Psychology Degree Course Benefits
Psychology Courses
PSYC-1010: Introduction to Psychology
This class introduces you to how people think, feel, and behave. You will learn about the brain and body, memory, learning, emotions, personality, and social interactions. You’ll also explore mental health, motivation, and human development throughout life. The course shows how psychologists study people and how their findings can be applied to real situations.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand why people think, act, and feel the way they do
-
Gives you tools to work better with others at school, work, or home
-
Helps you recognize and respect differences in people from different backgrounds
-
Shows you how to make thoughtful decisions using information and evidence
-
Teaches how to notice and respond to mental health needs in yourself and others
PSYC-2050: Psychopathology
This class explores mental health disorders and how they are diagnosed and treated. You will learn about conditions like anxiety, depression, personality disorders, addictions, and psychotic disorders. The course covers causes, symptoms, and treatments, using research and ethical guidelines to understand psychological illness.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand mental health issues in yourself and others
-
Teaches skills for recognizing symptoms and knowing when to seek help
-
Improves empathy and communication with people facing psychological challenges
-
Provides knowledge useful for careers in counseling, healthcare, social work, or education
-
Teaches critical thinking for separating myths about mental illness from scientific evidence
COMM-1010: Speech
This class teaches you how to speak confidently in front of others. You will learn how to give different types of speeches, like informative talks, persuasive presentations, impromptu speeches, and group projects. You’ll also practice using gestures, eye contact, and visual aids to make your message clear.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you feel more confident speaking in class, at work, or in meetings
-
Teaches you how to explain your ideas clearly so others understand you
-
Shows you how to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully
-
Helps you work well with different kinds of people and understand their perspectives
-
Gives you skills to persuade others, share your opinion, or present ideas professionally
ENGL-1010: English Composition I
This class teaches you how to read and write clearly. You will read nonfiction texts and practice summarizing, analyzing, and writing essays. You’ll also learn how to research a topic and write a well-organized argument. The class helps you plan, draft, and revise your writing so it makes sense and is easy to understand.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you explain your ideas clearly in emails, reports, or school assignments
-
Teaches you how to read carefully and understand important information
-
Shows you how to plan and organize your thoughts before writing or speaking
-
Gives you skills to research topics and back up your opinions with facts
-
Helps you communicate professionally in work or personal projects
STAT-1010: Probability and Statistics
This class teaches you how to understand and work with data. You will learn how to collect information, organize it in charts and tables, and use basic math to see patterns and trends. The course also covers probability, statistics, and ways to make conclusions from data.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you make sense of numbers in news, surveys, and reports
-
Teaches you how to organize and analyze information to make better decisions
-
Shows you how to spot trends and patterns in data, which is useful at work or in school projects
-
Helps you understand the likelihood of events, which is useful for planning and problem-solving
-
Gives you skills to interpret graphs, charts, and statistics you see every day
HUMA-1010: Introduction to the Humanities
This class introduces you to different forms of art, including painting, literature, drama, film, photography, and sculpture. You will learn how to understand, analyze, and talk about works of art. The course also explores different ways people think about and interpret art, and you’ll go on field trips to experience art in real life.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you appreciate and enjoy art in everyday life, like movies, books, and museums
-
Teaches you how to think critically and express your opinions clearly
-
Improves your ability to understand different cultures and perspectives
-
Builds skills to discuss and evaluate ideas, which is useful in work, school, and social settings
-
Encourages creativity and problem-solving through exposure to art and different viewpoints
MUSC-1010: Music Appreciation
This class teaches you how to listen to and understand music. You will learn about different musical styles, instruments, and ensembles, and explore how music has changed over time. You’ll also learn the words and ideas musicians use to talk about music and how to describe and respond to performances.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you enjoy music more by understanding what you hear
-
Teaches you how to pay attention and notice details, a skill useful in school and work
-
Gives you the words and knowledge to talk about music confidently with others
-
Helps you appreciate different cultures and historical periods through their music
-
