Mission Statement
The overarching purpose of the Department of Psychology at Tougaloo College is to provide opportunities for intellectual and professional development for students enrolled in its instructional program. The Department of Psychology follows a liberal arts curriculum which prepares students for lifelong learning, critical thinking, and action.
The objectives of the department are that students shall develop an understanding of the field of psychology and its scientific nature; and that they shall acquire the capacity to critically evaluate new developments in the field. The educational program aims at providing the students with the basic knowledge in psychology that will provide them with skills and competencies required to pursue careers or advanced study in psychology and other professional areas.
Major Areas of Psychology
Explore the diverse specializations within psychology. While obtaining a career position in these areas typically requires graduate study, understanding these fields helps guide your academic and career planning.
Graduate School Preparation
Becoming a professional counselor or psychologist requires graduate school and, at Tougaloo College, we have a special emphasis on preparing you for pursuing an advanced degree.
Research-Focused Preparation
The department recognizes that graduate programs are highly competitive and scientifically oriented. Hence, it provides a strong research background to help gain admission, and successfully complete a graduate program in psychology.
Why Major in Psychology?
There are many jobs in the field of psychology available to you with a Bachelor's degree. Explore the diverse career possibilities that await psychology graduates.
Human Services & Counseling
- Youth counselor
- Case manager
- Psychiatric or behavior tech
- Elder care tech
- Childcare worker
- 988 Crisis Hotline
Education & Support Services
- Library assistant
- Teacher's assistant
- Special needs assistant
- Teaching at community centers or government agencies (GED, life skills, grief, crisis)
Business & Marketing
- Advertising/marketing
- Human Resources
- Sales
Criminal Justice & Legal
- Crime analyst
- Forensic psychological assistant
- Court liaison
- Victim advocate
- Paralegal
- Police officer
- Corrections officer
- Probation officer
What We Offer:
With a commitment to mentorship, student success, and timely graduation, ensuring that our scholars are prepared for law school, graduate programs, or the workforce and equipped to make an impact.
The Department offers multiple pathways tailored to student's individual career goals:
Course Descriptions: Psychology Major
The Psychology major at Tougaloo College provides a rigorous foundation in the science of behavior and mental processes. Students explore key psychological theories, engage in research and writing, and gain practical experience through labs and internships. The Psychology major is open to sophomores who have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
Required Core Courses (39 Credit Hours)
The Psychology major is open to sophomores who have a cumulative GPA of atleast 2.50. All majors must complete a 35-hour credit core curriculum (with grade “C” or better) consisting of:
This course is an introduction to the principles of behavior. This course represents a comprehensive overview of major theoretical areas of study within the field of psychology. Focus is placed on the scientific and experimental aspects of psychological thinking, brain and behavior, human development, consciousness, conditioning and learning, memory, cognition, language, creativity, intelligence, and gender and sexuality.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Offered every fall and spring semester.
This course is an introduction to the principles of behavior. This course represents a comprehensive overview of major applied areas of study within the field. Focus is placed on sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, personality, health, stress and coping, psychological disorders, therapies, social thinking and social influence, pro-social and antisocial behavior, and applied psychology. Offered every fall and spring semester.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: ENG 101
Offered every fall and spring semester.
This course is an historical overview of abnormal psychology; criteria of abnormal behavior; symptomatology and dynamics of anxiety-based disorder and severe mental disorder/psychoses; therapeutic considerations.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every fall and spring semester.
This course is an introduction to the foundations of statistical thinking and exploratory data analysis. This course is designed to help students acquire fundamental skills in organizing, displaying, reading, and interpreting data including the use of standard computer software, such as the BIDP package to analyze their data. The computer analytic skills are taught in a two-hour computer applications lab which meets once a week.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: MAT 103, or MAT 106, or advanced level math with a "C" average
Offered every fall; this course is required of all majors within the School of Social Sciences.
The rationale and skills of the scientific method are applied to the study of behavior. The student is introduced to the structure and language of scientific thinking, with particular focus on concepts and issues in measurement, experimental design, and ethics.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111, PSY 112, and SSD 215
Offered every spring semester.
