• PSYC 3420

    The Nature Nurture Debate
     Rating

    2.82

     Difficulty

    3.55

     GPA

    3.06

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course covers the history, science and philosophy of the Nature-Nurture debate. Starting with Galton in the 19th Century, it covers classical issues in behavior genetics, twins and modern studies of human DNA. Philosophical, theoretical and social implications of the scientific studies are emphasized.

  • PSYC 2150

    Introduction to Cognition
     Rating

    3.88

     Difficulty

    3.53

     GPA

    3.09

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Cognition is the activity of knowing: the acquisition, organization, and use of knowledge. Emphasizing fundamental issues, this course introduces such basic content areas in cognitive psychology as perception, memory, language, cognitive development, and philosophy of science. An optional weekly review session is offered for those who wish to attend.

  • PSYC 3006

    Research Methods and Data Analysis II
     Rating

    2.70

     Difficulty

    3.33

     GPA

    3.25

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    A continuation of discussion of research methods in psychology, including computer-controlled experimentation, integrated with computer-based exploratory data analysis, and elementary statistical analysis. Three lecture hours, two laboratory hours. Prerequisite: PSYC 2005 and one of the following options, all with a C or higher grade: STAT 1601 or (STAT 1602 AND STAT 2020) or STAT 3080 or PSYC 3310

  • PSYC 2600

    Introduction to Social Psychology
     Rating

    4.03

     Difficulty

    2.57

     GPA

    3.32

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Surveys major topics in social psychology, including personal perception and social cognition, attitudes and persuasion, interpersonal influence, interpersonal attraction, and helping relationships. Considers research theory and applications of social psychology. Three lecture hours plus optional discussion sections.

  • PSYC 2005

    Research Methods and Data Analysis I
     Rating

    2.93

     Difficulty

    2.98

     GPA

    3.35

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Introduces research methods and statistical analysis in psychology. This course, with a minimum grade of "C", is a prerequisite for declaring a major or minor in Psychology. Prerequisites: None.

  • PSYC 2410

    Abnormal Psychology
     Rating

    3.68

     Difficulty

    3.11

     GPA

    3.38

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Introduces psychopathology with a focus on specific forms of abnormal behavior: depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. Prerequisites: None.

  • PSYC 3200

    Fundamentals of Neuroscience
     Rating

    3.50

     Difficulty

    4.00

     GPA

    3.42

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course will build on students' general knowledge of Neuroscience topics and aim to achieve a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles of Neuroscience. Topics covered: (1) cell biological and electrical properties of the neuron; (2) synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity; (3) transduction of physical stimuli and processing of sensory information; and (4) development and evolution and the nervous system.

  • PSYC 2700

    Introduction to Child Psychology
     Rating

    3.38

     Difficulty

    2.71

     GPA

    3.42

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Introduces the biological, cognitive and social development of the child. Topics include the child's emotional, perceptual, and intellectual development; and the development of personality and socialization. Students can participate in an optional discussion section. An optional weekly review session is offered for those who wish to attend.Prerequisite: PSYC 1010 strongly recommended, top students will be fine without it.

  • PSYC 3445

    Introduction to Clinical Psychology
     Rating

    3.27

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.48

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course is designed to provide an overview of the academic and clinical activities within the field of clinical psychology. Theories, research, psycho therapeutic approaches, and critical professional issues will be explored.

  • PSYC 5500

    Current Topics in Psychology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.57

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Current topical offerings in Psychology.

  • PSYC 3490

    Infant Development
     Rating

    4.15

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    3.61

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Infancy is the time of life during which enormous changes take place- newborns are very different from the inquisitive, walking and talking 2-year-old. The following lines of development during the first two years are traced in detail: motor, perceptual, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Environmental influences, including parental behavior are considered, as well as the effect the infant has on caregivers.

