Division of Psychology and Philosophy

Website: http://www.twu.edu/psychology-philosophy

Chair: Dr. Nila Ricks/Associate Professor
Location: OMB 410H
Phone: 940-898-2077
E-mail: NRicks@twu.edu

The Division of Psychology and Philosophy offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science, the Master of Arts, the Master of Science, the Specialist in School Psychology, and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The division also offers several minor tracks in psychology and philosophy.

Degree programs for undergraduate majors are designed to prepare the student for career pursuits and/or advanced degree work in health-related fields and psychology. Although the undergraduate major is broad-based, the program, through the five degree plan options, offers sufficient depth to afford students a strong foundation in psychology, whether it be for the purpose of entering the job market in the helping professions or for doing advanced coursework at the graduate level. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree often work in human resources, case management, human services, and education fields. Students who are interested in obtaining a graduate degree often pursue careers in health-related fields (e.g., occupational or physical therapy, medicine, and nursing) or in other specialized areas of psychology (e.g., clinical, counseling, experimental, forensic, industrial/organizational, and school psychology).

Coursework and degree plans in Psychology were designed in accordance with the APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major. As such, our Undergraduate Program is guided by five overarching learning goals. As an undergraduate in the Psychology Program, you will develop:

  1. a knowledge base in psychology,
  2. scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills,
  3. a sense of ethical and social responsibility in a diverse world,
  4. written and oral communication skills, and
  5. professional development skills such as the ability to work in a team and project management.

Please visit the Division of Psychology and Philosophy website for more information.

Undergraduate Degrees Offered

  • B.S. in Psychology:  Psychology is designed to provide a solid liberal arts education and will prepare students for a wide array of pursuits.
  • B.S. in Psychology Graduate School Preparation:  The Graduate School Preparation Track in Psychology prepares students for graduate-level work in Psychology and other Social Sciences. Through the inclusion of specific coursework and research team opportunities, this degree plan provides students the opportunity to gain key knowledge and skills necessary for success at the graduate level.
  • B.S. in Psychology (Health Psychology): The health psychology track is designed to prepare students to work in allied health fields. , Through specialized course work, students develop a strong base in general psychological principles while studying how psychological, behavioral, and cultural phenomena interact with illness and health.  
  • B.S. in Psychology Pre-Occupational Therapy:  The Pre-Occupational Therapy Track is designed to prepare students for advanced degree work in allied health fields such as Occupational Therapy. Prerequisites for admission into the Occupational Therapy Program at TWU are embedded within the degree plan. Please see the Graduate Catalog for more information about admission into the Occupational Therapy program.
  • B.S. in Psychology Pre-Physical Therapy:  The Pre-Physical Therapy Track is designed to prepare students for advanced degree work in allied health fields such as Physical Therapy. Pre-requisites for admission to the Physical Therapy Program at TWU are included in the degree plan. Please see the Graduate Catalog for more information about admission into the Physical Therapy program at TWU.

The Psychology Degree Programs require the completion of a minimum of 120 semester credit hours.

Core Curriculum requirements include a minimum of 42 semester credit hours and are listed in the Academic Information and Planning section of this catalog.

Special Requirements

Students wanting to enter any of the Psychology degree plans will have admission requirements that must be completed before becoming a Psychology major. Please see the Division of Psychology and Philosophy website for information on the admission process and requirements for the Psychology major.

In order to graduate with a major in Psychology, students must complete the Psychology Senior Exit Exam in their final semester.

Only psychology and philosophy courses in which a grade of C or higher is received may be counted toward a Divisional major and/or minor. A minimum of 16 advanced semester credit hours of Psychology coursework must be taken at TWU. Accelerated tracks are intended for those students entering TWU as FTIC.

Graduate Courses

Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for information regarding graduate courses.

