Department of Psychology
Department website: https://www.vanguard.edu/academics/academic-programs/undergrad/psychology
Kerry Moore, MSW, Chair
Mission: The Department of Psychology seeks to enhance students’ understanding of human nature proceeding from a Christian understanding of humans created in the image of God. The psychology major explores multiple perspectives of human nature, including cognitive, behavioral, biological, social-cultural, and spiritual. All students learn the skills necessary to conduct research and to carefully evaluate others’ research. Students interested in counseling are introduced to basic theories and methods relevant to providing counseling services. The psychology major prepares students either to secure employment immediately following graduation or to continue on to pursue advanced study in psychology or counseling at the graduate level.
Both a major and a minor in Psychology are offered through the Professional Studies Psychology Department. Courses are offered both on-ground and online.
Major:
Minor:
Clinical Psychology Advanced Standing Track:
Undergraduate students with a psychology major or minor have the opportunity to take coursework in Vanguard's M.S. in Clinical Psychology program during their senior year. Courses count toward the psychology major as upper-division psychology electives and will also be counted toward graduate requirements if students continue their education in Vanguard's MS Clinical Psychology program.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PSYG-603 | Advanced Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYG-605 | Family Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-614 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYG-615 | Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy | 3 |
Requirements
- Senior status
- Minimum 3.5 Vanguard GPA
- Academic advisor recommendation
- Have completed specified prerequisite courses with a grade of B or better
- Psychology Major or Minor
The graduate program has authority to make exceptions to these criteria and give final approval.
Registration
- A limited number of spaces in each course will be available and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of spaces available in each course will be determined by the graduate program and may vary each semester.
- Registration for one course does not guarantee registration in another. Students must earn a letter grade of B- or better in the master’s level courses taken while earning their undergraduate degree. (Cumulative GPA and letter grade requirements for the undergraduate degree remain the same.)
- Courses will count towards the student's master’s degree at Vanguard if the undergraduate student is accepted to and enrolls in the Vanguard Graduate Clinical Psychology program within two years of completing the course(s). Extensions may be granted by the graduate program).
- Master’s level courses may be transferable to another institution, but transferability of courses is not guaranteed.
Psychology Courses (Traditional Undergraduate)
Prerequisite to all other psychology courses. This course explores the fundamental issues of psychology, including research in psychology, biological influences on development and behavior, learning and memory, motivation, personality, psychological disorders, psychological interventions, and social behavior. Meets Social Science requirement for PE. (Professional Education Course).
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
Prerequisite to all other psychology courses. This course explores the fundamental issues of psychology, including research in psychology, biological influences on development and behavior, learning and memory, motivation, personality, psychological disorders, psychological interventions, and social behavior.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
This course focuses on the process of writing in APA style. Students will be taught how to read and comprehend research in psychology and to write research papers from a place of understanding the context, process, and audience for research writing. This course also serves as an introduction to the major, informing students of scholastic expectations and of opportunities within their undergraduate experience. Additionally, students will be guided in thinking about and moving toward future educational and career pursuits. Must be passed with a "C" (not "C-") or better to fulfill the core curriculum requirement. Prerequisite for Research Methods. Satisfies ENGL-220C core requirement.
An exploration of human development through the biological behavioral, cognitive, sociocultural, and spiritual perspectives in a lifespan approach (from conception through death). This course is recommended early in the major and is a prerequisite for other psychology courses.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
A course in basic statistical concepts and methods of collecting, summarizing, presenting,and interpreting data in the behavioral sciences; including descriptive statistics (use of graphs and charts), normal distribution curve, measures of central tendency, deviation and dispersion, hypothesis testing, statistical fallacies, correlation, and topics in probability. Students majoring in Psychology, Sociology or History/Political Science must take PSYC-265C or SOC-265C to fulfill the core curriculum requirement in mathematics and the major requirement.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
This course evaluates theories from the field of psychology to help us understand how people think and feel about politics. Students will investigate how social, cognitive, emotive, and physiological factors interact to influence political preferences and opinions.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
This course focuses on the relationship between law and psychology, including the mental health system, mental illness, and criminal conduct with a more specific historical and procedural examination of the practice of psychology in the judicial forum. Substantive issues related to ethics and the law, risk assessment screening, psychological principles applied to law enforcement and correctional functions, and standards of legal competence and insanity will be discussed.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
This course is cross listed with SOC-312. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of death and dying. This course will discuss the intellectual, emotional, social, psychological, experiential, and spiritual aspects of death and loss as part of one's personal discover.
