Advising Tips & Links
Becoming a Psychology Major or Minor
Section Descriptions for PSY299, Research Seminar
Seminar Descriptions for PSY3xx Specialized Courses
Senior Seminar Descriptions for PSY4xx Capstone Courses
Spring 2026 Lab Recruitment
Spring 2026 Courses
Summer 2026 Courses
1. Important Advising Tips
Are you unsure about the requirements for the major? This website has an outline of all the major requirements.
If you are a dual/double major, you have different College Core requirements. Check the College Core website for more details.
If you are interested in learning more about a specialization, check out this website to see each specialization’s requirements.
Interested in research? Check out the ELOPsy pages on the website to learn about different research opportunities within the department. There are separate pages for collaborative research (labs), internships (including information on internships held by previous students), learning assistantships, independent study/research, and senior honors thesis.
Interested in an Internship, Independent Study, or Course Overload? See the HSS website for forms and applications.
Prepare for registration! Click here to view information from Records & Registration on how to get ready for the registration period. Course waitlists are now available in PAWS and students will now have the opportunity to place themselves on a waitlist in PAWS during registration; however, waitlisting a class does not guarantee enrollment. Be sure to register for a full course load, even if you are waitlisted for other courses that you may prefer to swap. In other words, if you are planning to enroll in and take four courses, register for four courses (or if you would like to take three courses, register for three, etc.), even if you are on waitlists for other courses. If you are looking to take four courses, do not only enroll in two courses, for example, and wait for your waitlisted courses to be confirmed. For more information on course waitlists, view Records & Registration’s page.
The psychology department houses several clubs you can join! If you are interested in joining Psych Club, email psychclb@tcnj.edu for more info! Or, you can join the Psychology Student Advisory Board. For more information on the Advisory Board, email the Psychology Department at psycdept@tcnj.edu.
The department hosts and promotes various events throughout the semester! All students are welcome to attend! Check the department calendar for a listing of the events. Note that events are added throughout the semester.
Remember to register for the Psychology 4-Year Advising Sequence
- Double majors and dual majors ARE required to complete the advising sequence.
- *Internal transfer students do not need to complete PSY 96. Enroll in the appropriate advising course based on class standing at the time of admission to the department.
- *External transfer students should consult with their advisor to determine which advising courses to take.
2. Becoming a Psychology Major or Minor
Applications are accepted in the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters. The minimum requirements are an overall GPA of 2.0 and completion of PSY 101 with a C- or higher grade.
How to apply: Read all the instructions and complete the Psychology Major Application found on the Psychology Department website under “Becoming a Psychology Major”.
Becoming a Psychology Minor: You can fill out a minor form at any time during the semester. Note: Minors must be declared prior to the last semester before you graduate.
3. PSY 299 Section Description
| Class Section | Course Title | Days | Times | Room | Start Date | End Date | Professor | Class Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY29901 | Research Seminar: TOPIC | Monday/Thursday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Bireta, Tamra | 41899 |
| PSY29902 | Research Seminar: Improving Psychological Science | Monday/Thursday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 41900 |
| PSY29903 | Research Seminar: Improving Psychological Science | Monday/Thursday | 1:00am-12:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 41901 |
| PSY29904 | Research Seminar: TOPIC TBD | Tuesday/Friday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kim, June | 41902 |
| PSY29905 | Research Seminar: TOPIC | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Vivona, Jeanine | 41904 |
| PSY29906 | Research Seminar: Intergroup Relations | Tuesdays | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Wiley, Shaun | 42317 |
| PSY29907 | Research Seminar: Cognitive Development | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Stahl, Aimee | 42318 |
| PSY29908 | Research Seminar: Alcohol Studies | Tuesday/Friday Wednesday |
11:00am-12:20pm 10:00-10:50am |
SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Martinetti, Margaret | 42319 |
At least one section of PSY299 is offered every semester, topics vary semester to semester.
Students who elect to complete a Psychology Specialization should select a 299 course related to the Specialization if possible. *Students that entered the College Fall 2025 or later do not have this requirement.