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements. The following degrees have additional secondary admission criteria:

Faculty

*BANKS, COURTNEY, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Texas A&M University - College Station
BARNICLE, KELSEY, Lecturer I, B.S., Texas Woman's University; M.S., Texas Woman's University
CHOI, DOWON, Assistant Professor, B.A., Chung-Ang University; M.A., University of Connecticut; Ph.D., University of Florida
DAY, OTTER, Assistant Clinical Professor, B.S., Texas Woman's University; M.S., Texas Woman's University
*HARDING, BRIAN T., Professor of Philosophy, B.A., University of Dallas; M.A., Fordham University; Ph.D., Fordham University
*HART, CHRISTIAN L., Professor of Psychology, B.A., University of North Texas; M.S., Texas Christian University; Ph.D., Texas Christian University
*JOHNSON, WENDI L., Associate Professor of Psychology, B.A., Bryant College; M.A., Western Carolina University; Ph.D., Texas Woman's University
*KIM, SAMUEL, Associate Professor, B.A., Emory University; M.Ed., Georgia State University; S.Ed., Georgia State University; Ph.D., Georgia State University
KIM, MIJIN, Assistant Professor, B.A., Sogang University; M.A., EWHA Woman's University; Ph.D., University of Houston
LARKS, ALEXANDRA, Assistant Clinical Professor, B.A., University of Detroit Mercy; M.S., Eastern Michigan University; Ph.D., Texas Woman's University
*MOLLEN, DEBRA, Professor of Psychology, B.A., Adelphi University; M.A., University of Denver; Ph.D., Indiana University
*NA, ELISA, Associate Professor of Psychology, B.S., University of Washington; Ph.D., The University of Iowa
*PALOMARES, RONALD S., Associate Professor of Psychology, B.S., Texas A&M University; M.A., Lesley College; Ph.D., Texas A&M University
*PORRAS PYLAND, CLAUDIA V., Associate Professor of Psychology, B.A., Texas Tech University; M.S., Oklahoma State University; Ph.D., Oklahoma State University
*RIVERS, ALANNAH, Assistant Professor, M.A., Baylor University; Ph.D., Baylor University
*ROSEN, LISA H., Professor of Psychology, B.A., Rice University; M.A., University of Texas at Austin; Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
*RUBIN, LINDA, Professor of Psychology, B.S., University of Kansas; M.S., University of Kansas; Ph.D., University of Kansas
*SCOTT, SHANNON R., Professor of Psychology; Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, B.A., Stephen F. Austin State University; M.S., Tufts University; Ph.D., Tufts University
*SMITH, GABRIELLE, Associate Professor of Psychology, B.A., Spelman College; M.A., University of Alabama; Ph.D., University of Alabama
*TERRIZZI Jr., JOHN A., Associate Professor of Psychology, B.S., Juniata College; M.A., College of William and Mary; Ph.D., West Virginia University
*WILLIAMS, MARLENE, Assistant Professor of Psychology, B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.A., Stephen F. Austin State University; Ph.D., University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Asterisk (*) Denotes Graduate Faculty status.

Courses

Contact hours identified in the course descriptions are based on a 15-week term.  Students who enroll in Summer or mini-terms are expected to meet the same total number of contact hours as a 15-week term.

