Reinhardt University Psychology Program

Welcome to the Psychology Program Where You Will Be on the right track

Meet Our Faculty M. Katrina Smith, Ph.D. Dr. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Program Coordinator. She has taught in the university classroom since 1997 when she began teaching at her alma mater the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

She continued on to complete her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at Georgia State University where she taught for several years before founding a psychology program at Southern Catholic College. She has taught a variety of courses including statistics, research methods, cognitive learning theory, organizational behavior and environmental psychology. Her background also includes working as a chemist for an environmental laboratory.

Dr. Smith also supports a variety of undergraduate research projects.

Her current research interests include studies in conservation efforts around the world.

S. Beth Russell, Ph.D. Dr. Russell is an Associate Professor of Psychology. She has taught in the university classroom for 25 years. Her undergraduate degree included a double major in Psychology & Sociology from the University of Indianapolis. Her graduate education, Masters & Ph.D., followed at Georgia State University. Her major area of study was Counseling & Developmental Psychology. She holds a retired license as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Dr. Russell shares her experience in the field by teaching courses in development, personality, social, and abnormal psychology. She has been part of the Reinhardt family for over 25 years and has held roles here as a counselor and helped students find their path through career services. Dr. Russell has received awards for distinguished teaching and has been a bedrock for the Psychology program.

Dr. Russell oversees & supervises the Psychology students in their Internships.(The teaching awards that she has won are the Vulcan and the Elizabeth Moss Bailey awards. Since those are unique to RU, we were not sure if including the names would benefit the reader)

Jacob Harney, Ph.D. Dr. Harney is the Dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences, as well as a professor of biology. He arrived at Reinhardt University in July 2015 after 18 years at the University of Hartford, where he served as Chairman of the Department of Biology and Director of the Neuroscience Graduate Program. He received his Bachelor of Science in animal science from the University of Connecticut and his Master of Science and Ph.D. in reproductive physiology at the University of Florida.

He then pursued postdoctoral research in the College of Medicine at both the University of Maryland at Baltimore and the University of Kentucky. He has held several leadership positions at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International and his research focuses on the effects of high fat or ketogenic diets and environment on brain energy metabolism and cognitive functions including learning, memory and anxiety.

What can you do with your RU Psychology Degree?

Bachelor’s Degree • • • • • • • • • • • •

Case Management Social Work Psychiatric Technician Rehabilitation Specialist Art Therapist Copywriter Development Assistant Market Research Analyst Media Buyer Media Planner Public Relations Specialist Teacher

Doctorate Degree Master’s Degree • Addictions Counselor • AIDS Counselor • Career Counselor • Clinical Counselor • Marriage/Family Counselor • Rehabilitation Counselor

• • • •

College Professor Child Psychologist Clinical Psychologist Developmental Psychologist • Forensic Psychologist • Industrial/Organizational Psychologist • Neuropsychologist • Psychotherapist • School Psychologist • Social Psychologist Information from eLearners.com

• Many of our majors also minor in one of our other Social & Behavioral Sciences (Sociology or Political Science).

• The program, majors, minors, and coursework provide a strong foundation for continuing into a graduate program or moving into a variety of careers.

• Solid preparation for a career in the diverse areas of psychology. Psychology degrees rank in the top 10% on majors in the U.S. The study of human behavior under-girds all other areas of study.

• Solid preparation for graduate school.

• In the last few years, our graduates have gone on to work for the Department of Family & Children’s Services, Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, move on to Graduate Programs, and work in local private schools, among many other paths.

Start Strong, Finish Strong Successful Psychology students ...

• Get their books early: Many students are caught off guard at the price of books. Sometimes you can get good deals by shopping around, but watch the shipping times and edition. Some books, you may want to rent or sell back after the semester, but you should plan to keep the books from you major. When you purchase the materials, make sure you are getting the correct versions by matching ISBN numbers.