PSY 299: Research Seminar
Prerequisite: PSY 203
A Psychology Core Course. Students will use scientific methods to address psychological questions in a subdiscipline of psychology. Students will develop research questions, design (qualitative and quantitative) research methodologies, collect and analyze data, and write research reports in American Psychological Association format.
Restriction: Open only to psychology majors
PSY 299-01: Research Seminar: Memory
In this course, we will attempt to replicate a memory study. We will work as a group to collect and analyze data. Students will get experience with experimental methods used to investigate memory.
DESIGN: Experimental
ANALYSIS: Quantitative
PROJECT STYLE: Group data collection
TOPIC SELECTION: Instructor selects (but there might be student input)
DATA SOURCE: PIPER
SPECIALIZATION FIT: Most relevant to Cognitive
PSY 299-02: Research Seminar: Improving Psychological Science
This research seminar course will focus on methods for improving the scientific study of psychology. It reviews methodological and data analytic practices that ushered in a crisis of confidence in psychology, and identifies reforms and best practices for improving psychological science. With the faculty member, students develop a research project using some of these improved practices to evaluate the strength of psychology research. Group and individual work questions developed by both faculty and student quantitative archival.
PSY 299-03: Research Seminar: Improving Psychological Science
This research seminar course will focus on methods for improving the scientific study of psychology. It reviews methodological and data analytic practices that ushered in a crisis of confidence in psychology, and identifies reforms and best practices for improving psychological science. With the faculty member, students develop a research project using some of these improved practices to evaluate the strength of psychology research. Group and individual work questions developed by both faculty and student quantitative archival.
PSY 299-04: Research Seminar: Culture and Emotion
Students will work individually on the topic of culture and emotion. Students will use archival data and quantitative methods to individually develop and test a hypothesis.
PSY 299-05: Research Seminar: Metaphor and Therapy
Psychotherapy involves talking and listening. What is it about language that allows these activities to be therapeutic? Focusing on therapeutic uses of metaphor, we will investigate the processes of language that allow people to understand their experiences in new ways and to make therapeutic changes in their thinking, emotions, and behaviors.
PSY 299-06: Research Seminar: Intergroup Relations
Students will work in individually on a class-wide study on a topic related to intergroup relations. In past semesters, students have examined topics such as advantaged-group allyship and cross-group solidarity. Students will work with a question provided by the instructor, use an experimental design with quantitative analyses, and use archival data.
PSY 299-07: Research Seminar: Cognitive Development
This research seminar focuses on cognitive development in infants and/or young children. Students will review literature on the development of learning and memory, and will work in groups to analyze archival data from child participants. Groups will develop future study ideas together, but students will write papers independently.
DESIGN: Experimental
ANALYSIS: Quantitative
PROJECT STYLE: Group project
TOPIC SELECTION: Faculty-directed topics
DATA SOURCE: Archival
SPECIALIZATION FIT: Developmental & Cognitive (but open to all)
PSY 299-08: Research Seminar: Alcohol Studies
This course will use behavioral economic techniques to examine how price affects alcohol consumption in college students. Students will be trained in behavioral economic theory, quantitative methods, and demand curve analysis. Students will work in teams to lead a class discussion of a published article relevant to our research and perform data analyses on a dataset using a hypothetical alcohol purchase task. Each student will review research methods and statistical knowledge gained in PSY 121 and 203 and write an individually produced, full-length APA-formatted report of the project. This course is a prerequisite for upper-level psychology courses, including all 400-level courses.