Improves focus, critical thinking, and listening skills that apply to everyday life
POLT-1010: American National Government
This class teaches you how the U.S. government works, including its people, values, rules, and institutions. You will learn about the three main branches of government, how laws are made, and how political systems like elections, parties, and the media influence decisions. The course also covers civil rights, social justice, and both domestic and foreign policy.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand how laws and government decisions affect your life
-
Teaches you how to participate in your community, like voting or volunteering
-
Gives you the tools to follow and understand news and political discussions
-
Helps you think critically about policies and issues that affect society
-
Prepares you for careers in government, public service, or any job that requires understanding rules and systems
ENGL-1030: English Composition II
This class teaches you how to write clear, well-organized arguments and research papers. You will read issue-based texts, plan and research your ideas, use sources correctly, and learn how to persuade readers with evidence. The course also helps you revise your writing so it is strong, clear, and professional.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Teaches you how to explain your ideas clearly in school, work, or personal projects
-
Shows you how to find and use trustworthy information to support your opinions
-
Helps you organize your thoughts and write in a way that makes sense to others
-
Builds skills in critical thinking and problem-solving
-
Prepares you for writing reports, proposals, or persuasive messages in professional or personal settings
PHIL-1010: Western Philosophy
This class introduces the major ideas and thinkers that have shaped Western culture, from ancient Greece to modern times. You will learn about famous philosophers and their ideas, how people have thought about ethics, society, and the meaning of life, and how these ideas influence the world today.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you think clearly and reason through problems in everyday life
-
Teaches you how to see situations from different points of view
-
Improves your ability to discuss ideas and make thoughtful decisions
-
Helps you understand the history of ideas that influence culture, law, and society
-
Builds critical thinking skills useful in school, work, and personal decisions
PSYC-2010: Human Growth & Development
This class teaches how people grow and change from birth to old age. You will learn about physical, emotional, social, and thinking development at different stages of life, and how researchers study these changes. The course also looks at culture, environment, and family influences on growth.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand yourself and the people around you at different ages
-
Teaches skills for parenting, teaching, or working with people of all ages
-
Helps you recognize healthy growth and development, as well as challenges
-
Shows how research can help guide decisions about education, work, and relationships
-
Improves communication and empathy with children, adults, and older adults
PSYC-2030: Child Psychology
This class teaches how children grow and develop physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally. You will learn how culture, family, and environment influence childhood development and how researchers study children using science.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand children’s behavior and needs at different ages
-
Teaches skills useful for parenting, teaching, coaching, or childcare
-
Shows how to recognize healthy development and address challenges early
-
Helps you make better decisions when supporting or guiding children
-
Improves communication, patience, and empathy with children in everyday life
SOCY-1010: Introduction to Sociology
This class teaches how society works and how people interact within it. You will learn about culture, social groups, families, schools, government, and other social institutions. The course also explores social differences, such as race, gender, class, and how rules, laws, and norms shape behavior.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand why people behave the way they do in your community, school, or workplace
-
Teaches you how to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures
-
Improves your ability to think critically about social issues and current events
-
Gives you skills to analyze problems in society, like inequality or crime, and think about solutions
-
Prepares you for jobs in social services, education, healthcare, and other fields where understanding people and society is important
BIOL-1230: Biology I
This class introduces the basics of biology, including cells, genetics, energy, and how living things grow and survive. You will learn the scientific method, study cells and their parts, explore DNA and heredity, and understand how energy moves through living systems. Labs will give hands-on experience with experiments and observations.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand how your body and other living things work
-
Teaches you how to think like a scientist and solve problems using evidence
-
Gives you knowledge about health, genetics, and biotechnology that can guide personal choices
-
Improves critical thinking for reading and understanding news about science and the environment
-
Prepares you for careers in healthcare, research, education, and other science-related fields
