Description of the Department

The Department offers a program of general psychology on the undergraduate level. Graduate faculty members from this department offer a graduate program leading to the terminal master's degree, with concentrations in general or clinical psychology, as well as a PhD in Health Psychology with two tracks, Clinical Health and Behavioral and Community Health Sciences.  The undergraduate program emphasizes general psychology, which is basic to all areas of psychology and provides a foundation of pre-professional education for a variety of vocations. Through a departmental advisory system the faculty aids the major to find and pursue his or her area of greatest interest. Students who plan to prepare for school psychology, psychiatric or medical social work, guidance and counseling, vocational rehabilitation, clinical psychology, child development, law, criminal justice, medicine, religion, public service, or college teaching and research will find the psychology offerings to be fundamental to their goals.

The Department hosts a chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, which encourages and promotes high scholastic attainment. In addition, the Department sponsors a psychology club where membership is open to all psychology majors.

Mission of the Department

The mission of the Department of Psychology is to provide a solid background of knowledge in the major areas of psychology and proficiency in the research methods of psychology, to prepare students for graduate study in the discipline, or employment in one of the human service fields.

Objectives of the Department

The objectives of the Department are (1) to provide fundamental training in the science of psychology, thus, preparing psychology majors for advanced study in the field, (2) to contribute to the general education of all students by providing an understanding of the scientific approach to the study of human behavior, and (3) to offer instruction in the principles and applications of psychology for other departments that require psychology in the programs of their majors.