  • PSYC 4100

    Neuroscience of Learning, Emotions and Motivation of Functional Behavior
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.66

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Learning, Emotions and Motivation will be explored from animal models of clinical conditions, historical case studies in humans of brain-derived emotional disturbances, and current innovations to treat brain disorders. These important discoveries will be presented for students to understand underlying biological and neural mechanisms that mediate adaptive changes to motivate healthy behavior.

  • PSYC 4603

    Psychology of Sexual Orientation
     Rating

    3.44

     Difficulty

    2.33

     GPA

    3.69

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Overview of research and theory related to sexual orientation across the lifespan from the standpoint of the social sciences. Topics include conceptualization of sexual identities, origins and development of sexual orientation, sexual identity formation and disclosure. Selected issues such as couple relationships, employment and careers, parenthood, and aging are also explored, since they may be affected by sexual orientation. Prerequisite: Third- or fourth-year psychology major

  • PSYC 4500

    Special Topics in Psychology
     Rating

    4.67

     Difficulty

    2.10

     GPA

    3.72

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Topical Offerings in Psychology

  • PSYC 4110

    Psycholinguistics
     Rating

    4.92

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    3.78

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Topics include psychological and linguistic theory; experimental and empirical studies of linguistic usage; development of language in infants and children; cross-cultural studies of linguistic usage; and the biology of language.

  • PSYC 7720

    Quantitative Methods II: Experimental Design
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.80

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Includes Chi-square tests for contingency tables, correlation, multiple regression, analysis of variance of one-way and factorial designs including repeated measures experiments, and analysis of covariance. Extension work with SPSS and MANOVA computer routines. Prerequisite: PSYC 7710 or equivalent.

  • PSYC 3415

    Research Methods in Developmental Psychology
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    3.88

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This methods course provides hands-on experience designing and conducting research in developmental psychology. The course is intended to guide students through the research process, including generating research questions, evaluating previous literature, proposing an original experiment, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting findings.

  • PSYC 7559

    New Course in Psychology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.88

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject area of psychology.

  • PSYC 3310

    RM: R Applications in Psychology
     Rating

    3.33

     Difficulty

    1.20

     GPA

    3.89

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course serves as both an introduction to the R programming language for those who haven't had any previous R background, as well as a refresher and an extension of R topics for those who have taken an intro to R course (i.e., STAT 1601 or PSYC 3006) previously or concurrently. This course is specially tailored to those who have an interest in psychology, with the purpose of preparing students to use R for their psychological research.

  • PSYC 8650

    Social Development
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.91

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Analyzes current theory and research in social and personality developments from infancy through adolescence. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

  • PSYC 5270

    RM: Computational Neuroscience
     Rating

    3.33

     Difficulty

    3.50

     GPA

    3.91

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Develops skills in processing neural data and analyzing its relationship to stimulus or motor activity. Topics include information theory, receptive fields, point processes, and mixed-effects models. Emphasis is on implementing theoretical concepts with computer programs. Prerequisite: instructor permission.

  • PSYC 5720

    Fundamentals of Item Response Theory
     Rating

    3.33

     Difficulty

    4.50

     GPA

    3.92

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course is designed to introduce you to the concepts of item response theory (IRT) models and their application to substantive psychological problems in measurement, such as test and scale design and analysis. Prerequisite: Undergraduates must have taken Psyc 3005 and 3006 OR 4005 and 4006. Grads must have taken Psyc 7710. Instructor consent required.

  • PSYC 3990

    RM: Group Process and Facilitation I
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    1.00

     GPA

    3.93

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Group Process and Facilitation is a 2-semester, 4- or 5-credit course sequence. In semester 1, students learn background knowledge and skills related to: advanced reflective listening, group processes and management, leadership and facilitation. Students also participate in their own Hoos Connected group. In semester 2, students are eligible to co-facilitate 1-2 Hoos Connected group(s) and also receive weekly group supervision.

