Courses in the areas of lifespan and human development cover issues in child development, adolescence, and aging. Students may select specific courses related to personality, behavioral problems, mental disorders, and cognitive deficits among these populations as well. Research opportunities and practica assist students in gaining experience working with different populations. These courses will help prepare students for careers working with children, adolescents, and the elderly in many settings including child welfare, education, social work, daycare centers, and community health centers and nursing home and assisted living centers. Courses in the areas of social psychology and industrial organizational psychology focus on issues such as attribution, conformity, group decision-making, attitude changes, personnel selection, and personnel training.
Related courses focus on cultural diversity, human values, stress management, and motivation.
Research opportunities are available to help prepare students for a career in social psychology and industrial organizational psychology. These courses may help prepare students for careers in corporate offices and industry related to personnel decisions, teamwork development, stress management, and development of employee assistance programs. These courses emphasize how the scientific method is applied to investigate human and animal perception, cognition, and behavior. Research opportunities and other courses are available to provide students with research skills and to expose them to the latest theoretical developments within the fields listed above. These courses will help prepare students for careers in laboratory science, industry related to machine systems design or software design, consulting, and teaching.