Drexel University Online

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Online Psychology Degree Program

Curriculum

 
The curriculum for the BS in Psychology has been designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the field. The BS in Psychology consists of 182 quarter credits in the following areas: university requirements, psychology major requirements and advanced psychology electives required for graduation in conjunction with our Psychology Graduation Checklist. Click here to view the BS in Psychology graduation checklist.

Although some courses from the University catalog are only offered on-campus, the online Psychology program offers all required courses and electives necessary to fulfill graduation requirements in an online format. Course requirements may be satisfied in a number of ways including transfer credit, in-residence courses, AP credit, or online courses, but at least half the professional courses required for the major must be completed at Drexel. A minimum of 45 quarter credits must be completed at Drexel and the senior year must be spent at Drexel unless the academic dean of the college waives this requirement.

College/University Requirements (60 credits)
ANTH 101Introduction to Cultural Diversity3.00 credits
CS 161Introduction to Computing3.00 credits
ENGL 101Expository Writing and Reading3.00 credits
ENGL 102Persuasive Writing and Reading3.00 credits
ENGL 103Analytical Writing and Reading3.00 credits
PSCI 100Introduction to Political Science4.00 credits
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology3.00 credits
Economics elective
History electives
Philosophy elective
Fine Arts elective
Two of the following courses:
MATH 181Mathematical Analysis I3.00 credits
MATH 182Mathematical Analysis II3.00 credits
MATH 183Mathematical Analysis III3.00 credits
One of the following courses:
ENGL 200Classical to Medieval Literature3.00 credits
ENGL 201Renaissance to the Enlightenment3.00 credits
ENGL 202Romanticism to Modernism3.00 credits
One of the following courses:
ENGL 203Post-Colonial Lit I3.00 credits
ENGL 204Post-Colonial Lit II3.00 credits
One of the following course sequences:
BIO 102Biology I: Cells and Tissues4.00 credits
BIO 104Biology II: Growth and Heredity4.00 credits
OR
CHEM 101General Chemistry I3.50 credits
CHEM 102General Chemistry II4.50 credits
OR
PHYS 103General Physics I4.00 credits
PHYS 104General Physics II4.00 credits

Free Electives (56 credits)
Psychology Major Requirements (42 credits)
PSY 101General Psychology I3.00 credits
PSY 140Approaches to Personality3.00 credits
OR
PSY 111Preprofessional Gen Psych I3.00 credits
PSY 112Preprofessional Gen Psych II3.00 credits
PSY 120Developmental Psychology3.00 credits
PSY 150Introduction to Social Psychology3.00 credits
PSY 212Physiological Psychology3.00 credits
PSY 230Psychology of Learning3.00 credits
PSY 240Abnormal Psychology3.00 credits
PSY 260Psychological Research I3.00 credits
PSY 330Cognitive Psychology3.00 credits
PSY 340Psychological Testing and Assessment3.00 credits
PSY 360Experimental Psychology3.00 credits
PSY 364Computer-Assisted Data Analysis I3.00 credits
PSY 365Computer-Assisted Data Analysis II3.00 credits
PSY 401History Systems Psych3.00 credits

Advanced Psychology Electives (24 credits)
Available Online:
PSY 213Sensation and Perception3.00 credits
PSY 222Psych Probs Modern Youth3.00 credits
PSY 250Industrial Psychology3.00 credits
PSY 252Death and Dying3.00 credits
PSY 254Psychology of Sexual Behavior3.00 credits
PSY 310Drugs & Human Behavior3.00 credits
PSY 320Educational Psychology3.00 credits
PSY 370Forensic Psychology3.00 credits
PSY 410Neuropsychology3.00 credits
Available On-Campus:The online BS in Psychology majors may also take classes on campus. For a list of on-campus courses offered, please see the Term Master Schedule.

Course Descriptions

ANTH 101 Introduction to Cultural Diversity - 3.00 credits

Examines the diversity that exists in human culture. Uses lectures, films, and discussions to examine and illustrate the relationship between humans and their social/cultural systems.

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CS 161 Introduction to Computing - 3.00 credits

Introduction to the computer as a tool for productivity and communications. Provides fluency in the use of industry-standard software for professional communications and presentations, data analysis, and telecommunication. Introduce automation and programming to enhance the effective use of computers and computer applications.

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ENGL 101 Expository Writing and Reading - 3.00 credits

Develops students' abilities to read and write expository academic discourse. Teaches students how to read with understanding; how to access print and technological sources; how to research, plan, draft, revise, and edit academic essays and reports. Requires students to write expository essay and to keep a journal to express their responses to material read and study in the course.

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ENGL 102 Persuasive Writing and Reading - 3.00 credits

Develops students' abilities to read and write persuasive academic discourse. Teaches students to think and read critically, to evaluate and use print and technological sources effectively, and to present a written argument effectively. Requires students to write persuasive essays and research papers and to keep a journal to express their responses to material read and studied in the course.

