Psychology

The Psychology program provides a strong foundation of psychology and general education coursework for students planning on continuing their education by obtaining a bachelor’s or graduate level degree in psychology.

Where You Could Go

Most Psychology students continue their education to earn bachelor’s and graduate degrees to expand their knowledge and future earnings. Courses in the Psychology program meet the requirements of the Ohio Transfer Module and Transfer Assurance Guides, and thus they transfer individually to all colleges and universities within the University System of Ohio. In addition, NC State has over 40 agreements with four-year colleges and universities to provide a smooth transition to bachelor’s degree programs.

What You Will Learn

Subsequent to an Introduction to Psychology course, you will complete psychology courses in Abnormal Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Social Psychology, and Personality Theory.  Additionally, you will receive a broad base of knowledge in written and oral communication, humanities, mathematics, science, and a foreign language. This program prepares you to write well, to communicate clearly, to analyze and solve problems, to connect what you learn in various disciplines, to be culturally and globally aware, to be an engaged citizen, and to navigate change and career/life challenges. See the curriculum worksheet for the specific courses included in the program. 

Job Demand

The Psychology program provides educational experiences and exposures that will allow you to work in entry-level jobs requiring broad-based knowledge and skills. By design, this degree is geared toward those who intend to pursue their bachelor’s degree or higher. It is an exceptionally affordable and quality degree to start your educational journey.

Required Courses

Introduction to Psychology

Introduction to Psychology is an introductory level course and is a study of the basic human behavior. Topics include the history of psychology, scientific methods, biological processes, cognitive processes, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, intelligence, human development, personality theory, psychopathology and treatment, stress and health, and social psychology.

Human Growth and Development

This course presents an overview of the total life span of human growth and development from conception through old age. It begins with a study of the major theories of human development and includes an examination of the dynamics of human growth in five areas: physical, intellectual, personality, social and moral. The developmental tasks and behavioral characteristics of eight stages of human growth are examined, ending with a brief treatment of death and dying.

Personality Theory

This course presents a brief historical and methodology study of personality. A number perspectives on personality will be introduced and include a discussion of several of the major schools of thought within the field of personality theory: psychoanalytic/Freudian, neo-Freudian, biological, humanistic, cognitive, trait, and behavioral. Discussion of theories includes historical context, research viability, clinical pathology and therapy, and personality assessments developed from the theory.

Abnormal Psychology

This course will examine the definition, classification, origin, and treatment of abnormal behavior. Categories of disorders discussed will include personality, anxiety, mood, somatoform, dissociative, sexual, psychotic, developmental-related and addictive disorders. Research methodology in abnormal psychology, historical perspective, the assessment process, ethical issues and use of the DSM will also be emphasized.

Social Psychology

Social psychology addresses the interactions of individuals within social environments, as well as cultural components which impact behavior, thoughts, motives, and emotions. The following topics shall also be examined: attitudes, attributions, social identity, social perception, social cognition, prejudice and discrimination, obedience to authority, conformity, aggression, prosocial behavior,  interpersonal attraction and behavior in groups. An overview of the background and research components related to this specialization will also be covered.

Probability and Statistics

This course provides the student with an overview of probability and statistics. Probability terminology, concepts and rules are emphasized in solving probability problems. Descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency and dispersion, charts, tables and diagrams are used to summarize data. The student is introduced to the binomial, Poisson, hyper-geometric, normal and t-distributions. Confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and linear regression are used to make conclusions concerning population parameters from sample data.

Ethics

This course involves an examination of several ethical theories, including ethical relativism, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, social contract ethics, theological ethics, and rational ethics. Subjects covered may include the ethics of nuclear war, the ethics of suicide, ethical issues in abortion, the ethics of euthanasia, ethical issues in genetic engineering, sexual ethics, racism and sexism, capital punishment, ethics and the environment and so on.

Speech

This course involves instruction and experience in giving a presentation. Students are taught the principles of speech content and delivery so that they can effectively participate in a variety of practical speaking situations. Presentations will include the informative speech, persuasive speech, visual aid/demonstration speech, impromptu speech, and group presentation.

English Composition I

This is a basic course in expository writing and critical reading. Students read a variety of nonfiction works and write summaries, analysis, essays, and a researched argument in response to their reading. Students learn to read actively and accurately and to organize, develop, and revise coherent papers appropriate for a college-educated audience.

English Composition II

This is a course in argument and research writing. Students read issue-based works and write summaries, responses, and an argument and research paper. Students learn to organize research projects, find and evaluate sources, incorporate ideas and quotations from sources, document their sources in MLA and APA style, analyze and use argumentative strategies and persuasive appeals, and prepare and revise effective, coherent papers.