A study of the period of life from puberty to the emergence from the teens, emphasizing the physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and personality development of the individual. Diversity issues are considered.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the factors that make one's life fulfilling. The course explores such concepts as happiness, meaning, flow, values, strengths, and virtues as they relate to an individual's ability to thrive, in turn affecting the health and well-being of family and society. Topics will be presented and evaluated in the context of Christian faith.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
This course is cross listed with SOC-324. An examination of interpersonal behavior as it is influenced by social processes, culture, face-to-face interactions, and personality characteristics; including interpersonal and group behavior in relationship to social values, norms, attitudes, roles, and social needs.
Exposes students to the psychological literature relevant to becoming more culturally sensitive to diverse ethnic populations and other forms of diversity. It addresses the unique changes required to the traditional psychological counseling theories and counseling practices that are associated with helping individuals from diverse backgrounds. The course is applicable to students who intend to work with, minister to, or do clinical counseling with people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Lab fee.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
A study of psychological disorders using a biopsychosocial perspective. Course includes description, patterns of development, assessment, and treatment methods.
An interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspective on human aging. The physiology of aging and its psychological ramifications are explored, as is the sociology and spirituality of the older adult in contemporary society.
This course is cross listed with SOC-336. This course examines the phenomena of social crises and emergencies. It will examine Crisis Theory, response, coping skills and intervention methods. Implications for gender, race, social class, and diverse backgrounds will be explored in light of how those differences influence differing needs, norms, and ways of coping.
A study of the period of life from early childhood until puberty from a developmental psychopathology perspective. The course provides an overview of psychological disorders of childhood and an introduction to their clinical treatment.
This course is an introduction to the concepts of biological psychology. Beginning with a basic understanding of brain structures, students will gain an understanding of how brain structure relates to brain function and to behavior. Topics covered include brain structure, neuronal communication, drugs and hormonal influences on the brain, visual sensation and perception, sleep and waking states, sexual behavior, brain lateralization, language, and psychological disorders. Course fee.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
This course is cross listed with SOC-345. Investigates the identification, causes, and prevention of all types of intrafamily abuse: child, spouse, sibling, and parent. Explores theories and research findings for practical application. Studies the sociocultural contexts in which abuse and violence occur. For students whose careers will bring contact with victims and/or perpetrators of family violence.
A review and critical evaluation of the major personality theories and their supporting evidence.
This course is cross listed with SOC-346. Human Sexuality provides an overview of human sexual anatomy, gender identify, sexual orientation and expression, and the ways that contexts affect sexual meanings. Must have junior or senior class standing.
This course introduces students to the principles of classical and operant conditioning that can be applied to clinical, counseling, child, sports, and organizational psychology. Examination of these principles and their role in substance abuse, behavioral addictions, autism, phobias, sexual behavior, developmental disabilities, behavioral medicine, animal training, and everyday life will be included. Students will participate in hands-on exercises with rodents to illustrate operant conditioning principles of behavior. Must be Junior or Senior standing. Lab fee.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C and Junior or Senior Standing
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
This is a survey course of disability studies from an interdisciplinary approach. The course will investigate, critique, and enhance society's perception and understandings of disability both locally and globally. This course explores the concept of disability in health, education, legal systems, community, media, and diverstiy. This course will apply the core concepts of disability theory to analyze issues in history, policy, culture, and human rights. Students will participate in various assignments that will allow them to reflect and integrate key concepts from this course into their own disciplines.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Survey of Human Services explores the ways in which care is provided for the whole individual, surveying community resources and developing an understanding of the ways in which human services are carried out in various settings. Ethical issues and the significance of a Christian worldview in human services are also examined.
