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From learning the art of persuading others to peeling back the layers of human consciousness, psychology attempts to understand complex human behavior. Using the tools of the scientific method, psychologists investigate issues that impact our daily lives and the world around us such as human development, prejudice and discrimination, memory processes, and mental health, to name a few. Your instructors show you how to apply psychological concepts to understand human behavior and train you in research methodology and statistics to be an effective consumer of information. Students who choose to pursue a degree in psychology at Nevada State will receive a top-notch education taught by experts in the field who love to teach and create engaging experiences for students.
As a student in this program, you will seek to understand the biological, social, and cognitive underpinnings of behavior. In doing so, you’ll examine nearly every facet of human experience, from memory, to cognitive development, to the ethics of experimentation. We are dedicated to providing students with rigorous academic preparation in the science of psychology. This preparation emphasizes an empirical approach with a concerted focus on the use of research methodology and statistical analysis to solve problems. In this program, you will be introduced to the core areas of the field through a variety of active learning techniques and hands-on experiences.
Ultimately, the psychology faculty hope to cultivate intellectually and emotionally well-rounded students with the knowledge and lifelong learning skills needed to succeed in the workplace and in graduate school.
If you'd like to learn more, take a look at the NSC Social Sciences Facebook page or Psychology@nsc
A bachelor’s degree in Psychology is a highly versatile degree. It helps you gain insight into human behavior, strong analytical skills, a good understanding of data, and ample practice in communicating effectively. These skills will serve you well in any career where you regularly work with others such as in social work, counseling, market research, or business.
Students interested in pursuing work in the mental health profession should consider pairing this major with our Minor in Counseling. Students who complete the Counseling Minor are also eligible to pursue certification to become an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) with a reduced practical experience requirement (e.g., 1,500 instead of 4,000 supervised hours). Other sample job titles requiring a bachelor’s degree include Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist, Case Manager, Psychiatric Technician, and Family Services Specialist.
Nevada State College offers a wide variety of psychology classes for students. Check out the chart below to learn more about some of the courses offered:
| Course | Description | Prerequisite(s) | Credits |
| PSY 403 Physiological Psychology – How does the brain work? | Physiological mechanisms associated with reflex action, emotions, motor skills, thinking and language. Effects of drugs, internal secretions and neural lesions on behavior. | PSY 101 | 3.00 |
| PSY 416 Cognitive Psychology – How does our memory work? | Analysis of the theories, principles, and phenomena of cognitive psychology, including attention, pattern recognition, memory, language and problem solving. | PSY 101 | 3.00 |
| PSY 435 Personality – How does our personality shape our behavior? | Study of personality as a psychological construct with emphasis on its structure, development, and measurement. | PSY 101 and sophomore or higher standing | 3.00 |
| PSY 441 Abnormal Psychology – How do we diagnose and treat disordered thoughts and behaviors? | Psychology of abnormal behavior stressing symptomatology, etiology, dynamics, and problems in diagnosis. | PSY 101 | 3.00 |
| PSY 450 Industrial & Organizational Psychology – How does the workplace affect job performance and satisfaction? | Application of psychological principles to individual and group management in government, business, and industry. Topics include selections, management supervision, morale and productivity. | PSY 101 or SOC 101 | 3.00 |
| PSY 460 Social Psychology – How does the social environment shape our behavior? | Social and group factors affecting individual behavior. Topics include social perception, opinions, and attitudes, influence processes, and small group behavior. Satisfies Social Science Core Curriculum. | PSY 101 or SOC 101 | 3.00 |
| PSY 468 Psychology of Inequality – How do we maintain or challenge systems of inequality? | Examines psychological processes and societal ideologies that maintain inequality based on race, gender, social class, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, etc., and the psychological experience and social consequences of belonging to low-status groups. | PSY 101 or SOC 101 | 3.00 |
| PSY 469 Psychology and the Legal System – Does human behavior lead to flawed legal procedures and judgments? | Overview of the application of psychology to the criminal and civil justice systems and introduction to relevant case law. Topics include police psychology, eyewitness accuracy, jury decision-making, competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, civil commitment, violence risk assessment, correctional psychology, and juvenile justice. | PSY 101 | 3.00 |
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