2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived]

Psychology


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Chairperson: Dr. Virgil L. Sheets
Department Office: Root Hall, room B-205
Web site: http://www.indstate.edu/psych/
E-mail: psychdept@indstate.edu

The Department of Psychology works to assist students to achieve their personal and professional potential. The program encourages a spirit of active inquiry and critical thinking, lifelong learning and development, and social responsibility. The curriculum is based on the premise that any student of psychology, regardless of professional goals, should be well informed about basic principles of behavior. Upon graduation, psychology majors enter careers in service industries, research, government, and business. Advanced degrees are required for many direct service careers, and the undergraduate degree prepares students for graduate study in psychology and related fields.

In support of the liberal arts and sciences mission of the college and Indiana State University, the Department of Psychology participates in the General Education Program, the Honors Program, and the Women’s Studies Program.


Degrees Offered

For majors, the Department of Psychology offers one curriculum leading to a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree. Candidates for either degree must successfully complete the University requirement of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit, including General Education course work, as well as the requirements for the departmental major. Candidates for a bachelor of arts degree must also complete two years, or the equivalent, of a foreign language. Students are encouraged to find a minor that complements their career goals, although a minor is not required for a degree.

The Psychology Program is designed to provide students with a broad background in core areas of psychology. Psychology majors are encouraged to plan an individualized program of study in keeping with their academic and career interests, and in consultation with their advisor. Consistent with this orientation, the department offers a limited number of required courses and has created a flexible curriculum with a number of attractive course work options depending on students’ particular goals. Special care is taken to involve all students in scientific research or the application of psychology in community settings. A minor in psychology can also be earned as a complement to a variety of different majors. Social studies education majors may choose psychology as one of the areas in which they are certified.


Departmental Opportunities

Majors and minors in the department are encouraged to confer with their faculty academic advisor about their career goals. Students who work closely with their advisor are more likely to meet their goals and achieve academic success; this is especially important in the junior and senior years. The college office, in consultation with the department, assigns faculty academic advisors. Students can find their assigned advisor by consulting the college, the department, or their DARS.

The Department of Psychology is housed in three floors of Root Hall, which was built in 1989. The department includes a well-equipped computer laboratory, research space, a student library, a psychology clinic, and classroom and office space.

The department sponsors the Psychological Society, which is open to all interested students, and Psi Chi, a national psychology honorary society, which is open by invitation only to juniors and seniors in good academic standing. All students are invited to attend a variety of lectures and symposia presented by faculty and visiting national and international scholars.

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