Psychology of the Family explores the institution of the family from a multigenerational developmental perspective. Psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual perspectives are also explored. Students will be introduced to family systems theory as a method of understanding family dynamics and to theoretical orientations of family therapy.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
Psychology of Work examines the role of psychology in enhancing well-being and productivity of working individuals and performance of organizations that employ them. Issues concerning both individual and group functioning are discussed: employee selection, matching jobs and individuals, training, performance evaluation, productive and counterproductive behavior in organizations, stress, leadership and organizational development. Furthermore, all of these issues are considered in the context of multilevel cultural influences, from organizational cultures to demands due to globalization.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
An introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods in psychology, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlation approaches. Students will learn to think critically about research, assessing threats to internal and external validity. Students will consider ethical issues in research and will learn to design and conduct research, including searching the literature, using SPSS to analyze data, and writing formal research reports using APA style.
This course is cross-listed with SOC-382.This course examines the distribution of mental illness throughout society, the social conditions of processes that contribute to mental illness and mental health, and the individual experience of being labeled and treated as mentally ill.
This course will examine the psychological, social, and biological aspects of illicit drug use, alcoholism, compulsive gambling, over eating, and other addictions. The course will also explore drug prevention and treatment from the perspective of the Christian faith.
This course covers the scope and value of the psychology major. Students will learn about the application of psychology to various disciplines within the social sciences and professional schools in order to consider future career options. Finally, students will focus on personal professional development including preparation for graduate work, career choices at varying degree levels, and essential skills necessary to make the transition to graduate school. This course will also coordinate and enhance the existing psychology undergraduate advisement efforts.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
This course provides students an opportunity to gain experience in an on-going research experiment with a faculty member. Students will be exposed to contemporary research problems in an area of psychology and the application of research concepts. This course may meet off-campus during the semester. Class may be repeated one time for credit. Course fee.
An examination of the applications of cognitive and learning theories to a broad range of problems and settings, including child rearing, education, psychotherapy, and industrial settings. Integration of theological aspects of therapy is also addressed.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
Group Dynamics explores the various stages of groups, including pre-group assessment and screening of group members, group development, the initial stage, the transition stage, the working stage, and the final stage of groups. Students will be introduced to different types of groups. Ethical and multicultural issues as they apply to groups are examined. This course incorporates experiential learning processes where students learn about group processes through participation in an ongoing class experiential group. Each student will attend one group meeting of an ongoing secular group in the community and one group meeting of an ongoing Christian group in the community. Students taking this class are asked to be committed to group participation.
This course is designed to introduce students to the psychological aspects of sport and physical activity. From the sport perspective, emphasis will be placed on mental preparation of teams and individuals for competition. From the exercise perspective, group dynamics, motivation and exercise adherence will be covered.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.
Addresses the study of human cognitive processes including perception, memory, problem solving, thinking, and hemispheric specialization. Cognitive aspects of psychological and learning disorders are also addressed.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
Regular hours each week for classes and/or meetings are established at the beginning of the semester. Psychology Teaching Internship provides the student with the opportunity to assist an instructor in planning and conducting a course and/or laboratory sessions. The course may be repeated for a maximum of eight units. Three (3) units of PSYC 450 may be applied to the Psychology electives requirement with the balance of the units applied toward general elective units.
Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.
Field experience in a social service agency such as an outpatient health facility, a community organization, or a social program. The course can be taken from 1-4 units and may be repeated for credit. Thirty hours of field experience will be required for each credit hour. This course is controlled by the instructor and all field sites must be approved by the professor. The course instructor and the university manage the course requirements and responsibilities, which may include: a research paper, weekly journals, and various written assignments. The course requires weekly interaction between professor and student, as well as training and preparation that are comparable with other courses within the major. May be repeated for credit.
