SPCS follows the trends of the international development of the discipline and actively internationalizes its courses. The school has opened several courses taught in English, such as Time and Cognition, Seminar on Neuroeconomics, Seminar on Cognitive Psychology, Computational Modeling for Psychology and Neuroscience. On the other hand, SPCS also actively responds to national calls in the course construction, pays attention to the needs of the country and the society, and design a series of application-oriented courses.

In the field of brain and cognitive sciences, SPCS emphasizes training research skills in brain and cognitive sciences, as well as in human-computer interaction. Method courses are especially emphasized. For example, the course “Advanced Techniques for Psychological Research” teachs not only experimental designs and research techniques (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and eye tracking), but also detailed and advanced data analysis methods. Students can practice operating these instruments and doing data analyses in the course.

In the field of developmental and educational psychology, SPCS offers practice courses in kindergartens for students to deeply understand the developmental states and characteristics of Chinese children. Meanwhile, the course “Psychology of Aging” taught by associate professor Xin Zhang responds to the population aging problem in China, which has great social significance.

In the field of clinical and health psychology, most courses provided by SPCS require certain amount of counseling practice. In some courses, the instructors introduce epidemic survey methods and intervention techniques of mental illness in China. These training can equip students with necessary skills for them to pursue psychological counseling careers.

In the field of managerial and social psychology, the course design concerns about how enterprises adjust and change their organization frameworks and functions to adapt to the rapidly changing capital market in China. The design emphasizes on classical cases study about the sinicization of foreign-funded enterprises. Students are organized to visit famous enterprises. These visiting activities help students to better understand the actual organizational environment and become more competitive in their career developments.

Through a series of teaching reform measures, SPCS has greatly improved the quality of graduate education. Teaching is conducted in a variety of styles such as lecture, student presentation, discussion, practice etc. Many courses are modularized and many international renowned scientists are invited to give lectures. All of these actions have made our graduate education more effective and diverse.

Experimental Psychology (National selected course):

While Psychology enables us to have a better understanding for individuals and groups, experimental Psychology, is what transforms that understanding into science. This course focuses upon introducing classical experimental paradigms and illustrating how to investigate Psychological problems with elaborate experimental designs. It helps the students to obtain an in-depth understanding of various research methods in the field and also to enjoy the beauty of Psychology.

Abnormal Psychology (National selected course):

What is the biological basis for Psychological abnormality? Why do various Psychological abnormalities manifest in altered perception, attention, memory, emotion and consciousness? Abnormal Psychology will allow you to understand these questions and identify underlying systems and cues that can better enable us to understand the abnormal. In doing so, we can both help the victims of these abnormalities and also, at the same time, better understand normal human brain functioning.

Physiological Psychology (National selected course):

How does our brain operate? What is the nature of the complex relationship between our thoughts and neural activities? Physiological Psychology takes us on a journey into neuroscience, showing us the charm of experimental design and unraveling the mystery of the neural system behind thinking and behavior.

General Psychology:

Why do we dream? How can you improve your memory? Are Psychological tests valid and accurate? What can be done to intervene with depression? General Psychology will introduce you to the researchers and the experiments that are trying to answer these questions and more.

Developmental Psychology:

Centered on psychological development, the course introduces physiological development, motor development and speech development. It also discusses the role and the functions of genetic and environmental factors in psychological development.

Psychology of Organizational Management:

Sun Tzu once said: “the Great Integrity (Tao) is to allow people to agree with their governing.” With Tao, people are willing to die or live without any fear. To improve the level of management and productivity in modern society, we need to know how to take full advantage individuals’ potential, stimulate individual initiatives, improve organizational structure and leadership performance, improve the quality of work and life, and how to establish healthy and civilized interpersonal relationships. Psychology of Organizational Management looks into how to bring together what we know about the brain and the humans at a social level, and implement these findings at institutional level.