PSYCHOLOGY

Lee Gillis, Chair
Professors: Sheree Barron, Tsu-Ming Chiang, Martha Daugherty, Lee Gillis, Greg Jarvie, John Lindsay, Bill McDaniel, and Michael Rose
Associate Professors: Walter Isaac, Karen Bendeersky
Assistant Professors: Alicia Bembenek and Noland White

MISSION

The Psychology Department is dedicated to providing an educational experience that will expose students to the multiple specialties within the discipline of psychology, instill competence in the quantitative tools and methodological approaches that characterize psychology as the science of behavior and conscious experience, improve the ability of students to articulate both verbally and in writing the issues relevant to the discipline, encourage the development of objectivity and critical thinking skills, and instill an appreciation of cultural differences and commonalities that is consistent with the liberal arts mission of the University.

The discipline of psychology involves elements of the social and natural sciences and is at the heart of a liberal arts education by encouraging students to see problems from many perspectives. The Psychology Department faculty includes award-winning teachers and researchers, and its facilities are among the best within the University System of Georgia.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

1. Knowledge Base of Psychology: Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives , empirical findings and historical trends in psychology.
2. Research Methods in Psychology: Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
3. Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology: Students will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
4. Application of Psychology: Students will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
5. Values in Psychology: Students will value empirical evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a science.

STUDENT SUCCESS

Earning a college degree is a significant milestone and requires dedication and tremendous effort. To enable students to achieve this goal, the faculty has developed measures that improve student success. This process begins with the Psychology Academic Success Skills (PASS) on-line course where students are introduced to the psychology faculty and students. get an overview of the subject matter covered in the major, explore career possibilities, and develop techniques for getting the most of their courses and activities. Students learn about departmental and University expectations, policies, and resources. Because the college experience at GCSU is more intense than at many other schools, the curriculum has been designed to help the student each step of the way. In addition, the faculty is committed to offering the courses necessary to ensure that students who follow the program of study will graduate in four years. Toward that end, a typical four-year program of study has been developed, which serves as a guide each term for scheduling courses. Required courses are specified, then sequencing of courses is recommended. Students are advised to enroll in an average of 30 semester hours each year.

The psychology department faculty provides additional opportunities for student success and growth with a rich variety of research and service projects. All students are encouraged to develop personal and professional relationships with individual faculty and to work with them in the laboratory or in community settings. Opportunities are also provided for service learning experiences, internships, and volunteer work in a number of placement sites in and around the middle Georgia area.

CAREER INFORMATION

Students with a bachelor's degree in psychology have been employed in a great diversity of jobs, such as case workers in social welfare agencies, youth or adult workers in such agencies as the YMCA and Scouts, vocational counselors, law enforcement agents, rehabilitative counselors, research and development program assistants, public relations workers, personnel workers, business/management trainees, advertising and consumer workers, research assistants, correctional agency counselors, supervisors in child care agencies, court service workers, workers in crisis centers, counselors in programs for the aged, test development assistants, fund raisers, alcohol and drug program counselors, behavioral technicians in centers for the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled, assistants in mental health centers, narcotics agents, and employees in a variety of government program jobs. Many students later pursue advanced training in psychology, neuroscience, or counseling.

The Psychology Department and the American Psychological Association have pamphlets that go into detail concerning career planning for psychology students.

MISCELLANEOUS

In addition to its classrooms and offices in the Arts and Sciences Building, the Psychology Department has three research and teaching laboratory suites. One suite is used for infant cognition and clinical neuroscience. This includes a large control room, and several smaller cubicles. Another suite is used for social development, and group dynamics. This lab consists of an audio/video control room and several smaller group rooms. The third suite is used for non-human animal research. This area contains small animal colonies, surgery rooms, rooms for animal behavior research, and a histological laboratory.

DEGREE AND MINOR OFFERED

1. Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology
2. Minor in Psychology

For more information on the Psychology Department, visit their Web site.