Psychology major

mhcc.edu/SocialScience

psychology

Faculty Advisers

Nicole Bragg-Scott: 503-491-7291 | Room AC2666 | Nicole.Bragg@mhcc.edu | Students last name A - I
Nancy Olson: 503-491-7426 | Room AC2688 | Nancy.Olson@mhcc.edu | Students last name J - R
Jessica Scott: 503-491-7105 | Room AC2679 | Jessica.Scott@mhcc.edu| Students last name S - Z

Psychology is the study of people, the human mind, and actions. Students in this major will also study the diverse aspects of “being a person”, including: thoughts, brain function, emotion, personality, and human development.

Students who want to transfer to a four year college to major in psychology should work with their transfer school and an MHCC adviser.

Curricular Outcomes

At the completion of this curriculum, students should be able to: 

  • Describe the field of psychology and psychological knowledge involving and including the scientific method, statistical principles and social aspects of behavior
  • Describe the relevance of psychological knowledge regarding interpersonal relations and society

Students interested in pursuing the Psychology major can complete the following courses toward the Social Science requirement and/or electives on the AAOT (recommended), AS, AGS or ASLA degrees. Admitted students may also log on to Navigate to start the process of building an academic plan based on this major and can notify an adviser for review.

Psychology courses that transfer as Psychology and/or Social Science to public Oregon Universities

PSY201General Psychology (Course offered online)4
PSY202General Psychology (Course offered online)4

Other Psychology courses

Many of these courses count toward MHCC Social Science requirements, and may transfer to public Oregon Universities as psychology, social science or electives.

PSY101Psychology of Human Relations (Course offered online)3
PSY151Introduction to the Social Sciences3
PSY214Introduction to Personality (Cultural Literacy course)4
PSY216Social Psychology3
PSY231Human Sexuality3
PSY232Sexuality and Society (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
PSY235Human Development I: Prenatal - Late Childhood3
PSY236Human Development II: Adolescence - Death3
PSY237Human Development (Course offered online)4
PSY239Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (Course offered online)4

Recommended courses for Psychology majors

Arts and Letters

PHL201Introduction to Philosophy (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
PHL202Fundamental Ethics (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
COMM114Argument and Critical Discourse3
ENG104Introduction to Literature: Fiction (Course offered online)4
R210World Religions (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
ASL201Second-year American Sign Language I (Cultural Literacy course)4
ASL202Second-year American Sign Language II (Cultural Literacy course)4
ASL203Second-year American Sign Language III (Cultural Literacy course)4
JPN201Second-year Japanese I (Cultural Literacy course)5
JPN202Second-year Japanese II (Cultural Literacy course)5
JPN203Second-year Japanese III (Cultural Literacy course)5
SPAN201Second-year Spanish I (Cultural Literacy course)4
SPAN202Second-year Spanish II (Cultural Literacy course)4
SPAN203Second-year Spanish III (Cultural Literacy course)4

Social Science

ANTH101Introduction to Biological Anthropology (Course offered online)4
ANTH102Introduction to Archaeology and World Prehistory (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
ANTH103Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Cultural Literacy course)4
PS200Introduction to Political Science (Course offered online) ( or other PS course on AAOT list)4
SOC204General Sociology: Principles of Sociology (Course offered online)3
SOC205General Sociology: Social Institutions (Course offered online)3
SOC206General Sociology: Social Problems (Course offered online)3

Lab Science

BI101General Biology: Cellular Biology (Course offered online)4
BI102General Biology: Molecular Biology (Course offered online)4
BI103General Biology: Ecology and Evolution4
BI132Introduction to Animal Behavior (Course offered online)4
BI133Northwest Forest Ecology4

Electives

ANTH101Introduction to Biological Anthropology (Course offered online)4
ANTH102Introduction to Archaeology and World Prehistory (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
ANTH103Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Cultural Literacy course)4
PS200Introduction to Political Science (Course offered online)4
PSY101Psychology of Human Relations (Course offered online)3
PS201American Government (Course offered online)4
PS203State and Local Governments4
PS204Introduction to Comparative Politics4
PS205International Relations (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
PS209Problems in American Politics4
PS215Global Issues4
PS217Introduction to Public Land Management: The Politics of Recreation3
PS225Political Ideology: Ideas About Government4
PS241Introduction to Political Terrorism (Course offered online)4
PSY214Introduction to Personality (Cultural Literacy course)4
PSY216Social Psychology3
PSY231Human Sexuality3
PSY232Sexuality and Society (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
PSY237Human Development (Course offered online)4
PSY239Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (Course offered online)4
SOC204General Sociology: Principles of Sociology (Course offered online)3
SOC205General Sociology: Social Institutions (Course offered online)3
SOC206General Sociology: Social Problems (Course offered online)3

Transfer Schools

psychology

Exploring psychology as your major? Learn more with MHCC's Career Coach, which covers: skills needed for each career, wages, employment rates, and live job postings in the Greater Multnomah County Area.

Careers related to psychology:

The following shows just one example of how students can complete an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree while also taking lower-division psychology courses. Be sure to work with an MHCC adviser and the transfer institution you'd like to attend to ensure correct courses are being taken. Not all courses are offered every term. Click on a course number to see what term(s) the course is typically offered.

  • Full time = 12 or more credits per term; takes about 2 years to complete.
  • 3/4 time = 9 to 11 credits per term; takes about 3 years to complete.
  • Part time = 6 to 8 credits per term; takes about 4 years to complete.

