Psychology Course Descriptions

PSY 96: Orientation to Psychology

• (every semester)
• 0 course units
• This advising seminar is required for all freshman and external transfer students (including double majors) enrolled as Psychology majors. Topics covered include general information about the College and services offered, registration processes, degree requirements, academic standards and integrity, and time management. General advisement relative to the major is also included. (Graded P/U)

PSY 97: Exploring the Psychology Major

• (every semester)
• 0 course units
• This advising seminar is designed for sophomore psychology majors (including double majors). Students will meet to discuss appropriate topics, including the psychology profession, career options available to psychology graduates, and resume development. (Graded P/U)

PSY 98: Exploring the Psychology Profession

• (every semester)
• 0 course units
• This advising seminar is designed for junior psychology majors (including double majors). Students select and attend workshops organized by the Department and advertised on the Psychology Department calendar. Approved workshops focus on the Psychology program, Psychology specializations, Experiential Learning in Psychology (ELOPsy) opportunities and the application requirements, professionalism/ethics, and resume development. (Graded P/U)

PSY 101: General Psychology

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• First Methods Sequence course. Introduction to major topics in psychology, including biopsychology, development, cognition, counseling-clinical psychology, social psychology, and psychology in industrial/organizational settings.

PSY 121: Methods and Tools of Psychology

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Methods sequence course. Methods and Tools of Psychology introduces students to asking and answering questions from a psychological perspective. The primary aim of PSY 121 is to teach students to be consumers of psychological science. It is an experiential course in which students focus on learning the basics of creating and evaluating knowledge in psychology. Students learn to appreciate the strengths as well as to understand the limitations of various research methods. Students will read research articles, formulate hypotheses, interpret data, and learn to write according to APA style.

PSY 170: Topics in Psychology

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• This is a Topics Course with no prerequisites, open to and appropriate for first-year students.

PSY 203: Design and Statistical Analysis

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121
• Restriction: Open only to psychology majors
• Methods sequence course. The purpose of this course is to bridge basic knowledge of scientific inquiry, gained through PSY 121 (Methods and Tools) and more complex applications of scientific inquiry, which is the major goal of PSY 299 (Research Seminar). This course will provide knowledge of basic designs, design issues, data analysis including theoretical and practical knowledge, and communication/interpretation of results.

PSY 212: Biopsychology

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Psychology Foundation Course. Explores biological influences on human behavior. Topics include sensation, sleep, hunger, sexual behaviors, memory, attention, movement, fear, stress, aggression, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia. Students learn how neurotransmitters and hormones influence behavior, and how these effects are modified by drugs.

PSY 213: Learning and Memory

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Psychology Foundation Course. Applies the principles of learning and memory to behavioral change in animal and human situations. Following the course, students will be prepared to conduct group research and to prepare reports on topics that pertain to learning and memory, as well as to explore more specific topics in courses including Cognitive Seminar, Memory, and Applied Behavior Analysis.

PSY 214: Cognitive Psychology

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Psychology Foundation Course. This course introduces students to cognitive science. Major topics include the neural basis of cognitive processes, the nature of consciousness, visual pattern recognition, attention, memory acquisition, encoding and retrieval errors, associative networks, semantic knowledge, language, decision-making, and problem solving.

PSY 215: Social Psychology

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Psychology Foundation Course. This course will examine how the real or imagined presence of others influences people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Through lectures, discussions, class activities, and written assignments, students will learn about the relationship between the individual and society.

PSY 217: Psychological Disorders 

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Psychology Foundation Course. Examines psychological disorders of adulthood, as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Complexities of the diagnostic process will be highlighted. Psychological theories of etiology and treatment will be considered, along with relevant research literature.

PSY 219: Clinical Psychology

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Psychology Foundation Course. This course provides an introduction to the field of clinical psychology. Focus is on the major contemporary theories of psychotherapy and counseling, taking account of the diversity of both clients and therapists in the US today. For each therapy model, we evaluate evidence of effectiveness and multicultural appropriateness. We also examine the role of oppressive societal structures (e.g., white supremacy, racism, sexism, homophobia, unearned privilege) in the theories and processes of psychotherapy, the therapeutic relationship, the treatment delivery system in the US, and the field of clinical psychology.

PSY 220: Development across the Lifespan

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Psychology Foundation Course. An examination of the biological, psychological, socioemotional, and social/contextual changes that occur during development, across the human lifespan (i.e., infancy, childhood, adolescence, young and middle adulthood, old age, and death). The emphasis is on understanding the important theories, concepts, and controversies relating to human development.

PSY 267: Organizational Psychology

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Psychology Foundation Course. This course examines current theory and issues in understanding and managing organizational psychology: the study of human behavior in organizational settings. Topics such as motivation, communication, personality, feelings, stress, attitudes and group dynamics are examined from both the perspective of the organizational members (e.g., employees) and the organization. The course has an applied emphasis and should prepare a student for entry and participation in any type of organization.

PSY 270: Topics in Psychology

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• This is a Topics Course with no prerequisites, offered primarily for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. It may not be appropriate for freshmen.

PSY 311: Sensation and Perception

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• The basic structure and function of the sensory systems are examined and related to our experience of the world. Topics include anatomy and physiology of sense organs, perception of color, form, movement, space, sound, and illusions, perceptual development, and perceptual motor coordination.

PSY 316: Applied Behavior Analysis

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121
• Provides a foundation in behavior-analytic theory and explores how behavior-analytic principles are applied to the treatment of such disorders as autism, anxiety disorders, and developmental disabilities. Emphasis will be placed upon experimental design and data collection in applied settings.

PSY 320: Origins of Social Cognition

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121, PSY 220, or equivalents
• Humans are remarkably social creatures, even from birth. This course will review and synthesize findings in the field of social cognitive development. The ultimate goal of this course is to understand the evolution and development of social knowledge and behavior. An interdisciplinary perspective that merges cognitive development, animal behavior, and philosophy will foster critical thinking about scientific research and the human mind.

PSY 321: Child Social and Personality Development

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121, 220 or equivalents
• This course examines significant issues in social and emotional development. This course is designed to give students a thorough grounding in developmental theories describing children’s (1) abilities to interact and form relationships with others; and (2) their emotional lives. Empirical results from eclectic theoretical and methodological perspectives also will be emphasized.

PSY 322: Children and the Media

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 121, 220 (or equivalents)
• The course examines the relations between children and youth, and traditional and new media. The course begins by reviewing the developmental stages of children, and theories about childhood as socially constructed. The course presents up-to-date research highlighting the potentially negative impact of age-inappropriate or excessive media use on children’s physical, cognitive, and socioemotional well-being. Further, the course focuses on benefits of media and how they enhance children’s education and social relationships.

PSY 323: School Psychology

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 121
• This course will provide an overview of school psychology. School psychology involves using psychological principles to assist students with disabilities in public school settings. Topics include, but are not limited to: the various roles/functions of a school psychologist, the historical evolution of school psychology, legal and ethical considerations, the use of assessment to identify students with disabilities, the use of counseling techniques for mental health concerns at school, monitoring interventions for struggling students, and current controversies affecting the work of school psychologists.

PSY/AAS 324: Racial and Ethnic Identity Development

• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 215, 220 (for PSY Majors/Minors) or AAS/WGS 150 or AAS/SOC 281 (for AAS Majors/Minors)
• Drawing from an interdisciplinary framework (psychology, education, sociology, philosophy, etc.), this course is designed to introduce students to theory and research on racial and ethnic identity development across the lifespan. We will also explore immigrant, mixed-race, and bicultural identity development. We will spend a considerable amount of time in understanding, dissecting, and extending the theories and methodologies employed in the study of racial and ethnic identity.

PSY 333: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 121, PSY 216, and PSY 217
• This course, an introduction to cognitive-behavior therapy, expands upon what you have learned about cognitive and behavior therapy theory and techniques in previous psychology courses. You will learn more about some of the strategies and techniques cognitive-behavioral practitioners use to assess and treat anxiety, including relaxation training, systematic desensitization, assertiveness training, stress management, cognitive restructuring and contingency management. We will also consider important current issues in the profession such as ethics in clinical practice, working with people from diverse backgrounds, the structure of the mental health care system, graduate training and careers, and treatment process and outcome research methodology.

PSY 334: Psychology of Mindfulness and Meditation

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 216, and PSY 217
• Originating from Eastern spiritual traditions, mindfulness and meditation have long histories of influencing Western psychology. This course will explore what scientific methods have taught us about the effects of mindfulness and meditation on the brain, body, thoughts, emotion, and behavior. Students will also mediate in class and be asked to start a meditation practice of their own out-side of class. This course meets for 3 hours per week. It is worth 1 unit (4 credits) because students are assigned additional learning tasks that make the semester’s learning experience more deeply engaged and rigorous (f).

