Psychology

Faculty

John C. Norcross, Ph.D., Chair
Anthony C. Betancourt, Ph.D.
Bryan R. Burnham, Ph.D.
Emily J. Hopkins, Ph.D.
Christie P. Karpiak, Ph.D.
Barry X. Kuhle, Ph.D.
Jessica M. Nolan, Ph.D.
Patrick T. Orr, Ph.D.
Joshua J. Reynolds, Ph.D.
Carole S. Slotterback, Ph.D.
Jill A. Warker, Ph.D.

Overview

Psychology, the scientific study of human behavior, provides a unique educational experience of quality, breadth, and flexibility. Our curriculum gives students a balanced education in the discipline and the widest range of career options, from baccalaureate positions to graduate training. According to an independent study, the number of our University’s graduates who have earned doctorates in psychology places us in the top 10% of comparable institutions nationally.

Psychology majors are required to take PSYC 110 , PSYC 211 , PSYC 212 , PSYC 390 (junior year), and PSYC 490 -PSYC 491 (senior year). Majors also take a minimum of five courses from the following list (Core 8) with at least one course in each group: Physiological Processes (PSYC 230 , PSYC 231 ), Learning Processes (PSYC 234 , PSYC 235 ), Social-Developmental Processes (PSYC 220 , PSYC 227 ), and Individual Processes (PSYC 224 , PSYC 225 ). Students are free to choose from any of these or the remaining Psychology courses to fulfill the additional major requirements.

We offer an engaging culture of excellence in teaching, research, and experience to ensure our students are active participants in the learning process. Students are encouraged to serve as Teaching Assistants and to complete a Field Experience (PSYC 480 or 481 ) and Undergraduate Research (PSYC 493 and 494 ) in their junior or senior year. Psychology majors are regularly involved in honors programs, pre-law, health professions, and study abroad.

The Psychology Department helps students tailor their coursework to their own interests and goals. In fact, the Department recommends that psychology majors have a minor or concentration to organize their electives, enhance their marketability, and match their career interests. Students interested in marketing, personnel, or industrial-organizational psychology, for example, may elect a business minor and recommended psychology courses. Students interested in criminal justice and counseling can minor or double major in those disciplines.

Psychology majors may not use psychology (PSYC) courses to satisfy General Education requirements in Quantitative Reasoning (Q), Natural Science (E), and Social/Behavioral Sciences (S). Instead, psychology majors take GE-designated non-psychology courses in these areas in order to obtain a broad, liberal arts education.

Interdisciplinary programs, such as the Lifespan Development Concentration and the Neuroscience Major , are codirected by psychology faculty. Please visit the Psychology homepage (www.scranton.edu/academics/cas/psychology/) for additional information and student success stories.

To avoid duplication of course content, Psychology majors may not register for the following courses: CHS 242 - Counseling Theories ; CHS 293 - (EPW) Research Methods in Counseling and Human Services ; and CHS 323 - Psychiatric Rehabilitation . Psychology majors declaring a minor or a second major in Human Services should consult their academic advisors and the chair of Counseling & Human Services with regard to these course restrictions.

Affiliated Programs

The Neuroscience Program is codirected by the Psychology Department and the Biology Department.

The Lifespan Development Concentration is affiliated with and coordinated by the Psychology Department.

The Environmental & Sustainability Studies Concentration is affiliated with and coordinated by the Psychology Department.

The Integrated Data Analysis Concentration is affiliated with and coordinated by the Psychology Department.

The B.S. in Psychology and the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis is codirected by the Psychology Department and the ABA Director.

Course Information

Courses for Psychology are listed under the prefix PSYC; closely related courses in Neuroscience are listed under NEUR. For more information on these courses, visit our Psychology Department Courses page. For more information about the Psychology Department, visit its website.