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Department of Psychology

Dr. Michael Stoloff, Head
Dr. Kevin Apple & Dr. Suzanne Baker, Assistant Department Heads
Phone: (540) 568-6114
Web site: http://www.psyc.jmu.edu/

Professors
C. Abrahamson, S. Baker, S. Evans, P. Gibson, J. Grayson, C. Harris, A. Kahn, M. Stoloff, R. West

Associate Professors
J. Andre, K. Apple, K. Barron, W. Evans, M. Hall, A. Nasim, M. Reis-Bergan, S. Serdikoff, C. Talley

Assistant Professors
C. Huffman, J. Irons, N. Kerr, B. Saville, Z. Serpell, T. Zinn

Mission

The mission of the Department of Psychology is to provide broad training in psychological principles and in research methodology as applied to the study of psychology. The psychology major is designed to prepare students 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 and business. The department contributes significantly to the university’s general education program and also provides service courses for students in other academic programs. The department contributes to graduate education in psychology through close affiliation with the Department of Graduate Psychology. 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.

Goals

• To prepare students for graduate work by offering a rigorous background in psychology. Students will develop the knowledge and skills 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, developmental psychology, research and other fields.
• To help psychology majors develop the knowledge and skills needed for careers in psychology-related fields, including research, business, and human services.
• 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.
• ABPsi . The JMU student circle of the Association of Black Psychologists is open to all students interested in promoting the field of psychology among all people.
• 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 Requirements

Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to the psychology major. Students interested in majoring in psychology may enter JMU as “Psychology preparation students” and apply to become majors later. Spaces in the major are available each year. The exact number is determined each year based on the ability of the department to provide a quality educational experience for its majors. Before applying to become a psychology major, students must complete G PSYC 101 (General Psychology) and a mathematics course numbered 205 or above (Math 220 [Statistics] is recommended). Overall GPA is an important factor in acceptance decisions. Procedures for becoming a major are available on the department Web site.

Retention

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 and two statistics and research methodology courses (PSYC 210-211 or PSYC 212-213) before enrolling in courses numbered 330 and above. The prerequisite for PSYC 210 and PSYC 212 is any mathematics course numbered 205 or above. Most psychology courses numbered 330 and above have specific prerequisites. See course listings for details. 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

Major Requirements²

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements³

Cognate Requirements

Concentration

Behavior Analysis Concentration

This optional concentration prepares students for employment with agencies that provide behavior analytic services and/or for pursuing a graduate degree in behavior analysis. This course sequence includes the course work requirements necessary to sit for the Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysis (BCABA ® ) national certification examination.

¹Cannot be taken by students who have completed PSYC 390 or PSYC 480.
²Only certain sections will qualify; consult with the concentration coordinator before enrolling.
³This course will count toward the experience requirements for the Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysis (BCABA ® ) national certification examination. 

With the assistance of their faculty advisers, students majoring in psychology select their area courses and psychology electives to meet their own individual needs and goals. Within the structure of the program, students may choose the courses of greatest interest to them.

Recommended Schedule for Majors

The following program sample is intended as a guide. Courses must be taken in the sequence outlined; however, the semester during which a particular course is taken depends on a number of factors, including readiness to take MATH 220, the semester the psychology major is started and other majors or minors the student is completing.

Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their psychology academic adviser to plan their personal course schedule. Because of course sequencing requirements, even with the most compressed program, a minimum of five semesters (or four semesters and summer school) is required to complete the psychology major.

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Recommended Courses

The following courses are recommended for all psychology majors especially those who plan to pursue advanced study at the graduate level after earning their bachelor’s degrees.

• Participate in an experiential learning, 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 324. Applied Nonparametric Statistics

  MATH 325. Survey of Sampling Methods

  MATH 327. Categorical Data Analysis

• 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 taking courses that emphasize writing skills, quantitative skills, critical thinking and analysis, and/or oral communication.

Students should discuss their career aspirations with their academic advisor throughout their academic program. Students interested in applying to graduate school should discuss the necessary preparation with their adviser early in their academic program. Students are encouraged to visit the department’s Peer Advising Office in Johnston Hall where materials are available about career and graduate school opportunities.

Other Psychology Programs

Accelerated Graduate Experiences

With special permission, seniors with outstanding academic records may take up to 9 credit hours of graduate courses. These courses cannot count towards their undergraduate degree. Successful completion of graduate courses does not guarantee admission to any graduate program; however, completion of graduate courses can be excellent preparation for future graduate school experiences.

Graduate Programs

The Department of Graduate Psychology at James Madison University offers the following graduate degree programs: