Baruch College

Undergraduate Bulletin - Academic Programs and Courses

Department of Psychology


The Faculty

Chair:  Samuel Johnson
    Professors:
  • Samuel Johnson
  • Joel M. Lefkowitz
  • Susan Locke
  • Karen Lyness
  • David O’Brien
    Associate Professors:
  • Glenn L. Albright
  • Yochi Cohen- Charash
  • Mindy Engle-Friedman
  • Harold Goldstein
  • Nita L. Lutwak
  • Jennifer Mangels
  • Jaihyun Park
  • Elizabeth M. Reis
  • Charles Scherbaum
  • Kristin Sommer
    Assistant Professors:
  • Daniele Artistico
  • Catherine Good
  • Catalina Lawsin
  • Loren Naidoo
  • Angela Pinto
    Lecturer:
  • David Sitt

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Field Description

Psychology courses familiarize students with the scientific study of mind and behavior. This discipline relies on methods ranging from simple observation to rigorous experimentation. Its subjects include how we develop and learn, how our actions are motivated, how we perceive the world around us, how we respond to it intellectually and emotionally, and how these processes change throughout life and are integrated into the personality under social influences. The department offers courses that apply psychology to a variety of practical settings, including the workplace, clinical, legal, and school environments.

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The Majors

 

Psychology

The Psychology major is the most popular course of study among undergraduate students nationwide. Many of them will ultimately establish careers outside the field of Psychology, but will do so in areas that rely upon an understanding of human thought and behavior. Psychology is an appropriate major for those who plan to work, for example, in business, law, the health-care professions, education, public affairs, non-profit agencies, and computer science.

To prepare for a career in Psychology or an allied profession, such as social work or counseling, students must earn a masters or doctoral degree. Graduate programs in Psychology are selective and take into consideration a student’s academic record, letters of recommendation, field and research experience, and, in most cases GRE scores. A number of American Psychological Association Publications, including the APA Guide to Graduate Study in Psychology are useful when making academic and career plans.

Baruch offers a 25-credit BA major in Psychology. This includes two required courses and a broad array of electives.

Careful selection of electives suitable for students’ academic and career plans is highly advised. Students who wish to develop their research skills should consider pursuing an independent study or honors thesis project. We also recommend that students take courses in other departments that focus on the scientific method, logic, communication skills, and the understanding of cultural and social systems.

Base Courses                                     7 credits

No credit toward the major
PSY 1001 General Psychology 4 credits
STA 2100 Statistics for Social Science 3 credits

(Psychology majors may not take STA 2100 on a pass/fail basis.)

Required Courses                               7 credits
PSY 4012 Evolution of Modern Psychology 3 credits
PSY 5020 Experimental Psychology 4 credits

Elective Courses                               18 credits

Foundation Electives                 (12-18 credits)
PSY 3055 Abnormal Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3056 Social Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3059 Developmental Psychology: Personality in 3 Childhood and Adolescence * 3 credits
PSY 3060 Developmental Psychology: Adult Personality * 3 credits
PSY 3065 Psychology of Motivation 3 credits
PSY 3070 Physiological Psychology * 3 credits
PSY 3080 Psychology of Attention and Perception 3 credits
PSY 3081 Cognitive Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3082 Mind, Brain and Behavior * 3 credits
PSY 4061 Theories of Personality 3 credits


* Students may apply either PSY 3059 or PSY 3060 toward the four-course foundation electives requirement, not both. Similarly, students may apply either PSY 3070 or PSY 3082 toward the four-course foundation electives requirement, not both.


Applied Psychology Electives               (0-6 credits)
PSY 3054 Psychology of Sleep 3 credits
PSY 3058 Small Group Processes 3 credits
PSY 3063 Health Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3069 Psychology and the Law 3 credits
PSY 3181 Industrial and Organizational Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3182 Interviewing Techniques 3 credits
PSY 3183 Psychology and Urban Problems 3 credits
PSY 4010 Diversity in the Workplace 3 credits
PSY 4013 Advanced Personnel Psychology 3 credits
PSY 4015 Emotions in the Workplace 3 credits
PSY 4035 Practicum in Community Psychological Services 3 credits
PSY 5030 Research Practicum in Psychology ** 1-3 credits

   ** Students must take a total of three hours.

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Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The major in industrial/organizational psychology is a broadbased one. It offers courses in all areas of psychology while emphasizing the field of industrial/organizational psychology. This major is within the Zicklin School of Business. All BBA requirements apply.

