Department of Psychology
Major Advisor: Dr. Danielle Nedorff
Office: 101 Magruder
Mississippi State University offers majors leading to the B.S., the M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. Undergraduate students wishing to major in psychology must have a minimum 2.0 GPA on all college work attempted prior to entering the major. Transfer students also must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to be admitted to the psychology major. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all PSY courses applied toward the psychology major requirements.
The Bachelor of Science degree program in psychology is designed to provide training either for immediate employment or for advanced training in psychology or related fields. Many careers in psychology require advanced study beyond the bachelor’s degree, but there are also career opportunities at the bachelor’s level.
A bachelor’s degree in psychology prepares graduates to pursue:
- master’s or doctoral study in psychology, such as clinical or counseling psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, experimental psychology, forensic psychology, etc.
- graduate school in related areas such as guidance, counseling, educational psychology, rehabilitation, social work, criminology, law school, management, marketing, etc.
- admission to medical, nursing, or physical therapy school with a psychology major and all necessary science courses.
- immediate employment in private business or government (e.g., working with the mentally ill or the mentally challenged, social work, personnel work, quality control jobs, management training, marketing research, sales, etc.).
B.S. in Psychology
The Bachelor of Science degree program in psychology provides students broad training in psychology while still ensuring adequate exposure to the humanities and social sciences. Foreign language proficiency at the second-semester level is required.
General Education and College Requirements
| English Composition | ||
| EN 1103 | English Composition I 1 | 3 |
| or EN 1163 | Accelerated Composition I | |
| EN 1113 | English Composition II 1 | 3 |
| or EN 1173 | Accelerated Composition II | |
| Foreign Language | ||
| 2 semesters: one Foreign Language - see advisor | 6 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Literature - see General Education courses | 3 | |
| History - see General Education courses | 3 | |
| Mathematics | ||
| MA 1313 | College Algebra 1 | 3 |
| Advanced Math course | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | ||
| See A&S Core List | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Physical Sciences w/lab (CH, GG, PH) 2 | 3-4 | |
| Biological Sciences w/lab (BIO, EPP, PO) 2 | 3-4 | |
| Extra Science (if appropriate) | ||
| Any natural science without a lab 3 | 3 | |
| Social Sciences Electives 4 | ||
| PSY 1013 | General Psychology | 3 |
| See Gen. Ed./A&S Core | 3 | |
| Major Core | ||
| PSY 1021 | Careers in Psychology | 1 |
| PSY 3104 | Introductory Psychological Statistics | 4 |
| PSY 3213 | Psychology of Abnormal Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 3314 | Experimental Psychology | 4 |
| PSY 3343 | Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| PSY 3623 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 3713 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 3803 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 4403 | Biological Psychology | 3 |
| PSY Upper Division Electives 5 | 18 | |
| Oral Communication Requirement | ||
| CO 1003 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| or CO 1013 | Introduction to Communication | |
| Writing Requirement | ||
| Satisfied by successful completion of PSY 3314 | ||
| Computer Literacy | ||
| Satisfied by successful completion of PSY 3314 | ||
| General Electives | ||
| General Electives - Consult advisor | 32-34 | |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
| (31 hours must be A&S 3000/4000 work) | ||
| 1 | Or equivalent |
| 2 | See General Education courses. |
| 3 | Consult advisor. |
| 4 | Must be from 2 different areas. |
| 5 | Psychology majors must take 6 additional 3000/4000 level Psychology courses from among the courses offered by the department. Two of these courses may be a Directed Individual Study (PSY 4000). |
For the 18-hour minor in Psychology, at least nine hours must come from the list of core PSY courses, while the remainder may come from the list of PSY electives. Students should consult a PSY major advisor to plan a minor program that will complement their major studies and career interests.
For a Psychology concentration in the B.S.I.S program of study, at least half of the classes (six hours for the 12-hour concentration or nine hours for the 18-hour concentration) must come from the list of core PSY courses while the remainder may come from the list of PSY electives. All of these must be upper-division courses. Students should see the undergraduate coordinator in the Psychology Department to plan a concentration that will complement their career interests.
Courses
PSY 1001 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.
