Psychology
About the Program
Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. Psychologists study sensation, perception, consciousness, learning, memory, cognition, intelligence, human development, motivation, emotions, stress, personality, and psychological disorders.
AWARD TYPES: Courses Only, Associate in Science
AREA OF STUDY: Social & Behavioral Sciences
Degrees and Certificates
Learn more about the Degrees and Certificates offered by this program by visiting the HCC Catalog.
View Degrees & Certificates by ProgramProgram Outcomes
Students will be able to:Define, discuss, and apply key terms and concepts that are essential to success in upper division psychology courses (e.g., abnormal psychology, history and systems of psychology, advanced learning theory, developmental psychology, industrial/organizational psychology).
Outline, define, discuss, and apply the steps of the scientific method.
Define, discuss, and apply key terms and concepts associated with descriptive and experimental research methods.
Define, discuss, and apply psychological terms and concepts that are commonly found in news reports, self-help literature, parenting literature, and psychotherapy.
Program Information
About Psychology
As a student of psychology, you will discover how psychologists learn about such concepts as: bullying, hate crimes, sexuality, eyewitness memory, marriage and divorce, personality, sexual abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, shyness, prejudice, aging, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychology and the law, schizophrenia, workplace issues, suicide, death and dying, childhood obesity and parenting.
Mission statement
The mission of the Psychology program at Houston Community College is to provide high-quality instruction in freshman and sophomore level psychology courses. Our goal is to support student success by striving to ensure that all students who need to take a psychology course for transfer, to meet a degree requirement, or for personal enrichment will be able to find a class at a time and location convenient for them. In addition, we are committed to maintaining curriculum and student performance standards for each course that are consonant with its purpose and the segment of the student population it serves.
Employment
There are a number of career paths in psychology. Graduates of four-year psychology programs pursue careers in education, communications, human resources, marketing, sales, and a variety of other fields. Many continue their studies in graduate programs in psychology, counseling, family therapy, or social work. Others find that an undergraduate degree in psychology prepares them well for graduate work in law, medicine, or allied health.
Online Program Restrictions
Some online programs may require up to 15% of their curriculum be taken in-person on one of HCC’s campuses. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.
Language Option Restrictions
Some online programs require students to participate in foreign language courses as part of the program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements and available language options. If you would like to take courses in a language that is not offered online, you would have to do so on campus.
Elective Course Restrictions
Some online programs may have a limited number of elective options available, based on which of the designated electives are currently offered online. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.
Required Course Restrictions
Some online programs may require students to participate in one or more campus-based courses as part of a given program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.
Potential Course Restrictions
Some online courses may have face-to-face requirements for exams, laboratory sessions, and other activities. Please review your course syllabus to determine if your online course has an on-campus laboratory or examination requirement.
Field of Study Curriculum
Psychology Field of Study (FOS) Curriculum
Field of Study Coursework:
- PSYC 2301 General Psychology
- PSYC 2314 Lifespan Growth & Development
- PSYC 2317 Statistical Methods in Psychology
- PSYC 2319 Social Psychology
- PSYC 2320 Abnormal Psychology
- PSYC 2330 Biological Psychology
Fully Transferable:
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has designated the Field of Study Curriculum courses as “fully transferable” to other public colleges and universities in Texas. Students planning on transferring to either private or out-of-state institutions should direct transfer questions to that college or university.
For more information, refer to the HCC Catalog (https://www.hccs.edu/programs/catalog/ ) and Field of Study Curricula Approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board www.thecb.state.tx.us/institutional-resources-programs/public-universities-health-related-institutions/transfer-resources/field-of-study-curricula/
Marketable Skills
Learn more about the marketable skills—skills valued by employers that can be applied in variety of work settings—so you can communicate these to potential employers. Click on the relevant award title below to see descriptions of marketable skills for that area.
Career Opportunities
Explore real-time labor market data on occupations you may pursue post-graduation, offering insight into career opportunities, potential earnings, and job demand in the Greater Houston region.
For more in-depth information about this career and other career pathways, visit Career Coach.
Resources
Search for a Psychology Professor or request more information
Get in touch
Dr. Carol Watson
Department Chair
Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm