Psychology Major
For information, contact Professor James Scepansky, , 610-606-4666, ext. 3424
Program Description
The goal of the field of psychology is to study and understand the complex nature of human and non-human behavior. At Cedar Crest College, students approach psychology as both a science and a profession. As a science, students pursue knowledge of the field, using a variety of theories and methods such as experiments, observations and surveys. As a profession, students use experiential learning techniques to apply this knowledge to a range of practical problems.
A small student-faculty ratio allows for close personal instruction. Because of our faculty’s diverse backgrounds we are able to offer courses in such sub-fields as Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Biopsychology, Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Animal Learning and Behavior. Students may also conduct independent research projects under the direct supervision of faculty members. Students may complete required core courses during the day or in the evening, and there are numerous psychology elective course options, some of which are offered in alternative formats (weekend, accelerated, online, hybrid).
The Psychology Program’s objective is to ensure that every undergraduate receives high-quality instruction in all of the essential areas of psychology, and be exposed to a wide range of psychology sub-fields. Through one-on-one advising tailored to each student’s interest, the Department is committed to providing knowledge and experiences that enable students to make educated and informed decisions regarding future occupational and educational choices.
Mission Statement
Psychology is a diverse field that is best defined as the scientific study of behavior and experience. The mission of the psychology program at Cedar Crest College is, therefore, to provide students with a breadth of experiences that are based upon the historical, theoretical, and empirical foundation of the discipline of psychology. This foundation is consistent with the perennial basis of a liberal arts education and is hence congruent with the college’s basic mission that focuses on scholarship and creativity. The multifarious nature of the faculty’s scholarship, as well as the multiplicity of courses taught by them, make the department highly distinctive and on the cutting edge of the developments in the field of psychology.
Total number of credits required by program
For the most recent and complete departmental policies and course listings, please refer to the Psychology Department website. A minimum of 46 credits is required for a major in Psychology; 43 of these credits are in Psychology coursework, and 3 credits are from courses taken outside the Psychology Department. A minimum of 21 Psychology credits for the major must be taken at Cedar Crest College. Once a student has matriculated at Cedar Crest College, and has declared Psychology as a major, all remaining core Psychology courses must be taken at the Department of Psychology.
Program Requirements
Any student desiring to declare Psychology as a major or a minor must have a cumulative grade point average at the college of at least 2.00.
PSY 100 is a prerequisite to all other psychology courses.
PSY 100/200 level courses are for 1st-Year and Sophomore-level Students
PSY 300 level courses are for Junior- and Senior-level Students
Double majors who are exempt from taking a particular psychology course(s) due to the completion of another acceptable course(s) in their second major MUST meet the minimum credit requirement in psychology by substituting electives. The minimum number of credits in order to be awarded the major is 46.
Course Requirements for the Psychology Major
A minimum of 46 credits is required for a major in Psychology. A grade of C- or better must be obtained in each course to satisfy requirements for the psychology major; (NOTE: a grade of B or better in PSY 211 and PSY 212 is required to enroll in PSY 365 Psychology Thesis I and PSY 366 Psychology Thesis II). This includes all Liberal Arts requirements. A course may be repeated (taken a second time) only once due to a grade less than a C-. A student wishing to repeat a course more than one time (taken a third time) must complete a petition and seek special permission from the Department and the Registrar’s Office; permission will be granted only under extraordinary circumstances. A student withdrawal (for any reason) at any point in the course will count as taking the course; subsequently, the course from which a student withdraws could be repeated only one additional time. A student may NOT take a course (or its equivalent) more than 3 times- no exceptions.
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
PSY 210 Life-Span Development 3 credits
PSY 211 Research and Statistical Methods I (Formerly “Experimental Methods”) 4 credits
*PSY 170 Understanding and Using APA Editorial Style 1 credit (*Taken concurrently with PSY 211)
PSY 212 Research and Statistical Methods II (Formerly “Statistical Methods”) 4 credits
PSY 215 Biological Psychology 3 credits
Take one of the following:
PSY 309 Psychopathology (Formerly “Abnormal Psychology”) 3 credits
OR
PSY 351 Theories of Personality 3 credits
Take one of the following:
PSY 317 Learning 4 credits
OR
PSY 336 Cognitive Psychology 4 credits
PSY 363 Senior Capstone 3 credits
15 additional credits of Psychology electives (e.g., PSY courses) in any sub-field of psychology based on your interest.
