Psychology for CCS Students

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology helps students develop analytical and research skills - strengths that every employer values - and prepare them for a variety of careers in business, social service agencies, and others.

Our dedicated faculty in the Department of Psychology help students:

  • understand and appreciate the scientific foundations and human service aspects of the field of psychology,
  • develop and apply oral, written, analytical and critical-thinking skills applied to psychological issues, questions and problems,
  • understand issues in contemporary psychology and recognize and apply psychological knowledge in order to provide solutions to real world problems, and
  • develop both interpersonal and intrapersonal knowledge through academic experiences and extra-curricular activities that foster self-awareness and personal growth, the development of leadership skills, and a respect and understanding for human development and human diversity.

Basic Core

Rider Course Title Rider Course Number Credits
Expository Writing CMP-120 3
Research Writing CMP-125 3
Speech Communication COM-104 3
Information Technology CIS-185 3

Psychology Core

Rider Course Title Rider Course Number Credits
Introduction to Psychology PSY-100 3
Statistics and Research Design PSY-201 3
Research Methods Course PSY 4

Area of Knowledge: Historical Perspective

Students choose 3 courses from a selection in the following disciplines:

Rider Discipline Credits
American Studies
English Literature
Fine Arts
Global Studies
History
Philosophy
Political Science
Sociology
Spanish		 9

Area of Knowledge: Artistic and Intellectual Perspective

Students choose 3 courses from a selection in the following disciplines:

Rider Discipline Credits
American Studies
Economics
English Literature
Fine Arts
Gender Studies
Global Studies
History
Law and Justice
Literature
Philosophy
Sociology		 9

Area of Knowledge: Contemporary Perspective

Students choose 3 courses from a selection in the following disciplines:

Rider Discipline Credits
American Studies
Communication
Economics
Fine Arts
Gender Studies
History
Law and Justice
Literature and Foreign Culture
Multicultural Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Sociology		 9

Area of Knowledge: Natural World

Students choose 2 courses from a selection in the following disciplines:

Rider Discipline Credits
Behavioral Neuroscience
Biochemistry
Biology
Biopsychology
Chemistry
Geological and Marine Science
Physics
Sociology		 6-8

Psychology Major

Students select 4 courses from a selection at the lower level and 4 courses from a selection at the upper level:

Rider Discipline Credits
Lower Level
Personality
Psychology of Women
Abnormal Psychology
Learning and Memory
Child Development
Youth and Adolescent Development
Cognitive Disabilities
Sensation and Perception
Social Psychology
Biopsychology
Psychology and Law

Higher Level
Theories of Psychotherapy
Behavior Modification
Psychological Tests
Developmental Disabilities
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Psychology of Peace and Conflict
Drugs and Human Behavior
States of Consciousness
Psychology of the Family
Psychology and Film
The Psychology of Gender
Health Psychology
Aging, Brain, and Cognition		 24

Psychology Capstone

Rider Discipline Credits
Students complete a capstone course in Psychology (e.g. Senior Seminar in Psychology, History of Psychology, Independent Research and Study, or Internship in Psychology) 3

Elective Courses

  Credits
Free elective credit hours may be taken in any department within the University, subject to the program limit of 30 credits from outside the liberal arts and sciences. 36-39

A candidate for graduation must complete a minimum of 120 acceptable credits. Of the required 120 credits, 36 must be in upper-level courses as determined by the respective departments. A maximum of 30 credits from outside the liberal arts and sciences may be presented for graduation. Students should check the academic catalog for complete program requirements.