Psychology Major

Southern Polytechnic State University’s (SPSU) Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology provides students with a program of study in modern psychology. Specifically, the program embraces 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 prepares psychology majors for graduate programs in areas such as psychology law, business, and education. Three tracks are offered: Engineering Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Clinical and Counseling Psychology.

Engineering Psychology involves the science of applying an understanding 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 an emphasis on improving productivity and workplace quality.

Clinical and Counseling Psychology involves the science of applying an understanding of human behavior with an emphasis on mental disorders and their treatment.

Basic Structure of the Degree

The Psychology degree at Southern Polytechnic has three major components:

The Core Curriculum--these general education requirements give every student the basic skills and knowledge to be a life-long learner, ready to adapt to and succeed in a world of changing opportunities
The Psychology Curriculum--extending the Core (Area F) with foundational courses specific to psychology and building on that foundation with a strong interdisciplinary curriculum.
The Tracks--Every student is required to select one of three tracks. Tracks allow every student to tailor their program of study to his or her individual strengths and interests while developing additional skills and knowledge directly applicable to pursuing career opportunities.
- Engineering Psychology involves the science of applying an understanding 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 an emphasis on improving productivity and workplace quality.
- Clinical and Counseling Psychology involves the science of applying an understanding of human behavior with an emphasis on mental disorders and their treatment.

General Core: Opportunities to satisfy all requirements offered fall, spring, and summer terms.

Core Area	Course Title	Credit Hours
A	ENGL 1101 English Composition I	3
A	ENGL 1102 English Composition 11	3
A	MATH 1111 College Algebra	3
B	COMM 2401 Public Speaking	2
B	STS 2400 Science, Technology, and Society--any topic (satisfies critical thinking requirement)	2
C	ENGL 2XXX Any Literature Course	3
C	CHOOSE 1: ARTS 2001 Art Appreciation ARTS 2002 Drama Appreciation ARTS 2003 Music Appreciation ARTS 2004 History of Contemporary American Music FREN 1002, 2001, or 2002 Elementary or Intermediate French (NOT FREN 1001) SPAN 1002, 2001, or 2002 Elementary or Intermediate Spanish (NOT SPAN 1001)	3
D	CHOOSE 2: ASTR 1000K Introduction to the Universe BIOL 2107K Biological Principles I (strongly recommended) BIOL 2108K Biological Principles II (strongly recommended) CHEM 1211K Principles of Chemistry I CHEM 1212K Principles of Chemistry II ENVS 2202K Environmental Science (NOT ENVS 2202--3 hrs) PHYS 1111K Introductory Physics I PHYS 1112K Introductory Physics II PHYS 2211K Principles of Physics I PHYS 2212K Principles of Physics II	4 x 2 = 8
D	MATH 1113 Pre-calculus	4
E-1	CHOOSE 1: (satisfies American Perspectives requirement and Georgia Legislative Requirement IF taken at SPSU; if satisfied with transfer credit, consult your adviser) HIST 2111 US History to 1877 HIST 2112 US History since 1877 POLS 1101 American Government	3
E-2	CHOOSE 1: HIST 1111 Survey of World Civilization to 1500 HIST 1112 Survey of World Civilization since 1500	3
E-3	CHOOSE 1: ECON 1101 Introduction to Economics SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology PSYC 1101 Introduction to General Psychology (strongly recommended)	3
E-4	CHOOSE 1: (satisfies Global Perspectives requirement) ANTH 1102 Introduction to Anthropology ES 1100 Ethnic Studies GEOG 1101 Introduction to Human Geography POLS 2401 Global Issues RELG 1200 World Religions	3

Psychology Core: All courses offered fall, spring, and summer terms unless otherwise noted.

Core Area	Course Title	Credit Hours
F	PSYC 1101 Introduction to General Psychology (if you use this course to satisfy Core Area E-3, substitute 2 hours psychology elective credit)	2
F	PSYC 2011 Cognitive Psychology Spring only	3
F	PSYC 2270 Engineering Psychology Fall only	3
F	PSYC 2271 Clinical and Counseling Psychology Spring only	3
F	COMM 2030 Research for the Humanities and Social Sciences Fall only	3
F	IET 2227 Industrial Statistics	3

Total Hours in Core A-F: 60 hours

Psychology Required Courses (all tracks): 32 hours
(must be passed with grade of C or better)

Course Title	Credit Hours
SPSU 1001 Orientation to SPSU	1
PSYC 1000 Orientation to Psychology	2
PSYC 1101 Introduction to General Psychology OR PSYC Elective	1
PSYC 2100 Quantitative Research Methods for Psychology	3
PSYC 2401 Psychology of Diversity	3
PSYC 3000 Junior Seminar in Psychology	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
MGNT 3105 Management and Organizational Behavior	3

Psychology Tracks: Choose Any Track (each is 28 hours including Free electives)
(all except free electives must be passed with grade of C or better)

Engineering Psychology Track	Credit Hours
The following courses MUST be taken in the order listed:
CSE 1301J Computer Science I	4
IT 1324 Advanced Computer Principles	4
SWE 4324 User-Centered Design	3
SWE 4783 User Interaction Engineering	3
Additional required courses:
IET 2305 The Role of Industrial Engineering Technology in Industrial Systems	4
IET 3322 Work Measurement and Ergonomics	4
Free Electives	6

Industrial / Organizational Psychology Track	Credit Hours
PSYC 3301 Psychological Testing	3
PSYC 4000 International Psychology	3
PSYC 4600 Conflict Resolution	3
MGNT 4115 Human Resources Management	3
Three courses from the following:	9
PSYC 3010 Educational Psychology (3)
PSYC 3015 Theories of Personality (3)
PSYC 3040 Motivation and Emotion (3)
PSYC 4130 Psychology of Aging (3)
PSYC 4220 Psychoactive Drugs, Behavior, and Society (3)
Free Electives	7

Clinical and Counseling Psychology Track	Credit Hours
PSYC 3015 Theories of Personality	3
PSYC 3230 Abnormal Psychology	3
PSYC 3301 Psychological Testing	3
Three courses from the following:	9
PSYC 2273 Forensic Psychology (3)
PSYC 3010 Educational Psychology (3)
PSYC 3040 Motivation and Emotion (3)
PSYC 3305 Developmental Psychology (3)
PSYC 4130 Psychology of Aging (3)
PSYC 4000 International Psychology (3)
PSYC 4220 Psychoactive Drugs, Behavior, and Society (3)
PSYC 4600 Conflict Resolution (3)
Free Electives	10

Additional Information

Minors offered in the SIS department--listed in the navigation bar on the left of this page.

Planning Schedule for the Psychology Curriculum

Example 4-year Plan

Questions? Want more information? Contact the Psychology Coordinator: Dr. LaJuana Cochrane