ALSO Students must complete either THS 105 (Public Speaking) or COM 100 (Introduction to Communication) to complete the College-wide Oral Presentation requirement (3 credits)
TOTAL = 46 credits
Fulfillment of the General Education and Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Requirements
To fulfill the Oral Presentation (OP) requirement, a student must successfully complete a specific course outside of the Psychology Department; that is, THS 105: Public Speaking, OR COM 100: Introduction to Communications.
A student fulfills the Information Literacy (IL) requirement through the successful completion of PSY 211: Research and Statistical Methods I.
A student fulfills the Technology (Tech) requirement through the successful completion of PSY 212: Research and Statistical Methods II. This course also counts as a Math and Logic (ML) course.
To fulfill the remaining LAC Math and Logic (ML) requirement, a student must successfully complete a course outside of the Psychology Department; that is, MAT 102 or higher.
A student fulfills the college’s LAC Natural Science (SCI) requirement through the successful completion of PSY 215: Biological Psychology, which is required for the Psychology major, and successful completion of a 4-credit lab-based SCI course.
To fulfill the LAC Ethics (ETH) requirement, Psychology majors may complete PSY 330: Professional Ethics or another ETH-designated course.
Other general education and LAC requirements (Writing, Global Studies, Arts, Humanities) must be fulfilled through qualified courses outside of the Psychology Department.
Note: Successful completion of these courses requires a grade of a C- or better.
Psychology Minor
For information, contact Professor James Scepansky, , 610-606-4666, ext. 3424.
Course Requirements for the Psychology Minor (21credits)
For the most recent and complete departmental policies and course listings, please refer to the Psychology Department website. At lease 21 psychology credits are required for a minor in Psychology, 12 of which must be completed at Cedar Crest College. A grade of C- or better must be obtained in each course to satisfy requirements for the psychology minor; this includes all Liberal Arts requirements. Courses transferred in must be taken within the last 10 years.
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
PSY 210 Life-Span Development 3 credits
Take one of the following:
PSY 351 Theories of Personality 3 credits
OR
PSY 353 Social Psychology 3 credits
PLUS 12 additional elective credits in psychology
Health and Wellness Minor
For information, contact Dr. Micah Sadigh, , 610-606-4666, ext. 3715.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Health and Wellness minor is to provide students with a comprehensive approach to and understanding of health promotion and disease prevention, and to allow them to acquire the knowledge necessary for achieving optimal well-being. To realize this objective, a multidisciplinary approach to health is essential. Hence, the minor consists of courses from disciplines such as Biology, Psychology, Social Work, Religion/Spirituality, and Humanities. Additionally, the minor requires that students attend to their physical health through participation in credit and/or non-credit activities such as Dance courses or Healthy You programs. The multidisciplinary nature of the minor will add distinctiveness to students’ education, particularly as it relates to the multifaceted nature of the study of health and wellness.
Course Requirements for the Health and Wellness Minor (18 credits plus two approved physical activities)
All students must complete the core course, PSY 201 (Mind-Body Medicine); at least three credits from each of the four categories listed below, plus an additional three credits from any of these four categories. In addition, students must demonstrate two experiences in the physical area as defined below. Credits in the physical component do not count towards the 18 credits required for the minor.
