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Psychology
Psychology
Jay D. Mutter, Ph.D., Chair
The discipline of psychology focuses on the study of the individual person. Psychologists study processes
and identify principles to help us understand events and experiences within individuals as well as our
interactions with others and the world. In order to study the complexities of the individual, psychologists
use a variety of systematically developed methods, tests and techniques. In order to have a more thorough
understanding of the individual, different perspectives have been developed and applied.
The breadth of the discipline is represented in the content areas covered in the courses. Depth and
application are represented by analysis, synthesis, and evaluation presented in completed thesis and/
or internship final paper and presentation. This journey begins with investigation of basic psychological
principles and processes involved in key areas including social, learning, developmental, cross-cultural,
biopsychology, cognition, psychopathology, counseling, and personality. Psychological methods
of inquiry are studied and applied in the experimental, testing, statistics, and clinical courses. These
psychological principles, processes and methods are approached from different historical and current
perspectives, including behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic, humanistic, socio-cultural, and biological.
Our program for majors models the national standards. Students have the opportunity to individualize
their major by choosing electives, collaborative research labs, field explorations, internships and/or a
thesis. Based on the areas selected, potential fields of application include clinical, counseling, school and
education, health psychology, community psychology, law, criminal justice, pastoral ministry, industrialorganizational,
sport psychology, social work, and program evaluation.
General Department Goals
The five primary goals of the department are to help students:
• Know and comprehend the basic principles and processes studied in the course materials;
• Know, comprehend and apply psychological methods;
• Select an area and know, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate a specific issue, topic
or hypothesis related to the selected area in an applied context;
• Develop written communication, oral communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills
and apply them to the study of psychology; and
• Demonstrate and promote ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of psychology.
The psychology department has its own chapter of the Psi Chi, the International Honor society in
Psychology, which was established on campus in 1969. Qualified sophomores, juniors and seniors are
elected to this organization. We also have an active student-led Psychology Club.
The department provides graduating seniors the opportunity to qualify for departmental honors.
These honors are to inspire and reward students who have completed outstanding work within the
department. Minimum standards are a 3.700 department and major field GPA and a 3.300 cumulative
GPA. A senior paper and public presentation are required; these are judged to be of superior quality by
a committee of departmental faculty. Departmental distinction is reserved for students who perform
academically at the top level of all graduates from the department.
A psychology major is appropriate for a wide variety of careers. The members of the department assist
any student in course selection and/or thesis support suited for both personal interest and career
advancement.
Psychology Department Distinction
Distinction is an honor that can be achieved by students majoring in psychology who have
demonstrated exceptionally high quality work leading up to and including a major capstone paper,
presentation, and portfolio. According to university policy, students must earn at least a 3.700 major
GPA and 3.300 cumulative GPA. Students must also submit an outstanding internship integration or
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