This course is a systematic presentation of the major theories and research on the origins and development of psychological processes from conception through childhood and early adulthood. The course discusses behavioral disorders of childhood and their management.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: PSY 111
Offered every fall semester.
This course is a systematic study of the psychological processes of adulthood and aging. This course focuses on the psychiatric and psychological aspects of the aging process, as well as the effects aging on family and other social relationships.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: PSY 111 or SOC 111
Offered every spring semester.
This course is an interdisciplinary introduction to the use of advanced statistical techniques for the analysis of variance, multiple regression (and forecasting) and strategies for analyzing multi-way contingency tables.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: "C" or above in SSD 215 or by permission of the instructor
Offered every spring semester.
A comparison of the major schools and miniature systems which have emerged historically within the discipline of psychology, this course provides a major summary and review of psychological thinking and research from a historical perspective.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Offered every fall semester.
This course provides students with an understanding of the terminology, logic, and procedures used in research. Students integrate statistical procedures with research methods and develop critical thinking skills regarding research. The course is designed to help students acquire fundamental skills in organizing, displaying, reading, and interpreting data including the use of standard computer software, such as SPSS, to analyze the data.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 216 and SSD 329
Offered every fall semester.
This course provides students with an opportunity to consolidate their research and writing skills under the supervision of a senior faculty member. Following the structural and stylistic guidelines of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, the student identifies a research problem, reviews the primary literature on the problem, formulates a set of research hypotheses, and designs a research plan to evaluate the hypotheses.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: PSY 421
Offered every spring semester.
This course is offered only to senior psychology majors during the fall semester of the senior year. The course is designed to guide them through their senior paper project while working with their assigned senior research supervisor.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Offered fall semester for senior psychology majors only.
This course is offered only to senior psychology majors during the spring semester of the senior year. The course is designed to aid students in the completion of their senior paper project through the advisement of their assigned senior research supervisor.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: PSY 423
Offered spring semester for senior psychology majors only.
Psychology Degree Candidates
Psychology degree candidates must also complete an additional 15-hour credit (5 courses) of electives from the following two groups:
Group I: Theory & Society (Choose 3 out of 6 for 9 semester hours)
This course is an introduction to the nature of psychological theory building. This course illustrates the nature and development of theories in psychology with examples drawn from the psychoanalytic, humanistic, and behavioral models for personality development.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every even fall semester.
This course is an introduction to theoretical concepts and empirical research in the behavioral sciences as it applies to behavior within organizational settings. The course content includes levels from the individual to small groups, to intergroup behavior, and finally to the total organization. Within this structure, a broad range of theory and research on organization and individual behavior will be examined.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every odd fall semester.
This course is an introduction to the major theories and research focusing on the behavior of the individual as he or she is influenced by others in the social environment.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Co-listed as SOC 322. Offered every even fall semester.
This course includes developmental, global, and multicultural approaches to understanding the psychology of women. Focus is on gender differences and similarities in cognitive abilities, aggression, etc. Special emphasis will be on work and women, health and reproduction, violence in women's lives and mental health.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every odd spring semester.
This course is designed to provide students an opportunity to study a number of additional sub-areas within the field of psychology. The sub-area to be taught is selected according to student and faculty interest. As topics vary, this class may be taken more than once.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111, PSY 112
Offered during the fall and spring semester; based on availability of faculty.
This course introduces the student to concepts, principles, techniques, and issues in behavioral observation and psychometric theory.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111, PSY 112 and SSD 215
Offered every even spring semester.
Group II: Learning, Neuroscience, Health, Community, Sensation and Perception (Choose 2 out of 6 for 6 semester hours)
This course is an introduction to the basic principles and experimental variables which govern the acquisition, modification, and extinction of both simple and complex animal and human behavior.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every odd spring semester.
An introduction to the physiology of behavior, this course presents an overview of the basic concepts of neurophysiology and neuroanatomy in relation to the complex intervention between behavioral phenomena and the physiological processes and structures.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111, PSY 112, r
Offered every odd spring semester, based on availability of faculty.