Core Course
PSY 201 Mind-Body Medicine – 3 credits
Biological
BIO 112 Concepts in Human Biology 4 credits
BIO 117 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits
BIO 118 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits
BIO 217 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits
BIO 218 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits
NTR 210 Principles of Nutrition 3 credits
BIO 330 Drugs and the Brain: Neuropharmacology of Disease and Addiction 3 credits
BIO 348 Diseases of the Nervous System 3 credits
NTR 210 Principles of Nutrition 3 credits
Psychological
PSY 353 Social Psychology for Psychology 3 credit
PSY 235 Psychology of Adjustment 3 credits
PSY 251 Health Psychology 3 credits
PSY 260 ST: Sports Psychology 3 credits
PSY 304 Stress, Disease, and Psychophysiological Interventions 3 credits
PSY 326 Principles of Behavior Modification 3 credits
Social/Spirituality
REL/PSY 204 Psychology of Religion 3 credits
REL 220 Death and Dying 3 credits
REL 225 Buddhism in America 3 credits
REL 233 Spirituality and Wellness3 credits
SOC 243 Social and Psychological Aspects of Aging 4 credits
History, Literature, and Languages
ENG 235 Topics in Non-Fiction Writing 3 credits (Or other creative writing courses with appropriate topics, to be chosen in consultation with the student’s minor advisor
GND 100 The F Word: Introduction to Gender Studies 3 credits
SPA 205 Spanish for Health Professionals 3 credits
SPA 316: Advanced Spanish for Health Professionals
Physical, Experiential Requirements
Students must demonstrate participation in physical activities, which maintain or improve cardiovascular functions, endurance, or flexibility. These activities may be credit bearing or non-credit bearing. If credit bearing, the course does not count towards the 18 credits required for the minor. If non-credit bearing, the activity must be approved by the health and wellness minor advisor. Students must complete two physical activities, each of which must consist of at least 2.5 hours of physical activity per week, for the duration of a semester. *
*Examples of credit bearing courses which fulfill 2.5 hours of physical activity per week, for the duration of a semester are: Any dance course, varsity sport, or EXS 101 Physical Conditioning for Exercise
* Examples of non-credit bearing activities may include taking dance courses, or attending a gymnasium, as long as the hours spent in such activities are well-documented and can be verified.
Sport and Exercise Psychology Minor
For information, contact Dr. Diane Moyer, 610-606-4666, ext. 3457
Mission Statement
The Sportand Exercise Psychology minor is an interdisciplinary minor offered by the Department of Psychology in collaboration with the Departments of Health Sciences and the Athletic Department. This interdisciplinary minor will promote a better understanding of the complex dynamics of sports and the integral role of exercise in enhancing self-efficacy and self-growth, as well as the psychological principles that strengthen such transformations. Concepts learned in this course can be applied to athletics, medicine, business, rehabilitation and the arts. This minor is available to all students.
Course Requirements for the Sport and Exercise Psychology Minor (18 credits)
9 Credits of course work from the following courses:
EXS 100 Introduction to Exercise Science 3 Credits
EXS 260 Principles of Coaching 3 Credits
PSY 225 Sport Psychology 3 Credits
9 Credits of course work from the following courses:
EXS 101 Physical Conditioning for Exercise and Sport 3 Credits
EXS 102 Introduction to Athletic Training 3 Credits
EXS 203 Prevention and Care of Injury 3 Credits
NTR 113 Nutrition and Fitness 1 Credit
PSY 206 Positive Psychology 3 Credits
PSY 230 Team Building and Group Dynamics 3 Credits
PSY 251 Health Psychology 3 Credits
PSY 326 Behavior Modification 3 Credits
Political Psychology Minor
For information contact Dr. Christine Carpino , 610-606-4666, ext. 3923 or Dr. James Scepansky, , 610-606-4666, ext. 3424
Mission Statement
The mission of the Political Psychology minor is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the ways behavior and decision-making underlie politics and policy and the means by which political institutions influence behavior and decision-making. Students minoring in Political Psychology will be able to apply their skills and training to careers in local, state, and federal politics. Students will be well positioned to work in political communications, lobbying and campaigns, among other occupations.
Program Outcomes
Students who graduate with a Political Psychology minor will:
- Develop core knowledge of the key factors and institutions that affect decision-making in the US;
- Develop a deeper understanding of how conscious and unconscious behaviors contribute to political processes; and
- Develop a greater appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of political psychology.
Program Requirements
To apply transfer credits toward the completion of minor requirements, students must have earned a grade of “C-” or better in each course to be transferred. Courses completed more than ten years ago will not be accepted for purposes of completing the requirements of the minor.
Course Requirements for the Political Psychology Minor (18 credits plus summative experiential paper or presentation)
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
PSY 351 Theories of Personality
PSY 353 Social Psychology
PSC 110 American Politics
PSC 210 American Public Policy
PSC 312 American Foreign Policy
In addition to completing the courses stated above, students will be required to complete a short paper demonstrating their understanding of how behavior and decision-making underlie politics and policy.