and psychotherapy. Prerequisites: PSYC 7233, a grade of “B” or better in PSYC 7234, 7237, and 7239.

PSYC 7731-Pracitcum II Continuation of Practicum I. Prerequisite: Grade of “B: or better in PSYC 7730.

PSYC 7810-Research Experience Student works with a faculty member on a research project in progress, obtaining experience and skills to enhance the student’s understanding of the research process.