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ENGL 103 Analytical Writing and Reading - 3.00 credits

Develops students' skills in critical and analytical reading and writing through a study of literature. Teaches students techniques to help them understand and appreciate literature. Requires students to read, analyze, and write essays and research papers about selected works of poetry, drama, and fiction and to keep a journal to express their responses to the literature studied.

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PSCI 100 Introduction to Political Science - 4.00 credits

Studies the political process, which determines who gets what, when, and how in society.

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SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology - 3.00 credits

Examines principles underlying human interaction in simple technological societies, including learning and development of social roles; development and meaning of culture and social organizations; and special institutions in the society, such as the family, class structure, and power structure.

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MATH 181 Mathematical Analysis I - 3.00 credits

Covers set theory, coordinate systems and graphs, functions, linear programming (geometric approach), matrices and linear systems, and linear programming (algebraic approach). Required for architecture, business administration, and construction management students. Non-credit for engineering and science students. Fall, Winter.

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MATH 182 Mathematical Analysis II - 3.00 credits

Covers counting techniques, probability, statistics, and probability applications. Non-credit for engineering and science students. All terms.

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MATH 183 Mathematical Analysis III - 3.00 credits

Covers limits, rates of change, derivatives, applications of differentiation, exponential and logarithmic functions, integrals, techniques of integration, applications of integration. Non-credit for engineering and science students. All terms.

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ENGL 200 Classical to Medieval Literature - 3.00 credits

A survey of Greek and Roman literature (Homer, Aeschylus, Euripides, Virgil and Cicero), up to and including the Medieval period (Aquinas, Cavalcanti, Chaucer, and Dante). This is a writing intensive course.

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ENGL 201 Renaissance to the Enlightenment - 3.00 credits

A survey of Western literature from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, focusing on works by Cervantes, Erasmus, Rabelais, Petrarch, Voltaire, Rousseau, Swift and Pope.

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ENGL 202 Romanticism to Modernism - 3.00 credits

A survey of Western literature of the 19th and 20th centuries focusing on the major periods of Romanticism (Blake, Coleridge and Keats), Realism (Balzac and Ibsen), and Modernism (Kafka, Borges and Woolf). This is a writing intensive course.

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ENGL 203 Post-Colonial Lit I - 3.00 credits

A survey of nonwestern literatures produced before the modern era in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, representing the more important periods and genres. This is a writing intensive course.

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ENGL 204 Post-Colonial Lit II - 3.00 credits

A survey of nonwestern literatures written in the 20th century by writers from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and focusing on the effects of social, aesthetic and contemporary events on artistic creation.

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BIO 102 Biology I: Cells and Tissues - 4.00 credits

Covers function of cells and tissues at the molecular, cellular, and organ level, with emphasis on human physiology.

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BIO 104 Biology II: Growth and Heredity - 4.00 credits

This course for non-majors provides an appreciation of living organisms and their environments. Topics include evolution, genetics, ecology, reproduction, development of animals, and selected elements of plant science. Application of theory is stressed. Three hours lecture, two hours lab. May be taken without a lab (3 credits). Prerequisite: BIO 103. Lab fee. Offered spring. 4 credits

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CHEM 101 General Chemistry I - 3.50 credits

Covers fundamental principles of chemistry, stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, states of matter, thermochemistry, and periodicity.

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CHEM 102 General Chemistry II - 4.50 credits

Covers chemical equilibrium, including acid-base equilibria in solution; electrochemistry; organic chemistry; polymers; and petroleum.

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PHYS 103 General Physics I - 4.00 credits

Algebra-based course that covers force, motion, work, energy properties of matter, and wave motion and sound propagation.

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PHYS 104 General Physics II - 4.00 credits

Algebra-based course that covers electricity and applications, magnetism, and optics.

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PSY 101 General Psychology I - 3.00 credits

Students are introduced to the scientific study of human behavior. Special attention is given to the biological, psychological, and social processes underlying human behavior within the framework of modern psychological research. Offered fall and spring. 3 credits

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PSY 140 Approaches to Personality - 3.00 credits

Discusses the major concepts of Freud, neo-Freudians, behaviorists, humanists, trait theorists, and others. Emphasizes understanding of self and others for psychotherapy and research. Fall.

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PSY 111 Preprofessional Gen Psych I - 3.00 credits

Preprofessional General Psychology is designed for majors and for other preprofessionals who are interested in Psychology as a minor. A scientific approach to the study of psychology is taken. An overview of the fundamental principles of psychology across a variety of sub-disciplines is offered. Part one is part of a two-part sequence and focuses on the experimental bases of psychology.

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PSY 112 Preprofessional Gen Psych II - 3.00 credits

Preprofessional General Psychology is designed for preprofessionals who are interested in psychology or related fields, especially designed for majors, and may be taken by minors of psychology. It follows Preprofessional General Psychology I and includes a laboratory component to enhance the scientific approach to psychology. Part two focuses on the application of scientific principles of psychology to human behavior.

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PSY 120 Developmental Psychology - 3.00 credits

Examines the nature of developmental processes-perceptual, intellectual, emotional, and social-and the factors influencing and limiting them.

