Psychology
Dr. Michael Stoloff, Head
Professors
V. Andreoli Mathie, J. Benedict, A. Benson, D. Brown, H. Cobb, L. Echterling, T. Erwin, T. Gonzalez, J. Grayson, C. Harris, A. Kahn, J. McKee, J. Presbury, A. Stewart, M. Stoloff, N. Walker, P. Warner, R. West, S. Wise
Associate Professors
C. Abrahamson, S. Baker, J. Brewster, S. Evans, P. Gibson,T. Gilligan, S. Lovell, S. Rogers, S. Serdikoff, C. Shealy, R. Staton, D. Sundre, A. Trice
Assistant Professors
K. Apple, J. Andre, K. Barron, M. Kielty Briggs, E. Cowan, C. DeMars, S. Evans, W. Evans, S. Finney, C. Huffman, C. Lockett,
A. Menard, D. Pastor, M. Reis-Bergan, T. Schulte, C. Talley, L. Ward
Instructors
P. Critzer, E. Dahmus, D. Harper, J. McConnel, R. Mitchell, H. Wing
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Psychology is to promote a broad undergraduate education and specialized graduate training in the field of psychology. The department offers an undergraduate program that prepares students for professional and scientific training at the graduate level in psychology or related areas or for employment in human service fields, education, management or related professions. We also contribute significantly to the universityÕs general education program. We offer masterÕs, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs that prepare students for advanced studies and professional careers in research, business, human services, community counseling, school counseling, school psychology, college student personnel administration, assessment and evaluation, or related fields. The department houses an on-campus interdisciplinary human development center to support academic programs in the Departmentof Psychology. The department encourages a variety of off-campus service-learning activities as well. The faculty members in the department are committed to providing superlative teaching, engaging in significant scholarly activity, and providing broad service to the university, community and profession. We strive to maintain an environment that models and encourages open communication, collaboration, life-long learning and community involvement on the part of students, staff and faculty.
The mission of the undergraduate program is to provide broad training in psychological principles and in research methodology as applied to the study of psychology. The program is designed to prepare psychology majors for professional and scientific graduate level training in psychology and related fields and/or for employment in bachelor's degree-level positions in fields such as human services, education and business. The program also provides service courses for students in other academic programs including general education.
Goals
- To prepare students for graduate work by offering a rigorous background in psychology. Students within this approach will receive the fundamental knowledge needed for professional or scientific training at the graduate level leading to possible careers in higher education, clinical psychology, school psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, counseling psychology, research, etc.
- To prepare psychology majors wanting to use their bachelorÕs degree to seek employment. Psychology majors within this approach will receive fundamental knowledge that can be applied to careers dealing with people including positions in management and education, as well as in human service fields.
- To provide general education and other courses for students in other academic programs.
Co-curricular Activities and Organizations
- Psychology Club. This club is open to all students with an interest in psychology.
- Psi Chi. The local chapter of the national honor society in psychology is open to students with a strong interest in psychology and an exceptional academic record.
- Peer Advising. These students serve as peer-consultants to psychology majors and minors. Students are trained during their junior year and serve as advisers during their senior year.
Special Admission and Retention Requirements
All psychology courses taken must carry a grade of "C-" or better to apply to the major. A psychology course completed with a grade of "D" may be credited toward graduation requirements but may not be included in courses credited toward the psychology major.
Prerequisites
Psychology majors must complete GPSYC 101, PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 before enrolling in courses numbered 330 and above. The prerequisite for PSYC 210 is MATH 220. Non-psychology students may enroll in the 300- and 400-level courses only if they have fulfilled course prerequisites.
Registration and Assessment
During registration, psychology majors will be given priority for course selection. Graduating majors must participate in assessment activities. Assessment information helps the faculty modify the psychology curriculum to meet student needs.