PSY 1013 General Psychology: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. The study of human behavior, heredity and growth; motivation: feeling and emotion; frustration; conflict; learning; language; thinking, attention; sensation; perception; intelligence; aptitudes; social influences
PSY 1021 Careers in Psychology: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite:PSY 1013). One hour lecture. Introduction to professions and career opportunities in the field of psychology by University faculty and practicing professionals
PSY 2990 Special Topics in Psychology: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
PSY 3003 Environmental Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Study of the social and physical environmental factors and their effects on behavior. Theory, research, and application will be examined
PSY 3023 Applied Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Principles, techniques, and results of psychology applied to a wide range of problems in daily life and work
PSY 3073 Psychology of Interpersonal Relations: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 and Junior standing.) Three hours lecture. Examination of psychological principles, theories and research which apply to various types of human interaction
PSY 3104 Introductory Psychological Statistics: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013, MA 1313). Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. An introduction to the techniques and practices in statistical analyses used in psychological experimentation and evaluation along with practical experience in statistical software packages
PSY 3203 Psychology of Gender Differences: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Survey of the biological, physiological, and sociocultural factors which influence the psychological differentiation of the genders
PSY 3213 Psychology of Abnormal Behavior: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Behavioral patterns and causes of deviant behavior from childhood through later maturity. Etiology and symptomatology are emphasized
PSY 3314 Experimental Psychology: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3103). Two hours lecture. Four hours laboratory. Introduction to the methods and techniques of research and design. Practical experience in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and writing scientific reports
PSY 3343 Psychology of Learning: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Survey of a variety of learning situations. Consideration of the variables and conditions which influence the learning process
PSY 3353 Motivation: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Study of the role of motivation in behavior theory; biological and psychological bases; historical and contemporary views
PSY 3363 Behavioral Modification: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Intensive examination of the principles and procedures used to modify the behavior of humans in contemporary situations
PSY 3413 Human Sexual Behavior: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 and Junior standing or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Varieties of sexual behavior. Research methods and findings; typical behaviors; homosexuality; sexual disorders; sexual assault and sexual victims; treatments; pornography and prostitution; sexual risk perception
PSY 3503 Health Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSY 1013 or PSY 1093). Three hours lecture. Overview of research on psychophysiological disorders and related interventions. Emphasis is placed on chronic physical disorders and their relationship to psychological functioning
PSY 3623 Social Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Human behavior as a product of social inter- action; social perception; social norms and roles; group processes, interrelationship of personality, culture, and group
PSY 3713 Cognitive Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:PSY 1013 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Introduction to the basic areas of cognitive psychology, including perception, attention, memory, reasoning, and language
PSY 3723 Cognitive Neuroscience: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Introduction to cognitive neuroscience including how the function of neural systems inform our understanding of perception, attention, working memory, memory storage, and higher-order thought
PSY 3803 Introduction to Developmental Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. A survey and evaluation of current theory and research concerning development from infancy to young adulthood. Cognitive, social, and emotional development is emphasized
PSY 4000 Directed Individual Study in Psychology: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
PSY 4203 Theories of Personality: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Current theories of personality. Structure, development, dynamics, acculturation processes. Methods, techniques, and research in personality assessment
PSY 4223 Drug Use and Abuse: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Study of basic principles of drug use and abuse. Includes an introduction to psychopharmacology and basic treatment strategies
PSY 4323 History of Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 and junior standing). Three hours lecture. A discussion of people, events, and theoretical and empirical contributions relevant to development of psychology
PSY 4333 Introduction to Clinical Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSY 3213 and PSY 3314 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Survey of assessment techniques, intervention procedures, professional issues of contemporary clinical psychology. Emphasis placed on the Boulder (scientist-practitioner) model
PSY 4343 Clinical Child Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSY 3213; PSY 4313 or PSY 3803). Three hours lecture. Overview of childhood disorders and related inter- ventions
PSY 4353 Psychology and the Law: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite PSY 1013 and Junior Standing).Three hours lecture. Examination of the roles of psychologists in the legal system; application of psychological theory and research to issues in the legal system
PSY 4364 Advanced Forensic Psychology Lab: 4 hours.
(Prerequisiste:PSY 3314 and consent of Instructor). Ten hours research laboratory per week( hours to be arranged). Course provides students with direct experience planning, conducting, analyzing, and presenting research in the forensic psychology area. May be repeat ed for credit
PSY 4373 Forensic Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:PSY 1013 and junior standing) Three hours lecture. Examines topics related to the application of clinical psychology to legal matters
PSY 4403 Biological Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Nervous, endocrine, and immune systems of the body as they affect behavior and adjustment. Emphasis upon the role of the central and peripheral nervous systems
PSY 4423 Sensation and Perception: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 ). Three hours lecture. Survey of basic sensory mechanisms and perceptual phenomena. Sensory mechanisms reviewed will include vision, audition, olfaction, gustation, and touch with emphasis on vision and audition
PSY 4523 Industrial Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Applications of psychological principles and methods to industry emphasizing employee selection, placement, merit rating, training, human relations, and measurement and improvement of employee morale
PSY 4624 Advanced Social Psychology Research Lab: 4 hours.
