Department of Psychology
Faculty & Staff
Sarah Martin, Chair and Professor
Gregory Feldman, Professor
Elaine Augustine, Associate Teaching Professor
Amanda Carey, Associate Professor
Elizabeth Donovan, Associate Professor
Rachel Galli, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Neuroscience and Behavior Major
Megan McCarty, Assistant Professor
John Reeder, Associate Professor
Geoffrey Turner, Associate Professor
Overview
Psychology is the scientific exploration of behavior and mental processes. Our curriculum covers the biological, cognitive, developmental, emotional, personal, and interpersonal aspects of the human experience, as well as the methodologies used to study them. Along the way students gain a better understanding of themselves and others. They also discover the connection between those underlying processes and mental health, and how mental health problems can be diagnosed and treated with a range of therapeutic techniques.
The breadth and depth of our course offerings, along with opportunities for research and fieldwork experience, prepare students for graduate study and a wide variety of careers in psychology and related fields including basic research, clinical practice and counseling, neuroscience, child development, education and school psychology, social work, human factors, organizational psychology and human resources, public health, law, and any other field that involves behavior and thought (in other words, any field at all). The Psychology major can be combined with majors and minors in other departments leading to exciting interdisciplinary careers.
We also offer a joint major in Neuroscience and Behavior for students whose interests span psychology and biology (See separate Neuroscience and Behavior section of catalog for more details about this program).
Learning Outcomes
Theory and Content: Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
Research Methods: Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
Communication Skills: Students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
Leadership: With insight into behavior and mental processes, students will learn strategies for self-management and self-improvement as well as coordinating collaboration and navigating group dynamics.
Professional Development: Students will develop realistic plans for implementing their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in a variety of occupational pursuits.
Departmental Honors
Honors in Psychology:
The general requirements for obtaining departmental honors are indicated in the Undergraduate Catalog under Academic Honors and Recognition Programs. To qualify for Honors in Psychology, a student must satisfactorily complete either PSYC 350 (Independent Study) or the first half of PSYC 380 (Fieldwork in a Psychological Setting) during the first semester of the senior year. The student must then propose a thesis to the Psychology Faculty. If the proposal is approved, and if the student’s Psychology GPA is at least 3.5, the student may register for PSYC 355 Thesis or PSYC 381 (Thesis in Psychology) in the second semester of the senior year. By earning a grade of A or A- in that course and successfully defending the thesis to the Psychology Faculty, the student will graduate with Honors in Psychology. Note that although a thesis can be proposed after the first semester of PSYC 380, students must still complete the second semester of that course (which can be done concurrently with PSYC 355 or PSYC 381).