DESIGN: Experimental
ANALYSIS: Quantitative
PROJECT STYLE: Group project
TOPIC SELECTION: Faculty-directed with student input
DATA SOURCE: PIPER/student sample (archival data)
SPECIALIZATION FIT: Most relevant for Biopsychology, Counseling/Clinical, and Social (Health Psych)
4. Specialized Seminar Descriptions
| PSY31601 | Applied Behavior Analysis | Wednesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Schweighardt, Sherry | 41927 |
| PSY32201 | Children and the Media | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Graham, James | 41910 |
| PSY32301 | School Psychology | Thursday | 6:00-8:50pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Dockins, Janae | 41929 |
| PSY33201 | Psychology of Self and Identity Development | Wednesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Zamel, Pamela | 41916 |
| PSY34001 | Health Psychology | Tuesday/Friday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Barnack-Tavlaris, Jessica | 41921 |
| PSY34101 | Personality and Culture | Tuesday/Friday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Vivona, Jeanine | 41931 |
| PSY34102 | Personality and Culture | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Vivona, Jeanine | 41932 |
| PSY34601 | Cognitive Neuroscience | Monday/Thursday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Leynes, Andrew | 42034 |
| PSY35001 | Psychology of Women | Wednesday | 6:00-8:50pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Fogg, Melissa | 41891 |
| PSY35002 | Psychology of Women | Monday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Gervasi-Lambing, Michelle | 41915 |
| PSY35501 | Social Psychology of Power, Oppression, and Privilege | Monday/Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Donnay, Sandra | 41922 |
| PSY35502 | Social Psychology of Power, Oppression, and Privilege | Monday/Thursday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Donnay, Sandra | 41933 |
| PSY357-01 | Men & Masculinities | Thursday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Gall, Zach | |
| PSY36001 | Psychology of Leadership | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 009 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Dahling, Jason | 42035 |
| PSY36501 | Consumer Behavior | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Becker, Karen | ||||
| PSY36502 | Consumer Behavior | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Becker, Karen | ||||
| PSY37501 | Social Seminar: Psych of Happiness | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kim, June | 41938 | |
| PSY37502 | Social Seminar: Psychology of Creativity | Tuesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 42058 |
| PSY38601 | Tests & Measurements | Monday/Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kirnan, Jean | 42046 |
| PSY39001 | Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Barnack-Tavlaris, Jessica | 42047 |
| PSY39002 | Memory and Aging Lab | TBD | TBD | n/a | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Bireta, Tamra | 42048 |
| PSY39003 | REACH Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Chung, He Len | 42049 |
| PSY39004 | Replicat Lab | Monday/Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 42050 |
| PSY39005 | Social Emotional Learning and Development Lab (SELD) | Tuesday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 009 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Graham, James | 42051 |
| PSY39006 | Emotion Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kim, June | 42052 |
| PSY39007 | ERP Lab | Friday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Leynes, Andrew | 42053 |
| PSY39008 | Alcohol Lab | Tuesday | 3:20-5:20pm | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Martinetti, Margaret | 42054 | |
| PSY39009 | Cognitive Development Lab | Wednesday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Stahl, Aimee | 42055 |
| PSY39010 | Organizational Psychology Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Dahling, Jason | 42056 |
| PSY39011 | Latinx Liberation Lab | Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 009 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Sosa, Raquel | 42057 |
| PSY39501 | Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Barnack-Tavlaris, Jessica | 42355 |
| PSY39502 | Memory and Aging Lab | TBD | TBD | n/a | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Bireta, Tamra | 42356 |
| PSY39503 | REACH Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Chung, He Len | 42357 |
| PSY39504 | Replicat Lab | Monday/Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 42358 |
| PSY39505 | Social Emotional Learning and Development Lab (SELD) | Tuesday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 009 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Graham, James | 42359 |
| PSY39506 | Emotion Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kim, June | 42360 |
| PSY39507 | ERP Lab | Friday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Leynes, Andrew | 42361 |
| PSY39508 | Alcohol Lab | Tuesday | 3:20-5:20pm | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Martinetti, Margaret | 42362 | |
| PSY39509 | Cognitive Development Lab | Wednesday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Stahl, Aimee | 42364 |
| PSY39510 | Organizational Psychology Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Dahling, Jason | 42365 |
| PSY39511 | Latinx Liberation Lab | Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 009 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Sosa, Raquel | 42366 |
| PSY39801 | C&C Field Experience Seminar | Tuesday/Friday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Chung, He Len | 42041 |
PSY 316: Applied Behavior Analysis
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 322: Children and the Media
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
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 332: Psychology of Self and Identity Development
Prerequisites: PSY 101
This course will provide students with opportunities to gain insights about different dimensions of their identity. Through readings, class discussions and course assignments, students will be encouraged to explore different lenses for viewing the self and other. Students will examine the role of social statuses such as gender, social class, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, vocation and religion/faith on identity formation. In doing so, this course provides students with a unique opportunity to share their experiences, attitudes, thoughts and emotions regarding how they have come to view themselves and how they perceive themselves to be viewed by others, while in the company of peers with similar and dissimilar backgrounds. Important interpersonal skills are fostered throughout the discussion, including self-awareness, perspective-taking, empathic listening and assertive self-expression.