  • PSYC 5323

    RM: R in Psychology
     Rating

    3.33

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.93

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course is designed to introduce the statistical language R, with the purpose of preparing students to use and apply quantitative methods in their future psychology research. Topics may include handling data structures, cleaning data, visualizing and presenting data, and reviewing introductory statistics using R. At least 1-2 semesters of previous formal programming experience required (i.e., CS1110 or PSYC 3310).

  • PSYC 4435

    The Psychology of Misinformation
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.94

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course explores the psychology behind susceptibility to mis/disinformation, including cognitive biases, decision-making in uncertainty, and more. It delves into cutting-edge research and strategies for reducing susceptibility through video interventions and online games. It presents hands-on experience with lots of online materials ranging from responding to misinformation susceptibility scales, to engaging with online videos and games.

  • PSYC 5730

    RM: Advanced Multiple Regression and Data Visualization
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.94

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course covers R programming, linear models focused on analyzing COVID-19 data and advanced regression analytical tools applied to understanding COVID-19-related effects on well-being.  Students will learn how to produce visualization plots of data with RStudio and Shiny Apps.  Group work entails creating a data analysis report summarizing their empirical findings. Prerequisites: Intro statistics course and any R statistical software course.

  • PSYC 4980

    Distinguished Major Thesis II
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.96

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    A two-semester course in which the student prepares a thesis under the supervision of a departmental faculty member. The thesis may be based on empirical research conducted by the student or a critical review or theoretical analysis of existing findings. Prerequisite: Participants in the Distinguished Majors Program in Psychology.

  • PSYC 7485

    Structural Determinants of Inequality
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    4.00

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course focuses on the structural underpinnings of modern inequality in the United States. Particular attention will be paid to intersections of race and class and the systematic construction of unequal opportunity over time.

  • PSYC 1020

    Hoos Connected: Leadership and Communication
     Rating

    4.18

     Difficulty

    1.00

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Hoos Connected brings together groups of students who get to know one another in a relaxed environment, while also developing leadership and communication skills. Led by two trained upper-class student facilitators, groups of 6-10 students engage in activities and discussions that delve into what brings us together, what can keep us apart, and how these things manifest in our personal lives and our broader UVA community.

  • PSYC 3560

    Undergraduate Teaching Experience
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Training for undergraduate teaching assistants to promote course material to assist students enrolled in Psyc active learning courses to perform activities designed for the corresponding discussion/lab section.

  • PSYC 3590

    Research in Psychology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    An original experimental project is undertaken in which each student is responsible for the design and operation of the experiment. S/U grading. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 14 credits of psychology and instructor permission.

  • PSYC 3991

    RM: Group Process and Facilitation II
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    1.00

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Group Process and Facilitation is a 2-semester, 4- or 5-credit course sequence. In semester 1, students learn background knowledge and skills related to: advanced reflective listening, group processes and management, leadership and facilitation. Students also participate in their own Hoos Connected group. In semester 2, students are eligible to co-facilitate 1-2 Hoos Connected group(s) and also receive weekly group supervision.

  • PSYC 4660

    High-Level Cognition
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course will cover contemporary data and theory in high level cognitive processes, including reasoning, choice, problem solving, creativity, and collaborative thinking.

  • PSYC 7401

    Contemporary Issues: Cognitive Psychology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Discusses contemporary developments in psychological theory, methods, and research. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in psychology or instructor permission.

  • PSYC 7402

    Contemporary Issues: Neuroscience and Behavior
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Discusses contemporary developments in psychological theory, methods, and research. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in psychology or instructor permission.

  • PSYC 7403

    Contemporary Issues: Community Psychology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Discusses contemporary developments in psychological theory, methods, and research. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in psychology or instructor permission.

  • PSYC 7404

    Contemporary Issues: Ethics and Clinical Psychology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Discusses contemporary developments in psychological theory, methods, and research. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in psychology or instructor permission.

  • PSYC 7405

    Contemporary Issues: Developmental Psychology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Discusses contemporary developments in psychological theory, methods, and research. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in psychology or instructor permission.