HIST-1010: American History I
This class explores the history of the United States from 1600 to 1877. You will learn about early American politics, law, religion, art, philosophy, and literature, as well as major events like the American Revolution and the Civil War. The course emphasizes understanding how culture and ideas shaped the nation.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand why the United States works the way it does today
-
Teaches critical thinking skills for analyzing news, politics, and current events
-
Shows how culture, law, and ideas influence society and daily life
-
Improves your ability to read, interpret, and discuss historical information
-
Prepares you for careers in education, government, law, or any field where understanding history and culture matters
HIST-1050: Western Civilization I
This class explores European history from ancient times to around 1600. You will learn about politics, society, culture, and religion, and study important events and ideas that shaped Europe. The course also teaches how to read historical texts carefully, think critically, and write strong essays.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand how European history shaped the modern world and society
-
Teaches critical thinking and analytical skills for reading, writing, and decision-making
-
Improves your ability to discuss ideas, support opinions, and make clear arguments
-
Helps you understand cultural, political, and social patterns that still influence life today
-
Prepares you for careers in education, research, government, or any field requiring strong reasoning and communication skills
PSYC-2090: Social Psychology
This class explores how other people, groups, and social situations affect the way we think, feel, and behave. You will learn about attitudes, group behavior, conformity, prejudice, aggression, and helping behavior, using scientific research to understand social influence.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand why people act the way they do in groups, at work, or in social situations
-
Teaches skills for improving teamwork, communication, and leadership
-
Helps you recognize and reduce prejudice and bias in yourself and others
-
Improves decision-making and problem-solving in social settings
-
Prepares you for careers in psychology, social work, human resources, education, or any job that involves working with people
SPAN-1010: Beginning Spanish I
This class teaches basic Spanish speaking, listening, reading, and writing. You will learn to introduce yourself, talk about daily life, family, hobbies, and school, and understand simple conversations. You will also learn about Hispanic cultures, traditions, and holidays.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you communicate with Spanish speakers in everyday situations, like travel, shopping, or at work
-
Teaches listening and speaking skills for social and professional interactions
-
Builds cultural awareness and understanding of Hispanic traditions
-
Prepares you for future Spanish courses or careers in business, healthcare, education, or social services
-
Improves memory, language skills, and confidence in learning a new language
GEOL-1030: Historical Geology
This class introduces the history of the Earth, including rocks, minerals, fossils, and how life and the planet have changed over time. You will learn about plate tectonics, geologic time, evolution, and major events in Earth’s history.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand natural events like earthquakes, volcanoes, and climate change
-
Teaches how Earth’s history shapes the world we live in today
-
Improves critical thinking and scientific reasoning by using evidence to understand the past
-
Builds knowledge useful for careers in environmental science, geology, paleontology, education, and research
-
Makes you more aware of the Earth and its resources, helping with decisions about conservation and sustainability
HIST-1030: American History II
This class explores the history of the United States from 1877 to today. You will study major events like the Progressive Era, Great Depression, World Wars, Cold War, and cultural movements. You will also learn about American politics, law, art, literature, and philosophy in modern times.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand the events and decisions that shaped modern America
-
Improves your ability to think critically about news, politics, and current events
-
Teaches skills for analyzing sources and forming evidence-based opinions
-
Helps you communicate ideas clearly in writing and discussion
-
Prepares you for careers in education, government, law, history, journalism, or any field that values understanding society and culture
HIST-1070: Western Civilization II
This class explores European history from about 1500 to today. You will study major political, social, cultural, and religious changes, and learn how to read and understand historical texts. You will also practice explaining your ideas clearly through writing and discussion.
How it helps in daily life:
-
Helps you understand modern European culture, politics, and society
-
Teaches critical thinking skills for analyzing historical events and current affairs
-
Improves reading, writing, and communication skills through essays and discussions
-
Helps you compare historical events and ideas to today’s world
-
Prepares you for careers in education, government, history, international relations, or any field that values research and analytical thinking