PSY 340: Health Psychology
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
Prerequisites: PSY 121
This course examines interactions between culture and personality. Much of mainstream personality theory in the US remains rooted in a largely unexamined set of cultural values (Western, white, male, etc.). Here we take the perspective that personality is embedded in culture and we seek to understand both the many types of interaction that occur between personality and culture as well as the different types of personalities and identities that emerge from different cultural contexts. In particular we examine the impacts of cultural power structures. Our emphasis is on cultures within the US, although we consider cultures in other parts of the world as well.
PSY 346: Cognitive Neuroscience
Prerequisites: 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 346: Cognitive Neuroscience
Prerequisites: 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 350: Psychology of Women
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 355: Psychology of Power, Oppression, and Privilege
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: Men & 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 the 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, biological implications.
PSY 360: Psychology of Leadership
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 365: Consumer Behavior
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 375: Social Psychology Seminar
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 375: Psychological Testing
Prerequisites: 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.
5. Senior Seminar Descriptions
| Class Section | Course Title | Days | Times | Room | Start Date | End Date | Professor | Class Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY41901 | History & Systems of Psychology | Monday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Lynn, Terence | 42039 |
| PSY41902 | History & Systems of Psychology | Thursday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Hart, Jonathan | 42040 |
| PSY47001 | Senior Seminar: TOPIC | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Chung, He Len | 42036 |
| PSY47002 | Senior Seminar: Self-Regulation | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Dahling, Jason | 42037 |
| PSY47003 | Senior Seminar: TOPIC | Monday/Thursday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Ruscio, John | 42038 |
PSY 419: History & Systems of Psychology
Prerequisites: PSY 299
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
Prerequisites: PSY 299
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 470 Sections offered in Spring 2026 are listed below:
PSY 470-01: Senior Topics Study Group: Psychological Well-Being among Adolescents and Young Adults
Prerequisites: PSY 299
Concerns about mental health have dominated recent conversations about young people in the United States. According to national surveys, adolescents are experiencing alarmingly high rates of distress, as well as adversity linked to poor health outcomes. This senior topics course will examine the role of culturally-responsive positive psychology interventions to improve psychological well-being. 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 and oral presentation.
PSY 470-02: Senior Topics Study Group: Self-Regulation
Prerequisites: PSY 299
Self-regulation describes the many ways in which people exercise control over their behaviors, thoughts, and feelings in the pursuit of goals. In this course, we will explore how goals form and interact, how to pursue goals effectively, and how self-regulation shapes our health and wellbeing. This topic is explicitly multidisciplinary with readings drawn from many different areas of Psychology and is suitable for any Specialization area.
PSY 470-03: Senior Topics Study Group: Rational Optimism
Prerequisites: PSY 299
This seminar explores the idea of rational optimism—the view that optimism is not wishful thinking but the stance best supported by evidence about global progress. We will examine how cognitive heuristics and biases foster an overly dramatic worldview that underestimates progress and exaggerates challenges. Along the way, we will consider why pessimism feels compelling, why optimism is often dismissed as naïve, and how insights from the psychology of judgment and decision making can help us separate distorted perceptions from grounded facts. Through shared readings, guided discussions, and explorations of real-world issues, students will apply the principles of rational optimism to cut through misconceptions, counter unwarranted gloom, and support constructive problem-solving. This course is suitable for students aligned with any specialization in psychology.
