The study of psychology offers students a comprehensive look inside human thought and behavior. Psychology is a broad field that examines hundreds of different areas including the central nervous system, perception, learning and memory, personality, motivation, developmental and clinical psychology. Professionals who work in this field have a deep curiosity for human behavior and an acute desire to help people in need of psychological treatment. Learners considering a course of study in psychology, or perhaps entering this profession, have the opportunity to contribute to a wide variety of fields including healthcare, social work, corrections and even criminology.

The Psychology program takes learners through the basic concepts, theories, research methods, and contributions to the understanding of human behavior taking students through the various complexities of human development, the motivations for our thoughts, feelings and behavior as well as the role of sexuality, gender, heredity and genetics as applied to human behavior overall. Learners will have the opportunity to analyze various psychological disorders, "normal" behaviors and the basis of the psychology behind learning, memory and experience. Learners who complete this course will have firm understanding of the theories and concepts of psychology including the scope of psychology, biological foundations and the brain, sensation, perception, motivation, personality, learning/memory, emotion, states of consciousness, personality theories, cognition, life-span development, and applied psychology.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Examine the field of psychology in terms of history, key perspectives and issues, current trends, scientific and research methods
• Explain the anatomical structures and physiological functions related to psychology
• Examine sensation, perception, heredity, and genetics
• Analyze consciousness, sleep, sleep disorders, and hypnosis as related to psychology
• Analyze the underlying principles and basis of the psychology behind learning, memory, and experience
• Explain cognitive abilities and intelligence from a psychological perspective
• Examine the different phases and stages in human development
• Examine the different motivation theories and the psychological basis of emotions
• Explain sexuality and gender in relation to psychology
• Examine psychoanalytic approaches and humanistic theories to explain behaviors and traits in personalities
• Evaluate health psychology and approaches to health management
• Investigate different mental disorders as related to psychology
• Analyze psychotherapy, the different methods, and their effectiveness
• Investigate the importance of thoughts, trends in social behavior, and impact of social influences
• Use Microsoft Office®

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Psychology (PSYCH)

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.