PHIL 1023. Introduction to Philosophy. (TCCN PHIL 1301) Survey of basic philosophical issues: methodology, metaphysics, axiology, including epistemology, cosmology, ontology, ethics, and aesthetics; selected readings from great philosophers, both eastern and western. Satisfies Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core (40). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PHIL 2023. Love and Loneliness. Introduction to the philosophical study of love/friendship and solitude/loneliness; definition of friendship; types of friendship; difference between loneliness and solitude; and relationship between duties to friends and strangers. Satisfies three hours Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core (40) or Component Area Option (91). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PHIL 2033. Logic and Critical Thinking. (TCCN PHIL 2303) A consideration of critical thought from the perspective of induction and deduction, formal and informal fallacies, structure of syllogism, symbolic logic, and principles of scientific method. Satisfies Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core (40). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PHIL 2053. Philosophy of Comparative Religions. (TCCN PHIL 1304) A critical analysis of the phenomenon of religion and religious methodology. A comparative consideration of world religious traditions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PHIL 3043. Philosophy of Religion. Inquiry into religion from a philosophical perspective; study of contemporary theological methodology; emphasis on religious imagery, meaning, the nature of religious experience, and knowledge claims. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PHIL 3053. Ethics. A consideration of the primary ethical theories with respect to personal, social, and professional action; the critical discussion of the ethical systems of the major classical philosophies. Satisfies Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core (40). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PHIL 3073. Bioethics. Centers upon problems of value with respect to biomedical technology, genetics, ecology, abortion, euthanasia, human experimentation, prolongation of life, psychosurgery; ethical and social issues in biomedicine. Satisfies Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core (40). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PHIL 3083. Ethics and Feminism. A comprehensive study of the literature, principles, and linguistic impact of contemporary ethics with special emphasis on the origins, authors, and audiences related to feminist philosophy. Satisfies three hours Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core (40) or Component Area Option (90). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PHIL 3123. Human Nature. Psychological and philosophical accounts of human nature; topics including socio-biology, nature versus nurture, consciousness, free will, and the nature of knowledge. Prerequisite: PSY 1013. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PHIL 3193. Women and Western Religions. Women's religious roles and contributions to religious traditions with emphasis on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; interconnections between religion and gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality, and culture; and feminist/womanist critiques and transformations of Western religious traditions. Satisfies three hours Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core (40) or Component Area Option (90). Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PHIL 4913. Independent Study. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 1013. Introduction to General Psychology. (TCCN PSYC 2301) Survey of traditional areas of psychology; psychobiology, perception, learning, cognition, development, social behavior, abnormal psychology, and psychotherapy. Satisfies Social & Behavioral Sciences Core (80). Three lecture hours a week.Credit: Three hours.

PSY 1082. Psychology of Adjustment. (TCCN PSYC 2315) Nature of effective and faulty patterns of adjustment; factors in healthy and unhealthy personal development; unique motivation patterns of individuals; and influence of sociocultural factors on adjustment in intellectual, occupational, emotional, and social areas. Satisfies two hours Core Component Area Option (91). Two lecture hours a week. Credit: Two hours.

PSY 1603. Developmental Psychology. (TCCN PSYC 2314) Development of personality and learning capacities across the life-span from birth to death; emphasis on interactions of heredity, environment, and maturational processes. Prerequisite: PSY 1013. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 2013. Professional Development in Psychology. Focuses on student development for academic and career growth, exploration, and preparation for career opportunities and graduate school, writing, and research skills. Topics covered: goal development, APA writing style, subfields in psychology, portfolios, and resumes. Should be taken the semester following PSY 1013. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 2023. Social Psychology. (TCCN PSYC 2319) Survey of and research on attitudes, attribution, the self, affiliation, aggression, gender, cross-cultural issues, social cognition, altruism, person perception, and group structure. Prerequisite: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 2061. Research Team I. Participation in introductory research activities in a supervising faculty member's area of research interest. Prerequisite: Permission of supervising faculty. Three laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

PSY 2071. Research Team II. Participation in basic research activities in a supervising faculty member's area of research interest. Prerequisite: Permission of supervising faculty. Three laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

PSY 2133. Physiological Psychology. (TCCN PSYC 2330) Fundamentals of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; psychopharmacology; genetic, neurological, and endocrine bases of sensation, motivation, sleep, and arousal; learning, memory, and psychopathology. Prerequisite: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 2303. Applied Statistics. (TCCN PSYC 2317) Basic statistical methods: distributions, central tendency, variability, correlation, sampling techniques, and hypothesis testing. Prerequisite: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 2513. Abnormal Psychology. (TCCN PSYC 2320) A study of psychopathology covering the major classification systems including mood disorders and psychotic behavior, defenses, anxiety, methods of psychotherapy, mental health principles; examination of abnormality in relationship to normal behavior. Prerequisite: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 2633. Adolescent Psychology. (TCCN PSYC 2307) Developmental, behavioral, and emotional aspects of adolescence; emphasis on current research, theories, issues, and problems. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 and PSY 1603 with a grade of C or higher. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 2703. Psychology of Stress. Introduction to the nature and psychology of stress and its relationship to social, academic, and occupational functioning. Implications of stress for physical health. Prevention, identification, and management of stress from a psychological perspective. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 3061. Research Team III. Participation in research activities at a developing level in a supervising faculty member's area of research interest. Prerequisite: Permission of supervising faculty. Three laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