6. Research Lab Information
Click here if interested in joining a lab
7. Spring Term Courses
| Class Section | Course Title | Days | Times | Room | Start Date | End Date | Professor | Class Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY09601 | Orientation to Psychology | Thursday | 2:00-3:10pm | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 03/13/2025 | Barnack-Tavlaris, Jessica | 42256 |
| PSY09701 | Exploring the Psych Major | Wednesday | 9:30-10:40am | Mayo | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Sosa, Raquel | 42093 |
| PSY09801 | Exploring the Psych Profession | n/a | n/a | n/a | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Wiley, Shaun | 42258 |
| PSY09901 | Psychology Professional Seminar | n/a | n/a | n/a | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Wiley, Shaun | 42259 |
| PSY10101 | General Psychology | Monday/Thursday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Bireta, Tamra | 41906 |
| PSY10102 | General Psychology | Wednesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Frisina, Pasquale | 41907 |
| PSY10103 | General Psychology | Monday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Adkins, Kimberly | 41892 |
| PSY10104 | General Psychology | Thursday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Badr, Dalia | 41893 |
| PSY10105 | General Psychology | Tuesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Badr, Dalia | 41894 |
| PSY10106 | General Psychology | Monday/Thursday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | DiLorenzo, Andreea | 41920 |
| PSY12101 | Methods and Tools of Psychology | Monday/Thursday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Sosa, Raquel | 41882 |
| PSY12102 | Methods and Tools of Psychology | Monday/Thursday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Sosa, Raquel | 41883 |
| PSY12103 | Methods and Tools of Psychology | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Holland, Chris | 41884 |
| PSY12104 | Methods and Tools of Psychology | Tuesday/Friday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Holland, Chris | 41885 |
| PSY12105 | Methods and Tools of Psychology | Wednesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Corcoran, Heather | 41905 |
| PSY12106 | Methods and Tools of Psychology | Thursday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Corcoran, Heather | 41912 |
| PSY12107 | Methods and Tools of Psychology | Tuesday/Friday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Falcone, Tiara | 41919 |
| PSY20301 | Design and Statistical Analysis | Monday/Thursday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Ruscio, John | 41895 |
| PSY20302 | Design and Statistical Analysis | Monday/Thursday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Ruscio, John | 41896 |
| PSY20303 | Design and Statistical Analysis | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | D'Amore, Drew | 41897 |
| PSY20304 | Design and Statistical Analysis | Tuesday/Friday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | D'Amore, Drew | 41898 |
| PSY20305 | Design and Statistical Analysis | Monday/Thursday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Falco, Bailey | |
| PSY20306 | Design and Statistical Analysis | Monday/Thursday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Falco, Bailey | |
| PSY21201 | Biopsychology | Monday/Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Leynes, Andrew | 41886 |
| PSY21202 | Biopsychology | Monday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | D'Amore, Drew | 41908 |
| PSY21301 | Learning and Memory | Monday/Thursday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | D'Amore, Drew | 42260 |
| PSY21401 | Cognitive Psychology | Tuesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Frisina, Pasquale | 41887 |
| PSY21501 | Social Psychology | Monday/Thursday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Holland, Chris | 41914 |
| PSY21502 | Social Psychology | Monday/Thursday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Holland, Chris | 41930 |
| PSY21503 | Social Psychology | Tuesday | 5:45-8:45pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crofford-Hotz, Megan | 42261 |
| PSY21504 | Social Psychology | Thursday | 5:45-8:45pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crofford-Hotz, Megan | 42262 |
| PSY21701 | Psychological Disorders | Monday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Parkes-Williams, Kesha | 41888 |
| PSY21702 | Psychological Disorders | Tuesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Russo, Amanda | 41889 |
| PSY21703 | Psychological Disorders | Wednesday | 5:30-8:20pm | ONLINE - Synchronous | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Wood, Christina | 41928 |
| PSY21704 | Psychological Disorders | Monday/Thursday | 4:00-5:20pm | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Adkins, Kimberly | 41925 |
