Bachelor of Arts Degree

An introduction to computer applications including basic computer concepts and terminology. Hands-on experience in using the operating system, word processing, spreadsheets, and telecommunications. All students are required to take this course if they cannot demonstrate proficiency by passing the Computer Skills exam. Course fee may apply.

A survey of the major areas in psychology. Principal topics covered are physiological bases of behavior, personality, mental disorders and treatment, social influences, and other basic issues. The course introduces students to the broad spectrum of theories used in understanding human behavior. Offered annually.

This course is a required three-credit course that was designed to be completed during the freshman or sophomore year. The course addresses the practical skills and knowledge needed by majors to successfully complete their psychology degree. Course content includes such topics as the scientific inquiry process in psychology, introduction to Internet and literature searches, American Psychological Association writing format, introduction to software used by psychologists, preparing the résumé, and conducting a successful job search or application process to graduate school. Offered annually.

The first of two courses in understanding research methods in psychology and the statistical techniques that are used to analyze psychological data. The course will focus on ethical research practice, reviewing the psychological literature, basic nonexperimental research designs (observation, relational research), and descriptive and correlational statistical analyses. Students will gain experience in reading, researching, proposing, conducting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting scientific research.

A continued examination of research methods in psychology, with emphasis on experimental design and inferential statistical analysis. Students will enhance their experience in researching, reading, proposing, conducting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting scientific research.

Final comprehensive written examination for students majoring in psychology. Examination is administered in the PSY 499: Senior Seminar in Psychology course. Test fee. Offered annually.

Designed as the capstone course in psychology. A review of the evolution, theoretical underpinnings, and history of major systems of psychology, including structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, psychoanalysis, and the humanistic and cognitive movements.

An examination of higher-level thought processes including such topics as attention and perception, memory, language, reasoning, concept formation, and problem solving. Theories of cognitive functions are examined with an emphasis on research findings and methodologies. Offered in alternate years.

A study of the significant concepts and experimental methods of learning. Topics include past and current research and theory on classical and instrumental conditioning, extinction processes, schedules of reinforcement, generalization and discrimination, verbal learning, and memory. Offered in alternate years.

A study of the perceptions, attitudes, personality, motivations, relationships, and behavior of the individual as a function of social situations. The course emphasizes theory, research, and application. It is a course that is highly desirable for students in Social Work, Education, Pre-Law, Pre-Med, Pre-Nursing, Public Administration, Marketing, and Management.

A review of the major historical and contemporary personality theories that attempt to explain and describe human behavior. Offered annually.

The structure and function of the central nervous system as related to emotion, motivation, learning, and theory of brain functions. Offered in alternate years.

A review of the major theories that attempt to explain motivated behavior from a physiological, cognitive, social, environmental, and/or learning point of view. Offered as needed.

A study of sensory and perceptual phenomena, including all basic sensory systems and such topics as pain perceptions, illusions, and hallucinations, sensory deprivation, color vision and color blindness, deafness, sensory-motor development, and altered states of consciousness. Offered in alternate years.

A survey of the major areas in human development with an equal emphasis placed on child, adolescent, and adult development. Examines developmental changes over the course of development and the processes underlying these changes. All major areas are reviewed, including biological, cognitive, language, personality, emotional, moral, social, and career development. Offered in alternate years.

The purpose of this course is to provide an orientation to aging processes in adulthood and later life. Students will be introduced to basic theoretical models, research methods, and current information on the psychology of adulthood and aging and shown how these concepts can be applied to understanding and helping older adults. An emphasis is placed on strategies for successful aging.

A survey of the major areas in human development with an emphasis placed on child and adolescent development. The course examines developmental changes from conception to adolescence and the processes underlying these changes. All major areas are reviewed, including biological, cognitive, language, personality, emotional, moral, and social development.

An interdisciplinary course designed to provide students with the opportunity to consider the many ways in which human beings function as individuals, as members of larger groups and demographic segments, and as members of a particular culture. This course explores the disciplines of sociology, psychology, and anthropology within the framework of the scientific method, social constructivism, ethics, and values. Value systems, including the core values of Saint Leo University, and the ways in which they affect social structure are also explored.

An analysis of the historical development of the principal racial and ethnic groups in American society, with emphasis on minorities, such as African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. Offered fall semester.

This course explores social and cultural issues in psychology as they relate to the application of psychological theories and principles to diverse groups. Special attention is given to racial/ethnic minority issues and cultural diversity, a key component of which is developing an understanding of personal cultural development and how this pattern of development influences perceptions of interactions with others and general human behavior.

This course offers a review of the historical and current scientific approaches to the study of abnormal behavior, emphasizing theories of causation, symptomatology, and treatment. Emphasis is on the DSM classification. Offered annually.

Forensic psychology is the application of the science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system. This course will introduce students to the specialty area of forensic psychology. Particular emphasis will be on the applied aspects of the field.

This course provides students with a basic framework of skills in the area of interpersonal communication for use in clinical settings and in a wide spectrum of human service settings. Offered in alternate years.

This course provides a survey of the major areas in military psychology. Principal topics covered are leadership training, persuasion and propaganda, human factors engineering, selection, classification and assignment, optimizing human performance under adverse conditions, ethnic diversity and gender issues, clinical and consulting activities, and careers in military psychology. The course introduces the student to the application of psychological principles, theories, and methods to the military environment. Offered as needed.

This course examines both sides of industrial and organizational psychology to include an overview of legal issues in employee selection, job analysis, research design, selection tools, performance evaluation, designing and evaluating training, employee motivation and satisfaction, as well as leadership and other organizational development issues.

An advanced applied research methods course in which students continue discussion on issues in research in psychology and complete an individual research project in psychology, including writing a research report and presenting their work as a poster session.

Understanding the applications of psychological principles to the educational process. Offered as needed.