Department of Psychology
Psychology Degree
Major
A PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE PROVIDES A BROAD, YET THOROUGH, UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISCIPLINE OF PSYCHOLOGY
The Department of Psychology teaches research and writing skills, problem-solving skills and well-developed, higher-level thinking ability for analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information. Psychology graduates find jobs in human services, administration, public affairs, education, business, sales, service industries, health, the biological sciences and computer programming. They become guidance counselors, substance use and disorder counselors, clinical psychologists, community organizers, and business managers.
All students pursuing a psychology degree begin by taking an introduction to the field, then learn the fundamentals of research methods and statistics. This advances into courses and experiences that provide both breadth and depth to knowledge of the entire field and skills needed in the workforce.
Why Study Psychology at UW-Stevens Point?
Diverse training and areas of specialization in psychology prepare UW-Stevens Point students for a variety of post-graduate pursuits. About 30 percent of our graduates go on to advanced training, normally seeking a master’s or doctorate degree in psychology. Others obtain law or medical degrees. Many students work in community organizations and businesses after earning their bachelor’s degree. UWSP alumni are working in applied psychology, behavioral research, clinical and counseling psychology, and in neuroscience.
Program Facilities
The Department of Psychology supports nine laboratories and research facilities that are used by faculty and students for their research projects. They are also used for instructional purposes, particularly in the experimental and clinical courses. Our biological and cognitive psychology labs include the Animal Lab, Cognition and Attention Laboratory, and the Spindler Memory and Applied Cognition Lab. For clinical and counseling, we utilize the Beck Videotaping Facility, and the Counseling Psychology Laboratory. Finally, for developmental and social psychology labs our students work in the Aging and Development Lab, Social and Environmental Psychology Laboratory, and Gender Development Laboratory.
Alumni to Know
Psychology undergraduates gain a deep understanding in the social sciences. ’16 Alumna Erin Cimino, remembers feeling supported academically and personally by her many mentors at UWSP. She had a wide range of experiential learning, interning in a school setting, at a health care center, working with older adults and with college-age peers on campus.
“It helped me grow into the person I am today. They modeled every day how to be accepting and open-minded, supportive of people,” she said.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
Psychology students are strongly encouraged to work with a professor on directed readings, original experimental or survey research, applied internships, or special-interest projects.
Senior psychology majors who have taken Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 351) and Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy (PSYC 401) can apply for a Human Services internship. Interns receive credit for working at an unpaid placement for six hours a week at various community agencies including school psychology and guidance departments, shelters for women who have been abused, counseling centers, group homes for at-risk youth, ABA therapy sites, or halfway houses for parolees.
Experiential Learning Opportunities in Psychology:
- Internships – Our internships occur at various community agencies including school psychology and guidance departments, shelters for abused women, alcohol treatment programs, and group homes. Typically, we place 15 students per term in internships. Students apply around the 8th week preceding the term in which they wish to complete an internship. Interns receive PSYC 494 Human Services Internship credit for working at an unpaid placement for 6 hours a week. Interns must also attend a weekly course, PSYC 495 (Human Services Internship Seminar), where they discuss ethical issues and issues common to all placements.
- Research and Independent Study – One of the most enriching experiences you can have as a psychology major or minor is involvement in research. Your involvement in research can occur at several different levels, depending on the faculty member supervising the research:
– Volunteer to assist a faculty member with a project that is being conducted. (No course credit.)
– You can become an integral part of the research study design and implementation, gaining course credit in the process (PSYC 399).
– Or, design a study of your own and, with a faculty member supervising your project, gain course credit (PSYC 399).
- Study Abroad – Join our travel experience in Europe to broaden your understanding of the roots of psychology, as it truly began. Students will gain a global historical perspective and knowledge of how different psychological cultures greatly impacted our study of psychology, in this rewarding study abroad program.
GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS
The Psychology Club is a recognized student organization open to all students. The social club meets at least monthly, and organizes speakers, programs, field trips and other activities of interest to psychology students. Our newest student organization is the Neuroscience Club. Speakers in the field will be invited to share experiences with students in efforts to expand this area of study on our campus. Outstanding psychology students are eligible for membership in UWSP’s International Honor Society in Psychology. Psi Chi is a recognized student organization whose membership is open to psychology majors and minors who have completed at least 13 hours of psychology, have reached at least junior status, have at least a 3.2 overall GPA and a 3.3 GPA in psychology courses. Our students can also join NAMI, offering program resources for students on campus and working on community outreach efforts on behalf of those who are experiencing mental health issues.
More opportunities can be found on the Stevens Point Involvement Network (SPIN).
Psychology
Navigate Your Major
Major Maps help students map their first day to the first job in their chosen field. While a four-year plan outlines classes to get a degree, Major Maps help students learn how to build career-ready skills and experiences outside the classroom. Each Major Map shows how students can get the most of their UW-Stevens Point journey from enrollment to graduation and beyond. It’s a roadmap to discovering your purpose!
Department Scholarships
Academic, Research & Service Awards
High-achieving students are eligible for many significant awards and scholarships thanks to generous support from our alumni, friends, and corporate partners. The Department of Psychology offers six major individual monetary awards and one major scholarship award each spring.
MEET YOUR FACULTY
The Department of Psychology has 14 full-time faculty members representing the major sub-disciplines of psychology: biological, clinical/counseling, cognitive, developmental, industrial/organizational and social psychology. Meet your professors!
Heather Molenda-Figueira
- Associate Professor
- Coordinator, Neuroscience and Behavior Minor
Mark Ferguson
- Professor
- Global Affiliate Scholar – Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability
715-346-2883
School of Behavorial and Social Sciences