Bachelor of Science Degree In Psychology
Southern Polytechnic State University's (SPSU) Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology
will provide students a program of study in modern psychology. Specifically, the program
will embrace a strong international component with a multi-disciplinary curriculum that
will provide a balanced, career-based education in psychology with a wide range of skills
and practical knowledge. In addition, the program will prepare psychology majors for
graduate programs in such areas as psychology law, business, and education. The
concentrations to be offered will be Engineering Psychology, Industrial/Organizational
Psychology, and General Psychology.
Engineering Psychology involves the science of applying an understanding of human behavior
interacting with the design of systems and products that improve human performance.
Industrial / Organizational Psychology involves the science of applying an understanding
of human behavior with improving productivity and the workplace quality. Together with
General Psychology, these concentrations cover the subject matter from seventeen major
subfields coupling science and practice.
Career opportunities for graduates with a B.S. in Psychology includes: employment counselors,
corporate counselor trainees, interviewers, personnel analysts, systems analysts, rehabilitation
assistants, mental health personnel, probation officers and writers. Additionally, training
in the development of research and writing skills will open opportunities in profit/ non-profit
business settings, public affairs, public health, sales and administrative support.
For additional information, do not hesitate to contact
Dr. LaJuana Cochrane @ 678-915-7441, or call the Social and International Studies
Department @ 678-915-7442.
Curriculum
A minimum of 120 semester credit hours is required for the B.S. in Psychology:
Core Course Requirements For All Concentrations (60 hours) Credit Hours
- Area A - Essential Skills 9 hrs
ENGL 1101 (3), ENGL 1102 (3), MATH 1111 (3)
- Area B - Institutional Options 4 hrs
SPCH 2400 (2), STS 2400 (2)
- Area C - Humanities/Fine Arts 6 hrs
Literature (3), Art & Culture (3)
- Area D - Science, Mathematics & Technology 11hrs*
MATH 1113 (4)
Two courses chosen from the following for a total of 8 hours:
BIOL 2107K (4), 2108K (4) (Recommended for Psychology Majors)
CHEM 1211K (4), 1212K (4)
PHYS 1111K (4), 1112K (4), 2211K (4), 2212K (4)
- Area E - Social Sciences 12
E1: American Context (3)
E2: World History (3)
E3: Behavioral Sciences (3) (PSYC 1101 Recommended for Psychology Majors)
E4: Cultures & Societies (3)
- Area F - Program/Major Requirements 18
IET 2227 Industrial Statistics 4
PSYC 1000 Orientation to Psychology 1
PSYC 1101 Introduction to General Psychology** 3
PSYC 2011 Cognitive Psychology 3
PSYC 2270 Engineering Psychology 3
SIS 2100 Intro. to Quantitative Research Methods 3
*1 carryover hour from Area D 1
**If PSYC 1101 is taken to fulfill Core Requirement E3 (Behavioral Sciences), 3 hours of free electives may be taken.
Required Courses for All Psychology Concentrations (28 hours)
- MGNT 3105 Management and Organizational Behavior 3
- PSYC 2401 Psychology of Diversity 3
- PSYC 3020 Physiological Psychology 3
- PSYC 3031 Experimental Psychology 4
- PSYC 3101 International Social Psychology 3
- PSYC 4050 History and Systems of Psychology 3
- PSYC 4800 Psychology Capstone Seminar 3
- SIS 3600 Comparative Culture 3
- TCOM 2010 Technical Writing 3
Engineering Psychology Concentration Requirements (32 hours):
- CS 1301 Computer Science I 4
- IET 2305 Principles of Industrial Systems and Processes 4
- IET 3322 Work Measurement & Ergonomics 4
- IT 1324 Advanced Programming Principles 4
- SWE 4324 User-Centered Design 3
- SWE 4783 User Interaction Engineering 3
- Free Electives 10
Industrial/Organizational Psychology Track Requirements (32 hours):
- PSYC 3301 Psychological Testing 3
- IET 3410 Principles of Team Dynamics 3
- MGNT 4115 Human Resources Management 3
- Three courses from the following group: 9
- PSYC 3010 Educational Psychology 3
- PSYC 3015 Theories of Personality 3
- PSYC 4220 Psychoactive Drugs, Behavior, & Society 3
- PSYC 4000 International Psychology 3
- PSYC 4600 Conflict Resolution 3
- Free Electives 14
General Psychology Concentration Requirements (32 hours):
- PSYC 3301 Psychological Testing 3
- Three courses from the following group: 9
- PSYC 3010 Educational Psychology 3
- PSYC 3015 Theories of Personality 3
- PSYC 3230 Abnormal Psychology 3
- PSYC 3305 Developmental Psychology 3
- PSYC 4130 Psychology of Aging 3
- PSYC 4000 International Psychology 3
- PSYC 4600 Conflict Resolution 3
- Free Electives 20