For many students, the BBA in industrial/organizational psychology is a terminal degree. They may pursue careers in business, including sales, advertising, marketing, and humanresource management. They may also pursue careers in a variety of governmental agencies or engage in public opinion or market research.

Some career objectives may require or recommend that the student pursue a master’s (MBA or MS) or PhD degree in industrial/organizational psychology.

Base Courses                                     7 credits

No credit toward the major
PSY 1001 General Psychology 4 credits
STA 2100 Statistics for Social Science 3 credits

(Psychology majors may not take STA 2100 on a pass/fail basis.)

Industrial/organizational psychology majors should take STA 2100. However, STA 2000 will be acceptable if 2100 is not available.

Required Courses                               10 credits
PSY 3181 Industrial and Organizational Psychology 3 credits
PSY 4012 Evolution of Modern Psychology 3 credits
PSY 5020 Experimental Psychology 4 credits

Electives                                        14 – 15 credits

All other psychology courses except PSY 1001, 3033, and 3034
                                    and
Any elective courses in another department relevant to the student’s educational objective, with permission of the Department of Psychology. The Department of Psychology prefers that students complete their majors with psychology courses.

Like BA psychology majors, those who intend to pursue graduate studies in industrial/organizational psychology are urged to focus on electives that stress the foundations of the field. These include the following:
At least four of the following foundation courses:
PSY 3055 Abnormal Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3056 Social Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3059 Developmental Psychology: Personality in Childhood and Adolescence 3 credits
PSY 3060 Developmental Psychology: Adult Personality 3 credits
PSY 3065 The Psychology of Motivation 3 credits
PSY 3070 Physiological Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3080 Psychology of Attention and Perception 3 credits
PSY 3081 Cognitive Psychology 3 credits
PSY 4061 Theories of Personality 3 credits
PSY 5030 Research Practicum in Psychology variable

One or two applied psychology electives; for example:
PSY 3058 Small Group Processes 3 credits
PSY 3069 Psychology and Law 3 credits
PSY 3182 Interviewing Techniques 3 credits
PSY 4010 Diversity in the Workplace 3 credits
PSY 4013 Advanced Personnel Psychology 3 credits
PSY 4015 Emotions in the Workplace 3 credits
PSY 4035 Practicum in Community Psychological Services 3 credits

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The Minor

The Psychology Department offers a minor in psychology that requires completing two advanced courses of which at least one has to be a foundation course.  After completing these advanced courses the student must take the capstone, PSY 4012 Evolution of Modern Psychology, to complete their minor.

Required Course
PSY 4012 Evolution of Modern Psychology 3 credits

Foundation electives        (3-6 credits):
PSY 3055 Abnormal Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3056 Social Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3059 Developmental Psychology: Personality in 3 Childhood and Adolescence * 3 credits
PSY 3060 Developmental Psychology: Adult Personality * 3 credits
PSY 3065 Psychology of Motivation 3 credits
PSY 3070 Physiological Psychology * 3 credits
PSY 3080 Psychology of Attention and Perception 3 credits
PSY 3081 Cognitive Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3082 Mind, Brain and Behavior * 3 credits
PSY 4061 Theories of Personality 3 credits


* Students may apply either PSY 3059 or PSY 3060 toward the four-course foundation electives requirement, not both. Similarly, students may apply either PSY 3070 or PSY 3082 toward the four-course foundation electives requirement, not both.


Applied Psychology Electives               (0-3 credits)
PSY 3054 Psychology of Sleep 3 credits
PSY 3058 Small Group Processes 3 credits
PSY 3063 Health Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3069 Psychology and the Law 3 credits
PSY 3181 Industrial and Organizational Psychology 3 credits
PSY 3182 Interviewing Techniques 3 credits
PSY 3183 Psychology and Urban Problems 3 credits
PSY 4010 Diversity in the Workplace 3 credits
PSY 4013 Advanced Personnel Psychology 3 credits
PSY 4015 Emotions in the Workplace 3 credits
PSY 4035 Practicum in Community Psychological Services 3 credits
PSY 5030 Research Practicum in Psychology * 1-3 credits

   * Students must take a total of three hours.

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