PSY 335: Developmental Psychopathology

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 217 and PSY 220 (or equivalent)
• An introduction to psychological disorders of children and adolescents from a developmental perspective. The course will emphasize conceptual and controversial issues with respect to disorders including: autism, attachment disorders, ADHD, conduct disorders, schizophrenia, depression and suicide, eating disorders, and substance abuse. In addition, factors associated with psychopathology, especially family factors (e.g., child abuse, divorce) and social factors (e.g., poverty, societal oppression), will be examined.

PSY 336: Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 121 and 216 or 217
• This seminar will cover current issues in LGBTQI mental health, including theories of sexual minority stress and identity development, research on mental and physical health in this population, coping and protective factors, and treatments.

PSY 337: Mental Health & Poverty

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 121 and 216 or 217
• This seminar is designed to help students critically examine the link between poverty and wellbeing with attention focused on applying knowledge to prevent mental health problems and promote the well-being of children and youth. As an ACEL (Advanced Community Engaged Learning) course, students are required to complete community engaged learning (CEL) hours with a community partner site. Class-based CEL work is designed to address a mutually-defined community need and provide students with opportunities to develop their own civic skills. See the Class Notes section for the specific CEL requirements of this course for the semester you plan to enroll in the course.

PSY 338: Sport and Exercise Psychology

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 101
• The purpose of this course is to understand the psychological components of sport and exercise in order to become a more effective competitor and/or to become more consistent in one’s exercise program. In addition, the course will address the psychosocial aspects (e.g., group cohesion, gender and racial differences, team vs. individual sports) and the health aspects of sport and exercise (e.g., burnout, recuperating from injuries, athletes with asthma or diabetes, etc.). Each student will work with an athlete or an individual who exercises to enhance the mental aspect of their performance.

PSY 339: Personality Disorders

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 216 or 217
• This seminar provides a comprehensive overview of DSM-V personality disorders. The symptoms and impacts associated with each of the ten disorders are reviewed, as well as current research pertaining to their potential causes. Effective intervention strategies for each disorder are identified. A contextual approach to mental health and illness is encouraged throughout the seminar. Individual-and group- level variables are upheld as integral parts of the diagnostic equation. Students are encouraged to develop an awareness of the socio-cultural realities impacting diagnostic criteria, as well as clinician biases in the diagnostic process. This course is most appropriate for advanced undergraduate students in psychology who are interested in furthering their knowledge and skills in clinical assessment and intervention.

PSY 340: Health Psychology

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 121 or ANT 240
• Examines how psychological, social, and behavioral factors interact with and affect the success people have in maintaining their health, obtaining medical treatment, coping with stress and pain, and recovering from serious illness.

PSY 341: Personality and Culture

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121
• This course explores approaches to personality that attend to the full and crucial impact of culture as well as the different personalities that emerge from particular cultures. Such approaches originate from and illuminate experiences of people who are underrepresented in mainstream Psychology in the US and across the globe. Emphasis is on cultures within the US, although other cultures are considered. The goal is a fuller and more contextualized understanding of personality and people. This course meets the Social Context requirement of the Psychology Major. This course satisfies elective credit in the Honors Program—register for HON 270.03.

PSY 342: Clinical Psychopharmacology

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 212
• Explores how psychological disorders are influenced by neurotransmitters, hormones, and neurotrophic factors, and by interventions that increase or decrease these chemicals. Clinical disorders will include: depression, anxiety disorders, anorexia/bulimia nervosa, attention deficits, dementia, and schizophrenia. Both intended effects and side effects of drugs will be studied, as well as individual differences in effects (due to genes/environments).

PSY 343: Behavioral Pharmacology of Drug Use

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 212
• Explores the pharmacological and behavioral events with several drugs of abuse including cocaine, nicotine, alcohol, opiates, hallucinogens, and caffeine, as well as other drugs such as inhalants and Ecstasy.

PSY 346: Cognitive Neuroscience

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 212 or PSY 214
• Cognitive neuroscience blends the study of behavior (psychology) with the study of the brain (neuroscience). This course will introduce students to this field by examining the brain’s role in behaviors such as perception, attention, memory, learning, planning, and other cognitive activities.

PSY 348: Emotion

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121
• This course will introduce students to major theories and topics of the psychology and neuroscience of emotion. Areas explored include the role of the brain and peripheral physiology in emotion, facial expressions, cultural differences, development of emotions, social and cognitive aspects of emotion, and the role of emotion in health and psychopathology.