Degree and Major Requirements
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Degree Requirements
|
Credit Hours |
| General Education |
41-44 |
| Foreign Language classes (Intermediate level required) |
0-14 |
| Philosophy course(s) (In addition to General Education courses) |
3 |
| Major requirements (listed below) and electives |
60-71 |
|
120 |
Major Requirements
| Core Corses |
Credit Hours |
| GPSYC 101. General Psychology |
3 |
| PSYC 210. Psychological Measurement and Statistics |
4 |
| PSYC 211. Experimental Psychology |
4 |
| Area A: (choose at least two of the following): |
6 |
| PSYC 330. Psychology of Personality |
|
| PSYC 335. Abnormal Psychology |
|
| PSYC 345. Social Psychology |
|
| PSYC 365. Developmental Psychology |
|
| Area B: (choose at least two of the following): |
6 |
| PSYC 375. Sensation and Perception |
|
| PSYC 380. Cognitive Psychology |
|
| PSYC 385. Biopsychology |
|
| PSYC 390. Psychology of Learning |
|
| PSYC 395. Comparative Psychology |
|
| Psychology electives (at least six hours of these
electives must be at the 400 level. SPED 200
may be used as a psychology elective.) |
12 |
| Capstone course (choose one of the following): |
3 |
| PSYC 492. History of Psychology |
|
| PSYC 493. Laboratory in Psychology |
|
| PSYC 495. Field Placement in Psychology |
|
| PSYC 497. Senior Seminar in Psychology |
|
| PSYC 499. Honors Thesis |
|
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Degree Requirements
|
Credit Hours |
| General Education |
41 |
| Mathematics course |
3 |
| Social science or natural science course(s) |
3-4 |
| Major requirements (listed below) and electives |
73-77 |
|
120 |
Major Requirements
| Core Corses |
Credit Hours |
| GPSYC 101. General Psychology |
3 |
| PSYC 210. Psychological Measurement and Statistics |
4 |
| PSYC 211. Experimental Psychology |
4 |
| Area A: (choose at least two of the following): |
6 |
| PSYC 330. Psychology of Personality |
|
| PSYC 335. Abnormal Psychology |
|
| PSYC 345. Social Psychology |
|
| PSYC 365. Developmental Psychology |
|
| Area B: (choose at least two of the following): |
6 |
| PSYC 375. Sensation and Perception |
|
| PSYC 380. Cognitive Psychology |
|
| PSYC 385. Biopsychology |
|
| PSYC 390. Psychology of Learning |
|
| PSYC 395. Comparative Psychology |
|
| Psychology electives (at least six hours of these
electives must be at the 400 level. SPED 200
may be used as a psychology elective.) |
12 |
| Capstone course (choose one of the following): |
3 |
| PSYC 492. History of Psychology |
|
| PSYC 493. Laboratory in Psychology |
|
| PSYC 495. Field Placement in Psychology |
|
| PSYC 497. Senior Seminar in Psychology |
|
| PSYC 499. Honors Thesis |
|
Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year First Semester |
Credit Hours |
| MATH 220. Elementary Statistics1 |
3 |
| GPSYC 101. General Psychology |
3 |
| General Education courses |
9 |
|
15 |
| Second Semester |
Credit Hours |
| PSYC 210. Psychological Measurement and Statistics |
4 |
| General Education courses |
9 |
| B.A./B.S. degree requirements, minor program
courses or psychology electives
|
3 |
|
16 |
| Second Year First Semester |
Credit Hours |
| PSYC 211. Psychological Research Methods |
3 |
| General Education courses |
9 |
| B.A./B.S. degree requirements, minor program
courses or psychology electives |
3 |
|
16 |
| Second Semester |
Credit Hours |
| Psychology Area A course |
3 |
| Psychology Area B course |
3 |
| General Education, B.A./B.S. requirements, or minor
program courses |
9 |
|
15 |
| Third Year |
Credit Hours |
| Psychology Area A course |
3 |
| Psychology Area B course |
3 |
| Psychology electives |
3 |
| Minor program courses and electives |
21 |
|
30 |
| Fourth Year |
Credit Hours |
| Psychology capstone course |
3 |
| Psychology electives |
6 |
| Minor program courses and electives |
21 |
|
30 |
Courses for Future Graduate Students
Many JMU psychology students plan to pursue advanced study at the graduate level after earning their bachelor's degrees. The following courses are recommended for those students who intend to apply to graduate school.
Consider taking additional credit hours of psychology courses beyond the 38 hours that are required for graduation.
Take as many "area" courses in psychology as possible. Only two courses in Social Science Psychology (Area A) and two courses in Natural Science Psychology (Area B) are required for graduation. However, students preparing for graduate school should take additional courses from these selections.
Participate in an individualized learning experience, such as
PSYC 290. Directed Studies in Psychology
PSYC 402. Independent Study in Psychology
PSYC 495. Field Placement in Psychology
PSYC 499. Honors Thesis.
Taking an advanced statistics courses is highly recommended. Consider the following
MATH 321. Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design
MATH 322. Applied Linear Regression
MATH 323. Exploratory Data Analysis
MATH 324. Applied Nonparametric Statistics
MATH 325. Survey of Sampling Methods
A minor or a selection of courses from other departments that complements the psychology major for the professional field you are pursuing might be very helpful. Discuss your professional goals with your faculty adviser and ask for recommendations. Consider the following:
Courses that emphasize writing skills.
Courses that emphasize oral communication.
Students interested in applying to a graduate school in psychology should discuss the necessary preparation with their adviser. Students are encouraged to visit the schoolÕs Peer Advising Office in Johnston Hall where materials are available about career and graduate school opportunities.
Other Psychology Programs
Five-Year B.S./M.A. Program in Psychological Sciences
The B.S./M.A. program is designed for outstanding undergraduates who are committed to advanced training in psychology. During the junior year, undergraduate students may apply for admission to the M.A. in Psychological Sciences program. Applicants to the five-year program must meet the regular admissions criteria for the M.A. program. Upon acceptance, students can begin graduate training during their senior year. Students interested in this program should obtain more information from their adviser and refer to "Reserve Graduate Credit."
Graduate Programs
The Department of Psychology offers the following graduate degree programs:
Master of Arts
Counseling Psychology Psychological Sciences School Psychology
Master of Education
School Counseling College Student Personnel Administration
Educational Specialist
Counseling Psychology School Psychology
Doctor of Psychology
Assessment and Measurement
Combined Program in Clinical, Counseling and School Psychology
Inquiries concerning any of these graduate programs should be directed to the respective program coordinator.
Counseling Psychology
Psychological Sciences
School Psychology
Combined Doctoral Program in Clinical, Counseling and School Psychology
Mrs. Susan Rippy
Phone: (540) 568-6439
E-mail: rippysr@jmu.edu
Doctoral Program in Assessment and Measurement
Dr. Steven Wise
Phone: (540) 568-7022
E-mail: wisesl@jmu.edu
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