Jason Barker, Keith Burton, Karen Mooney, Lynn Pardie, Karen Pressley, Sheryl Reminger, Carrie Switzer, Marcel Yoder

Emeritus Faculty  Joel Adkins, Ronald Havens, Jonathan Hess, John Miller

Psychology is the scientific study of the complexities of human and animal behavior. This complexity is reflected by the fact that the American Psychological Association has over 50 divisions, each representing a general area of interest or expertise and each having its own set of theoretical and research publications.  In addition, there are at least 240 separate areas of specialization represented by these divisions.

The goal of the psychology curriculum is to help students become familiar with common theoretical and research perspectives while also studying topics of particular interest and value. To accomplish this goal, the psychology curriculum contains two core courses that address the problem solving, critical thinking, and communication skills common to psychology as a whole. Course concentrations allow students to further develop and apply these skills within particular content areas and with specific personal or career goals in mind.

A major in psychology provides students with the fundamental liberal arts perspective and understanding of basic psychological issues appropriate for many entry-level positions in business, government, industry, and education.  For example, psychology students planning to earn a minor in elementary education through the teacher education program and to obtain teacher certification should follow the educational psychology concentration described below.  Students planning to obtain a position in business, government, or industry may choose to follow the experimental psychology concentration or, if they have an interest in a particular topic, they may decide to pursue any one of the other concentrations listed. Students taking courses for their own benefit or pleasure may wish to construct their own curriculum in consultation with their academic advisers.

For students interested in the helping professions, a career in higher education, or doing research in the field, it must be emphasized that such activities generally require a graduate degree (M.A., M.S.W., Ph.D., Psy.D. or Ed.D.). Although the required core courses and recommended course concentrations are designed to offer an education appropriate for continued study at the graduate level, students may want to tailor their course selections to the particular admission requirements of a specific institution or profession.  Psychology majors who plan to pursue advanced studies are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic advisers to design an appropriate undergraduate course plan.

The psychology curriculum is structured to encourage students to pursue electives outside psychology as part of a broad liberal arts education. In addition, UIS requirements contribute to a broad educational experience. For example, the applied study term provides students with an opportunity to integrate classroom learning and practical field experience, as well as to gain experience that may be useful in later decisions about employment or training. Placements have included local mental health centers, other mental health and community service organizations, and research positions.

THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE

Entrance requirements

Undergraduate psychology majors and minors must have completed one introductory psychology course (PSY 201 Principles of Psychology or equivalent) before beginning their upper-division core courses at UIS. Students who achieve scores of four and above on the Advanced Placement Psychology Examination will receive proficiency credit for PSY 201.

Advising

All psychology majors and minors should consult with a faculty adviser before registering for courses. Advisers will help students plan a relevant course of study based on the students' individual interests.

Assessment of learning within the discipline

All psychology majors are required to complete, at department entry and exit, an exam designed to assess scientific critical thinking skills, as well as a broad range of content knowledge and skill application within the discipline.  PSY 301 Orientation and Entrance Assessment is a noncredit course used to track exam completion at entry.  Students must register for PSY 301 during their first semester of enrollment as psychology majors.  Students who do not complete the entrance exam during their first semester will not be allowed to register for additional psychology coursework until the exam has been completed.  Students will complete the exam a second time as part of the required, credit-bearing, capstone course PSY 471 Senior Seminar.  Exit exam scores are used for psychology curriculum review and planning.

Ethical conduct

In accordance with campus policies, the Psychology Department takes cheating and plagiarism very seriously. Students aware of cheating or plagiarism by others must report it to their advisers, another member of the department faculty, or the department chairperson. Students cheating on examinations or plagiarizing on assignments will be reported to the chairperson of the student's major department, will not receive credit for the course, and may be dismissed from the department and from UIS.

Major requirements

Psychology majors are required to take a minimum of 36 hours in psychology. Eight of these hours must be PSY 302 Research Methods in Psychology (or its equivalent) and PSY 471 Senior Seminar. It is strongly recommended that PSY 302 be taken during the first semester and that PSY 471 be taken during the final semester. At least two of the psychology courses completed after PSY 302 Research Methods in Psychology must include formal writing assignments; such courses are identified by a W following the course title in the listing below. In the UIS online catalog, descriptions for these courses include the phrase "Designated Writing Course." Students must save the graded writing assignments from these courses for further use in PSY 471 Senior Seminar. The additional 28 hours will vary depending on the concentration selected or the individualized concentration designed by each student. All psychology majors must complete a course curriculum form, either selecting one of the curricular concentrations outlined below or specifying the individualized curriculum they have designed in consultation with their advisers.

The department core course requirements and recommended 28-hour concentration options are as follows.

Core requirements: (courses required of ALL psychology majors)

PSY 301 Orientation and Entrance Assessment      0 Hrs.
PSY 302 Research Methods in Psychology      4 Hrs.
PSY 471 Senior Seminar      4 Hrs.
      Total      8 Hrs.

Clinical/Counseling Concentration
Core Concentration Courses
PSY 303 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences      4 Hrs.
PSY 311 Cognitive Psychology      4 Hrs.
PSY 315 Psychoactive Drugs      4 Hrs.
PSY 321 Life-span Developmental Psychology W      4 Hrs.
PSY 331 Social Psychology      4 Hrs.
*PSY 351 Abnormal Psychology W      4 Hrs.
PSY 412 Introduction to Biopsychology      4 Hrs.
PSY 441 Theories of Personality W      4 Hrs.
PSY 452 Introduction to Clinical Psychology W      4 Hrs.
PSY 453 Psychological Foundations for Helping      4 Hrs.
PSY 457 Behavior Modification      4 Hrs.
PSY 458 Psychological Tests and Measurement      4 Hrs.
      Total      16 Hrs.