PSY 3071. Research Team IV. Participation in research activities at an intermediate level in a supervising faculty member's area of research interest. Prerequisite: Permission of supervising faculty. Three laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

PSY 3073. Psychology and the Media. Directed investigation of the complex and increasingly pervasive impact of mass media in the U.S. and around the world. Topics may include media aesthetics, social influence, the social experience and effects of media, and the economics and business of media. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 and PSY 2023. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 3123. Human Nature. Psychological and philosophical accounts of human nature; topics including socio-biology, nature versus nurture, consciousness,free will, and the nature of knowledge. Prerequisite: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 3161. Behavior Therapy Laboratory. Classroom and virtual field experiences designed to illustrated assessment and treatment procedures in behavior therapy. Prerequisite: Psychology major/minor/entry or BGS major, or permission of departmental advisor. Co-requisite: PSY 3163. Two laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

PSY 3163. Introduction to Behavior Therapy. Techniques of behavior therapy designed to acquaint the student with treatments and research applications in normal and clinical populations. Emphasis on mastery of techniques, designing treatment plans, and evaluation. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher and psychology major/minor/entry or BGS major, or permission of departmental advisor. Co-requisite: PSY 3161. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 3273. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. Psychological foundations of religious experience with an emphasis on the scientific study of religious phenomena. Survey of diverse viewpoints including cognitive, cultural, developmental, evolutionary, existential, and social psychological perspectives. Exploration of attitude formation, religious development, morality, prejudice, and spirituality. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 3333. Evolutionary Psychology. Exploration of the mechanisms of the human mind and behavior through the lens of evolutionary theory, unifying, and integrating the different branches of psychology. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher and psychology major/minor, or permission of departmental advisor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 3354. Experimental Psychology. Strategies of research including design of psychological experiments, data collection, data analysis, and report writing. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 and PSY 2303 with a grade of C or higher, and psychology entry/major/minor, or permission of departmental advisor. Three lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Four hours.

PSY 3733. Psychology of Women. Issues in the development and behavior of women, including theoretical perspectives, male-female differences, achievement, motivation, stereotype, androgyny, sexuality, career choices, mental health and disorders, psychotherapy, life-span, and special sub-groups. Satisfies three hours Core Component Area Option (90). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 3743. Global Blackness and Psychology. Intercultural/international perspectives in psychology related to Blackness. Black psychology and mainstream psychology's relevance to the understanding of global problems for people within the African diaspora. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Prerequisite: PSY 1013. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 3933. Positive Psychology. Explores factors related to enhancement of overall mental health and well-being. Focus on strengths-based and resiliency approach to psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher, and psychology major/minor/entry or BGS/BAAS major, or permission of departmental advisor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 3943. Psychological Tests and Measurements. Theory and practice of psychological assessment. Construction, validation, and use of psychological tests in measuring psychological variables. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 and PSY 2303 with a grade of C or higher, and psychology majors only or permission of departmental advisor. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4013. Health Psychology. Examination of psychosocial factors in health and illness with emphasis on relevant research and health care delivery from a psychological perspective. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher, must have completed 55 semester credit hours, and psychology major/minor or BGS/BAAS major, or permission of departmental advisor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4023. Forensic Psychology. Examination of psychological theories and research related to current issues in criminal law; and the role of psychologists in the criminal justice system. Prerequisite: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher, must have completed 55 semester credit hours, and psychology major/minor or BGS major, or permission of departmental advisor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4053. Survey of Counseling. Basic principles, history, and key domains of counseling. Focus on development of helping skills including active listening and peer counseling. Prerequisites: BGS or BAAS major, or Psychology minor; and PSY 1013. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4061. Research Team V. Participation in research activities at a maturing level in a supervising faculty member's area of research interest. Prerequisite: Permission of supervising faculty. Three laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

