Psychology

Administration
Jennifer N. Berry, PhD, Department Chair

Professors
Tara T. Lineweaver, PhD; Joel M. Martin, PhD; Robert J. Padgett, PhD

Associate Professors
Jennifer N. Berry, PhD; Brian M. Day, PhD; Stacy Wetmore, PhD

Assistant Professors
Fabiana Alceste, PhD; Renee DeCaro, PhD; Karina Hamamouche, PhD; Andrea Kunze, PhD; Conor O’Dea, PhD

Lecturers
Candice Dreves, PhD; Shelby Terwillegar, PhD

Department Website
www.butler.edu/arts-sciences/psychology/

Why Study Psychology?

The goal of an undergraduate psychology program is to introduce students to knowledge of the principles of emotion, behavior, and cognition as established by scientific methods. Students majoring in psychology study the core content areas of psychology and scientific methodology in preparation for graduate study and later professional pursuits in psychology or related fields.

Why Study Psychology at Butler?

Students in our program develop an understanding of psychological science through instruction in the classroom and hands-on participation in research projects. The classroom portion of the curriculum is structured so that students first receive a general overview of the topics and methods in psychology, followed by a more thorough exploration of specific content areas. We emphasize a broad and stable base of content: every psychology major studies the same basic core of subject matter and methods in psychology. Further, each psychology student has the opportunity to add depth to that knowledge by studying particular content areas more specific to their interests.

Participation in student-faculty collaborative research is the hallmark of our program. We encourage students to become involved in research projects with one or more professors during their undergraduate years. Research involvement is structured so that students evolve from apprentices to collaborators by taking progressively greater responsibility for the design and execution of psychological research projects. Some students complete an honors thesis, a yearlong research project. They routinely make presentations at the Butler Undergraduate Research Conference and at national professional meetings such as the annual convention of the Association for Psychological Science. Approximately 80 percent of our graduates have collaborated on at least one research project.

Students benefit from participating in student-faculty collaborative research in several ways. They have the opportunity to apply the concepts, theories, and ideas learned in the classroom. They also learn how to think like psychologists and how to conduct scientific research. No amount of reading about psychology or listening to instructors can replace the experience of conducting research in behavioral science.

Because a career as a professional psychologist requires a graduate degree, the knowledge and skills students acquire through course work and research experience in our program prepare them for graduate study. About two-thirds of our students attend graduate school either immediately after completing our program or after working for one to five years in a field related to psychology. Most of these students enter graduate programs in psychology, social work, or counseling. Some attend medical or law school. The remaining students begin careers in a wide range of fields, most of which are healthcare- or service related (pharmaceutical companies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare services, management, computer services, human resources, sales, education, and advertising, to name a few).

Psychology Student Learning Outcomes

Psychology students will demonstrate knowledge of the field of psychology, demonstrate knowledge of scientific inquiry and critical thinking, demonstrate ethical and social responsibility in a diverse world, communicate knowledge of psychology to others, and develop a meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.

Degree Programs

Major in Psychology (BA)
Combined Major in Psychology and Criminology (BA) (see Combined Majors)
Combined Major in Psychology and Sociology/Social Work (BA) (see Combined Majors)
Combined Major in Psychology and Anthropology (BA) (see Combined Majors)
Combined Major in Psychology and Philosophy (BA) (see Combined Majors)
Combined Major in Psychology and Political Science (BA) (see Combined Majors)
Minor in Psychology
The department participates in the interdisciplinary Neuroscience Minor and Major; Data Science Minor

Programs

Major

Psychology, BA

Combined Major

Psychology and Sociology Specialization in Social Work/Social Policy, BA

Minor

Psychology Minor