An examination of the personhood of the counselor, the major theoretical counseling models, and the dynamics of effective behavioral change. The integration of biblical principles in counseling theories is introduced.
The Counseling Methods course is an introduction to basic skills used in the helping professions including interviewing, listening skills, and basic therapeutic techniques as applied to adults, children, and families. The course also covers the personal life of the counselor and the process of professional development. In addition, students will be introduced to a range of special topics which may include, but are not limited to, grief, trauma, positive psychology and art therapy.
An upper division study of a special topic in psychology. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
An examination of problems in advanced research and assessment, with an emphasis on research techniques. Research is carried out under the supervision of the instructor with weekly conferences to discuss results and direction.
Prerequisite: PSYC-381
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Psychological research and assessment conducted in PSYC-474 will culminate in a written paper. The APA-formatted paper will include literature review, methodology, results, and discussion. The research paper or poster will be submitted for presentation at either an undergraduate or professional conference. Course fee.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
An examination of human nature from the perspectives of psychology and Christian belief. Among the topics covered are the relationship between mind, body, and soul; the nature of human freedom; Christian prayer; conversion; and the relationships between people's attitudes and their behavior. This course fulfills the Core Curriculum Capstone requirement for Psychology majors.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
This course is open to qualified upper division students who wish to engage in an individually tailored program of study. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: PSYC-103C
Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.
This course provides students with an empirically-based research experience in the area of behavioral neuroscience. Students will be using an animal model of addiction and/or PTSD to study the neural mechanisms behind learning and memory. Students will gain a basic understanding of proper research methodology, memory consolidation, reconsolidation, conditioned place preference paradigm, brain anatomy, and pharmacology. Students will have hands-on experience learning various techniques, including stereotaxic surgery, animal handling and injection, behavioral analysis, and proper documentation. It is expected that a research report and an oral presentation of the results will be given at the conclusion of the course. Students must be declared Psychology Major with Junior or Senior standing. Lab fee.
Prerequisite: PSYC-340, Declared Psychology Major with Junior or Seniorstanding.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
The undergraduate research assistantship engages students in original research projects of the faculty or student's own design. Its aim is to apply those skills learned in prior research design and methodology coursework and/or expand on these as appropriate to the student's skill set. A research agenda will be developed with each student, which then becomes the guide for the class. Course may be repeated for credit.
Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.
This course provides the student with an empirically-based research experience in psychology. Emphasis will be placed on experimental design and development, animal handling, instrumentation, behavioral and statistical analysis, and research documentation skills. It is expected that a research report be completed at the conclusion of the research project along with an oral presentation of results.
Psychology Courses (Professional Studies)
This course focuses on the process of writing in APA style. Students will be taught how to read and comprehend research in psychology and to write research papers from a place of understanding the context, process, and audience for research writing. This course also serves as an introduction to the major, informing students of scholastic expectations and of opportunities within their undergraduate experience. Additionally, students will be guided in thinking about and moving toward future educational and career pursuits. Must be passed with a "C" (not "C-") or better to fulfill the GE English Composition requirement. (Professional Education Course).
