Department of Psychology

Department Information

Department Chair: Britton Mace
General Classroom 308E ~ (435) 865-8569
Email: mace@suu.edu

Administrative Assistant: Emalee Smith
General Classroom 308 ~ (435) 865-8249
Email: emaleesmith@suu.edu

Student Success Coaches/Academic Advisor:
Andrea Donovan, andreadonovan@suu.edu
ST 204 ~ (435)-586-5420

Faculty: Professors: Steve Barney, Britton Mace, David Shwalb, Lynn White;
Associate Professors: Grant Corser;
Assistant Professors: Michelle Grimes, Daniel Hatch, Marisa Schlieber, Garrett Strosser;
Lecturers: Kevan LaFrance;

Website: http://www.suu.edu/hss/psychology/

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science Major

Psychology, B.A.
Psychology, B.S.

Minor

Psychology

The psychology department will also consider proposals from students who wish to pursue the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree.

Overview of Programs

Our program is designed to foster an understanding and the practical application of the theories, skills and values within the science of psychology.

Mission

The mission of the psychology department is to support the University and the larger community. It does so by providing a diverse, dynamic, and personalized learning environment and experiences that inspire student achievement, foster academic excellence, instill ethics and values, promote service, and facilitate lifelong learning.

Psychology students will develop the knowledge, understanding, appreciation, discipline, and skill that will enable them to function personally and professionally as informed and socially responsible citizens. These are achieved through lectures, readings, research, laboratory experiences, writing assignments, discussions, service, and other personal and professional academic and scholarly activities.

Program Goals

To fulfill the department’s mission, our faculty members do the following.

Provide superior classroom instruction on theories and concepts relevant to the science and application of psychology.
Engage students in experimental psychology by providing relevant laboratory and supervised research experiences.
Engage students in clinical/counseling psychology by providing relevant, supervised, professional practicum, service, and internship experiences.
Provide classroom instruction and encourage activities which promote and facilitate critical thinking, moral and ethical reasoning, oral and written communication, and computer literacy.
Provide classroom instruction and experiential activities to foster an understanding and appreciation of, and a respect for diversity across individuals and cultures.
Provide academic advisement relevant to individual student needs.
Promote and support the personal and professional development of students and colleagues.
Promote and support service and social responsibility of students and colleagues.
Meet or exceed the guidelines set by the American Psychological Association for the undergraduate psychology major (www.apa.org/ed/precollege/about/psymajor-guidelines.pdf).

Department/Program Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes (as defined by APA guidelines for the psychology major)¹

Students will demonstrate proficiency in two categories of assessment.

A. Knowledge, skills, and values consistent with the science and application of psychology

Knowledge Base of Psychology: Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
Research Methods in Psychology: Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination.
Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology: Students will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
Application of Psychology: Students will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
Values in Psychology: Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.

B. Knowledge, skills, and values consistent with liberal arts education that are further developed
in psychology

Information and Technological Literacy: Students will demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes.
Communication Skills: Students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
Sociocultural and International Awareness: Students will recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
Personal Development: Students will develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
Career Planning and Development: Students will emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.

^1. American Psychological Association. (2007). APA guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from www.apa.org/ed/resources.html