Psychology

231 Phelps Hall
507.457.5435
Psychology website
John Johanson, Chairperson

Faculty

Amanda M. Brouwer, Assistant Professor; BA, Northwestern College; MS, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; 2012 -
Robert Casselman, Assistant Professor; BA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; MA, Concordia University; MA, PhD, Northern Illinois University; 2011 -
Richard A. Deyo, Professor; BS, Viterbo College; MA, PhD, Bowling Green State University; 1990 -
Carrie Fried, Professor; BS, Iowa State University; MS, PhD, University of California-Santa Cruz; 1999 -
John Holden, Assistant Professor; BA, MA, PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; 2008 -
John C. Johanson, Professor; BS, University of South Dakota; MA, University of Nebraska-Omaha; PhD, University of Nebraska; 1999 -
Trisha Karr, Assistant Professor; BA, Luther College; MA, Roosevelt University; PhD, Loyola University; 2014 -
Gloria Marmolejo, Professor; BS, National Autonomous University of Mexico; MS, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1994 -
Peter K. Miene, Professor; BA, University of Kansas-Lawrence; PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; 1992 -
Elizabeth Russell, Assistant Professor; BA, Marquette University; MA, Cardinal Stritch University; PhD, University of Akron; 2015 -
Charles Schreiber, Associate Professor; BA, Pitzer College; PhD, University of California-Berkeley; 2005 -
Jessica Siebenbruner, Associate Professor; BA, MA, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; 2007 -

Purpose

The department’s mission is to develop students’ understanding of the causes and consequences of human thought and behavior and to encourage the application of this knowledge to their personal and professional lives. Psychology is a liberal arts major which will allow students to acquire skills in communication, critical thinking (including the ability to understand and evaluate the various research methods used in psychology), and the appropriate use of technology for examining and presenting information. Students will also learn how psychological principles apply to personal, social, and organizational issues.

Psychology majors acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in a variety of settings that involve an understanding of human behavior including careers in human services, nonprofit organizations, technical and/or laboratory work, and business. Students desiring to work as professional psychologists will be well prepared for graduate study. An advanced degree in psychology allows the pursuit of many different careers including, but not limited to, clinical or counseling psychologist, researcher, consultant, or higher education professional.

Psychology Major

Students majoring in psychology can choose between Option A and Option B. Option A is attractive because its semester-hour requirement allows students to combine a major in psychology with one or more additional majors or minors. Option B is available for those preferring to concentrate their studies in psychology for a more in-depth experience. Option B also requires additional coursework in writing and statistics or communication studies as these are important skills in a graduate degree program.

Students must consult with a Psychology Department advisor to plan a major in psychology. All psychology majors are strongly encouraged to take ◆ PSY 231 - Statistics , △ PSY 308 - Experimental Psychology , and ◎ PSY 309 - Experimental Psychology Lab as early as possible in their educational career. The particular elective courses students take, along with their sequencing, depends upon their background, special interests, and goals.

Enrichment Opportunities

To enhance their education in psychology and better prepare for their careers or graduate studies, students are encouraged to take advantage of the following:

Scholarships

The Psychology Department offers two scholarships. Contact the department for additional information.

Kerry Williams Memorial Psychology Scholarship: Junior psychology majors may apply for this scholarship. Applications are taken early in the spring semester.
Ardis Serafin Young Scholarship: Students in psychology, which may submit applications in the fall of even- numbered years. This scholarship is designed to support an advanced student research project. Preference is given to projects that focus on health-related issues; however, projects in other areas will also be considered.

Pass/No Credit (P/NC) Courses

Except for independent study PSY 400 - Independent Study or Research and internships PSY 404 - Internship , majors and minors must take all psychology courses on a grade-only basis. The P/NC option is available in PSY 210 - Introduction to Psychological Science for non-psychology majors and minors.

Course Repetition Policy

Students may not enroll in any psychology course more than three times whether due to official withdrawal (W) or a grade less than “C.”

Additional Graduation Requirements

For a checklist of the University’s graduation requirements, see the Academic Policies & University Requirements section of this catalog. Specific requirements for psychology majors/minors are as follows:

A minimum WSU overall cumulative GPA of 2.50 is required for graduation with a psychology major.
A minimum GPA of 2.50 is required of majors in all grade-only courses applied toward fulfillment of the psychology major requirements.
In psychology courses, grades lower than “C” do not count toward the psychology major.
No more than three S.H. credits of general introductory psychology transferred to WSU can be credited toward a psychology major or minor.
No more than six S.H. credits in developmental psychology (child, adolescent, adult, lifespan, etc.) transferred to WSU can be credited toward a psychology major or minor.
Transfer students must complete at least 18 S.H. in psychology at WSU for the Option A major, 25 S.H. for the Option B major, and 12 S.H. for the psychology minor.
No more than six S.H. credits of PSY 400 - Independent Study or Research and/or PSY 404 - Internship may count toward a psychology major and three S.H. toward a psychology minor.
Online courses may not substitute for upper-division core courses in psychology.

Honors in Psychology

Students have the option of completing additional requirements in order to graduate with Honors in Psychology. Students completing the requirements have it noted on their transcript. Students are responsible for applying to the Department Chairperson through their academic advisor and meeting all departmental requirements for graduation with Honors in Psychology. The requirements for Honors in Psychology are:

Academic excellence: a minimum GPA of 3.50 in all courses completed for the major is required.
Scholarship: The successful completion of a department approved internship or the successful completion of an independent research project with a resulting publication or presentation at a research conference is required.
Community Service: A record of committed service to the community is required. This is broadly defined as the consistent donation of time to assisting the greater community including but not limited to volunteer work in student clubs, university service activities, or community service activities.

General Education Program Intensive Requirements

Students may use intensive courses to satisfy both General Education Program and major requirements. Intensive courses will usually be in the student’s major or minor program. The Psychology Department offers the following intensive courses in the General Education Program:

Oral (◎)

Math/Critical Analysis (◆)

◆ PSY 231 - Statistics (3)

Writing (△)

Intensive courses that can be used to satisfy psychology major/minor requirements are identified in the lists of required courses and electives in this section.