*Note: PSY 351 is a required course in this concentration.

Psychology Electives
Any psychology course at UIS will fulfill this requirement.
      Total      12 Hrs.
      Concentration Total      28 Hrs.

*Note: PSY 321, PSY 331, and PSY 351 fulfill the prerequisites for admission to the Human Development Counseling M.A. program at UIS.

Developmental Psychology Concentration
Core Concentration Courses
PSY 303 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences      4 Hrs.
PSY 313 Critical Thinking W      4 Hrs.
PSY 314 Sensation and Perception      4 Hrs.
*PSY 321  Life-span Developmental Psychology W      4 Hrs.
PSY 322  Child Development W      4 Hrs.
PSY 323  Adolescence W      4 Hrs.
PSY 324 Exceptional Child W      4 Hrs.
PSY 326  Family Psychology W       4 Hrs.
PSY 331 Social Psychology      4 Hrs.
PSY 412 Introduction to Biopsychology      4 Hrs.
PSY 413 Psychology of Learning and Memory W      4 Hrs.
PSY 416 Psychology of Motivation       4 Hrs.
      Total      16 Hrs.

*Note: PSY 321 is a required course in this concentration.

Psychology Electives
Any psychology course at UIS will fulfill this requirement.
      Total      12 Hrs.
      Concentration Total       28 Hrs.

Educational Psychology Concentration*
Core Concentration Courses
PSY 313 Critical Thinking W      4 Hrs.
PSY 314 Sensation and Perception      4 Hrs.
PSY 321 Life-span Developmental Psychology W      4 Hrs.
PSY 322 Child Development W      4 Hrs.
PSY 323 Adolescence W      4 Hrs.
PSY 324 Exceptional Child W      4 Hrs.
PSY 326 Family Psychology W      4 Hrs.
*PSY 327 Educational Psychology W      4 Hrs.
PSY 413 Psychology of Learning and Memory W      4 Hrs.
PSY 416 Psychology of Motivation      4 Hrs.
PSY 457 Behavior Modification      4 Hrs.
PSY 458 Psychological Tests and Measurements       4 Hrs.
      Total      16 Hrs.

*Note: PSY 327 is a required course in this concentration.

Psychology Electives
Any psychology course at UIS will fulfill this requirement.
      Total      12 Hrs.
      Concentration Total       28 Hrs.

*Note: This is the appropriate concentration for elementary education candidates. PSY 322, PSY 323, and PSY 327 fulfill prerequisites for admission to teacher education at UIS, and PSY 324 is a required course for a minor in elementary or secondary education.

Experimental Psychology Concentration
Core Concentration Courses
*PSY 303  Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences      4 Hrs.
PSY 311 Cognitive Psychology      4 Hrs.
PSY 313 Critical Thinking W      4 Hrs.
PSY 315 Psychoactive Drugs W      4 Hrs.
PSY 321  Life-Span Developmental Psychology W      4 Hrs.
PSY 331  Social Psychology       4 Hrs.
PSY 351 Abnormal Psychology W      4 Hrs.
PSY 412  Introduction to Biopsychology      4 Hrs.
PSY 413 Psychology of Learning and Memory W      4 Hrs.
PSY 416 Psychology of Motivation      4 Hrs.
PSY 441 Theories of Personality W      4 Hrs.
PSY 458 Psychological Tests and Measurement      4 Hrs.
      Total       20 Hrs.

*Note: PSY 303 is a required course in this concentration.

Psychology Electives
Any psychology course at UIS will fulfill this requirement.
      Total       8 Hrs.
      Concentration Total      28 Hrs.

Individualized Concentration

Students who want to tailor course selections for personal interest or to meet requirements for admission to a specific institution or profession should consider the Individualized Concentration. Their particular curricular design must be specified and on file in the Psychology Department office prior to enrollment beyond the first psychology course taken at UIS. This curricular plan may be modified later, in consultation with an adviser.

Students should consult with advisers in the major for specific guidance regarding completion of general education requirements.

Course waiver policy
Lower-division courses

Because academic work at the University of Illinois is considered to be a continuation of the student's previous education, students who have earned a B or better in a lower-division psychology course beyond an introductory psychology course at another institution (and have taken the course within the past six years) may petition to use it to waive the required course in a psychology concentration. A waiver based on lower-division coursework does not reduce the total number of credit hours required in the major.

Transfer policy
Upper-division courses

Students must take at least 16 hours of psychology credit from UIS. Students who have earned a C or better in upper-division psychology courses at other institutions within the past six years may, in consultation with an academic adviser, use those upper-division credits to reduce the total number of credit hours required for the psychology major at UIS.

PSYCHOLOGY MINOR

To earn a minor in psychology, students must complete a minimum of 20 semester hours, at least 16 of which must be upper-division course work taken at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Four of these hours must be PSY 302 or its equivalent. Students who have earned a B or better in lower-division psychology courses beyond introductory psychology at another institution may use those courses as the basis for a reduction of up to four hours in the total hours required for a minor. PSY 302 is the only required course for a minor in psychology. The remaining 16 hours may be selected from any psychology course offerings; however, all psychology minors must complete a course curriculum form in which they specify the curriculum they have designed in consultation with their advisers. This curricular design must be specified and on file in the Psychology Department office prior to enrollment beyond the first psychology course taken at UIS. This curricular plan may be modified later in consultation with an adviser.