PSY 350: Psychology of Women

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121
• Examines the psychology of women in light of biological, social, and cultural influences. A variety of psychological theories and research findings will be explored to study the development and behavior of women in various social contexts.

PSY 351: Gender Gap in Science

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121 or permission of the instructor
• Examines the gender gap in science from different theoretical perspectives. Why are there fewer women than men in the sciences? Topics include sociocultural factors (e.g., peers, family, stereotypes, beliefs about ability, and gender roles), biological factors (e.g., hormones, including prenatal effects, brain anatomy and physiology), cognitive factors (e.g., spatial and mathematical abilities), and evolutionary factors.

PSY 355: Psychology of Power, Oppression, and Privilege

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Psychology of Power, Oppression, and Privilege is designed to be a specialized course for the Social Specialization within the Psychology major. This course provides an in-depth coverage of psychology topics, including stereotyping, prejudice and privilege, discrimination and advantage, intergroup relations, attributions, social influence, personal self-esteem and collective self-esteem. In addition, this course provides further opportunities for students to develop their writing, speaking, and presentation skills.

PSY 357: Masculinities

• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• This course explores the concept of masculinities and their expression by those of all genders. It also explores how masculinities intersect with race, class, sexuality, and ability and with several societal factors such as academics, the workplace, and health. We will focus this exploration through APA’s Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men. We will be reading articles, text excerpts, and media pieces that inform the topic and explore clinical, social, and biological implications.

PSY 360: Psychology of Leadership

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121 or permission of instructor
• This course explores developmental, cognitive, and social psychology perspectives on leadership emergence, development, and effectiveness. Diversity is an important theme in the course, which emphasizes the roles of individual differences such as gender, race, and nationality in leadership processes. Other topics include emotions in leadership, charisma, and abusive or toxic leadership. The material is intended to be accessible and relevant to students regardless of specialization interests.

PSY 361: Seminar in Interviewing

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121
• This course is designed to help students improve their interviewing skills through activities involving unstructured, structured, and semi-structured interviews. These activities cover a broad range of purposes for which interviews are used including telephone surveys, personnel selection, diagnosis of physical and mental health problems, counseling/clinical interventions, police interrogation, as well as psychological research.

PSY 362: Judgment and Decision Making

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121 or permission of instructor
• Economic models typically assume that human decision making is entirely rational, but psychological research demonstrates that our judgments and decisions can be influenced by cognitive limitations and biases as well as social and motivational factors. This course will begin with a brief overview of basic economic principles of decision making and then examine what have come to be called behavioral economic principles that more accurately describe how judgments are reached and decisions are made. We will also explore the consequences of shortcomings of reasoning in important contexts and consider ways to debias judgments and make better decisions.

PSY 363: Psychology of Ethics

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101 or MGT 201
• While many courses have an ethical component, they tend to be restricted in topic (research, workplace, client) and focus they are prescriptive in nature, telling students what they should and should not do, This course moves beyond prescriptive to a descriptive study of ethics, examining ethics as human behavior and not a value system. Thus, we apply many concepts learned in other courses (learning theory, motivation, developmental models) to enhance our understanding of ethical and unethical behavior.

PSY 364: Industrial Psychology

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101
• Introduces students to the content areas of industrial psychology and the application of psychological theory to organizational issues. Topics include employment law, job analysis, recruitment and selection, training, performance appraisal and discipline, employee motivation, and workplace safety. Using an applied approach, this course will help prepare students for their roles as employees and managers.

PSY/MKT 365: Consumer Behavior

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 101 or SOC 101 or MKT 201
• Students will learn to apply basic social science principles and theories to an understanding of the behavior of consumers. Basic psychological principles (e.g., learning, memory, perception, attitudes, and motivation) as well as sociological and anthropological concepts (e.g., demographics, group dynamics, cultural influences) are explored and then examined in relation to consumption processes and activities used by marketers and public policy actors to influence consumer behavior. Cross listed with MKT 365.

PSY 366: Personnel Selection and Placement

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121
• Introduces the student to the psychometric principles of measurement. Various methods of assessment (cognitive ability tests, personality measures, employment interview, assessment centers, and work samples) will be reviewed with a hands-on component whenever possible. Current issues and misuses of testing and selection will also be addressed.

PSY 370: Developmental Seminar

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121 and PSY 220 or equivalents
• The Developmental Seminar’s focus will vary across semesters with respect to both age (children/adolescents/adults) and topic (e.g., Peer Relationships, Child Therapy, Children and the Media). Students may repeat the seminar as topics change.