Physical Geology

Physical Geology is an introductory course describing the fundamental concepts of Geology for Non-Science majors. These fundamental concepts are grouped in 7 modules: Module I (Geology, Earth Science, and the Scientific Method) is an introduction to the science of Geology and its many branches; this module also discusses the steps in the scientific method, and describes the systems approach to geology. Module II (Origin and Evolution of Earth) discusses the formation of the universe and the solar system, and introduces Earth’s neighbors in the solar system. Module III (Plate Tectonics and the Dynamic Earth) discusses Earth’s internal structure and introduces the theory of plate tectonics, a unifying idea that explains Earth’s surface processes and features. Module IV (Earth Materials: Minerals and Rocks) discusses the materials from which Earth is made, as well as their structure and classification. Module V (Structural Geology) describes how Earth’s internal and external processes interact to produce earthquakes and mountains. Module VI (Energy Resources) describes the energy resources that the Earth provides us and how they are produced and used. Module VII (Hydrology and Stream Geomorphology) discusses how water shapes the surface of our planet and helps create a multitude of erosional and depositional landforms.

Historical Geology

Historical Geology is an introductory course describing the fundamental concepts of Geology for Non-Science majors. It contains 12 individual lessons grouped in 3 modules. Module I – Fundamental Concepts explains the basic concepts of historical geology including, earth materials and geologic time. Module II – The Evolution of the Earth and Life through Time follows the evolutionary processes of both the solid Earth and biology through time. Module III – A Closer Look into the Major Time Periods is an in depth look into each of the 5 major time periods with the focus on the biologic evolution.

Beginning Spanish

This course develops basic speaking, listening, writing and reading skills. The goal is for students to achieve a Novice-Mid level of proficiency across all the aforementioned skills. At this level, students will be able to provide and understand information about themselves and their immediate surroundings using words, phrases and memorized expressions while speaking and listening, reproduce from memory a modest number of words and phrases in context while writing, and identify a number of highly contextualized words and phrases including cognates and borrowed words while reading. Also, students will have an introduction to Hispanic Cultures by examining a variety of topics. This course is not intended for native speakers of Spanish.

Intermediate Spanish

A continuation of Introduction to Spanish with more advanced practice in listening, reading, speaking, and writing with an emphasis on practical Spanish. Course includes introduction to Hispanic culture on selected topics.

American National Government

This course involves an examination of the people, values, institutions, processes, and policies associated with American government. Special emphasis is given to the way in which all of the variables interact to form the dynamic that is American politics.

Western Philosophy

This course involves an examination of the great philosophical ideas that have shaped the development of Western Civilization. These ideas include those promoted during the ancient Greek period of Western development, the early Christian era, the Protestant Reformation, the Enlightenment, the Nineteenth Century, the Modern Age, the Age of Existentialism, the Postmodern era, and the Age of Recovery. The philosophers covered include Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, St. Paul, Augustine, Occam, Aquinas, Erasmus, Luther, Descartes, Hobbes, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Feuerbach, Marx, Emerson, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Bergson, Dewey, Heidegger, Sartre, Camus, Teilhard, Habermas, Pera, Guardini, Zizek, and Ratzinger.

American History I or Western Civilization I

American History I: This American Studies course is an introductory survey course covering the development of American politics, law, religion, philosophy, art and literature from 1600 to 1877. The goal of the course is to help students understand the cultural development of the United States especially in relation to its religion, art, philosophy, law, and political system.

OR:

Western Civilization I: This course presents an overview of European civilization from antiquity to about the year 1600, stressing the chief political, social, cultural, and religious developments within this span of time. This class will help students gain a better understanding of the historical narrative of European civilization, particularly as it relates to political institutions and structures and social and cultural developments; develop improved textual interpretation skills through the careful reading and discussion of ancient and medieval texts; and refine their ability to express ideas and produce convincing arguments through writing essays and short paper.

American History II or Western Civilization II

American History II: This American Studies course is an introductory survey course covering the development of American politics, law, religion, philosophy, art and literature from 1877 to the present. The goal of the course is to help students understand the cultural maturity of the United States especially in relation to its religion, art, philosophy, law, and political system.

OR:

Western Civilization II: This course presents an overview of European civilization from around 1500 to the present, stressing the chief political, social, cultural, and religious developments within this span of time. This class will help students gain a better knowledge of the historical narrative of European civilization, particularly as it relates to political institutions and structures and social and cultural developments; develop improved textual interpretation skills through the careful reading and discussion of historical texts; and refine their ability to express ideas and produce convincing arguments through writing essays and a short paper.

Cultural Diversity and Racism

Cultural Diversity and Racism: Sociological exploration of American racial and ethnic groups. Emphasis placed on the social construction of race and ethnicity, patterns of intergroup contact. Historical comparative analysis of selected groups with emphasis on economic, political and structural inequalities.

Intro to Theatre, Intro to Humanities, or Music Appreciation

Introduction to Theatre: Course is an overview of theatre as an art form. Includes historical and production points of view. Students will effectively view and critique plays and musicals. This is NOT a performance based course, but a theory and analysis based class. This course requires attending a live theatre performance.

Introduction to the Humanities: This course is a genre-based introduction to the humanities and the fine arts. The student will explore the six major means of artistic expression within the fine arts: painting, literature, drama, film, photography, and sculpture. The course focuses on an understanding of the genre itself as well as the various critical theories that apply to the fine arts, including but not necessarily limited to mimesis, formalism, didacticism, and postmodernism. This course requires field trips to museums

Music Appreciation: Develop listening skills used for understanding elements of musical style in a historical perspective and the significance of music as fine art. This course requires attending a live music performance.