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The Faculty
The Major
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Source: 2002-2003 Catalog

The curriculum for the major in Psychology has three objectives:

(1) To introduce the student to the existing body of scientific knowledge about human and animal behavior;

(2) to acquaint students with the methods and procedures psychologists use in conducting scientific research designed to acquire new knowledge about human and animal behavior; and

(3) to introduce students to various applications of existing psychological knowledge about human and animal behavior.

The requirements for a major in Psychology are designed to meet educational goals of two distinct student populations:

1) students who want to pursue a career in Psychology; and

2) students who want to study Psychology because it is interesting, useful, and helpful to people in many other careers.

For the first group, because the profession of Psychology usually requires a graduate degree for employment as a psychologist, the major provides the fundamental knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to prepare students to apply for admission to graduate school in Psychology. For the second group, the major is also designed to satisfy the interests of someone who wants more than just a casual understanding of Psychology, but also needs some practical knowledge and skills which would be useful to someone who plans to complete a BA degree and then pursue a fulfilling career in some other field.

The department also administers a graduate program leading to a Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in Clinical Skills. See Psychology, Graduate Programs, in catalog index.

Department Honors
Psychology majors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all Psychology classes are eligible for department honors by demonstrating superior research skills or scholarship while enrolled in Psychology 389 or 390. Students are encouraged to begin these projects no later than the first semester of their senior year. More information about honors is available from a department advisor.

Psi Chi: The national honorary psychology society, Psi Chi, is represented at Washburn University by a chapter chartered in 1968.

Membership is conferred each year on advanced Psychology students whose grades in Psychology meet the prescribed national and local requirements.

Independent Work in Psychology
The department encourages all interested and qualified students to pursue a program of independent work in Psychology by participating in one or more of the following three courses: Psychology 336 Field/Volunteer Experience; Psychology 389 Independent Study; Psychology 390 Directed Research. Generally it is recommended that a student should have completed at least 15 hours in Psychology including Psychology 250 Experimental Psychology, prior to enrolling in any of the above courses. Interested Sophomores and Juniors are required to arrange independent work with their departmental advisor during the semester prior to enrolling in these courses.

Sport Psychology
Students interested in Sport Psychology should meet with either 1) the Psychology Department Sport Psychology advisor (Dr. Provorse), or 2) a Physical Education major advisor in the Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science Department to obtain a list of courses which prepare students to meet application eligibility requirements for graduate programs which offer training leading to careers in Sport Psychology.