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PSY 150 Introduction to Social Psychology - 3.00 credits

Examines theoretical and research findings in personal experiences of interacting with others in family and group settings, and with society in general.

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PSY 212 Physiological Psychology - 3.00 credits

Reviews neural foundations of behavior, including the study of nerve activity and brain function.

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PSY 230 Psychology of Learning - 3.00 credits

Introduces basic principles of the science of learning. Emphasizes I. P. Pavlov's classical conditioning, B. F. Skinner's operant conditioning, and applications to counseling and therapy.

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PSY 240 Abnormal Psychology - 3.00 credits

This course applies general principles and theories of development to the adolescent period. Topics include physiological change, cognitive development, social relations, identity, and issues of adolescence. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Offered Spring semester in odd numbered years.

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PSY 260 Psychological Research I - 3.00 credits

This course provides an introduction to the issues, techniques and methodologies associated with conducting psychological research. Topics to be covered include the logic of research in psychology, important issues in deciding how to study various psychological phenomena, ethical issues and guidelines in conducting psychological research, design and analysis of psychological research, assessing threats to internal and external validity, methods used in the interpretation of psychological data, and writing research reports in the style used by research psychologists.

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PSY 330 Cognitive Psychology - 3.00 credits

This course attempts to apply research from developmental psychology, learning, motivation, personality, and assessment to children and teachers in traditional educational settings. Prerequisite: PSY 320. Offered fall and spring. 3 credits

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PSY 340 Psychological Testing and Assessment - 3.00 credits

Enables the student to gain an understanding of the proper uses and applications of psychological evaluation by focusing on psychometric properties and reviewing selected tests and evaluation procedures commonly employed by psychologists in research and clinical practice.

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PSY 360 Experimental Psychology - 3.00 credits

Provides a study of the basic scientific fundamentals of the experiment with emphasis upon the critical thinking this method represents in establishing psychological principles. Contrasts are made to such modern pseudosciences as parapsychology. A final experiment is required of all students in this course. This is a writing intensive course.

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PSY 364 Computer-Assisted Data Analysis I - 3.00 credits

Covers data analysis using a mainframe statistical package covering basic elementary techniques of data reduction, manipulation, and statistical analysis.

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PSY 365 Computer-Assisted Data Analysis II - 3.00 credits

Covers more advanced statistical techniques, such as regression, correlation, analysis of variance, and multiple regression.

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PSY 401 History Systems Psych - 3.00 credits

Examines the historical foundations of modern psychology, with emphasis on the growth, contributions, and decline of major systems and theories.

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PSY 213 Sensation and Perception - 3.00 credits

This course provides experiences in small group interaction with an emphasis on developing skills in group participation, leadership, problem solving and decision-making. Students are encouraged to develop an understanding of group processes through journal writings and group exercises. Offered each fall and spring. 3 credits

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PSY 222 Psych Probs Modern Youth - 3.00 credits

Examines psychological problem areas frequently encountered by young adults in today's society, including identity crisis, family conflict, the new sexuality, drugs, and the search for intimacy.

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PSY 250 Industrial Psychology - 3.00 credits

This course introduces students to methodology used in the research process, including inductive and deductive reasoning, hypothesis generation, theory formation and analysis of empirically collected data. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: none. Offered Spring semester.

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PSY 252 Death and Dying - 3.00 credits

Explores death and dying from various perspectives, including the philosophical, psychological, sociocultural, and personal.

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PSY 254 Psychology of Sexual Behavior - 3.00 credits

Examines psychology of the individual coping with the sexual aspects of life.

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PSY 310 Drugs & Human Behavior - 3.00 credits

Social Psychology is the study of how an individual's behaviors, feeling and thoughts are influenced, or determined, by the behaviors and/or characteristics of others. Topics covered each semester include attraction and love, prejudice, attitudes, conformity, atltruistic behaviors, and aggression. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or Junior standing. Offered Fall semester in odd numbered years.

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PSY 320 Educational Psychology - 3.00 credits

Health psychology deals with an understanding of the psychological influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill, and how they respond when they do get ill. Topics covered include preventive health behaviors and their modifications, the mind-body relationship, stress and illness, stress reduction, the patient in treatment settings, the management of pain and discomfort, and coping with chronic illness. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: PSY 100. Offered Fall semester.

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PSY 370 Forensic Psychology - 3.00 credits

This course is for upper-level students who wish to learn about the field of abnormal behavior. Topics include: theories of abnormality, its causes and treatment; classification systems and conditions, such as anxiety disorders, affective disorders, personality disorders, dissociative and somatoform disorders, psychosexual disorders, substance abuse and schizophrenia. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and Junior standing. Offered Spring semester; offered Fall semester in even numbered years.

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PSY 410 Neuropsychology - 3.00 credits

Provides a study of the relationship between human brain function and behavior. Examines basic anatomy of the brain and focuses on principles of human neuropsychological functioning. Studies cortical and higher cognitive functioning in depth through a focus on both normal and brain-injured individuals.

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