DEPARTMENT Of Psychology

Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. It crosses many disciplines including biology, sociology, and religion. Students participate in psychology department programs to prepare for working with people. Our majors include:

The psychology minor (16 hours) requires General Psychology and at least six hours from upper-division psychology courses. Students have the opportunity to be a part of Psi Chi, National Honor Society for Psychology.

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

Your AU Story Begins Now

I majored in psychology and each professor in the department has experience in some aspect of the discipline. This is so important when you are trying to determine where your path is taking you. 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 was a new experience for me and I plan on continuing with the project after graduation. 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

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.

OUR FACULTY

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