PSY 371: Cognitive Seminar

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 213 or 214
• The Cognitive Seminar will provide students with opportunities for in-depth study of specific topics within Cognitive Psychology. The topic (e.g., Memory across the Lifespan, Human Factors) will vary across semesters. Students may repeat the seminar as topics change.

PSY 373: Counseling and Clinical Seminar

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 121 and PSY 216 or PSY 217
• The seminar will provide students with the opportunity for in-depth study of a specific topic within counseling and clinical psychology. The topic (e.g., Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Introduction to The Helping Professions) will vary across semesters. Students may repeat the seminar as topics change.

PSY 374: Industrial/Organizational Seminar

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 101 or MGT 201
• The Seminar will provide students opportunities for in-depth study of a specific topic within Industrial/Organizational Psychology. The topic (e.g., Performance Management, Training) will vary across semesters. Students may repeat the seminar as topics change.

PSY 375: Social Psychology Seminar

• (annually)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 121 and one foundation course
• The seminar will provide students opportunities for in-depth study of specific topics within social psychology(e.g., Psychology & Diversity, Political Psychology). The topic will vary across semesters. Students may repeat the seminar as topics change.

PSY 376: Seminar in Psychology

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 121
• The seminar will provide students opportunities for in-depth study of specific topics within psychology that cut across specializations. The topic will vary across semesters. Students may repeat the seminar as topics change.

PSY 385: Seminar in Applied Psychology

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121
• This seminar will provide students opportunities to examine the application of psychological theory and research to real problems. Topics will cut across many areas of psychology. Each student will select a topic of interest to pursue in greater depth and then apply the tools discussed in the course, to evaluate how effectively psychology can be used to address their topic.

PSY 386: Psychological Testing

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisite: PSY 121
• An introduction to theoretical, practical, and ethical issues in psychological testing and measurement. Psychometric principles such as reliability, validity, and utility will be examined in the context of selecting the most appropriate assessment instruments to inform decision making. The development and psychometric properties of widely-used intelligence, achievement, personnel, and clinical/personality tests will be discussed.

PSY 390: Collaborative Research

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Final course in Methods Sequence, required for incoming students beginning Fall 2025.
• Prerequisites: Sophomore status, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and permission of instructor
• Students are involved in the central core of activity in a psychological research laboratory. The laboratories maintain an ongoing scholarly research program, directed by a full-time faculty member, and run collaboratively with a team of student research assistants.

PSY 391: Independent Study

• (every semester)
• Variable course units
• Prerequisites: Sophomore status, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and permission of instructor.
• Students are guided by a faculty member on a discrete literature-based or empirical research project.

PSY 393: Independent Research

• (every semester)
• Variable course units
• Prerequisites: Sophomore or higher status (for transfer students a minimum of one completed semester at TCNJ), minimum GPA of 3.0, faculty sponsorship, and approval of individual study proposal by the Experiential Learning Opportunities in Psychology Committee.
• Students work with a faculty member on a discrete literature-based or empirical research project.

PSY 394: Psychology Thesis I

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: Junior standing, a minimum GPA in psychology of 3.3, a minimum grade of B in PSY 299 (if you entered the college prior to Fall 2025) or PSY 390 (if you entered the College during or after Fall 2025), sponsorship by a full-time faculty member, approval of senior honors thesis proposal by Experiential Learning Opportunities in Psychology Committee.
• In-depth empirical work (e.g., experimental, field study, survey, or archival research) or a substantial and integrative review, designed jointly by the student and thesis director, spanning two semesters.

PSY 395: Advanced Collaborative Research

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Students are involved in the central core of activity in a psychological research laboratory.  The laboratories maintain an ongoing scholarly research program, directed by a full-time faculty member, and run collaboratively with a team of student research assistants.

PSY 397: Learning Assistantship

• (every semester)
• Variable course units
• Learning Assistants learn about the teaching of psychology. Students gain a deeper understanding of the particular course content area, gain insight into curriculum goals and methods of achieving them, and develop instructional skills in the areas of providing written feedback, creating and/or delivering learning activities, and constructing learning tools. Learning Assistants (LAs) are associated with a particular section of a course and work closely with the professor. PSY 397 can be taken a maximum of two times and cannot be repeated for the same course. Specific duties for the instructional intern are detailed in a contract that is developed and signed by both the student and faculty sponsor.

