Department of Psychology

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Department Head: Dena Matzenbacher
Faculty: Arellano, Bartling, Brannon, Carp, Melville

Purpose

The purpose of the Department of Psychology is fivefold:

1. to prepare students to enter the work force;
2. to prepare undergraduates for additional training leading to professional careers;
3. to enhance the knowledge, skills, and understanding of graduate students;
4. to provide service courses to non-majors; and
5. to encourage scholarly production.

Curricula

The Department of Psychology offers a major in Psychology leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. Students majoring in Psychology may take a minor in the College of Liberal Arts or in the College of Science; or they may fulfill their minor requirements with 15 hours of courses in an academic discipline or field that does not provide a minor, which must be approved by their academic advisor. In selecting electives, a student must take into consideration the degree requirements which state that at least 40 semester hours must be earned in courses numbered above 300, and at least 12 must be in the major subject. Also, students may not present a grade below “C” in their major field. In general, freshman courses are numbered in the 100 series; sophomore courses in the 200; junior courses in the 300; and senior courses in the 400. Courses in the 500 and 600 series are open to graduate students only. See your advisor regarding graduation requirements.

Minor

The Department of Psychology offers a minor in Psychology. Requirements for a minor are Psychology 101 and an additional 15 hours in Psychology, 12 of which must be chosen from courses numbered 300 and above. Also, students may not present a grade below “C” in their minor.

Graduate Studies

The Department of Psychology offers a major in Psychology leading to the Master of Arts degree. Concentrations are available in Addiction Treatment, Applied Behavior Analysis, Counseling Psychology, and General/Experimental Psychology.

The master’s program in psychology is designed to give students a deeper understanding of human behavior from a variety of perspectives. All students study a common core of psychology courses and then develop a specialization within their concentration with the help of an academic advisor. Students finish their graduate experience by either completing an internship or a thesis. Internships are available at a range of human service agencies. Graduates work in human services agencies, enter private practice, or they enter doctoral programs.

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