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.
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, nonprofit 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 master's 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. It is also recommended 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 | |||
| General Psychology | 4 credits | |
| Statistics for Social Science | 3 credits | |
(Psychology majors may not take STA 2100 on a pass/fail basis.) | |||
Required Courses 7 credits | |||
| Evolution of Modern Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Research Methods in Psychology (formerly | 4 credits | |
Elective Courses 18 credits Foundation Electives (12-18 credits) | |||
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Social Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Developmental Psychology: Personality in 3 Childhood and Adolescence * | 3 credits | |
| or | |||
| Developmental Psychology: Adult Personality * | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Motivation | 3 credits | |
| Physiological Psychology * | 3 credits | |
| or | |||
| Mind, Brain and Behavior * | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Attention and Perception | 3 credits | |
| Cognitive Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Learning | 3 credits | |
| Theories of Personality | 3 credits | |
Applied Psychology Electives (0-6 credits) | |||
| Thought and Reality ( | 3 credits | |
| Philosophy of Psychology ( | 3 credits | |
| Psychology and Culture | 3 credits | |
| Special Topics in Psychology | 3 credits | |
| The Psychology of Sleep | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Religion | 3 credits | |
| Small Group Processes | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Life Experience | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Stress Management | 3 credits | |
| Health Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Psychology and the Law | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Gender | 3 credits | |
| Psychological Aspects of Disabling Conditions | 3 credits | |
| Political Psychology ( | 3 credits | |
| Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Interviewing Techniques | 3 credits | |
| Psychology and Urban Problems | 3 credits | |
| Leadership and Managerial Development | 3 credits | |
| Environmental Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Experimental Philosophy ( | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Advertising | 3 credits | |
| Literature and Psychology ( | 3 credits | |
| Diversity in the Workplace | 3 credits | |
| Advanced Personnel Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Emotions in the Workplace | 3 credits | |
| Practicum in Community Psychological Services | 3 credits | |
| Psychopathology of Childhood | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of the Family | 3 credits | |
| Psychological Approaches to Contemporary Problems | 3 credits | |
| Research Practicum in Psychology ** | 1-3 credits | |
| ** Students must take a total of three hours. | |||
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 human resource 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 | |||
| General Psychology | 4 credits | |
| 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, | |||
Required Courses 10 credits | |||
| Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Evolution of Modern Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Research Methods in Psychology (formerly | 4 credits | |
Electives 14 – 15 credits All other psychology courses except PSY 1001, 3033, and 3034 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: | |||
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Social Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Developmental Psychology: Personality in Childhood and Adolescence | 3 credits | |
| Developmental Psychology: Adult Personality | 3 credits | |
| The Psychology of Motivation | 3 credits | |
| Physiological Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Attention and Perception | 3 credits | |
| Cognitive Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Mind, Brain and Behavior | 3 credits | |
| Theories of Personality | 3 credits | |
| Research Practicum in Psychology | variable | |
One or two applied psychology electives; for example: | |||
| Small Group Processes | 3 credits | |
| Psychology and Law | 3 credits | |
| Interviewing Techniques | 3 credits | |
| Diversity in the Workplace | 3 credits | |
| Advanced Personnel Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Emotions in the Workplace | 3 credits | |
| Practicum in Community Psychological Services | 3 credits | |
The Department of Psychology offers a minor in psychology that requires completing two advanced courses, of which at least one must be a foundation course. After completing these advanced courses, students must take the capstone, PSY 4012 Evolution of Modern Psychology, to complete the minor.
