Students must complete a "capstone" course before graduation, Reach out to your advisor if you'd like to discuss these options.
There are two primary flavors of capstone courses: PSY4950 and PSY4960. Students need one course (3 cr) to meet this requirement. There is one other option, HONR4900 (for honors students completing a capstone) will also meet the department requirement for a capstone.
PSY4950 (Undergraduate Apprenticeship)
PSY4950 (Undergraduate Apprenticeship) is offered online spring 2025. In PSY4950, students:
- Identify a research experience and complete 45-60 hours of effort.
- Identify an applied experience and complete 45-60 hours of effort.
- Write about these experiences using the psychological concepts related to each experience.
PSY4960 (Capstone Seminar):
PSY4960 is the capstone seminar. These seminars are generally limited to 20 students and focus on deeper learning of a more advanced topic; topics can change every term. There are sections offered online, in person, and virtually (via zoom). Multiple sections of PSY4960 are offered in the fall and the spring. Occasionally, a section is offered in the summer.
Options: Fall 2024
There are four options for PSY4960 for the fall 2024 term.
- PSY4960-002: Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Social and Health Issues in Aging will be offered by Dr. JoAnn Tschanz. Students will learn about dementias such as Alzheimer's disease, "exceptional" or "successful" aging, and cognitive, emotional, social, and health factors that affect risk for dementia or that promote successful aging and longevity. The class will explore treatment/management approaches for dementia and strategies for enhancing overall wellness in pathological and normal conditions in older adults.
- PSY4960-001: Introduction to Clinical Behavioral Health will be offered by Dr. Katherine Brown. This course will provide an introductory overview of concepts and skills used in clinical behavioral health based on the science of human behavior, with a focus on the application of skills to a number of areas (e.g., treatment for person with intellectual and other disabilities, parenting, behavior management, organizational management). Students will learn techniques for utilizing principles of behavior in their own lives, as well as applying this knowledge directly to their professional goals.
- PSY4960-iO1: Introduction to Counseling will be offered by Dr. Heath Earl. This online seminar will provide an overview of concepts and skills used in counseling and focus on the application and practice of those skills. By the end of the semester, students be able to connect these skills directly to their professional goals.
- PSY4960-iO2: Introduction to Counseling will be offered by Dr. Crissa Draper. This online seminar will provide an overview of concepts and skills used in counseling and focus on the application and practice of those skills. By the end of the semester, students be able to connect these skills directly to their professional goals.
Options: Spring 2025
Currently, six options are planned for PSY4960 for the spring 2025 term (these may change).
- PSY4960-001: Introduction to Clinical Behavioral Health will be offered by Dr. Katherine Brown. This course will provide an introductory overview of concepts and skills used in clinical behavioral health based on the science of human behavior, with a focus on the application of skills to a number of areas (e.g., treatment for person with intellectual and other disabilities, parenting, behavior management, organizational management). Students will learn techniques for utilizing principles of behavior in their own lives, as well as applying this knowledge directly to their professional goals.
- PSY4960-002: Sensation & Perception will be a seminar offered by Dr. Cat Buhusi. This course will provide an introduction to sensation and perception from cognitive and neurocognitive perspectives. Sensory processes influence how one senses the world, and how the brain interprets these sensations. By the end of the semester, students will be able to apply this knowledge to a large range of applications including music, sports, learning, memory, attention, and clinical applications.
- PSY4960-iO1: Introduction to Counseling will be offered by Dr. Heath Earl. This online seminar will provide an overview of concepts and skills used in counseling and focus on the application and practice of those skills. By the end of the semester, students be able to connect these skills directly to their professional goals.
- PSY4960-iO2: Introduction to Counseling will be offered by Dr. Crissa Draper. This online seminar will provide an overview of concepts and skills used in counseling and focus on the application and practice of those skills. By the end of the semester, students be able to connect these skills directly to their professional goals.
- PSY4960-MB1: Positive Psychology will be a seminar offered by Dr. Christopher Johnson. Historically, much of psychology has focused on treating pathology and understanding maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. In contrast, positive psychology uses scientific methods to assess, understand, and build human strengths and virtues. Positive psychology examines how and why people, groups, and institutions flourish, cultivate fulfilling lives, foster authentic happiness, and are able to live "The Good Life." This seminar places special emphasis on the application of positive psychology research to promote optimal health and well-being; thus, students explore the topic in depth and engage in opportunities to cultivate firsthand experience applying course material.