Excellence in education and an unwavering commitment to student success.
Areas of Study
Psychology
Bachelor of Science
The goals of the Psychology Department are to provide a strong curriculum that helps students learn the most current and empirically sound principles of behavior; to equip students for success in a variety of graduate programs and employment settings; to offer opportunities for experience in human service, research, and other psychology related internships; and to help students realize the many ways through which Psychology can address human social/ethical concerns. This is accomplished through the curriculum, the directed research and/or internship programs, the honor society and student club, and through informal mentoring by the faculty (both within the department and in the University at large). All of efforts are grounded in the Ignatian tradition of the pursuit of excellence in the context of service with and among others.
Requirements
Core Curriculum
33-35 cr
The Wheeling University core curriculum provides all students, regardless of their major, with the skills that will allow them to pursue their own integral development and to contribute to the common good. All Wheeling University students must complete this Core Curriculum in addition to the requirements of their major. View Core Curriculum »
Major
45 cr
Psychology Core | 45 cr
PSYC 110
General Psychology
3 cr
A survey of contemporary psychology, including the topics of conditioning and learning, sensation and perception, psychophysiology, motivation and emotion, memory and cognition, development, social behavior, psychological testing, personality, psychopathology and psychotherapy. Participation in research projects or an alternative exercise is required.
Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
PSYC 115
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
3 cr
Students will learn to analyze and interpret data using descriptive and inferential statistics. Measures of central tendency, variability and hypothesis testing using parametric and non-parametric tests will be discussed. Correlation, ttests, regression, z-scores, chi square and analysis of variance will be presented. The course will make significant use of the SPSS computer analysis program.
Prerequisite: PSYC 110 with grade of C+ or better. Course Offered: Every Spring
PSYC 211
Experimental Psychology
4 cr
An introduction to the principles and methods of experimental psychology, with laboratory investigation.
Prerequisite: PSYC 115 with a grade of C or better. *Satisfies EXSL Core Requirement. Course Offered: Fall of every odd year
PSYC 420
History and Systems of Psychology
4 cr
An overview of the roots of scientific psychology in philosophy and experimental physiology, and a detailed examination of the systems of structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, humanism, Gestalt psychology and psychoanalysis.
Prerequisite: PSYC 110, junior level status. Course Offered: Every Spring
PSYC 381
Junior Seminar
1 cr
This course will provide students with an opportunity to assess their educational progress to date and to make plans for future study and career endeavors. Please note that we will assess not only academic preparation, but also students’ interests, emotional development, and life goals. Successful completion of the course should enable students to move easily into their senior year with confidence and clear goals.
Prerequisite: PSYC 110 and junior standing. Course Offered: Spring of every odd year
PSYC 481
Senior Seminar
1 cr
This course will provide students with a capstone for the Psychology major. Successful completion of the course should enable students to move easily into graduate school or employment settings.
Course Offered: Every Fall
Research Electives (2)
8 cr
Psychology Electives (6)*
18 cr
Any Human Biology course**
3 cr
Electives
42-44 cr
Total Credits
120 cr
*A student may elect to do a concentration as part of the 18 credits in Psychology Electives or take a variety of Psychology Electives. The concentrations are listed below.
**PSYC majors may double count PSYC 115 and BIOL Elective in the Core and the Major.
***Students who do not reach the 120-cr. minimum using all required course credits must take electives to reach the 120-cr. minimum
Psychology 4-Year Plan of Study
Year 1
Fall
PSYC 110
3cr
Core
3cr
Core
3cr
Elective
3cr
WJUS 101 (Core)
3cr
Total Credits
15cr
Spring
PSYC 115
3cr
PSYC Elective
3cr
PSYC Elective
3cr
Core
3cr
Core
3cr
Total Credits
15cr
Year 2
Fall
PSYC 211
4cr
PSYC Elective
3cr
BIOL Elective (Human Biology)
3cr
Core
3cr
Core
3cr
Total Credits
16cr
Spring
PSYC Elective
3cr
PSYC Elective
3cr
Core
3cr
Core
3cr
Elective
3cr
Total Credits
15cr
Year 3
Fall
PSYC Research Elective
4cr
PSYC Elective
3cr
Core
3cr
Elective
3cr
Elective
2cr
Total Credits
15cr
Spring
PSYC 388
1cr
PSYC 420
4cr
Core
3cr
Elective
3cr
Elective
4cr
Total Credits
15cr
Year 4
Fall
PSYC Research Elective
4cr
PSYC 488
1cr
Elective
3cr
Elective
3cr
Elective
3cr
Total Credits
14cr
Spring
PSYC Elective
3cr
Elective
3cr
Elective
3cr
Elective
3cr
Elective
3cr
Total Credits
15cr
Psychology Minor (18 credits)
PSYC 110
General Psychology
3 cr
A survey of contemporary psychology, including the topics of conditioning and learning, sensation and perception, psychophysiology, motivation and emotion, memory and cognition, development, social behavior, psychological testing, personality, psychopathology and psychotherapy. Participation in research projects or an alternative exercise is required.
Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring
Psychology Electives
15 cr