The Department of Psychology offers a range of special topics courses in different areas of psychology at the 2000 and 3000 levels. This page provides additional information for students about special topics courses.
Overview: What are Special Topics courses?
Special topics courses in psychology focus on specific issues in psychology that are not covered by existing regular courses. They provide an opportunity for students to take courses about new and timely topics within different domains of psychology. Special topics courses are offered for a limited time (usually once or twice), and may be converted to a regular course that is offered on a more routine basis.
The topic for a given special topics course can vary from term to term, or even within a single term. For example, in Fall 2024 there are two sections of PSYC 3090 available, and each section is about a unique special topic. Unfortunately, CUNY Global class search only shows the generic listing for each course, and does not clearly indicate the special topic for each course.
If you click on a special topics course listing, you will find more information about the course, and the topic of the course will be displayed in the class notes section.
Fall 2024 Special Topics courses
In Fall 2024, the Department of Psychology is offering two versions of PSYC 3090: Advanced Special Topics in Psychology. More information about these courses, including expanded course descriptions can be found from the following links.
PSYC 3090: Advanced Special Topics in Psychology: Psychological Perspectives in Diversity Science
PSYC 3090: Advanced Special Topics in Psychology: Political Psychology
Course Numbers and bulletin descriptions
This section provides a list of all course numbers and bulletin descriptions for undergraduate special topics courses that may be offered in Psychology. Note that special topics courses are offered on a limited basis.
Please consult the most recent Undergraduate Bulletin for up-to-date information.
PSYC 2090 Special Topics
3 hours; 3 credits each term
Topics vary from term to term. Course description may be obtained in the department office before registration. Students may take this course for credit twice but may not repeat topics.
Students and faculty may suggest topics to the chairperson.
PSYC 3090 Advanced Special Topics in Psychology
3 hours; 3 credits
Topics vary from term to term. Course description may be obtained in the department office before registration. Students may take this course for credit twice but may not repeat topics
Prerequisite: Psychology 1000 [1.1] and permission of the Chairperson
PSYC 3195 Advanced Special Topics in Social Psychology
3 hours; 3 credits
An in-depth survey of specific topics in the area of social psychology. Each semester will focus on a single topic, in which the content and research approaches will be explored. May be taken a maximum of four times.
Prerequisite: Psychology 1000 and 2100
PSYC 3295 Advanced Special Topics in Developmental Psychology
3 hours; 3 credits
An in-depth survey of specific topics in the area of developmental psychology. Each semester will focus on a
single topic, in which the content and research approaches will be explored. May be taken a maximum of four times.
Prerequisite: Psychology 1000 and either 2200 or 2210
PSYC 3396 Advanced Special Topics in Personality Psychology
3 hours, 3 credits
An in-depth survey of specific topics in personality psychology. Each semester will focus on a single topic, in which the content and research approaches will be explored. May be taken a maximum of four times.
Prerequisite: Psychology 1000 and 2300
PSYC 3495 Advanced Special Topics in Statistics and Research Methods
3 hours lecture, 3 credits
An in-depth survey of specific topics in the area of statistics and research methods in psychology. Each semester will focus on a single topic, in which the content and research approaches will be explored. May be taken a maximum of four times.
Prerequisite: Psychology 1000 and 3400
PSYC 3595 Advanced Special Topics in Cognitive Psychology
3 hours, 3 credits
An in-depth survey of specific topics in the area of cognitive psychology, such as memory, attention, perception, problem solving, and decision-making. Each semester will focus on a single topic, in which the content and research approaches will be explored. May be taken a maximum of four times.
Prerequisite: Psychology 1000 and 2530
PSYC 3695 Advanced Special Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience
3 hours; 3 credits
Focus on one of the major areas of comparative psychology or behavioral neuroscience. Topics vary from term to term. Course description may be obtained in the department office before registration. Students may take this course for credit twice, but may not repeat topics.
Prerequisite: Psychology 1000 and 2600.
PSYC 3895 Advanced Special Topics in Psychopathology and Clinical Application
3 hours lecture, 3 credits
An in-depth survey of specific topics in the area of psychopathology and clinical application. Each semester will
focus on a single topic, in which the content and research approaches will be explored. May be taken a maximum of four times.
Prerequisite: Psychology 1000 and 2810