| PSY21901 | Clinical Psychology | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Herres, Joanna | 41918 |
| PSY21902 | Clinical Psychology | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Herres, Joanna | 41918 |
| PSY21903 | Clinical Psychology | Monday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Rodriguez, Isabel | |
| PSY22001 | Development Across the Lifespan | Tuesday/Friday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Graham, James | 41890 |
| PSY22002 | Development Across the Lifespan | Monday/Thursday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | DiLorenzo, Andreea | 41936 |
| PSY26701 | Organizational Psychology | Monday/Thursday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kirnan, Jean | 41909 |
| PSY26702 | Organizational Psychology | Monday/Thursday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kirnan, Jean | 41923 |
| PSY29901 | Research Seminar: TOPIC | Monday/Thursday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 105 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Bireta, Tamra | 41899 |
| PSY29902 | Research Seminar: Improving Psychological Science | Monday/Thursday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 324 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 41900 |
| PSY29903 | Research Seminar: Improving Psychological Science | Monday/Thursday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 41901 |
| PSY29904 | Research Seminar: TOPIC | Tuesday/Friday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kim, June | 41902 |
| PSY29905 | Research Seminar: TOPIC | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Vivona, Jeanine | 41904 |
| PSY29906 | Research Seminar: Intergroup Relations | Tuesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 324 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Wiley, Shaun | 42317 |
| PSY29907 | Research Seminar: Cognitive Development | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Stahl, Aimee | 42319 |
| PSY29908 | Research Seminar: Alcohol Studies | Tuesday/Friday
Wednesday |
11:00am-12:20pm
10:00-10:50am |
SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Martinetti, Margaret | 41927 |
| PSY31601 | Applied Behavior Analysis | Wednesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Schweighardt, Sherry | 41927 |
| PSY32201 | Children and the Media | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Graham, James | 41910 |
| PSY32301 | School Psychology | Thursday | 6:00-8:50pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Dockins, Janae | 41929 |
| PSY33201 | Psychology of Self and Identity Development | Wednesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Zamel, Pamela | 41916 |
| PSY34001 | Health Psychology | Tuesday/Friday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Barnack-Tavlaris, Jessica | 41921 |
| PSY34101 | Personality and Culture | Tuesday/Friday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Vivona, Jeanine | 41931 |
| PSY34102 | Personality and Culture | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Vivona, Jeanine | 41932 |
| PSY34601 | Cognitive Neuroscience | Monday/Thursday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Leynes, Andrew | 42034 |
| PSY35001 | Psychology of Women | Wednesday | 6:00-8:50pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Fogg, Melissa | 41891 |
| PSY35002 | Psychology of Women | Monday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Gervasi-Lambing, Michelle | 41915 |
| PSY35501 | Social Psychology of Power, Oppression, and Privilege | Monday/Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Donnay, Sandra | 41922 |
| PSY35502 | Social Psychology of Power, Oppression, and Privilege | Monday/Thursday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Donnay, Sandra | 41933 |
| PSY36001 | Psychology of Leadership | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 009 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Dahling, Jason | 42035 |
| PSY36501 | Consumer Behavior | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Becker, Karen | ||||
| PSY36502 | Consumer Behavior | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Becker, Karen | ||||
| PSY37501 | Social Seminar: Psych of Happiness | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kim, June | 41938 |
| PSY37502 | Social Seminar: Psychology of Creativity | Tuesday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 42058 |
| PSY38601 | Tests & Measurements | Monday/Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kirnan, Jean | 42046 |
| PSY39501 | Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 324 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Barnack-Tavlaris, Jessica | 42355 |
| PSY39502 | Memory and Aging Lab | TBD | TBD | n/a | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Bireta, Tamra | 42356 |
