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Online Bachelor of Science in Psychology curriculum

Curriculum Details

120 total credits required

The online Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Brenau University requires 120 total credit hours, including the general education core and 22 major-specific courses. In classes led by expert faculty members, you’ll build expertise in human development, research methods, counseling, the psychology of cultural differences and more.

Personalize your bachelor’s degree with engaging electives and gain the specialized skills you need to stand out in your field through a hands-on capstone course that includes 100 field hours. You can complete Brenau’s BS in Psychology program in just four years, but transfer credits may reduce both time and tuition. Graduate with an online bachelor’s degree you can be proud of. From here, you can.

View the course catalog.

Major Courses (51)

Credits

This course teaches students how to apply research and critical thinking skills that will guide them throughout their careers at Brenau and beyond. This course integrates lecture, in-class discussion, hands-on activities, oral presentations and written assignments. All activities emphasize students’ active roles as participants and innovators in the expanding digital environment.

The basic principles and concepts of psychology as a science of human behavior are presented, as well as a historical perspective of the field emphasizing major theoretical contributions. This course is a prerequisite for many courses in the major. Can count as a lab science if taken with PY 101L.

This course is aimed at providing a didactic and experiential opportunity for students to develop knowledge and ability in the areas of self and social awareness. Topics include taking responsibility for oneself, development of personal identity and life-long learning strategies, and considering attitudes towards health in the areas of physical function, relationships and family, work, finances and spiritual traditions. The course addresses both the cognitive and affective aspects of learning with an emphasis on critical thinking, specifically with respect to discerning implication and application of newly acquired learning.

The principles related to growth and development from birth to death.

Prerequisite(s): PY 101

The medical, biological, psychological, sociological aspects of human sexuality.

A basic introductory course in statistics which introduces the student to the fundamental concepts of data distribution, treatment of random variables, inference, special cases of the binomial and normal random variables, confidence intervals, and significance tests. A project requiring computer application and written analysis is a component of this course. Ethical practices of collecting and analyzing data and reporting results are emphasized.

Prerequisite(s): MS 100/101/111/or 210 – with a minimum grade of C.

Research methods and designs used in psychological and healthcare research will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on the design and refinement of workable quantitatively based individual research projects. This course will provide the student with the opportunity to learn the basic principles of research. Upon completion of the course, the student will be a more enlightened consumer of research and should be able to prepare a research project. Prerequisite(s): MS 205 Corequisite(s): PY 301L
This is the laboratory course associated with PY 301, and it is required of all students taking PY 301. The course involves the use of the statistical software SPSS or SAS. Students learn to set up data sets, carry out descriptive and inferential statistical analyses on data sets, and create graphs appropriate for the data being used. Corequisite(s): PY 301
An in-depth study of the history and current state of learning principles in psychology, including learning-related processes such as perception, memory, attention, and conditioning as well as practical applications of these principles to behavior modification. Prerequisite(s): PY 101
A review of the psychogenic and biological dynamics and treatments of abnormal behaviors. Emphasis on current DSM classifications. Prerequisite(s): PY 101
An in-depth study of the major theories of personality including psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and trait theories. Prerequisite(s): PY 101
A survey of the history of psychology covering antecedents of current psychological concepts through related disciplines, emergence of psychology as a science, and contributions of various ideological movements to psychology. Prerequisite(s): PY 101
A presentation of the roles, attitudes and necessary skills for beginning helping professionals. A review and exploration of the theories of counseling and psychotherapy followed by practical applications.
The attitudes and behavior of social groups from the psychological viewpoint with emphasis on the individual as an interacting member of social groups. Prerequisite(s): PY 101
This course integrates principles of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuropathology as a basis for understanding neurological function, disease, and mental illness. Prerequisite(s): PY 101
An in depth exploration of issues related to cultural diversity including ethnocentricity, cross cultural communication, the origins of prejudice, the psychology of oppression, and the psychological significance of cultural identity. Prerequisite(s): PY 101 or SY 101

This course for graduating psychology seniors is required for graduation. It involves applied supervised experience at an approved school or community setting along with a review, integration, and application of material learned throughout the student’s time as a Psychology major. A placement at an approved site is required for participation in this course. Placements should be in place on the first day of class. Students should work with the course instructor the semester before the course to secure a placement in a timely manner.

Prerequisite(s): PY 202, PY 301
Corequisite(s): PY 499L Note(s) Should be senior standing with a minimum major GPA of 2.5

This course must be taken at the same time as PY 499, and it is for graduating seniors. This course involves 100 hours of applied supervised experience at an approved school or community setting. A placement at an approved site is required for participation in this course, and placement sites should be in place by the first day of class. Students should work with the course instructor the semester before the course to secure a placement In a time manner.

Corequisite(s): PY 499
Note(s): Should be senior standing with a minimum major GPA of 2.5

Choose one of the following:

Credits

A study of the distinctive characteristics of women’s psychological development and experience with an overview of women’s roles across various cultures.

Prerequisite(s): PY 101

A study of the distinctive characteristics of male and female psychological development and experience with an overview of gender roles across cultures.

Prerequisite(s): PY 101 or GS 200

Major Electives

Credits

Choose three courses from the list below:

  • DA 227 – Introduction to Dance/Movement Therapy
  • DA 427 – Applications of Dance/Movement Therapy
  • GS 200 – Introduction to Gender Studies
  • GT 101 – Introduction to Gerontology
  • GT 260 – Community Resources for Older Adults
  • GT 323 – Aging and Health
  • GT 350 – Communication and Aging
  • LE 300 – Conflict Resolution
  • PY 215 – Psychology of the Workplace
  • PY 230W – Psychology of Social Responsibility
  • PY 250 – Stress Management
  • PY 290 – Death, Dying and Loss
  • PY 305 – Sports Psychology
  • PY 316 – Crisis Intervention
  • PY 325 – Psychology of Health
  • PY 360 – Motivation in Organizations
  • PY 380 – Child Maltreatment and Advocacy
  • PY 412 – Psychology Seminar
  • PY 430 – Psychology of Aging
  • PY 460 – Positive Organizational Scholarship
  • PY 481 – Applied Research
  • PY 482 – Applied Psychology Teaching Experience
  • PY 483 – Advanced Special Topics

Additional Courses

Credits

  • Historical Perspective – 3 hours
  • Civic Engagement – 3 hours
  • Global Awareness – 3 hours
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Science – 7-8 hours (1 course must be a 4 hour lab science)
  • Reasoning – 3-4 hours
  • Fine Arts – 3 hours
  • Literature – 3 hours
  • Lifetime Fitness – 3 hours
  • Writing – 6 hours
  • Speaking – 3 hours
  • Modern Language – 0-3 hours
  • Communication – 3 hours

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