This course focuses on psychological factors (e.g., stress, anxiety, depression, individual differences, or personality characteristics) and environmental events (e.g., natural or man-made disasters) that can negatively affect survivors' mental and physical well-being as well as the relationships between patients and practitioners. Through directed readings, class discussions, paper/journal assignments, and other didactic activities (e.g., guest speakers, field trips), students in this course will learn about the role of psychologists in the assessment and treatment of disaster-related mental and emotional problems, and the promotion of changes to lifestyle, health habits, and coping practices to optimize recovery from disaster.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every spring semester.
The course will focus on interactions between individuals, community, and environments, and how such interactions influence the "well-being" of both the individual and the community. The community rather than the individual is treated as both the subject and client, and a variety of interest groups are considered when measuring the success of interventions.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every even spring semester.
This course introduces the student to the physiological processes and psychophysical principles governing our sensing of an external or internal stimulus. It also provides an overview of the theories and psychological models developed to explain how we organize and interpret stimulus information.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every even fall semester.
This internship course in psychology is designed to provide students the opportunities to integrate and apply what they have been learning in their academic courses to supervised "hands-on" experiences at various agency settings. It will enable students to use the knowledge, skills, values, and ethics obtained from their studies in practical fields. Such exposure will establish students' basic practical skills in various areas including interpersonal support, planning, problem solving, and identification with psychology as a profession.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered either in the fall or spring semester; determined by availability of faculty and supporting organizations.
Course Descriptions: Psychology Minor
The Minor in Psychology is open to all Tougaloo College students to enhance their employability and widen their opportunities for acceptance to graduate or professional schools. The program requires 18 credit hours: 9 hours of core requirements and 9 hours of elective courses (at least one from each group). A minimum GPA of 2.50 is required for graduation.
Required Core Courses (9 Credit Hours)
An introduction to the principles of behavior with a comprehensive overview of major theoretical areas of study. Topics include brain and behavior, development, consciousness, learning, memory, cognition, intelligence, and more.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: ENG 101
Offered every fall and spring semester.
Focuses on applied areas of psychology including sensation, emotion, personality, stress and coping, social behavior, and psychological disorders.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: ENG 101
Offered every fall and spring semester.
Explores historical and current understandings of abnormal behavior, anxiety disorders, psychoses, and therapeutic practices.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every fall and spring semester.
Elective Courses (9 Credit Hours)
Students must take at least one course from each group.
Group I: Development and Statistics
Examines the psychological development of individuals from conception to early adulthood and includes discussions on behavioral disorders.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: PSY 111
Offered every fall semester.
Introduces statistical thinking and data analysis with computer lab work using the BIDP software package.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: MAT 103, MAT 106, or higher-level math with "C" average
Offered every fall semester.
Studies psychological and psychiatric aspects of aging and adult development, with attention to social relationships.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: PSY 111 or SOC 111
Co-listed as SOC 301. Offered every spring semester.
Group II: Personality, Social, Learning, and Neuroscience
Analyzes personality development through theoretical models including psychoanalytic, behavioral, and humanistic.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every even fall semester.
Explores how social environments affect individual behavior, including influence, attitude formation, and group dynamics.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Co-listed as SOC 322. Offered every even fall semester.
Covers principles and experimental variables in the acquisition and modification of behavior in animals and humans.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every odd spring semester.
Presents basic neurophysiological and neuroanatomical concepts as they relate to behavior and brain structure.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111, PSY 112, and BIO 102 or higher
Offered every odd spring semester based on faculty availability.
Department Contacts
A student considering a Psychology major or related career path should reach out to the department chair or faculty for guidance and academic planning.
April O. Miley, Psy. D.
Department Chair, Associate Professor of Psychology
Shaila Khan, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Ready to Explore the Human Mind?
Join a program that combines rigorous scientific training with practical application. Whether you're planning for graduate school or entering the workforce, our psychology program prepares you for success.