Department of Psychology
Undergraduate Coordinator: Dr. Danielle Nadorff
Office: 201 Rice Hall
Mississippi State University offers majors leading to the B.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 PSY 1013 and all courses applied toward the Major Core section of the degree requirements.
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, developmental psychology, experimental psychology, forensic psychology, etc.
- graduate school in related areas such as guidance, clinical mental health counseling, school 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, community mental health, or government (e.g., case management, 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. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in PSY 1013 and all courses applied toward the Major Core section of the degree requirements.
General Education Requirements
| English Composition | ||
| EN 1103 | English Composition I 1 | 3 |
| EN 1113 | English Composition II 1 | 3 |
| or EN 1173 | Accelerated Composition II | |
| Creative Discovery | ||
| See A&S core | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| History - see General Education courses | 3 | |
| Literature - see General Education courses | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | ||
| PSY 1013 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Behavioral/Social Science (See Gen. Ed./A&S Core) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| Advanced Math course | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Biological Sciences w/lab (BIO, EPP, PO) 2 | 3-4 | |
| Physical Sciences w/lab (CH, GG, PH) 2 | 3-4 | |
| Natural Science Elective 3 | 3-4 | |
College Requirements & Major Core
| Additional College Requirements | ||
| Foreign Language | ||
| 2 semesters: one Foreign Language - see advisor | 6 | |
| Oral Communication Requirement | ||
| CO 1003 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| or CO 1013 | Introduction to Communication | |
| Major Core | ||
| PSY 1021 | Careers in Psychology (typically offered only in Spring) | 1 |
| PSY 3104 | Introductory Psychological Statistics | 0,4 |
| PSY 3213 | Psychology of Abnormal Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 3314 | Experimental Psychology | 0,4 |
| 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 | |
| Writing Requirement | ||
| Satisfied by successful completion of PSY 3314 | ||
| Computer Literacy | ||
| Satisfied by successful completion of PSY 3314 | ||
| General Electives | ||
| General Electives - enough to equal 124 total hours 6 | 32-34 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
| (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 18 additional 3000/4000 level Psychology credits (typically 6 courses) from among the courses offered by the department. Six of these credits may be from Directed Individual Study (PSY 4000) courses.
- 6
Consult advisor. No more than 2 one-credit PE courses may be counted toward graduation.
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.
Minor in Psychology
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. All minor courses must be upper-division. See http://psychology.msstate.edu/undergraduate for detailed minor requirements. Students should consult a PSY major advisor to plan a minor program that will complement their major studies and career interests.
Minor in Cognitive Science
A minor in Cognitive Science is designed for students who wish to pursue an interdisciplinary study of mind and thought. Students completing the program will have a broad understanding of the field of cognitive science and will have demonstrated an approach that highlights the interdisciplinary nature of Cognitive Science. The candidate must complete 18 hours of coursework from the approved list. All students will be required to pass PSY 4713/CSE 4633, PSY 3713, and a computer programming course (CSE 1233, CSE 1273, CSE 1284, or CSE 1384). In addtion, all students must pass 9 hours of approved electives from two (2) departments from the following list:
PSY 4423 Sensation and Perception
PSY 4713 Language and Thought
PSY 4733 Memory
PSY 4743 Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction
PSY 4753 Applied Cognitive Psychology/IE 4123 Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction
PHI 4143 Philosophy of Science
EN 4403 Introduction to Linguistics/AN 4403 Introduction to Linguistics
EN 4443 English Syntax
EN 4463 Studies in Second Language Acquisition
EN 4633 Language and Society/SO 4633 Language and Society/AN 4633 Language and Society
BIO 4133 Human Genetics
CSE 3813 Introduction to Formal Languages and Automata
CSE 4633 Artificial Intelligence
CSE 4663 Human-Computer Interaction
CSE 4833 Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms
IE 4113 Human Factors Engineering
Courses
PSY 1001 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. First-year seminars explore a diverse arrary of topics that provide students with an opportunity to learn about a specific discipline from skilled faculty members
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 3033 Introduction to Neuroscience: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Introduction to the rudiments of neurobiology. Focus is on basic mechanisms of neuron conductance, transmission, intracellular signaling pathways and plasticity, plus a brief survey of human neuroanatomy, and sensory and cognitive neural systems. (Same as BIO 3033.)
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: C or higher in PSY 3104). 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 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 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 4233 Culture and Psychology: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PSY 1013 or graduate standing). Three hours lecture. Course covers contemporary theories and research in how culture influences behavior and mental processes including: dimensions on which cultures vary, cultural universals and culture-specific aspects of development, identity, personality, cognition, emotions, language and communication, social behavior, health, and psychopathology
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 4383 Philosophy of Cognitive Science: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Exploration of the philosophical issues arising in cognitive science. (Same as PHI 4223/6223)
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 4413 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 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 4473 Phonetics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Either AN/EN/LIN 4403/6403, or Instructor Consent). Three hours lecture. This course focuses on the physical and linguistic aspects of speech sounds, including how they are produced, transcribed, measured, and perceived. (Same as EN/LIN 4473/6473)
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 4710 International and National Explorative Travel Program in Educational Psychology/Psychology: 1-3 hours.
One to three hours lecture. Experiential learning through travel abroad or domestically within the United States focusing on specialized areas of study in Educational Psychology and/or Psychology. May be repeated two times. (Same as EPY 4710/6710)
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)