General Psychology Certificate Program

Overview:

Pursue your graduate certificate in General Psychology if you desire a broad-based background in the foundations of psychology or want to explore the potential for more advanced and applied graduate preparation in psychology. If you currently teach at the community college or secondary school level, this certificate may allow you to add psychology to your teaching repertoire.

Build a solid foundation of knowledge in the science of psychology, including human development, and the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social bases of behavior.

Certification Requirements (15 credits):


PSY 5500 - History & Systems of Psychology
This course introduces students to the theoretical systems, methods of inquiry, and terminologies associated with the history of psychology. The course is grounded in a broad historical understanding that builds a framework for understanding the contemporary field of psychology. The focus is on the major systems of Associationism, Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt, Psychodynamic, and Existential/Humanistic.

PSY 5300 - Child & Adolescent Development
This course surveys the major theoretical perspectives on life span development from conception through adolescence. Developmental processes related to physical, cognitive, moral, and emotional functions are reviewed as well as societal and cultural aspects of development. In addition, applications to the counseling psychology therapeutic approach are covered.

PSY 6300 - Adult Development
This course explores the major theories of adult development related to emotions, personality, cognitive functioning, social and family influences, and physical functioning. Current theoretical approaches and research related to adult development are emphasized as well as practical applications in the therapy setting.

PSY 5510 - Biological Bases of Behavior
This course is designed to provide the student with a foundation of human physiology including the nervous, hormonal, reproductive, and sensory systems, and the attendant functions of digestion, sleep, learning and memory, emotion and other human biological functions. The course provides an essential knowledge base for most other offerings in the field of psychology.

PSY 6510 - Cognitive & Affective Bases of Behavior
This course studies the science of the cognitive and affective bases of behavior. The course reviews the contributions of cognitive psychology and also studies the effect of emotion and motivation on behavior. Cognitive psychology emphasizes perception, attention, memory, reasoning, language, imagery, and problem solving. Affective psychology focuses on emotional arousal, motivation, attribution, and mood. Students are thoroughly acquainted with research and research methods in this area and also focus on how this information applies in clinical practice.

Completion Requirements

To be eligible for Graduate Certificate program completion, you must successfully complete the following:

  • The approved program of 15 credits;
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00; and
  • Submission of Completion of Certificate form.

Please note: Upon acceptance to a University of the Rockies degree program, up to 15 credits of non-degree seeking coursework may be applied to a Master's program.

For more information on the General Psychology graduate certificate program, contact Admissions at 877.442.0505 or submit a request for more information.