School of Humanities, Education, and Behavioral Science

Department of Psychology

Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes, exploring how individuals think, feel, and act. This field spans multiple disciplines, including biology, sociology, and religion, offering a holistic understanding of human nature.

Students who engage in psychology department programs gain valuable insights and skills that prepare them for careers centered on working with people in various professional settings, such as counseling, healthcare, education, and social services. Our majors include:

CHESS

Anderson Memories that Last a Lifetime.

AU students involved in the psychology program have had their work published in professional journals and have presented papers at professional meetings. To gain valuable experience, students are encouraged to work part-time in the psychology department, to work for local mental-health facilities, and to pursue relevant summer employment or internships. Students have the opportunity to be a part of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society for Psychology.

Facilities & Technology

The Department of Psychology occupies eight lab rooms, a reading room, and four offices in Hartung Hall, which is a state-of-the-art science building. There is also a computer room dedicated for statistical analysis and/or neuropsychological research is available for psychology majors.

All psychology classrooms have computers, projectors, and document cameras. An interactive projector and projection whiteboard is located in the main psychology classroom to allow the instructor to annotate directly on the whiteboard over an image displayed. It also allows the instructor to control the computer from the whiteboard using a digital pen as a mouse. With the pen, instructors can open files, advance PowerPoint slides and annotate on each slide without leaving the board.

The John Roys Reading Room in the psychology department is available for study, seminars, or reference materials.

Opportunities & Careers

Independent-study opportunities are available, including the chance to do original research and/or be involved in leading or facilitating assertiveness skills training programs for a variety of personnel, including Girl Scouts, individuals in an abuse shelter, or college leaders.

AU students involved in the psychology program have had their work published in professional journals and have presented papers at professional meetings. To gain valuable experience, students are encouraged to work part-time in the psychology department, to work for local mental-health facilities, and to pursue relevant summer employment or internships.

Recent graduates have acquired positions in halfway houses for people with mental illnesses, detention centers for juvenile delinquents, homes for people with mental or physical disabilities, ministry organizations, volunteer organizations, and general business. They have also continued their studies in graduate programs across the country.

Students graduating from these majors are prepared for:

graduate work in psychiatric social work
professional training in clinical or counseling psychology
work with families
personnel work in industry, pre-ministry
careers in the not-for-profit sector
working with handicapped individuals
careers in teaching and research

"The faculty brings this "real world" experience into the classroom to prepare you for the future. I actually had the opportunity to work with Dr. Laura Stull on her latest research project during my senior year. This gave me the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than the classroom and something that could help improve our world." - Richard Crossley BA '17

Meet Our Department Team

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