| PSY39503 | REACH Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 324 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Chung, He Len | 42357 |
| PSY39504 | Replicat Lab | Monday/Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 324 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 42358 |
| PSY39505 | Social Emotional Learning and Development Lab (SELD) | Tuesday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 009 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Graham, James | 42359 |
| PSY39506 | Emotion Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kim, June | 42360 |
| PSY39507 | ERP Lab | Friday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Leynes, Andrew | 42361 |
| PSY39508 | Alcohol Lab | Tuesday | 3:20-5:20pm | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Martinetti, Margaret | 42362 | |
| PSY39509 | Cognitive Development Lab | Wednesday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Stahl, Aimee | 42364 |
| PSY39510 | Organizational Psychology Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Dahling, Jason | 42365 |
| PSY39511 | Latinx Liberation Lab | Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 009 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Sosa, Raquel | 42366 |
| PSY39801 | C&C Field Experience Seminar | Tuesday/Friday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Chung, He Len | 42041 |
| PSY41901 | History & Systems of Psychology | Monday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 324 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Lynn, Terence | 42039 |
| PSY41902 | History & Systems of Psychology | Thursday | 5:30-8:20pm | SSB 324 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Hart, Jonathan | 42040 |
| PSY47001 | Senior Seminar: TOPIC | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 325 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Chung, He Len | 42036 |
| PSY47002 | Senior Seminar: Self-Regulation | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Dahling, Jason | 42037 |
| PSY47003 | Senior Seminar: TOPIC | Monday/Thursday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Ruscio, John | 42038 |
| PSY49201 | Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 324 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Barnack-Tavlaris, Jessica | 42064 |
| PSY49202 | Memory and Aging Lab | TBD | TBD | n/a | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Bireta, Tamra | 42065 |
| PSY49203 | REACH Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 324 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Chung, He Len | 42066 |
| PSY49204 | Replicat Lab | Monday/Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 324 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 42067 |
| PSY49205 | Social Emotional Learning and Development Lab (SELD) | Tuesday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 009 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Graham, James | 42068 |
| PSY49206 | Emotion Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 11:00am-12:20pm | SSB 128 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Kim, June | 42069 |
| PSY49207 | ERP Lab | Friday | 3:30-4:50pm | SSB 130 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Leynes, Andrew | 42070 |
| PSY49208 | Alcohol Lab | Tuesday | 3:20-5:20pm | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Martinetti, Margaret | 42071 | |
| PSY49209 | Cognitive Development Lab | Wednesday | 9:30-10:50am | SSB 103 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Stahl, Aimee | 42072 |
| PSY49210 | Organizational Psychology Lab | Tuesday/Friday | 12:30-1:50pm | SSB 226 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Dahling, Jason | 42073 |
| PSY49211 | Latinx Liberation Lab | Thursday | 2:00-3:20pm | SSB 009 | 01/26/2026 | 05/05/2026 | Sosa, Raquel | 42074 |
8. Summer Term Courses
| Class Section | Course Title | Days | Times | Room | Start Date | End Date | Professor | Class Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY299-201 | Research Seminar: | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday | 5:00-7:50pm | SSB 130 | 06/15/2026 | 07/16/2026 | Crawford, Jarret | 60080 |
| PSY 343-101 | Behavioral Pharmacology of Drug Abuse | Monday-Friday | 5:00-8:15pm | SSB 128 | 05/26/2026 | 06/12/2026 | D'Amore, Drew | 60079 |
| PSY355-301 | Psychology of Power, Oppression, and Privilege | Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 1:00am-1:50pm | SSB 128 | 07/20/2026 | 08/20/2026 | Sosa, Raquel | 60081 |
| PSY 375-901 | Social Psychology Seminar: Cross-Cultural Psychology (Study Abroad in South Korea: Rice, Sheep, and K-Pop) | Overseas | 05/26/2026 | 08/20/2026 | Kim, June | 60029 | ||
| PSY470-301 | Senior Topics Study Group: Psychological aspects of Infertility and the Post-partum Period | Tuesdays BLENDED |
12:00-4:00pm | SSB 131 | 07/20/2026 | 08/20/2026 | Barnack-Tavlaris, Jessica | 60082 |