COURSE OFFERINGS:

Psyc 2301, Introduction to Psychology.

3 Credits.  A survey of the basic principles underlying human behavioral and mental processes. Emphasis will be placed on major areas of study in the field of psychology, such as motivation, development, thought processes, and personality.  Departmental Final Exam.   Core Curriculum Course. Also offered DE or hybrid.

PSYC 2314,  HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: LIFESPAN.  3 Credits
Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 or departmental approval.   A developmental psychology course designed to provide an understanding of human behavior and characteristics from conception to death. Information is included on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes throughout the lifespan.  Also offered in DE format.

PSYC 2317, STATISTICAL METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY.  3 credits.  An introduction to the use of scientific methods in psychology and the statistical analysis of data. Attention is given to descriptive, correlation, and inferential statistical methodology.   Not offered during summer.

PSYC 2370 CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY.  3 credits.  A course designed to explore and better understand psychology from a multicultural perspective. The course will examine similarities and differences among cultures and the context of their development. Discussions, lectures, an assignments will address how culture influences a group’s way of thinking and behavior. Core Curriculum Course.  Not offered during summer.

PSYC 2306: Human Sexuality 3 credits
A course designed to provide an understanding of human sexuality, identity, orientation, and behavior and the variations in these dimensions of this important aspect of human experience. This course includes information on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes associated with sexuality. Theory, research methods and applications will be explained. The course will cover gender identity development, the human sexual response, information on the treatment of sexual dysfunction, and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and irresponsible sexual behavior.  Not offered during summer.

PSYCHOLOGY AT HCCS-SW

The HCCS-SW Psychology Program is part of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences.  We are located at the Stafford Campus, Scarcella Bldg, Room E121.  The office is typically open from 8:30-4:30 M-F. 

Department Chair:  Dr. Sara Saderion,  713-718-7778, sara.saderion@hccs.edu

Assistant Chair for Psychology:  Dr. Carol Laman,  713-718-7777, carol.laman@hccs.edu

INSTRUCTORS:

The department currently employs 6 full time faculty and up to 20 adjuncts, depending on the semester.  All full time faculty hold a Ph.D.   All adjuncts have either a Master’s Degree or a Doctorate.  Many faculty are practicing therapists or counselors, and others represent a variety of other backgrounds, including:  social psychology, school psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, developmental psychology, and physiological psychology. 

STARTING YOUR EDUCATION AT HCCS

HCCS does not offer a two year degree in psychology.*  Instead, we offer a 2 year associate of arts or sciences degree which prepares you to transfer into a 4 year program.   As part of your core curriculum, you should take Psyc 2301, Introduction to Psychology.  As your core multicultural course, you might want to consider Psyc 2370,  Cross-Cultural Psychology.  Any additional psychology courses you take are transferable, but you should check with your four year school first to make sure they will fit into your program.

Most four year schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.  With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you might be able to get a job that requires a bachelor’s degree (non-specified) or a job that requires a bachelor’s degree in a “human services” field (e.g. personnel, management trainee, sales).  Unfortunately, the degree does not guarantee employment.  You are educated, but not skilled.  And you are not a psychologist.

The safest bet if you just plan on a bachelor’s degree is to get a double major.  For your second major,  get a degree in computers, teaching, business, or some field that involves an actual skill.  If you plan on a more advanced degree – master’s or Ph.D., there are many more options.  With a specialized master's degree in psychology, you can become a licensed professional counselor, a marriage and family therapist, a community college instructor, or a school counselor.  With a doctorate you can become a licensed psychologist.  About half of all psychologists do therapy; the rest are employed in a variety of areas, including: research, industry, university  teaching, administration, etc.  Information on careers in psychology can be found by going to the SW college learning webpage. http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/courses/ psychology/

*If what you want to do is counseling, and you only want to get a 2 year degree, you should contact the Human Service Technology Program at the HCCS Coleman College for Health Sciences.  This program teaches basic counseling skills so that you can work in an agency under the supervision of a professional with a more advanced degree.  Your courses are part of a workforce program and will only be transferable to a limited number of four year schools.