| Required Course | |||
| Evolution of Modern Psychology | 3 credits | |
Foundation electives (3-6 credits): | |||
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Social Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Developmental Psychology: Personality in 3 Childhood and Adolescence * | 3 credits | |
| or | |||
| Developmental Psychology: Adult Personality * | 3 credits | |
| The Psychology of Motivation | 3 credits | |
| Physiological Psychology * | 3 credits | |
| or | |||
| Mind, Brain and Behavior * | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Attention and Perception | 3 credits | |
| Cognitive Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Learning | 3 credits | |
| Theories of Personality | 3 credits | |
Applied Psychology Electives (0-3 credits) | |||
| Thought and Reality ( | 3 credits | |
| Philosophy of Psychology ( | 3 credits | |
| Psychology and Culture | 3 credits | |
| Special Topics in Psychology | 3 credits | |
| The Psychology of Sleep | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Religion | 3 credits | |
| Small Group Processes | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Life Experience | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Stress Management | 3 credits | |
| Health Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Psychology and the Law | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Gender | 3 credits | |
| Psychological Aspects of Disabling Conditions | 3 credits | |
| Political Psychology ( | 3 credits | |
| Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Interviewing Techniques | 3 credits | |
| Psychology and Urban Problems | 3 credits | |
| Leadership and Managerial Development | 3 credits | |
| Environmental Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Experimental Philosophy ( | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Advertising | 3 credits | |
| Literature and Psychology ( | 3 credits | |
| Diversity in the Workplace | 3 credits | |
| Advanced Personnel Psychology | 3 credits | |
| Emotions in the Workplace | 3 credits | |
| Practicum in Community Psychological Services | 3 credits | |
| Psychopathology of Childhood | 3 credits | |
| Psychology of the Family | 3 credits | |
| Psychological Approaches to Contemporary Problems | 3 credits | |
| Research Practicum in Psychology ** | 1-3 credits | |
* Students must take a total of three hours. | |||
| General Psychology | 2 lecture hours; 2 recitation hours ; 4 credits | |
| Research Methods in Psychology | "4.0 credit, 6.0 hour " | |
| Thought and Reality | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Practice in Laboratory and Research Methodology I | 3 field hours; 1 credit | |
| Practicum in Laboratory and Research Methodology II | 3 field hours; 1 credit | |
| Philosophy of Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology and Culture | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Special Problems in Psychology Series I | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Women | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Special Topics in Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Special Problems in Psychology Series I | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Career Development Theory and Practice | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Spec Prob Psy Ser I | "3 hours, 3 credits" | |
| Special Prob in Psy | "3 hours, 3 credits" | |
| 3 hours; 3 credits | Special Problems/Psy | |
| Psy of Handicap Prbl | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psy of Stress Mgmt | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Special Prob in Psy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Tests and Measurements | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Psychology of Sleep | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Social Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Religion | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Small Group Processes | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Developmental Psychology: Personality in Childhood and Adolescence | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Developmental Psychology: Adult Personality | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Life Experience | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Stress Management | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Health Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Psychology of Motivation | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology And Law | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Physiological Psychology | 2 lecture hours; 2 lab hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Gender | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Community Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychological Aspects of Disabling Conditions | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology And The Internet | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Attention and Perception | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Cognitive Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| "Mind, Brain, and Behavior" | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Learning | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Political Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Vocational Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Interviewing Techniques | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology and Urban Problems | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Leadership and Managerial Development | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Environmental Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Experimental Philosophy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Advertising | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Literature and Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Diversity in the Workplace | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Evolution of Modern Psychology | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Advanced Personnel Psychology | "3 hours, 3 credits" | |
| Emotions in the Workplace | "3 hours, 3 credits" | |
| Practicum in Community Psychological Services | 6 hours; 4 credits | |
| Practicum in Community Psychological Services II | 1 seminar hour; 4 field hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychopathology of Childhood | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Special Probl in Psy II | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Death | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Spec Problms in Psy II | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of Deviat | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Spec Prob in Psy II | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychology of the Family | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psycho-Educational Diagnosis and Appraisal of Special Groups | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Sexuality: Alternative Life Styles and Identities | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Theories of Personality | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Psychological analysis of American Culture | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Practicum in Conjunction with PSY 4040-4050 | 2 hours; 1 credit | |
| Psychological Approaches to Contemporary Problems | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Ind Stud Psy I | 2 hours; 2 credits | |
| Ind Stud Psy II | 1hour; 1 credit | |
| Ind Stud PSY V | 1 hour; 1 credit | |
| Experimental Psychology | 2 recitation hours; 4 lab hours; 4 credits | |
| Research Practicum in Psychology | Variable (3 to 9 hours; 1 to 3 credits) | |
| Hon Gen Psychology | 2 lecture hours; 2 recitation hours; 4 credits | |
| Hon Mgt Behavior | "3 hours, 3 credits" | |
| Hon Abnormal Psy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Hon Psychology Psy | 2 lecture hours; 2 lab hours; 3 credits | |
| Hon Evol Mod Psy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Hon Ind Study Psy II | 1hour; 1 credit | |
| Hon Psychology I | 3 hours; 3 credits per semester | |
| Hon Psychology II | 3 hours; 3 credits per semester | |
| Hon Psy Elective | 3 hours; 3 credits |