Preclinical Psychology Certificate Program | Northwestern SPS - Northwestern School of Professional Studies

Psychology is a science that seeks to answer a wide range of questions about how we think, feel, act and interact with others. This course will give a broad overview of the entire field of psychology, which students will learn about through in-class demonstrations, outside observations, discussions, and presentations. We will explore human behavior from a biological, psychological and socio-cultural perspective. We will discuss the history of psychology beginning with an overview of psychology's roots, observing how prevailing paradigms have shifted throughout the centuries. We'll then discuss how to think like a social scientist, with an attitude of open mindedness and skepticism, as we observe people in different social settings. Discussion will include the tools and methods that are used by social scientists to formulate their questions and propose answers. With the tools of neuroscience we will explore the biological underpinnings of mind and emotions and how they influence behavior. We will seek to understand and have empathy with individuals suffering from psychological disorders ranging from mild depression to severe psychosis. Discussion will cover ways to diagnose psychopathology and therapies that have been proposed to heal such internal suffering. Practical skills for coping with stress and emotions will also be explored. Finally, we try to uncover group dynamics that can give rise to pathological and sometimes destructive behavior as that observed in cults. The course will conclude with a theme of malleability that challenges assumptions about how we perceive, remember and think. Carries social science credit.

The purpose of this course is to present an overview of the field of psychology. Among the topics we will cover are: history of the field, methods in psychological research, biological bases of behavior, perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, social influences on behavior, and psychological disorders. Class lectures, readings, and discussions will convey a sense of some of the foundational questions and methods of the science of psychology. Ultimately, the goal of this course is to impart an initial understanding of some fundamentals of human nature and behavior, as well as instill a deeper appreciation for the science of psychology. The class will have weekly quizzes and a comprehensive final exam. Carries social science credit.

The purpose of this course is to present an overview of the field of psychology. The topics we will cover include research methods, the biological bases of behavior, perception, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, social influences on behavior, health and well-being, and psychological disorders and treatment. A combination of lectures, readings, media sources, and participation in demonstrations of classic psychology experiments will convey a sense of the foundational questions and methods of the science of psychology. Ultimately, the goal of this course is to impart an initial understanding of some fundamentals of human nature and behavior, as well as instill knowledge of the science of psychology. Carries social science credit.

This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition.

Note: This course is limited to School of Professional Studies students only. Undergraduate students in other schools at Northwestern are not permitted to enroll in this course.

This course explores techniques for describing the real world with numbers and for making educated guesses about how the world works by manipulating these numbers. Students acquire a knowledge of how to execute statistical tests, but more importantly when and why to execute these tests. Emphasis is placed on understanding and interpreting data as well as on techniques of statistical analysis. A secondary goal of this course is to provide a framework from which to think critically about statistical evidence presented in the media and research reports from journals in psychology. Classes will consist of lecture and problem-based group work. The assessments include in-class quizzes, exams, a series of in-class "team" problem sets, take home problem sets, and a short paper analyzing the use of statistical information in the media. May not be audited. Carries social science or science credit. Prerequisites: PSYCH 110 and high school algebra.

Research Methods in Psychology serves as an introduction to applying scientific methods to psychological questions and topics. We will focus on how to formulate research questions and evaluate research claims in everyday life. We’ll cover different aspects of designing experiments, including how to select participants, choose independent and dependent variables, control for confounding variables, and consider ethical and equitable research practices. This course will also help students learn to communicate scientific ideas through presentations and research papers. By learning to conduct a research project from start to finish, students will learn to think holistically about research to become better scientists or consumers of science.

May not be audited. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 201.

In this course, we will explore personality psychology broadly. In lay terms, personality psychology explores deep questions of who we are, and why we think, feel, and behave as we do. We will discuss the tools for studying personality (including research methods and measurement design), and we will consider personality itself from the perspective of the various frameworks through which it is studied. Beyond simply building an understanding of these topics, this course also addresses their applications toward gaining better insight into ourselves and others, and how to utilize the course content as it pertains to various career paths. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.

This course is a survey of theories and research in cognitive psychology, covering topics such as perception, attention, memory, representation of knowledge, language, reasoning and problem solving, judgment and decision-making, and consciousness. Classes will consist of lectures, demonstrations and discussion. Students will be required to think critically about the assumptions and methods underlying research on class topics. Carries science or social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.

The focus of this course is the development of perception, cognition, language, personality, and social interaction from infancy through adolescence. The course considers perspectives and methods in developmental research. As each new topic is introduced, students are encouraged to think critically about the assumptions and methods that underlie research on particular issues. A central goal is to help students develop an appreciation of different criteria for evaluating research and other forms of evidence. The course will have weekly quizzes and a comprehensive final exam. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.

This course introduces the study of psychopathology with an emphasis on the continuum between normal and abnormal patterns of behavior, emotional regulation, and thought processes. Students will learn about different types of psychological disorders including mood disorders, panic, anxiety, obsessions, personality disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, eating disorders, sexual dysfunctions, childhood-onset disorders, trauma, and neurocognitive disorders. We will consider biological, psychological, and societal causes of dysfunction. We will also explore how psychopathology has been understood throughout history, how those views have evolved to inform psychological treatments available today, and how culture continues to play a role in shaping our conceptualization of mental illness. Lastly, opportunities for prevention and organized efforts to promote mental health will be discussed. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.

This course introduces major concepts and methods of clinical psychology. The course emphasizes four main areas relevant to clinical psychology: (1) fundamentals of clinical psychology with some discussion of the history of the field, (2) psychological assessment, (3) psychotherapy, and (4) research that has been used to investigate the efficacy of interventions in clinical psychology. Ethical issues as they relate to the field are also be considered. Course requirements include an annotated bibliography and research paper, two essay exams, and class attendance and participation. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent. Completion of PSYCH 303 is recommended for students enrolled in PSYCH 306, but not required.

This course explores the science of psychological assessment, including its history, test construction and evaluation, and common measures of personality, psychopathology, and ability. Students create and evaluate their own psychological measures. Carries social science credit. Prerequisite: PSYCH 110 or equivalent.

This course was formerly PSYCH 375 Psychological Tests and Measures.