Fast Schedule

Psychology PSY

14 courses · Palo Verde College · 2026-2027 Catalog

Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027

PSY 110 Personal and Social Adjustment I

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Transfers to
CSU

Student Learning Outcomes: Define and use basic biological, physiological, and psychological terminology to describe adjustment and psychosocial development across the lifespan. Generate and explain concrete examples of psychological perspectives and applications underlying personal growth and psychosocial adjustment.

General Education: Not approved for General Education

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

An introduction to examining one's choices and how the influence of age, gender, previous experience, ethnic group membership, context, and the environment has shaped these choices. Techniques for expanding one's self-awareness and the exploration of alternate choices in significant areas of one's life comprise an integral part of this course.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 115 Human Sexuality

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Transfers to
CSU, UC

Student Learning Outcomes: Explain sexual diversity and values of various cultures. Identify relevant features of human anatomy and physiology in the reproductive processes and the role of the brain and neurotransmitters in sexual arousal.

General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 4- Social and Behavioral Sciences )

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

This course is an introductory overview of the field of human sexuality. Human sexuality will be examined from psychological, biological, sociocultural, and historical perspectives. Students will be encouraged to become aware of their own sexual attitudes, values, and behaviors and to evaluate the consistency of their behaviors within their own moral frameworks. Current sex norms and various aspects of interpersonal and individual sexual adjustment will be explored.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 145 Human Relations

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Transfers to
CSU

Student Learning Outcomes: SLO #1: Recognize the basic principles and theories of human relations. SLO #2: Identify the dynamics at work of individual and group relations in various job settings. SLO #3 Describe the principles of motivation and leadership at work in various role playing situations.

General Education: Not approved for General Education

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

This course identifies the practical application of basic psychological issues in modern management. Concepts, techniques, and skills used to raise productivity and enhance satisfaction in the work place will be covered.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 150 Introduction to Research Methods

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Prerequisite
MAT 106 (now STAT C1000) or PSY 155 and PSY 101 (now PSYC C1000)
Transfers to
CSU, UC

Student Learning Outcomes: SLO #1: Demonstrate understanding of peer-reviewed literature as demonstrated in written and/or oral reports. SLO #2: Develop a research proposal in psychological science using APA format, including the relevant components (e.g., literature review, research question/hypothesis, methods, etc.).

General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 4- Social and Behavioral Sciences )

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

This course is an introduction to scientific methodology in psychology and social sciences, including descriptive, experimental, and applied research using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), as well as the ethical guidelines for psychological research.

Offered: Spring 2027 (1 section, listed as PSY-150)

PSY 155 Introduction to Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Prerequisite
MAT 106 (now STAT C1000)
Advisory
SOC 101 (now SOCI C1000) or PSY 101 (now PSYC C1000)
Transfers to
CSU, UC

Student Learning Outcomes: SLO #1: Identify the quantitative methods used in behavioral sciences to summarize, analyze, evaluate and interpret data. SLO #2: Identify the appropriate statistical formula for interpreting data using examples. SLO #3: Analyze psychological sociological or other social science data using computer applications such as Statistical Application for Social Sciences (SPSS) or the like, or by using other effective substitute methods.

General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 2- Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning )

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

This course focuses on concepts and applications of descriptive and inferential statistics in psychology and other behavioral sciences. Topics include hypothesis testing, frequency distributions, percentiles, central tendency and variability, application of the normal probability distribution, correlation, and analysis of variance procedures. This course is designed for students seeking careers in social science such as psychology, sociology and anthropology.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 201 Lifespan Development

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Transfers to
CSU, UC

Student Learning Outcomes: SLO #1: Apply developmental psychological principles and concepts to novel situations in real-life. SLO #2: Recognize and describe are appropriate developmental stages observed in interactions of children. SLO #3: Identify biological, psychological and sociocultural influences on lifespan development.

General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 4- Social and Behavioral Sciences )

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

A systematic study of human development throughout the life span. Analyses of contemporary developmental research and theory will be included. In addition, case studies, trends, principles and processes will be examined in the terms of ethnic, racial, gender and cross-cultural issues in human development. This course provides an overview, from a psychological perspective, of human development from conception through death, including biological and environmental influences. Theories and research of physical, cognitive, personality, and social development are examined, as well as attention to developmental problems.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section, listed as PSY-201)

PSY 202 Positive Psychology

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Advisory
PSY 101 (now PSYC C1000)
Transfers to
CSU, UC

Student Learning Outcomes: Students will integrate, through written assignments, core principles of Positive Psychology into their own lives. Demonstrate an understanding of research that supports the principles, tools, skills, and strategies of Positive Psychology through the completion of relevant assignments and exams.

General Education: Not approved for General Education

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

Focuses on the traits of individuals in their ability to overcome adversity. Explores evidence-based findings on strengths like happiness, flourishing, and resiliency (as opposed to classic psychology's focus on the disease model), using the bio-psycho-sociocultural model. Concepts include mindfulness, flow, optimism, and relationships. Designed to increase understanding of one's sense of life-satisfaction (e.g., through self-analysis). Encourages optimal emotional, psychological, biological, and social well-being and functioning. Emphasizes behaviors, activities, and ways of thinking that are identified in the literature as conducive to wellness.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 203 Health Psychology

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Prerequisite
PSY 101 (now PSYC C1000)
Transfers to
CSU, UC

Student Learning Outcomes: Examine and explain the models and theories that are used to explain health risk and health-enhancing behaviors Explain the importance of personality, social, and contextual factors in predicting health cognitions and behaviors

General Education: Not approved for General Education

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

An evidence-based analysis of the complex and fascinating relationship between behavior and health, both physical and mental, explored through the lens of the bio-psycho-sociocultural model. Of particular focus are risk factors, stress, immunity, addiction, eating disorders, cardiovascular disease, pain, cancer, and aging. Treatments are addressed, though strategies for maximizing health and prevention are emphasized, including exercise, mindfulness, stress management, and nutrition. Provocative modern evidence on the gut-brain connection is presented, along with suggestions for healing the gut and brain to aid in optimizing mental and physical health.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 205 Introduction to Biological Psychology

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Prerequisite
PSY 101 (now PSYC C1000)
Transfers to
CSU, UC

Student Learning Outcomes: SLO #1: Identify and summarize the basic structures and functions of the central nervous system (four lobes of the brain, major relevant subcortical structures, neurons) and peripheral nervous system (somatic, automatic, sympathetic and parasympathetic). SLO #2: Demonstrate an understanding of chemical communication across the synapse and its modification by drugs. SLO #3: Demonstrate an understanding of the current research methods employed in the study of brain-behavior relationships.

General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 4- Social and Behavioral Sciences )

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

Introduction to the physiological determinants of behavior, including behavior evolution, the nervous system and endocrine glands, and their relationship to perception, learning, motivation, emotion and personality.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 210 Abnormal Psychology

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Prerequisite
PSY 101 (now PSYC C1000)
Transfers to
CSU, UC

Student Learning Outcomes: Identify the major biological, psychosocial and sociocultural perspectives with respect to the causation and treatment of disorders. Explain how psychologically-based therapies and preventative strategies are utilized/implemented.

General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 4- Social and Behavioral Sciences )

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

Psychological, biological, and sociocultural approaches to understanding abnormal behavior, including DSM- 5 psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depressive, and psychotic disorders. The exploration of psychological principles underlying psychopathology.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 215 Social Psychology

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Advisory
PSY 101 (now PSYC C1000)
Transfers to
CSU, UC

Student Learning Outcomes: SLO #1: Understand how both biological and social factors can help explain and predict social behavior SLO #2: Apply Social Psychological principles to everyday life.

General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 4- Social and Behavioral Sciences )

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

Social psychology is the scientific study of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the real or implied presence of others. Even though individuals differ, this field focuses on the regularities of social reactions and interaction. This course will examine the central theories, concepts, and research findings revolving around behaviors in social situations/settings such as aggression, attraction, group behaviors, altruism, conformity, and helping behavior.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 220 Counseling and Interviewing

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Advisory
PSY 101 (now PSYC C1000)
Transfers to
CSU

Student Learning Outcomes: SLO #1: Demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the various counseling theories and techniques as they pertain to the different counseling sites and their client population. SLO #2: Demonstrate the ability to plan, conduct, and analyze a counseling interview writing the international counseling psychology framework.

General Education: Not approved for General Education

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

A comprehensive coverage of theory, counseling strategies, the counseling relationship, and professional issues. Counseling in schools, drug abuse and crisis intervention centers, community mental health sites, prisons, vocational/career facilities and other human services sites will be emphasized to demonstrate the various types of counselors and their roles. Materials and discussions will be presented to enhance student's sensitivity to cultural diversity (e.g., community based policing, etc.).

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 280 Selected Topics in Psychology

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Advisory
PSY 101 (now PSYC C1000)
Transfers to
CSU

Student Learning Outcomes: SLO # 1. Demonstrate knowledge of key theories related to the special topic. SLO #2. Be able to evaluate the application of relevant psychological theories and research to some contemporary psychological issues and demonstrate an understanding of the practical implications.

General Education: Not approved for General Education

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

Group investigation of a special topic in psychology. The area of study will be determined by the instructor and noted in the class syllabus.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

PSY 290 Selected Studies in Psychology

Units
3
Hours
54 hours total, 3 hours lecture weekly
Advisory
PSY 101 (now PSYC C1000)
Transfers to
CSU

Student Learning Outcomes: SLO # 1. Demonstrate knowledge of key theories related to the special studies. SLO #2. Identify issues that are specific to the special areas of study.

General Education: Not approved for General Education

Course Duration (Weeks): 18

Group investigation of a select group of studies in an area of psychology. The area of study will be determined by the instructor and noted in the class syllabus.

Not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules.

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