Psychology

Psychology is both an applied and academic field that studies behavior and mental processes, such as thoughts and feelings. Psychology studies a diversity of topics such as psychological disorders and psychotherapy, learning, early childhood development, stress, the interaction between the mind and the body, animal behavior, the influence of other people on our own behavior, personality, sleep and dreaming, and brain injury. Psychologists strive to understand people better and to use their understanding to improve the human condition.

At the undergraduate level, the Psychology Program offers both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree. At the graduate level, the Psychology Program offers Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychology. A demand exists for baccalaureate psychology graduates in public and private agencies dealing with human relations. However, the more challenging and specialized fields of psychology usually require further study beyond the bachelor’s degree. The department also offers a minor in psychology.

Anthropology

The Department of Psychology and Anthropology currently offers both a major and minor in Anthropology as well as graduate courses contributing to a Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Students degree with a concentration in Anthropology.

The anthropology program at UTPA provides beginning students with a solid foundation through a variety of introductory courses. Five of our anthropology courses satisfy the general education requirement in the social sciences. These introductory courses cover such varied topics as archaeology, cultural anthropology, folklore, human evolution, and Mexican American Culture.

Students choosing to major or minor in anthropology may pursue this interest through advanced courses in New World archaeology, cultural anthropology, folklore, and method and theory which are taught by faculty who are actively conducting research in these areas. Anthropology at UTPA also allows students to apply their knowledge and gain hands-on experience by working in local museums; writing down and preserving the traditional beliefs, legends, sayings, and remedies that are part of our rich local folklore; participating in internships in community organizations; studying the behavior of chimpanzees and gorillas at Gladys Porter Zoo; and participating in archeological excavations.