Liberal Arts & Sciences: Psychology

Associate in Science Degree

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This program provides students who plan to transfer to a bachelor-level program with a comprehensive foundation of psychology courses, as well as a liberal arts background. The Psychology Internship allows students to gain direct experience in work settings related to a variety of psychology careers. Students interested in advanced degrees in clinical psychology or in academic research in psychology will find this program a good way to begin exploring the field while meeting general education requirements for transfer to four-year colleges.

Goal 1 To provide students with a core foundation of knowledge of psychology within the liberal arts

  • Write clearly and effectively, particularly regarding topics of research in psychology.
  • Demonstrate an ability to use technology as an aid to learning and in the field of psychology.
  • Demonstrate an ability to apply critical thinking skills.

Goal 2 To provide students with theoretical bases for understanding ideas in psychology

  • Articulate similarities and differences among major theoretical models.
  • Differentiate the application of various theoretical models.

Goal 3 To provide students with an opportunity to explore the field of psychology as a career path

  • Explore psychology with regard to diverse symptoms and behaviors in a socio-cultural context.

Goal 4 To train students in the basic principles of the science of psychology, including abnormal psychology, principles of learning, development, and research methods

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and theories of scientific psychology, particularly the methods of social science research used in this field.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different mental disorders defined in the DSM-IV-TR.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the developmental process and the research methods used to study it.

Goal 5 To prepare students to transfer to bachelor’s degree programs in psychology

  • Graduates will transfer to Psychology programs with full junior status.
  • Graduates will successfully complete 10 out of 10 SUNY General Education categories.

Goal 6 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

Total Credit Hours: 64

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition or SL145 ESOL Advanced Composition

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.

This course provides an exploration of the broad field of human services, introduces theoretical systems for understanding human behavior, and examines professional ethics and standards. Communication techniques and procedures are stressed. A continual theme throughout is the need for self-awareness. Students complete NY State certification as a mandated reporter.

This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.

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Second Semester

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

BI103 Human Life Science or BI141 General Biology 1

This course provides an overview of drug abuse and alcoholism including pharmacology, causes and legal aspects of drug abuse, intervention and prevention, physiology, and psychological aspects of alcoholism. The role of the professional and non-professional in counseling and intervention is examined. Emphasis is placed on alternatives to chemical substance abuse and the self-destructing behaviors that produce them.

This course covers the historical views of abnormality as well as current classification of abnormal behavior. It emphasizes the comparison of perspectives on causes and treatments of abnormal behavior. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

This course examines research methodology in the behavioral sciences including observational and recording methods, the evaluation of performance (psychometrics), and quasi-experimental research. Emphasis is placed upon the application of the methodologies to research designs and the interpretation of psychological reports. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

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Third Semester

This course provides knowledge of relevant computer skills and a solid foundation in the terminology and concepts of computer technology. Experience is provided with a variety of microcomputer software applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, graphics, file management, and integrated software. Concepts and terms focus on preparing for a technologically oriented society and using the computer as a tool for productivity, research, and communication.

Choose one of the following Foreign Language General Education courses: SP101, SP102, SP191, SP201, FR101, FR102, FR191, FR201, or AL101.

This course introduces the nature and study of history, and covers the emergence and development of Eurasian civilization to about 1500 A.D. in the Near East, India, China, Europe, the Western Hemisphere, and Africa. Attention is given to religion in these civilizations and on the rise of the West to a position of world power during the Middle Ages.

This course deals with theoretical and applied aspects of the individual in social contexts. Attention is given to interpersonal relations and group dynamics, for better understanding of functioning in social situations. Topics include conformity, aggression, interpersonal attraction, and communication. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

This course explores the changes that take place in human development from conception to death. Cognitive, emotional, social, and physical developments are covered at each chronological stage. Emphasis is placed on biological and environmental influences across the life-span. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology. Students who have successfully completed PY202 Childhood and Adolescence and/or PY205 Adulthood and Aging may not take PY207 Life-Span Developmental Psychology.

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Fourth Semester

Choose one of the following Humanities General Education courses: HU210, HU280, EN240, EN241, or EN265

Choose one of the following Arts General Education courses: HU210, PT206, TH193, or EN197

Choose two (2) courses from the following: PY201 Applied Behavioral Analysis, PY206 Theories of Personality, PY208 Death, Dying & Bereavement, PY209 Forensic Psychology

Choose two (2) courses from the following: PY201 Applied Behavioral Analysis, PY206 Theories of Personality, PY208 Death, Dying & Bereavement, PY209 Forensic Psychology

Choose one of the following American History General Education courses: HI111, HI112, or AC131

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Following Department guidelines and with guidance from the academic advisor, the student has flexibility the second year to design a program that meets his/her individual needs.

(a)    BI103 Human Life Science or BI141 General Biology 1

(b)    Choose one of the following Foreign Language General Education courses: SP101, SP102, SP191, SP201, FR101, FR102, FR191, FR201, or AL101.

(c)    Choose one of the following Humanities General Education courses: HU210, HU280, EN240, EN241, or EN265

(d)    Choose one of the following Arts General Education courses: HU210, PT206, TH193, or EN197

(e)    Choose two (2) courses from the following: PY201 Applied Behavioral Analysis, PY206 Theories of Personality, PY208 Death, Dying & Bereavement, PY209 Forensic Psychology

(f)     Choose one of the following American History General Education courses: HI111, HI112, or AC131