(Prerequisiste:PSY 3314 and PSY 3623 and consent of instructor) Research hours to be arranged. Course provides students with direct experience planning , conducting, analyzing and presenting research in the social psychology area
PSY 4643 Social Cognition: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3623 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Examination of how people perceive, categorize and reason about other people and themselves
PSY 4653 Cognitive Science: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3713 or CSE 4633 or PHI 4142 or AN 4623). Three hour lecture. The nature of human cognition from an interdisciplinary perspective, primarily utilizing a computational model, including insights from philosophy, psychology, linguistics, artificial intelligence, anthropology, and neuroscience. (Same as CSE 4653/6653)
PSY 4713 Language and Thought: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 and PSY 3713, or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Review of current research and theories. Symbolic process, concept formation, problem solving and language development
PSY 4726 Internship in Psychology I: 6 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). A minimum of twenty hours per week of professional experience in a human service or other field setting. One hour of seminar and group supervision
PSY 4733 Memory: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 and PSY 3713). Introduction to theoretical and practical aspects of memory. Discussion of laboratory memory, computer models of memory, memory self-concepts, everyday memory, and clinical memory problems
PSY 4743 Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSY 3713 or CS 4663/6663 or IE 4113/6113 or consent of the instructor). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Exploration of psychological factors that interact with computer interface usablilty. Interface design techniques and usability evaluation methods are emphasized. (Same as CS 4673/6673 and IE 4123/6123)
PSY 4753 Applied Cognitive Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3713 or IE 4113 or consent of instructor ).Three hours lecture. Human perceptual, cognitive, and motor capabilities and limitations are described with particular emphasis on the implications of developing effective, user-friendly man-machine systems
PSY 4813 Positive Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. The scientific study of how human beings prosper in the face of adversity;become statisfied and content with their past; find happiness in the present; and become optimistsic about the future
PSY 4903 Seminar in Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). In-depth examination of particular topics of current interest to faculty and students. Critical evaluation of current research
PSY 4983 Psychology of Aging: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. A description and analysis of the development and changes occurring in individuals from early adulthood through late life
PSY 4990 Special Topics in Psychology: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
PSY 6223 Drug Use and Abuse: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Study of basic principles of drug use and abuse. Includes an introduction to psychopharmacology and basic treatment strategies
PSY 6353 Psychology and the Law: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite PSY 1013 and Junior Standing).Three hours lecture. Examination of the roles of psychologists in the legal system; application of psychological theory and research to issues in the legal system
PSY 6373 Forensic Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:PSY 1013 and junior standing) Three hours lecture. Examines topics related to the application of clinical psychology to legal matters
PSY 6403 Biological Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Nervous, endocrine, and immune systems of the body as they affect behavior and adjustment. Emphasis upon the role of the central and peripheral nervous systems
PSY 6423 Sensation and Perception: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 ). Three hours lecture. Survey of basic sensory mechanisms and perceptual phenomena. Sensory mechanisms reviewed will include vision, audition, olfaction, gustation, and touch with emphasis on vision and audition
PSY 6523 Industrial Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. Applications of psychological principles and methods to industry emphasizing employee selection, placement, merit rating, training, human relations, and measurement and improvement of employee morale
PSY 6643 Social Cognition: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3623 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Examination of how people perceive, categorize and reason about other people and themselves
PSY 6653 Cognitive Science: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3713 or CSE 4633 or PHI 4142 or AN 4623). Three hour lecture. The nature of human cognition from an interdisciplinary perspective, primarily utilizing a computational model, including insights from philosophy, psychology, linguistics, artificial intelligence, anthropology, and neuroscience. (Same as CSE 4653/6653)
PSY 6713 Language and Thought: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 and PSY 3713, or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Review of current research and theories. Symbolic process, concept formation, problem solving and language development
PSY 6733 Memory: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 and PSY 3713). Introduction to theoretical and practical aspects of memory. Discussion of laboratory memory, computer models of memory, memory self-concepts, everyday memory, and clinical memory problems
PSY 6743 Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSY 3713 or CS 4663/6663 or IE 4113/6113 or consent of the instructor). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Exploration of psychological factors that interact with computer interface usablilty. Interface design techniques and usability evaluation methods are emphasized. (Same as CS 4673/6673 and IE 4123/6123)
PSY 6753 Applied Cognitive Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3713 or IE 4113 or consent of instructor ).Three hours lecture. Human perceptual, cognitive, and motor capabilities and limitations are described with particular emphasis on the implications of developing effective, user-friendly man-machine systems
