Psychology

David Holliway
509.793.2179
psychology@bigbend.edu

Kaja Englund
psychology@bigbend.edu

Psychology courses may be taken as part of the Associate in Arts and Science DTA degree. These courses may be used toward the Social Sciences Breadth requirement or for Specified or General Elective credit. Students seeking Associate in Arts and Science DTA degree should refer to the catalog section “Degrees & Certificates” for a detailed description of the degree, its program outcomes, and courses that will satisfy degree requirements.

Psychology is a branch of science which seeks to describe and understand normal and abnormal human behavior. Students interested in psychology as a professional career usually spend several years beyond their bachelor’s degree in graduate training to prepare themselves for such roles as psychotherapists, teachers of psychology, researchers, or industrial psychologists.

Since programs differ at each college, students should consult program outlines published by the college or university to which they intend to transfer. The following recommended courses prepare students for most baccalaureate institutions. Students should prepare their quarterly schedules with the assistance of an advisor knowledgeable in this transfer area.

Recommended Pre-Major Courses

PSYC& 100 General Psychology CWU, EWU

PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology CWU, EWU

BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology CWU

Courses

PSYC& 100: General Psychology

Credits 5
A broad survey course designed to study human behavior with reference to biology, learning, motivation, emotion, perception, intelligence, human development, mental processes, personality, abnormal behavior, and research.

PSYC& 200: Lifespan Psychology

Credits 5
This course examines the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth and development that occurs throughout the human life-span.

PSYC& 220: Psychological Disorders

Credits 5

This course provides an overview of psychological disorders, their diagnostic classification, symptoms, causes, and treatments. Students will explore research methods in psychopathology and various therapeutic approaches. Emphasis is placed on understanding abnormal behavior from biological, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives and their impacts on individuals, families, and societies.

PSYC 101: Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare I

Credits 1
This is the first in a series of five courses exploring concepts fundamental to psychosocial healthcare management. Examines some determinants of health and illness across the lifespan, including social, psychosocial, environmental, spiritual and cultural dimensions.

PSYC 102: Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare II

Credits 1
This is the second in a series of five courses exploring fundamental concepts of psychosocial healthcare management. Examines some determinants of health and illness across the lifespan, including social, psychosocial, environmental, spiritual and cultural dimensions.

PSYC 103: Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare III

Credits 1
This is the third in a series of five courses exploring fundamental concepts of psychosocial healthcare management. Examines some determinants of health and illness across the lifespan, including social, psychosocial, environmental, spiritual and cultural dimensions.

PSYC 105: Mental Health First Aid-Adult

Credits 1
Mental Health First Aid is a course where students develop key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. This course will provide knowledge of the most prevalent mental health problems people may encounter in our communities. Students will learn symptoms and criteria needed to recognize someone in mental health crisis. Students will also discuss the stigma associated with mental health in the United States and ways to promote positive mental health. This course will use the Mental Health First Aid internationally-focused and evidence-based curriculum to certify students as Mental Health First Aiders.

PSYC 201: Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare IV

Credits 1
This is the fourth in a series of five courses exploring fundamental concepts of psychosocial healthcare management. Examines some determinants of health and illness across the lifespan, including social, psychosocial, environmental, spiritual and cultural dimensions.

PSYC 202: Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare V

Credits 1
This is the fifth in a five course series exploring fundamental concepts of psychosocial healthcare management. Examines some determinants of health and illness across the lifespan, including social, psychosocial, environmental, spiritual and cultural dimensions.

PSYC 225: Psychology and the Legal System

Credits 5
As the study of human behavior, psychology must also include the study of law, which is a primary instrument used by society to control human behavior. Psychology and law is a vibrant area of research interest within the discipline of psychology. This course is a survey of the major topics represented in the field of psychology and law. This course focuses on how psychological research (across sub-disciplines such as clinical, social, cognitive, and community psychology) can contribute to a better understanding of issues related to law or legal process, how the legal system can be informated by the results of psychological research, and how psychological research can be more reactive to legal issues.

PSYC 270: Psychology of Addiction and Recovery

Credits 5

This course explores the science of addiction, including current research on both substance and behavioral addictions and recovery. Topics covered include current research on addiction, barriers to successful recovery, various treatment models including medication assisted treatment, the impact of trauma, cultural and generational impacts of addiction, as well as the effects of adverse experiences such as poverty, inadequate access to services and others.