PSY 398: Counseling and Clinical Field Experience Seminar

Prerequisites: PSY 216, PSY 217

Students will complete a field experience in a mental health setting. The field experience will be the foundation for integrating knowledge from various courses in clinical psychology. Class time will be spent in joint discussions of students’ field experiences and the relevant professional literature. Both an appropriate piece of written work and an oral presentation to the class are required. Faculty approval of the field placement is necessary.

PSY 399: Internship

• (every semester)
• Variable course units
• Prerequisites: Sophomore or higher status (for transfer students a minimum of one completed semester at TCNJ), minimum GPA of 2.5, faculty sponsorship, and approval of internship placement and proposal by the Experiential Learning Opportunities in Psychology Committee.
• Application of psychology principles through placement in a paid or non-paid work setting such as a mental health, community, educational, business, or government setting.

If you have a specialization, please select a Senior Experience Course from 400-level courses appropriate to your specialization. Students should see the department website and their advisor for suggestions. All 400-level courses count as writing intensive.

PSY 419: History of Psychology Senior Seminar

• (occasionally)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 299 (if you entered the college prior to Fall 2025) or PSY 390 (if you entered the College during or after Fall 2025)
• This course will consider how psychology’s goals, methods, and beliefs have evolved throughout its history. As a senior experience, this course will allow students to integrate experiences from various areas of the discipline, to analyze and evaluate psychology’s past and to make recommendations for its future.

PSY 470: Senior Topics Study Group 

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: PSY 299 (if you entered the college prior to Fall 2025) or PSY 390 (if you entered the College during or after Fall 2025)
• Each course under this umbrella is relevant to a different set of specializations. As a senior experience, students use their prior knowledge as a foundation for individualized study of theoretical, empirical, or clinical issues. The study group is a community of learning in which students direct their own in-depth exploration of a field, discuss their ideas with others in the group, and express their discoveries and conclusions in successive drafts of a major written paper.

PSY 487: Senior Internship 

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Prerequisites: A minimum GPA of 2.5 and PSY 299 (if you entered the college prior to Fall 2025) or PSY 390 (if you entered the College during or after Fall 2025). Instructor consent required.
• Application of psychology principles through placement in a paid or non-paid work setting such as mental health, community, educational, business, or government setting. The writing intensive course culminates in an APA style paper and oral presentation to an appropriate audience.

PSY 492: Senior Collaborative Research Course

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Psychology senior experience, counts as a Liberal Learning writing intensive course.
• Prerequisites: A minimum GPA of 2.5 and PSY 299 (if you entered the college prior to Fall 2025) or PSY 390 (if you entered the College during or after Fall 2025)
• Students are involved in the central core of activity in a psychological research laboratory. The laboratories maintain an ongoing scholarly research program, directed by a full-time faculty member, and run collaboratively with a team of student research assistants. This writing intensive course culminates in an APA style paper and oral presentation to an appropriate audience. Cross-listed with PSY 390.

PSY 493: Senior Independent Research

• (every semester)
• Variable course units
• Psychology senior experience, counts as a Liberal Learning writing intensive course.
• Prerequisites: PSY 299 (if you entered the college prior to Fall 2025) or PSY 390 (if you entered the College during or after Fall 2025) and minimum GPA of 3.0, faculty sponsorship, and approval of individual study proposal by the Experiential Learning Opportunities in Psychology Committee Students work with a faculty member on a discrete literature-based or empirical research project. This writing intensive course culminates in an APA style paper and oral presentation to an appropriate audience.

PSY 494: Psychology Thesis II

• (every semester)
• 1 course unit
• Psychology senior experience, counts as a Liberal Learning writing intensive course.
• Prerequisite: PSY 394.
• In-depth empirical work (e.g., experimental, field study, survey, or archival research) or a substantial and integrative review, designed jointly by the student and thesis director, spanning two semesters. This writing intensive course culminates in an APA style paper and oral presentation to an appropriate audience. PSY 499/Senior Internship variable course units (every semester) Psychology senior experience, counts as a Liberal Learning writing intensive course Prerequisites: PSY 299 (if you entered the college prior to Fall 2025) or PSY 390 (if you entered the College during or after Fall 2025), Senior status (for transfer students a minimum of one completed semester at TCNJ), minimum GPA of 2.5, faculty sponsorship, and approval of internship placement and proposal by the Experiential Learning Opportunities in Psychology Committee Application of psychology principles through placement in a paid or non-paid work setting such as a mental health, community, educational, business, or government setting. This writing intensive course culminates in an APA style paper and oral presentation to an appropriate audience.