PSY 6903 Seminar in Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). In-depth examination of particular topics of current interest to faculty and students. Critical evaluation of current research
PSY 6983 Psychology of Aging: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013). Three hours lecture. A description and analysis of the development and changes occurring in individuals from early adulthood through late life
PSY 6990 Special Topics in Psychology: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
PSY 7000 Directed Individual Study in Psychology: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
PSY 8000 Thesis Research/ Thesis in Psychology: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
PSY 8111 Scientist-Practitioner Applications: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). Two hours laboratory. A minimum of two hours per week in supervised service delivery and research activities of clinical psychologists
PSY 8121 Scientist-Practitioner Applications: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite:Consent of instructor). Two hours laboratory. A minimum of two hours per week in supervised service delivery and research activities of clinical psychologists
PSY 8131 Scientist-Practitioner Applications: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite:Consent of instructor). Two hours laboratory. A minimum of two hours per week in supervised service delivery and research activities of clinical pschologists
PSY 8141 Scientist-Practitioner Applications: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite:Consent of instructor). Two hours laboratory. A minimum of two hours per week in supervised service delivery and research activities of clinical psychologists
PSY 8151 Scientist-Practitioner Applications: 1 hour.
(Prerequisiste: Consent of instructor).Two hours laboratory. A minimun of two hours per week in supervised service delivery and research activities of clinical psychologists
PSY 8214 Quantitative Methods in Psychology II: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3103). Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Advanced experimental design and methods with emphasis on analysis of variance
PSY 8313 Developmental Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3803). Three hours lecture. Human growth processes and related developmental tasks in areas such as creative ability, language, social competency, and bodily fitness
PSY 8323 Psychopathology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSY 3213). In-depth coverage of contemporary systems of psychiatric diagnosis, and biological, psychological, and social theories of the etiology of psychological disorders
PSY 8333 Systems of Psychotherapy: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. A comparative introduction to the theories, techniques, and outcomes of major approaches to psychotherapy
PSY 8354 Intelligence Testing: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor). Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Administration, scoring, and interpretation of the standard psychometric instruments in evaluating individual intellectual functioning
PSY 8364 Personality Appraisal: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 8323). Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Administration, scoring and interpretations using standard self-report and projective methods of individual personality assessment. Current research is also explored
PSY 8373 Child Psychopathology and Treatment of Childhood Disorders: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3213). Three hours lecture. Research on the nature, assessment and treatment of disorders of childhood/adolescence
PSY 8383 Behavior Therapy: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. A survey of contemporary literature relating to the theory, techniques, and outcomes of behavior therapy. Emphases placed on systematic desensitization and operant conditioning techniques
PSY 8454 Professional Practicum: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: Departmental consent). A minimum of 300 hours per semester of supervised professional psychological experience in an appropriate setting
PSY 8464 Professional Practicum: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: Departmental consent). A minimum of 300 hours per semester of supervised professional psychological experience in an appropriate setting
PSY 8513 Psychological Research: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3313). Three hours lecture. Practicum in the techniques of planning and execution of various areas of psychological research
PSY 8533 Introduction to Clinical Practicum in Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). One hour lecture. Two hours practicum. Intensive introduction to clinical interviewing, as well as the research literature in clinical psychology
PSY 8573 Psychopharmacology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSY 4403 and PSY 8323).Three hours lecture. Overview of research on pharmacological and combined treatments for psychological disorders. Emphasis is placed on psychological disorders in adulthood
PSY 8613 Advanced Social Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 3623). Three hours lecture. Examination of research and theories of attraction and liking. Emphasis upon reinforcement theory, gain-loss theory, and dissonance theory
PSY 8713 Issues and Methods in Cognitive Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. Exploration of theoretical issures and research methods in current Cognitive Psychology
PSY 8723 Cognitive Models of Skills: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. Introduction to cognitive modeling, with a focus on computational models of skill acquisition and expert skill (Same as CS 8613)
PSY 8731 Applied Cognitive Science Research Seminar: 1 hour.
One hour seminar.Presentations of research in applied cognitive science
PSY 8803 Advanced Quantitative Methods for Industrial Organizational and General Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSY 8214). Three hours lecture. Study of advanced analytic and multivariate quantitative methods applied to contemporary problems and research in industrial/organizational and general psychology
PSY 8990 Special Topics in Psychology: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
PSY 9000 Dissertation Research /Dissertation in Psychology: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged