Overview

Timothy Franz, Chair

Kimberly McClure Brenchley, Melissa Ghera, John Mavromatis, Eileen Merges, Laura Phelan, Dawn Rager, Ryan Thibodeau

Psychology is the science of behavior and the physiological and cognitive processes associated with behavior. Psychology is also the profession that applies the science of behavior to practical problems. Psychology is an interdisciplinary scientific field that draws on theories, concepts, and methods of inquiry from neighboring natural science and social science disciplines. All inquiry in psychology is guided by the scientific method, a process of answering questions about behavior that involves forming theoretical explanations and testing those theories against real-world observations.

The Psychology Department at St. John Fisher College offers the following undergraduate degree programs:

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology

The B.A. program prepares students for advanced degree programs at the master’s level and higher and provides ample flexibility for students who want to combine their interests in psychology with their studies in another area (e.g., business, education, pre-law, pre-med). Students in the B.A. program must have a minor area of study, and B.A. students choose a minor from a wide variety of programs in consultation with their advisors.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology

The B.S. program places greater emphasis on research experience, quantitative skills, and breadth of study in the subfields of psychology, and is best suited for students who plan to pursue graduate degrees in psychology or related fields. A minor is not required of students in the B.S. Psychology program.

Learning Outcomes

Departmental Mission

The mission of the Psychology Department at St. John Fisher College is to help students develop a knowledge base of concepts, theories, and methodology to serve as a schema for life-long learning. the program is designed to meet the varied needs of our majors and minors by preparing them for graduate training in psychology or related disciplines, and/or the world of work, family, and community. To this end, the curriculum presents psychology as the science of cognitions, emotions, and behavior, rooted in the liberal arts.

Departmental Values

The department strives to:

• Create a student-centered educational experience around teaching, advising, research, and mentoring.
• Support student development as life-long learners.
• Stimulate intellectual curiosity.
• Provide developmental opportunities for academic pursuits.
• Facilitate a cohesive, collaborative environment that encourages the open exchange of ideas.
• Maintain a safe and respectful environment both in and out of the classroom, where diversity of an individual's thoughts and behavior is embraced.

Learning Outcomes

Goal 1. Knowledge Base of Psychology

Students demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.

Goal 2. Research Methods in Psychology

Students understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, interpretation, and communication of information.

Goal 3. Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology

Students use critical thinking, skeptical inquiry, and when appropriate, principles of scientific reasoning.

Goal 4. Application of Psychology

Students understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.

Goal 5. Values in Psychology

Students weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, embrace diversity, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.

Minor

Minor in Psychology

The minor consists of the following:

*Only one cumulative Human Development course — either PSYC/EDUC 227C P3 Childhood and Adolescent Development or PSYC 231C P3 Development Across the Lifespan (but not both) — may be applied to the Psychology minor.

Note: A student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for all courses taken in residence for the minor. The minor GPA is calculated based on the total PSYC credits earned in residence and applied toward the minor requirements (including courses cross-listed with PSYC such as EDUC/PSYC 227C).

Program Requirements

B.S. Degree Requirements | B.A. Degree Requirements

Requirements for the B.S. Degree

*Only one cumulative Human Development course may be applied to the Psychology major. Thus, either PSYC/EDUC 227C P3 Childhood and Adolescent Development or PSYC 231C P3 Development Across the Lifespan (but not both) may be used to fulfill Psychology major requirements.

**May be drawn from relevant courses applied to the College Core (with the exception of DEPT 199 RW courses). Consult with your departmental advisor to choose courses to meet these requirements. Note that ECON 221 may fulfill the quantitative tool requirement, but STAT 205 may not.

Note: At least half of the required PSYC credits for the Psychology major (i.e., 30 PSYC credits for the B.S. degree or 21 credits for the B.A. degree) must be taken in residence. A student must also earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for all Psychology courses taken in residence for the major.

For students majoring in Psychology, all courses designated as Psychology (PSYC), including courses cross-listed with Psychology, that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Requirements for the B.A. Degree

Note: A minor in another discipline is required of all students following B.A. programs.

*Only one cumulative Human Development course may be applied to the Psychology major. Thus, either PSYC/EDUC 227C P3 Childhood and Adolescent Development or PSYC 231C P3 Development Across the Lifespan (but not both) may be used to fulfill Psychology major requirements.

**May be drawn from relevant courses applied to the College Core (with the exception of DEPT 199 RW courses). Consult with your departmental advisor to choose courses to meet these requirements. Note that ECON 221 may fulfill the quantitative tool requirement, but STAT 205 may not.

Note: At least half of the required PSYC credits for the Psychology major (i.e., 30 PSYC credits for the B.S. degree or 21 credits for the B.A. degree) must be taken in residence. A student must also earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for all Psychology courses taken in residence for the major.

For students majoring in Psychology, all courses designated as Psychology (PSYC), including courses cross-listed with Psychology, that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Recommended Progression

B.S. Psychology

Recommended progression of required courses for a B.S. Psychology major. Students should consult Core Requirements for a complete description of the College’s Core.

Note: Psychology majors must also complete a three credit quantitative tool course, a three credit natural science course, and a three credit philosophy course.

B.A. Psychology

Recommended progression of required courses for a B.A. Psychology major. Students should consult Core Requirements for a complete description of the College’s Core.

Note: A minor in another discipline is required of all students following B.A. programs.

Note: Psychology majors must also complete a three credit quantitative tool course, a three credit natural science course, and a three credit philosophy course.

*B.A. students may substitute a 300- or 400-level Psychology elective in place of PSYC 204.

**Capstone course must be taken at Fisher.

Academic Opportunities

Fieldwork

Our fieldwork program enables students to engage in and earn course credit for applied experiences beyond their academic course work in psychology. Students may take a fieldwork course for 1–6 credits. In addition, the course may be taken twice. During a fieldwork placement, students are required to work 3 hours per credit per week (e.g., 9 hours a week for students enrolled in 3 credits) for 13 weeks at a public or private agency approved by the Field Experience supervisor. Contacts are available at many existing fieldwork sites. The department also works individually with students to find placements that are relevant to their career goals.

Honors in Psychology

The Psychology Department offers an Honors Program for students majoring in psychology who are capable of and want to undertake challenges above and beyond the regular major program. Successful completion of the major’s Honors Program provides preparation for graduate study in psychology. This program is separate from the College’s Honors Program. Eligible students may complete both programs. See Honors in Major.

Journal Club

Psychology Journal Club is a relaxed gathering of psychology students and faculty who meet to discuss results of provocative published research in psychological science. Students participate in a stimulating discussion during a department-sponsored lunch. Upper-level students often select an article and volunteer to lead the meeting.

Psi Chi

The department has an active chapter of Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology. This organization brings interested students together for psychology-related lectures, activities, discussions, and trips.

Psychology Club

The Psychology Club exists as an academic club to enlighten the St. John Fisher College community through psychologically related events. Our purpose is to get students to become interested and aware of psychology and how it is part of our everyday lives. We strive to create entertaining and intriguing events that are open to the campus as a whole.

Student Research Opportunities

Students may receive course credit for faculty-guided reading and research on a variety of topics. We also offer an Honors Program for qualified psychology majors during their junior and senior years, which allows them to work closely with faculty members to undertake more challenging reading and research in their own area of interest. They pursue an independent-study readings course in a particular area of interest under the guidance of a faculty member.

The Washington Experience: Fisher Semester in Washington

Psychology majors may avail themselves of The Washington Experience, a semester in Washington, D.C. See The Washington Experience for details.