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
An exploration of human development through the biological behavioral, cognitive, sociocultural, and spiritual perspectives in a lifespan approach (from conception through death). This course is recommended early in the major and is a prerequisite for other psychology courses. (Professional Education Course)
A course in basic statistical concepts and methods of collecting, summarizing, presenting, and interpreting data in the behavioral sciences: including descriptive statistics (use of graphs and charts), normal distribution curve, measures of central tendency, deviation and dispersion, hypothesis testing, statistical fallacies, correlation and topics in probability. (Professional Education Course)
A study of the period of life from puberty to the emergence from the teens, emphasizing the physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and personality development of the individual. Diversity issues are considered. (Professional Education Course)
A study of human behavior in terms of the nervous system and its control of the activity of the muscles, glands, and the biochemistry of the body, with special emphasis on perception, sensory and motor functions, motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. Neurological impairment and disorders are examined. (Professional Education Course)
Investigate how general psychological knowledge from the areas of personality, assessment, cognitive, and social psychology can be applied and further developed in organizational contexts. Issues such as matching jobs and individuals, training, performance evaluation, stress, leadership, and development are discussed in the context of multilevel cultural influences, from organizational cultures to global business demands. (meets Social Science requirement). (Professional Education Course)
Explores the ways in which care is provided for the whole individual, surveying community resources and developing an understanding of the ways in which human services are carried out in various settings. Ethical issues in human services practice are also examined. Each student will identify an appropriate human service agency for a field practicum placement and will develop a plan to meet the requirements for Field Practicum. (Professional Education Course)
Examines the physical, cognitive, social and emotional adjustments of adult life from adulthood through death. Focuses on the process of development rising from physical aging, continuing socialization and environmental changes involved in these life phases. (Professional Education Course)
Explores the institution of the family from a multigenerational developmental perspective. Psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual perspectives are also explored. Students will be introduced to family systems theory as a method of understanding family dynamics and to theoretical orientations of family therapy. (Professional Education Course)
An introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods in psychology, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlation approaches. Students will learn to think critically about research, assessing threats to internal and external validity. Students will consider ethical issues in research and will learn to design and conduct research, including searching the literature, using SPSS to analyze data, and writing formal research reports using APA style. (Professional Education Course)
Examines the applications of cognitive and learning theories to a broad range of problems and settings, including child rearing, education, psychotherapy, and industrial settings. Integration of theological aspects of therapy is also addressed. (Professional Education Course)
Prerequisite: PSYD-366 or PSYC-103/103C
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Examines interpersonal behavior as it is influenced by social processes, culture, face-to-face interactions, and personality characteristics. Among the topics covered are interpersonal and group behavior in relationship to social values, diversity issues, norms, attitudes, roles, and social needs. (Professional Education Course)
Introduces students to various types of groups used in clinical settings and to the theoretical orientations commonly utilized in group practice. The stages of group work, leadership skills, and work with special populations are explored. Students are introduced to ethical issues, and multicultural issues that apply to group work. (Professional Education Course)
Prerequisite: PSYD-366 or PSYC-103C/103
Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.
A study of psychological disorders using a biopsychosocial perspective. Course includes description, patterns of development, assessment, and treatment methods. (Professional Education Course)
Addresses the study of human cognitive processes including perception, memory, problem solving, thinking, and hemispheric specialization. Cognitive aspects of psychological and learning disorders are also addressed. (Professional Education Course)
Students apply concepts learned in the major as a student intern/volunteer at a human services agency or research facility. All practicum sites must be approved by the Field Practicum Coordinator for the PS Psychology major prior to beginning the practicum. Students accrue hours over the course of the program; hours must be completed by the start date of the course. Students will accrue a minimum of 90 hours for 3 units of course credit. Coursework includes a written and oral presentation. (Professional Education Course)
Studies the various theoretical approaches to counseling, the personhood of the counselor, and ethical issues in clinical practice. Major counseling theories are introduced by covering key concepts, the nature of the therapeutic relationship, and techniques associated with each theory. The worldview underlying each theory is examined as it relates to a Christian worldview, and the integration of biblical principles in counseling theories is introduced. (Professional Education Course)
Students apply concepts learned in the major as a student intern/volunteer at a human services agency or research facility. This course allows students to earn credit for additional field experience beyond PSYD 460; 30 hours of field experience will be required for each credit hour. Students may register for from 1-5 units of credit. (Professional Education Course)
Pre- or Co-Requisite: PSYD-460
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Study of a special topic in psychology. May be repeated for credit. (Professional Education Course)
Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.
Examines human nature from the perspective of psychology and Christian belief. The major approaches to the integration of psychology and Christianity will be examined, utilizing a range of issues such as the relationship between mind, body, and soul; the nature of human freedom; Christian prayer; conversion; the relationships between people's attitudes and their behavior; and contemporary Christian counseling and pastoral care. (Professional Education Course)