PSY 4071. Research Team VI. Participation in research activities at an advanced level in a supervising faculty member's area of research interest. Prerequisite: Permission of supervising faculty. Three laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

PSY 4073. Survey of Family Psychology. Survey of psychological bases for understanding and evaluating family structure and process; family within the diverse American culture. Prerequisites: BGS or BAAS major, or Psychology minor; and PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4101. Cognitive Psychology Laboratory. Laboratory and field experiences designed to illustrate concepts of cognition. Prerequisite: Psychology major/minor. Co-requisite: PSY 4103. Two laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

PSY 4103. Cognitive Psychology. Survey of research in human cognition; emphasis on cognitive processes of perception, attention, memory, language, problem-solving, concept formation, and decision making. Prerequisites: PSY 1013, PSY 2303, and PSY 3354 with a grade of C or higher; and psychology major/minor; or permission of departmental advisor. Co-requisite: PSY 4101. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4113. History and Systems of Psychology. Historical view of the field from earliest scientific and philosophical antecedents through the classical schools to present views. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher, must have completed 15 psychology semester credit hours, and psychology major/minor, or permission of departmental advisor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4153. Introduction to Counseling. Basic principles, history, theories, key domains, techniques, and experiences of counseling and psychotherapy. Experiential activities to help students develop basic helping skills. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 and PSY 2513 with a grade of C or higher, must have completed 15 psychology semester credit hours, and psychology majors only or permission of departmental advisor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4173. Foundations of Family Psychology. A survey of psychological bases for understanding and evaluating family structure and process family within the diverse American culture. Special attention to the study of patterns of family development across the life cycle. Research bases for clinical practice will be studied and evaluated. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 and PSY 1603 with a grade of C or higher, must have completed 15 psychology semester credit hours, and psychology majors only or permission of departmental advisor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4183. Global Perspectives in Psychology. Intercultural/international perspectives in psychology; psychology's relevance to the understanding of global problems and how psychology itself is affected by global events/cultures. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 with a grade of C or higher, and psychology major/minor/entry or BGS/BAAS major, or permission of departmental advisor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4313. The Changing Brain. Overview of plasticity at the level of single neurons and the whole brain. Normal plasticity and neuroplasticity in the context of neurological disorders. Prerequisites: PSY 1013 and PSY 2133 with a grade of C or higher. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4423. Addiction. Introduction to the field of addiction with an emphasis on drug dependence. Psychological and physiological nature of addition, the factors that influence its development, and treatment methods. Prerequisite: PSY 1013. Three lecture hours a week.

PSY 4443. Psychology of Health Disparities. Social determinants of health at global and national levels. How membership in an underserved or marginalized group impacts health and health care, health care services, and policies governing these services. Theoretical frameworks for disparity causation and the role of contributing psychosocial factors. Prerequisite: PSY 1013. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4763. Early Field Experiences in Psychology. Supervised experiences in applied settings. The settings will be psychologically oriented work environment with diverse client populations. Both public and private agencies may be used. Prerequisites: PSY 1013, PSY 1603, and PSY 2513 with a grade of C or higher; must have completed 15 psychology semester credit hours; and permission of supervising faculty. One lecture hour and four practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4913. Independent Study. Prerequisite: Permission of supervising faculty. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4933. Senior Seminar in Psychology. Capstone course for psychology majors; focus on extensive readings and theoretical and applied areas of human behavior. May be repeated one time for credit when topic varies. Pre-requisites: PSY 1013, PSY 1603, and PSY 2513 with a grade of C or higher; must have completed 15 psychology and 85 semester credit hours overall; and psychology major/minor; or permission of departmental advisor. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

PSY 4953. Internship. Cooperative work-study arrangement between business, industry, or selected agencies and the Psychology program. Work environment consistent with student's major and career goals. Preplanning and evaluation will involve 10 percent of the laboratory hours per week. May be repeated once for credit. Pre-requisites: PSY 1013, PSY 1603, and PSY 2513 with a grade of C or higher; must have completed 15 psychology semester credit hours; minimum overall GPA of 3.0; and permission of supervising faculty. Credit: Three hours.