Sample Plan (full time)

Plan of Study Grid
First QuarterCredits
PSY201 General Psychology (Course offered online) 4
WR121Z Composition I (Course offered online) 4
Arts & Letters 3-4
Elective / university requirement 4
 Credits16
Second Quarter
MTH105Z Math in Society 4
PSY202 General Psychology (Course offered online) 4
WR122Z
Composition II (Course offered online)
or Technical Writing (Course offered online)
4
Elective / university requirement 4
 Credits16
Third Quarter
Oral Communication 3-4
Social Science (other than Psychology) 3-4
Psychology elective 3-4
Science / Math / Computer Science (MTH243 recommended) 3-5
 Credits16-17
Fourth Quarter
Arts & Letters 3-4
Lab Science 3-5
Psychology elective 3-4
Elective / university requirement 4
 Credits15-16
Fifth Quarter
Arts & Letters 3-4
Lab Science 3-5
Psychology electives / university requirements 6-7
 Credits13-14
Sixth Quarter
Health & Physical Education 3
Lab Science 3-5
Psychology electives / university requirements 6-8
 Credits14
 Total Credits90-93

PSY101 Psychology of Human Relations (Course offered online)

Credits 3Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

Psychology of Human Relations is the study of psychology from a living or personal point of view with emphasis on practical application. Attention is given to individual and group dynamics with focus on feelings and attitudes in relation to family, work and day-to-day experiences. The course includes an overview of topics including self-concept, perception, self-awareness, personality, values and communications in resolving interpersonal conflicts.

This course fulfills: Human Relations; Social Science

PSY151 Introduction to the Social Sciences

Credits 3Summer/Winter

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH020; each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course offers an overview of the social sciences and specific examination of the key points, issues and concepts of each. It will include an historical development of the modern social sciences, as well as, a current, state-of the art perspective. A general functional description of the modern social scientific method as it is applied to the social sciences will be explored. The social science disciplines included in this course are anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology.

This course fulfills: Human Relations; Social Science

PSY201 General Psychology (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of information pertaining to the following topics: the history of psychology, the scientific methods, the physiological and biological basis of behavior, sensory processes, perception, consciousness, human development, learning, memory, language and cognition and related topics. Current trends are discussed and an emphasis is placed on practical application of the information for understanding behavior.

This course fulfills: Human Relations; Social Science

PSY202 General Psychology (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: PSY201.

This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of information pertaining to the following topics: emotions, motivation, intelligence, personality theory and assessment, health and stress, abnormal psychology, therapy and social psychology. Current trends are discussed and an emphasis is placed on practical application of the information for understanding behavior.

This course fulfills: Human Relations; Social Science

PSY214 Introduction to Personality (Cultural Literacy course)

Credits 4Spring

Registration Requirement: PSY201; or equivalent.

This course consists of an overview of basic personality theories within the framework of the four dominant philosophies of human behavior, i.e., psychoanalysis, humanism and cognitive psychology. Attention is given to the origin and development of personality, particularly as it pertains to healthy adjustment.

This course fulfills: Cultural Literacy; Human Relations; Social Science

PSY216 Social Psychology

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: PSY201.

Social Psychology involves the scientific study of the behavior of the individual within the context of a social setting. The course explores the significant variables that influence the social responses of the individual. Topics include attitude formation and change, social perception, persuasion and social influence, pro-social behavior and group decision-making and other relevant topics.

This course fulfills: Human Relations; Social Science

PSY231 Human Sexuality

Credits 3Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: PSY201.

The focus of this course is on the psychological and physiological aspects of human sexuality. Study includes male and female sexual physiology and functioning, sexual behavior patterns, sexual dysfunctions and therapy, sexual development, atypical behavior, relational enhancement and a variety of other topics. Information and discussion aims for an open and nonjudgmental level of understanding.

This course fulfills: Human Relations; Social Science

PSY232 Sexuality and Society (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)

Credits 3Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: PSY201.

The primary emphasis of Sexuality and Society is on the psychosocial interactions involved in our sexual behavior. The formation of social behavior culturally and cross culturally, is examined as they pertain to the psychology of sexuality. Various issues having both a sexual and social basis are examined.

This course fulfills: Cultural Literacy; Human Relations; Social Science

PSY235 Human Development I: Prenatal - Late Childhood

Credits 3Fall

This course identifies major theories of physical, cognitive and socio-emotional human development from conception through late childhood. Characteristics of each developmental stage are emphasized. Major research issues relating to developmental stages are discussed.

This course fulfills: Human Relations; Social Science

PSY236 Human Development II: Adolescence - Death

Credits 3Winter

Second term of a two-term sequence, this course identifies major theories of physical, cognitive and socio-emotional human development from adolescence through death. Characteristics of each developmental stage are emphasized. Major research issues relating to developmental stages are discussed.

This course fulfills: Human Relations; Social Science

PSY237 Human Development (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: PSY201.

This course is a descriptive and theoretical examination of the developmental process of human life from conception to death. Emphasis is placed on integrating the variables of influence that contribute and direct the sequential aspects of development. Classic to contemporary developmental approaches are presented and studied. It is required upon beginning this class that the student have a thorough understanding of the concepts and theories presented in PSY201 General Psychology.

This course fulfills: Human Relations; Social Science

PSY239 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: PSY201.

This is an introduction to mental disorders and diagnosis with an overview of major treatment strategies. Subjects covered include a historical overview of mental disturbance, community psychology, the current Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM) and the social impact of mental disorder on modern society. Specific disorders include anxiety disorders, personality disorders, dissociative disorders, affective disorders, substance use disorders, suicide, schizophrenia and organic brain disorder.

This course fulfills: Human Relations; Social Science

Course offered online

Cultural Literacy course