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PSYC101 Introduction to Psychology (3 semester hours)
The course introduces students to the art and science of Psychology. Course emphasis is on applying the "science of human behavior" to a variety of settings: vocational, personal, academic, and clinical. Course content introduces the history of psychology, major theories of personality and learning, current research and developmental issues. The course has a holistic approach and integrates the biological basis of behavior, social factors, learning and the unique coping styles of the individual to understand human behavior.
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC102 Professional Careers and Education in Psychology (3 semester hours)
This course provides an overview of psychology as a profession and academic discipline. It focuses on the broad discipline of psychology and its subspecialty areas within the discipline, career opportunities available in the field and educational requirements for field entry, effective job and graduate program preparation strategies, and practical issues confronting psychologists and professionals in related occupations.
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC201 Introduction to Social Psychology (3 semester hours)
This course introduces students to historical and contemporary theories of social psychology, key theorists’ contributions to the field of and practical applications of theoretical concepts in the real world of the individual functioning in group settings. The focus of study includes social judgments and decisions, attitudes and perception, social influence, attraction, aggression, altruism and group pressure and their influences on human behavior, cognition and emotion, along with exposure to the methods of social scientists who study group influence on human behavior in the field. (Prerequisite: PSYC101)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC221 Personality Theories (3 semester hours)
This course provides a broad overview of theories of personality. Course content includes psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic perspectives, and examines contributions of major theorists from each school, key theoretical points from each perspective, critiques of the value (and the limitations) of each theory.
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC300 Research Methods in Psychology (3 semester hours)
This course focuses on laboratory and field research methods applied in the study of human behavior. Course content emphasizes the development of sound methods of hypothesis testing, data interpretation and formal research report writing, the review of empirical, peer-reviewed literature, the critique and interpretation of applied research and the ethical responsibilities and codes of conduct related to psychological research
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC303 Learning and Cognition (3 semester hours)
This course examines basic learning processes within the context of classical, instrumental, and operant learning situations. Course content focuses on classical conditioning, instrumental learning, principles of reinforcement, punishment and avoidance conditioning, stimulus generalization and discrimination, retention and forgetting, nature and functioning of memory, and learning and performance of motor skills. (Prerequisite: PSYC101)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC304 Perception (3 semester hours)
This course provides an introduction to the study of how humans organize and interpret stimulation arising from their environments. Course content includes a review of theory, methodology, and research findings. Illustrative case studies will be explored, particularly with regard to disorders of perception. (Prerequisite: PSYC101)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC305 History and Systems of Psychology (3 semester hours)
This course examines the major antecedents of modern psychological theories and methodology. Course content focuses on the history of psychology as a field of scientific inquiry, including an overview of development of schools of thought, prominent figures, and key theories. (Prerequisite: PSYC101)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC324 Psychology of Addiction & Substance Abuse (3 semester hours)
This course focuses on the role of drugs in society, licit and illicit substances, the use and abuse of medical drugs, and the state of the field in terms of prevention and treatment for substance abuse and dependence. (Prerequisite: PSYC101)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC325 Biopsychology (3 semester hours)
This course surveys anatomical structures and functioning as the biological bases for human functioning and psychological states. Topics investigated include sensory processing, movement, emotional expression, sleep, learning, memory, language, reproduction and psychopathology. (Prerequisite: CHFD342 and PSYC101)
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PSYC343 Adult Development (3 semester hours)
This course is an in-depth study of the developmental processes from the transition to adulthood through old age. Course content examines the ways adults construct meaning, including intellectual, moral, and personality development. Gender and culture are highlighted, and particular emphasis is placed on understanding the influence of context on adult development. (Prerequisite: PSYC101)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC360 Psychology of Terrorism (3 semester hours)
This course is an introduction to historic and contemporary terrorist groups and their motives and strategies. The psychological and social impact on individuals, communities and global societies of the achievement of terrorist goals as well as recruitment methods, the influence terrorist groups exert on their members and factors influencing the establishment and dissolution of terrorist groups will be examined.
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PSYC406 Psychopathology (3 semester hours)
This course surveys syndromes of psychopathology, by reviewing etiology, symptomatology, and treatment. Psychological, neurobiological, and genetic approaches to understanding mental disorders are considered. Topics also include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, personality disorders, memory disorders, and childhood disorders. (Prerequisite: PSYC101)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC431 Psychology of Disaster (3 semester hours)
This course focuses on the psychological and physiological human response to natural and man-made disasters. Using clinical research and case histories, students will examine normal and abnormal psychological reactions, the recovery process and principles of mental health care for victims of mass disasters. Differences between natural and man-made disasters are examined and factors that mitigate post-traumatic effects are reviewed. Psychological aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) disasters are also considered.
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PSYC432 Psychology of Combat (3 semester hours)
This course is a study of acute and chronic behavioral response to battle. Students will review, analyze, and evaluate the range of psychological responses to combat, from "normal" reactions to variations of "Combat Stress Reaction." Case studies from combat action will provide material for application and synthesis of the concepts presented in the course. Topics include the U.S. military approach to psychiatric management of combat, POW experiences, mental adaptation for future warfare, and stress associated with other forms of conflict, such as peacekeeping. (Prerequisite: PSYC101)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
PSYC460 Sports Psychology (3 semester hours)
Students will examine human behavior in a sport and exercise setting. They will understand that enhancing individual performance is a primary objective of sport psychology. Students will learn how to create a psychological skills training program, which incorporates theories of anxiety reduction, imagery training, and self-efficacy. Current theoretical perspectives of personality factors in exercise and sport, why people exercise, what motivates an individual, exercise/sport adherence, stress, anxiety, and arousal, and the psychological effects of exercise and sport will be investigated. Students will learn the key features of effective goal setting, and apply this understanding to their own professional development.
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PSYC490 Independent Study: Psychology (3 semester hours)
This Independent Study course provides an opportunity for undergraduate Psychology students to examine in depth, and with individualized guidance from a professor, a specific area within the discipline of psychology. The course is open to upper division Psychology majors only. Independent Study course sections are 8-weeks long and run during the University’s regular monthly course offering cycles. Completing of this course off cycle or for less than 3 credits is not permitted. No exams are included in the course. Course completion will involve weekly in-classroom engagement with the Independent Study professor, to be accomplished via asynchronous discussion board engagements, assignment grading feedback and email, and the multi-phased completion of an in-depth peer-reviewed literature review paper with a required minimum length of 20 main body pages and formatted per the editorial requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA), along with the completion of any other supporting assignments to be determined by the professor. Independent Study involves advanced-level student work held to rigorous standards and it should not be attempted merely as a means of earning 3 credits needed to finish up a degree. To be eligible to register for the course, a student must be actively enrolled in the undergraduate Psychology degree program and must have completed 24 hours at APUS toward the degree. Prior to attempting PSYC490 registration, the student must first have identified an Independent Study topic focus of interest, and must have discussed the proposed topic with and obtained a memo of commitment from a professor agreeing to teach the course. The student also must have subsequently obtained approval from the Psychology Program Director prior to any registration attempt. Ample time for meeting these responsibilities must be allowed and attempts to do so should not be made during the final week before the registration period for the target course session closes, as each required step in the process necessitates consultation and review turnaround time. A month of lead time is strongly recommended. Following completion of these responsibilities, the student will be notified that a section of PSYC490 Independent Study has been opened for individual registration. The student must then complete official online registration for the course prior to the ending of the regular course registration period (late registration for this course is not permitted), enter the classroom during Week 1 to connect with their professor, review the course syllabus and all other classroom materials, and subsequently complete each week of the course as required by the professor. Pre-requisite: PSYC101 Introduction to Psychology. Available to upper division APUS Psychology majors only. Must have completed 24 hours at APUS toward current degree program. (Prerequisite: PSYC101)
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PSYC498 Senior Seminar in Psychology (3 semester hours)
The Senior Seminar in Psychology is the capstone course for the bachelor of arts in psychology degree. Students will examine what they have learned during their program and how these concepts and skills apply to a specific occupational path in the psychology profession. Students will also examine the requirements to seek careers in psychology as well as the options for graduate study. (Prerequisite: Completion of a minimum of 105 hours towards your program)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.