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Psychology

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Course Information

SU_Psych091015-180sHow often courses are offered

Required major courses and Group 1 and Group 2 elective courses are offered every semester. Other elective classes are offered on a semi-regular basis. Some PSYC classes listed in the Shepherd Catalog are no longer offered. See the lists below.

How to select courses for next semester

Students should work with their academic advisor when making plans for upcoming semesters. Answers to some course-related questions are available in the Psychology Major FAQ. A list of classes being offered in a specific semester is available from the Registrar’s website.

Note that some courses must be taken in a specific order. Review the Psychology Program “Spine” diagram that’s linked from the program’s Academic Advising page.

Courses that are frequently offered

Course Number Course Name Next Offered Core Curriculum code Notes
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology Every semester SO, MD Required of Psychology majors and minors. The prerequisite to most other PSYC classes.
PSYC 102 Introduction to the Psychology Major (1-credit) Every spring Not required, but a useful introduction for new majors.
PSYC 211 Faculty-Led Research Contact desired faculty mentor Won’t serve as a free elective for majors, but a useful hands-on introduction to research.
PSYC 250 Statistics for the Social Sciences Every semester Required of Psychology majors. Must first pass the MATH prerequisite. Ideally taken before, but can be taken with, PSYC 251.
PSYC 251 Research Methods in Psychology Every semester Required of Psychology majors. Must have completed, or be taking, PSYC 250.
PSYC 270 Well-Being and Happiness Every semester WE Good Core Curriculum Wellness option for Psychology majors, but not required.
PSYC 305 Social Psychology Every semester Psychology major Group II restricted elective, Psychology minor grouped elective.
PSYC 309 Abnormal Psychology Every semester Psychology major Group II restricted elective, Psychology minor grouped elective.
PSYC 310 Psychology of Personality Every semester Psychology major Group II restricted elective, Psychology minor grouped elective.
PSYC 312 Research Practicum Contact desired faculty mentor Psychology major free elective. Useful for students interested in hands-on research experience & those going to graduate school.
PSYC 313 Clinical Practicum Every semester Psychology major/minor free elective. Useful for students going into clinical careers.
PSYC 316 Art Therapy Spring 2025 Psychology major/minor free elective. Useful for students considering using art as part of clinical work.
PSYC 322 Introduction to Forensic Psychology Spring 2025 Psychology major/minor free elective. Useful for students interested in forensic psychology. Cross-listed with CRIM.
PSYC 326 Psychology of Substance Abuse Fall 2024 Psychology major/minor free elective. With PSYC 365, useful for students planning to work in the area of substance abuse.
PSYC 340 Lifespan Developmental Psychology Every semester Required of Psychology majors and minors.
PSYC 341 Child Development Every spring Psychology major/minor free elective. Useful for students planning to work with children.
PSYC 342 Adolescent Development Every fall Psychology major/minor free elective. Useful for students planning to work with adolescents.
PSYC 343 Psychology of Aging Every spring Aging Studies minor requirement and Psychology major/minor free elective. Useful for students planning to work with older adults.
PSYC 361 Biopsychology Every spring
(**but not spring 2025**)		 Psychology major requirement (361 or 365) and minor free elective. Take 361 for a more general understanding of brain function.
PSYC 365 Drugs and the Brain Every fall Psychology major requirement (361 or 365) and minor free elective. With PSYC 326, useful for students planning to work in the area of substance abuse.
PSYC 370 Sensation and Perception Rotates with 371 & 372 Psychology major Group I restricted elective and minor free elective. Can be taken with the lab or by itself.
PSYC 370L Sensation and Perception Laboratory With PSYC 370 Group I restricted elective lab. Psychology majors must pass one of the Group I labs.
PSYC 371 Memory and Cognition Rotates with 370 & 372 Psychology major Group I restricted elective and minor free elective. Can be taken with the lab or by itself.
PSYC 371L Memory and Cognition Laboratory With PSYC 371 Group I restricted elective lab. Psychology majors must pass one of the Group I labs.
PSYC 372 Psychology of Learning Rotates with 370 & 371 Psychology major Group I restricted elective and minor free elective. Can be taken with the lab or by itself.
PSYC 372L Learning Laboratory With PSYC 372 Group I restricted elective lab. Psychology majors must pass one of the Group I labs.
PSYC 382 Humanistic Psychology Every other spring (maybe spring 2026) Psychology major/minor free elective.
PSYC 392 Cooperative Education in Psychology Contact desired faculty sponsor Psychology major/minor free elective. Useful for students with a job relevant to psychology.
PSYC 404 Psychology Seminar Contact desired faculty instructor Psychology major/minor free elective. Opportunity for students to explore topics not covered by other classes.
PSYC 420 History and Systems of Psychology Every semester Psychology major requirement, minor free elective.
PSYC 484 Directed Readings Every semester WM Psychology major requirement. Writing in the Major class.
PSYC 485 Senior Thesis Every semester CP Psychology major requirement. Capstone class.

Recent Special Topics Courses

The 399- and 499-numbered courses are special topics not represented in our catalog courses taught by faculty and qualified guest instructors.

PSYC 399 – Deliberative Dialog Workshop for Leaders (fall 2020)
PSYC 399/499 – Persuasion and Social Influence (fall 2024)
PSYC 499 – West Virginia Recovery Coach Academy (fall 2021)
PSYC 399 – Introduction to Counseling Psychology (spring 2023)
PSYC 399 – Prejudice and Stereotyping (fall 2023)
PSYC 399 – Social Psychology of the Holocaust (spring 2024, for study abroad trip)
PSYC 399 – Death, Dying, & Grief (fall 2022)
PSYC 399 – Introduction to Counseling Techniques (fall 2024)
PSYC 399 – Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (TBD)

Classes not currently offered

We have no immediate plans to offer some of these classes. Others will be offered again when a qualified instructor can be found.

PSYC 311 – Introduction to Clinical Psychology
PSYC 315 – Psychological Tests & Measurements
PSYC 320 – Human Sexual Behavior
PSYC 321 – Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PSYC 325 – Health Psychology
PSYC 331 – Counseling Children
PSYC 367 – Social Perception
PSYC 381 – Sport Psychology