  • PSYC 7406

    Contemporary Issues: Social Psychology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Discusses contemporary developments in psychological theory, methods, and research. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in psychology or instructor permission.

  • PSYC 7407

    Contemporary Issues: Quantitative Psychology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Discusses contemporary developments in psychological theory, methods, and research. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in psychology or instructor permission.

  • PSYC 7410

    Practicum to Intervention and History and Systems
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course has a two-fold purpose. First, it is designed to provide a working introduction to the ethical issues, principles, and techniques of psychotherapy and supervision. Second, will explore psychology's history and development and then investigate the role of History and Systems on our current psychotherapy.

  • PSYC 7440

    Psychological Assessment
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Topics include strategies of assessment, issues of reliability and validity, test construction; theory and practice of individual, couple, family, and community assessment techniques, including testing, interviewing, observation; and assessment research. Three lecture hours, two lab hours. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

  • PSYC 7610

    Advanced Research Methods in Social Psychology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Surveys various research approaches to social psychological problems; discusses selected methodological issues; and practices designing and criticizing research techniques on assorted psychological topics. Prerequisite: One semester of graduate statistics and PSYC 7600 or instructor permission.

  • PSYC 7651

    Professional Issues in Masters Studies
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Course will provide professional guidance, discussion, preparation and practice for skills necessary for professional careers with an MA degree or applying to PhD programs with a terminal MA. Students will gain experience in attending research presentations and will have the opportunity to make presentations. Preparation for applying to professional positions and PhD programs will be included, e.g., resume, letters, applications, interviews.

  • PSYC 7725

    Affective Aspects of Behavior
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course will provide students exposure to current knowledge in the area of affect, mood, and emotion, including research on models of emotion and emotion regulation, historical and developmental perspectives on emotion, and prominent measures and methods used to advance understanding of affective sciences. This will include basic research on affect and healthy emotional functioning, along with research on psychopathology and mood disorders.

  • PSYC 7730

    Developmental Aspects of Behavior
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course will provide students exposure to current knowledge in the area of developmental aspects of behavior, including transitions, growth, and development across an individual's life, along with prominent methods used to advance understanding of developmental processes. This will include basic research on both typical and atypical development across the lifespan.

  • PSYC 7745

    Ethics of Clinical Science
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course will provide clinical psychology doctoral students exposure to current knowledge and challenging issues in ethical decision-making and practices tied to being a clinical scientist. The course will focus on clinical science roles as a researcher, educator (e.g., teacher, mentor), and member of the broader field.

  • PSYC 7755

    Advanced Practicum in Supervision and Consultation
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course is designed to provide students with a context for supervision and consultation through sharing with each other their experiences with various clients, providing peer supervision to each other (with the instructor in the room), receiving immediate feedback from the instructor regarding their supervision of each other, and receiving feedback from each other, at the end of the course.

  • PSYC 8998

    Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Thesis
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    For master's research, taken before a thesis director has been selected.

  • PSYC 9501

    Topical Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Independent laboratory research undertaken with advisor. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and can be repeated. Instructor permission required.

  • PSYC 9502

    Topical Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Independent laboratory research undertaken with advisor. Graded and can be repeated. Instructor permission required.

  • PSYC 9605

    Oral Presentations of Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course prepares graduate students to create and deliver effective oral presentations of their research. We will focus particularly on longer-format presentations. Topics covered include clarity before semi-professional audiences, effective use of graphics and other supporting materials, and different methods of presenting complex data.

  • PSYC 9980

    Practicum in Case Consultation
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Supervision in case assessment, evaluation, and intervention. Emphasizes issues involved in case management; types of issues and decisions that may affect the outcome of intervention; pragmatic issues in dealing with people referred as clients; consultation procedures with referral agencies; and liaisons with community agencies. Student performance is evaluated on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

  • PSYC 9999

    Non-Topical Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    For doctoral dissertation, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.