Psychology

View Programs and Courses

Faculty

Professor Patricia V. Markunas, Chairperson

Professors: Sophia R. Evett, David W. Gow, Jr., Martin Krugman, Teresa M. Lyons, Benjamin O. Miller, Patrice M. Miller, Janet Todaro Stubbs, Marcia L. Weinstein, Andrea S. Zeren

Associate Professors: Darlene Crone-Todd, Timothy J. Eddy, Joanna Gonsalves

Assistant Professors: Kristen D’Anci, Anne Noonan

Faculty Emeriti

Professors: Kenneth C. Basilio, Leonard P. Zani

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis

Minor

Psychology

Special Program

Honors

Psychology Programs

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It encompasses a variety of theoretical and applied points of view, such as the behavioral, biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental, evolutionary, and social perspectives. The Department’s goals are to provide students with a solid background in psychology, as well as to prepare students for graduate education or for entry into careers related to psychology.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The following are required: A minimum of 35 credits in psychology, satisfaction of the foreign language requirement, 3 credits in any PHL ethics course, 3 credits in mathematics, a biology lab sequence, and a minor.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The following are required: A minimum of 41 credits in psychology, 3 credits in any PHL ethics course, 3 credits in mathematics, a biology lab sequence, and 6-8 credits in DII science and mathematics electives.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

This concentration has the same requirements as the Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with three specific content courses that must be completed: PSY 210 , PSY 328 , and PSY 338 . In addition, students complete 6 credits in the Applied Behavior Analysis internship course (PSY 521 ).

Psychology Major Requirements

Psychology courses are divided into four levels, as outlined on the flowsheets.

Level 1 courses (PSY 101 or PSY 320H , PSY 203S , PSY 204R ) provide students with their first exposure to the field of psychology, its methods, and its tools. It is strongly recommended that students enroll in PSY 203S /PSY 204R in their sophomore year.

Level 2 courses deepen students’ understanding of issues, methods, and theories in several major subfields of psychology. These courses are to be taken after completing PSY 101 or PSY 320H .

Level 3 courses build on Level 1 and Level 2 courses, examine specialized areas of psychology, and operate at a higher level of sophistication.

Level 4 courses require students to work at an advanced level, individually or in small groups, under the guidance of a faculty member. Students are expected to draw upon knowledge and skills gained in lower-level courses, and apply that expertise to a specific issue or problem in psychology. These courses should be taken in the junior or senior year. Some Level 4 courses require advance planning by the student and a minimum GPA.
Level 4 options include:
• advanced research courses
• advanced seminars
• directed study or research, in which students work one-on-one with a faculty member
• honors directed study or independent research
• internship, in which students apply psychology in community, institutional and business settings

Internship in Psychology

Psychology majors who meet the GPA and credit hour requirements may choose to do an internship in psychology (PSY 520 or PSY 521 ). The internship gives students an opportunity to apply psychology in community, institutional and business settings. Information about the internship program is available in the Psychology Department office.

Support Courses

These requirements are intended to provide students with relevant intellectual skills and strengthen the students’ understanding of linkages between psychology and other fields. While support course requirements differ for the BA and BS programs, all students are required to take courses in ethics, mathematics, and biology. Psychology majors should satisfy the University’s laboratory science requirement, during the first year if possible, with a sequence of biology courses.

Departmental Honors

Students may earn departmental honors by conducting a directed study or directed research project with a faculty mentor. Students must meet the GPA requirements to register for PSY 600H or PSY 601H . A three-member faculty committee will evaluate the project.

Honors Program

Psychology majors in the University’s Honors Program should follow the honors curriculum (described under the “Honors Program” in this catalog) including completion of PSY 320H - Honors: Foundations of Psychology , and, in the senior year, PSY 600H - Honors in Psychology or PSY 601H - Honors Independent Research in Psychology .

Psi Chi

The Psychology Department sponsors a chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, whose purpose is to foster scholarship and advance the science of psychology. Membership is open to students who meet the academic requirements. For more information, students should inquire in the Psychology Department office.

Psychology Minor

Students wishing to declare a minor in psychology must obtain written permission from the chairperson of the Psychology Department. For additional information, see Psychology Minor .

Further Information

Information about the Psychology major and minor, including flowsheets and course descriptions, is available in the Psychology Department, Meier Hall 239. Application forms for directed study, independent research and internships are also available.