Psychology

Associate in Arts Degree with a Concentration in
Psychology (655)

The concentration in psychology prepares students t transfer to four-year universities to pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology and/or social work.

Psychology - IAI Recommended Baccalaureate Curriculum

Follow this link for career information.

Transfer Considerations

Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program.

IMPORTANT PSYCHOLOGY CONCENTRATION NOTE: The IAI Psychology Major Panel recommends that psychology students take PSY 103 for GECC credit. Completion of PSY 103 is a requirement (prerequisite) that needs to be taken to be admitted to many classes at 4-year schools, so it is best to complete that prior to transfer. Some SVCC psychology classes may transfer as elective credit rather than counting as the specific class after transfer (e.g., PSY 217).

Competitive Admissions

Since admission to 4-year college/university program is competitive, completing the recommended courses does not by itself guarantee admission. For example, many transfer schools require a minimum 2.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale (or higher) for admission.

Special Considerations

There are many jobs at the available in psychology and related fields (like social work). There are a variety of jobs available with 2-year, 4-year, and graduate degrees. In order to work as an independent counselor or therapist, a minimum of a master’s degree is typically required to obtain a state license.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

• Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
• Amy Jakobsen, Ph.D., LCP, Professor of Psychology
  Email: amy.n.jakobsen@svcc.edu | Phone:  (815) 835-6324

 

Minimum Total Credit Hours - 64-66 Hours

Suggested Course Sequence

First Semester - 16-17 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
**	Electives	3-4 Hours
	Personal Development	3 Hours
ENG101	Composition I	3 Hours
This course 1 develops awareness of the writing process 2 provides inventional organizational and editorial strategies 3 stresses the variety of uses for writing and 4 emphasizes critical skills in reading thinking and writing.Prerequisite Required placement score on approved English placement test high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099.3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
FYE101	First Year Experience	1 Hour
The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills goal setting academic planning time and money management and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite None1 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 1 lecweek
MAT240	Elementary Statistics	3 Hours
An introduction to basic concepts in statistical methods including measures of central tendency measures of dispersion probability theoretical and empirical distribution estimation tests of hypotheses linear regression and correlation.Prerequisite a grade of C or better in MAT 081 or MAT 078 or higher OR concurrent enrollment in MAT 040 OR appropriate placement score see current placement score prerequisite chart3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI M1 902LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
PSY103	Introduction to Psychology	3 Hours
This course is designed to introduce the student to major concepts theories principles and research in the field of psychology. This course will survey the scientific study of human and animal characteristics and behavior. Major topics from biological behavioral cognitive personality developmental abnormal and social psychology theory and research will be emphasized. Universal characteristics and individual differences will be explored Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S6 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Second Semester - 15-16 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
*	Mathematics	3-4 Hours
	Fine Arts	3 Hours
COM131	Intro to Oral Communication	3 Hours
The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The course 1 develops awareness of the communication process 2 provides inventional organizational and expressive strategies 3 promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts and 4 emphasizes critical skills in listening reading thinking and speaking.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C2 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
ENG103	Composition II	3 Hours
An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition students receive instruction in logic and reasoning including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 901RLectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
PSY200	Human Growth & Development	3 Hours
A study of physical cognitive and psychosocial development of the human across the lifespan. Normative and non-normative patterns of development will be examined. Several major theories of human development will be be explored. Practical application of research findings will be emphasized. Prerequisite PSY 103 or equivalent. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S6 902LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
- OR -
PSY214	Child Developmental Psychology	3 Hours
Child Developmental Psychology is an exploration of human growth and development from immediately before conception through adolescence. Content and application of theory and research related to physical cognitive and psychosocial domains of child development will be reviewed. Prerequisite PSY 103. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S6 903LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Third Semester - 16-17 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
***	Life Science	4-5 Hours
	Humanities	3 Hours
PSY215	Social Psychology	3 Hours
Social Psychology is a systematic introduction to theory and research on the ways social factors influence individual and group behavior. Examines attitudes social perception establishment of norms conformity leadership group dynamics and research methods. IAI GECC Code S8 900. Prerequisite PSY 103. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S8 900 PSY 908LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
PSY217	Abnormal Psychology	3 Hours
Abnormal psychology seeks to examine abnormal behavior from a number of contemporary theoretical and therapeutic viewpoints with reference to relevant research findings. Major diagnostic categories are explored. The diagnosis of disorders their symptoms etiologies courses treatment outcomes and related research methods and findings are core to the course. Applications to daily life allied health criminal justice human development and various other clinical settings will be common.Prerequisite PSY 103 or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI PSY 905LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
SOC111	Introduction to Sociology	3 Hours
Students will be introduced to the perspective concepts and methods of sociology. Emphasis will be given to how the groups that make up our society function. The forces that hold groups together or cause them to change will be explored while the students examine how they learn to play roles within the family school religion peer groups and in other social settings.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S7 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Fourth Semester - 16-17 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
***	Physical Science	3-4 Hours
	Humanities / Fine Arts	3 Hours
****	Electives	6 Hours
	Social / Behavioral Sciences (excluding PSY)	3 Hours

 

Footnotes

* Suggested MAT 220, MAT 221 or MAT 203.

** Three to four semesters of a college-level foreign language or three to four years of a high school level foreign language may be required for a Bachelor of Arts degree.

*** One lab required. Some universities require a two-semester science sequence in biology, chemistry, or physics.

**** Additional science courses, such as anatomy and physiology are recommended.