The Department of Psychology is dedicated to student instruction, serving the community, and the discovery of knowledge through empirical research. The department houses classrooms, laboratories, and equipment for study and research in the areas of sensation and perception, cognition, physiological psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, psychology of religion, and clinical psychology.

Undergraduate

The mission of the Psychology B. S. Program is to: 1) provide students with a course of study that reflects both the breadth and depth of the various fields of psychology and Georgia Southern University’s mission of fostering a learner-centered culture that prepares us to think, lead, teach, and serve; 2) inspire students to be sensitive to cultural issues and individual differences, bridge scientific theory to practice, and promote personal and professional growth, in ways that mirror Georgia Southern University’s values of collaboration, academic excellence, discovery and innovation, integrity, openness and inclusion, and sustainability. This mission will be accomplished by providing students with a high-quality education in psychology, opportunities for experiential learning, and mentorship. Our mission statement also reflects the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Undergraduate Program Guidelines (see Table 1 below) that emphasizes learning content knowledge (Guideline 1), scientific inquiry (Guideline 2), social and ethical responsibility (Guideline 3), and professional development (Guideline 5).

Students earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology will:

1. recognize, compare, and apply concepts and theories from the majority of the core domains of abnormal, cognitive, developmental, learning, physiological, and social psychology;
2. recognize, apply, and evaluate the use of descriptive and inferential statistics in psychology and research methods in psychology;
3. respect sociocultural diversity and individual differences, recognize the psychological origins of prejudice and discrimination, and recognize the extent that different cultural factors relate to psychological phenomena;
4. recognize the value of psychology in professional and personal domains.

Graduate

The Department of Psychology offers two graduate programs: the M.S. in Psychology and the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology.

The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Psychology produces graduates who are knowledgeable in specific content areas of scientific psychology as well as skilled in conducting independent research. Guided by psychological science and a dedication to preparing students for a psychology (or psychology-related) doctoral program, college teaching, or other employment within the social sciences, the department faculty provide graduate students with rigorous coursework and opportunities to engage in one-on-one research collaborations and pedagogical instruction.

The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program in Clinical Psychology trains doctoral-level professional psychologists to practice psychotherapy and assessment skills in underserved rural areas. This training is accomplished through coursework, as well as practica, capstone activities, and internship experiences. The Psy.D. program is directly involved in providing health care and human services in the region, both by educating practitioners of applied psychology who have voiced a dedication to continuing practice in rural areas and by offering practicum experiences in which students provide clinical service to those in our predominantly-rural region.

The Psy.D. program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Programs

• Psychology, B.S.

• Applied Behavior Analysis Minor
• Mental Health Minor
• Neuroscience Minor
• Organizational Psychology Minor
• Psychology Minor

• Psychology, M.S.

• Doctor of Psychology, Psy.D.