• Read their syllabus: This document is a contract. In it, the professor will lay out all of the expectations for the course. The syllabus will not give the finite details for each individual assignment, but it will explain the major assignments, required materials, and important dates (such as exam dates and due dates for major projects). Professors will not remind you of due dates for assignments. If you have questions about the assignment, you need to ask.

• Are ready to go when classes start: You will find that college courses move at a faster pace than high school classes. It is a good idea to have read the first few chapters of every book before classes begin. Usually a college course will cover at least one chapter of material per week. You should always read the chapters before class and plan to read them again when you are studying.

• Never wait until the last minute: Too many things can go wrong when you wait until the last minute to do something. Always have a backup plan and leave time to make adjustments for the unanticipated. Most classes will only have a few major exams. Study early and study often. Most professors choose from some tried and true models. Some courses will be based on two exams (a mid-term and a final). Other professors will give either three or four exams.

Tips for Success: Be Proactive Be Prepared

The ‘Gen. Ed’ General Education Curriculum Communication - Everyone takes these

48-50 hours 12 hours

ENG 101 Composition (3) COM 108 Fundamentals of Speech (3)

Research Writing - Psych majors take this SCI 103 Writing for the Sciences (3)

Arts Experience - Choose one There are options for this including Art, Music & Theatre (3)

Critical Thinking (Inquiry) FYS 101 First Year Seminar (3) MAT 102 (3), MAT 121 (4), or MAT 200 (3) BIO 120/121 (4)

13-15 hours Psych majors take Math 200 and both BIO courses

BIO 122/123

Knowledge of Self, Society, Culture ENG (3) HIS (3) HIS (3) REL (3) CHOICE (3) CHOICE (3)

18 hours There is a special list of options here: It must be one LIT course, 2 HIS, 2 REL and 2 others, one of which is usually SOC 105.

In section above, student must complete at least one course each of ENG and REL. One of the six courses must be designated Global Studies/Foreign Language. See current academic catalog for full options list.

Values/Ethics

5 hours

PED 100 Fitness for College Life (2) - (or PED 200 Adult Fitness (4) for ages 21 & over only) Values/Ethics Course (3) Choose one: REL 105, PHI 204, PHI 164/EDU 164, COM 370 (COM 2012-PQ), BUS 290 (MAT 102-PQ)

Our program offers

Bachelor of Science major

Psychology minor

Social Science Research minor

The Psychology Major PSY101: Introduction to Psychology (first semester) PSY200: Lifespan Development (Spring-second semester) PSY210: Personality (Fall) SSC315: Statistics for Behavioral Sciences (Fall- second year) PSY325: Experimental Methods (Spring-second year) SSC321: Qualitative Methods (Spring-third year) PSY310: Abnormal Psychology (Spring)

PSY330: Physiological Psychology

PSY420: Senior Seminar (Fall-fourth year)

Select 3 (or more) • PSY340 Cognitive • PSY350 Social • PSY360 Behavioral Analysis • PSY370 Environmental • PSY440 Advanced Child Development • PSY498 Special topics • PSY499 Independent Studies • Internship

Other required courses •SCI103 Writing for the Sciences • SOC105 •BIO 120/121 Cell & Molecular • BIO 122/123 Organismal

What to take and when?

Fall

First Year

PSY101 Introduction to Psychology

Spring

PSY200 LifeSpan Development

Take 103/303 Every Spring (one hour) Fall

Second Year

SSC315 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (Pre-req: Math 102 or higher, Math 200 recommended) PSY210 Personality (or wait until third year)

Spring

PSY325 Experimental Methods (Pre-req: SSC315 C or better)

Third & Fourth Years Fall Social Psych, Cognitive, Advanced Child Development, Independent Studies (research, internship), Physiological Psychology, Senior Seminar (fourth year) Special note first year: Take 100s early, even the summer before you begin. You also want to take SCI103 Writing for the Sciences early (in the first three semesters). You will need to take ENG101 before SCI103.

Spring (Third Year: SSC321 Qualitative Methods), Behavioral Analysis, Environmental, Abnormal, Independent Studies (research, internship)

Your third and fourth years are the time for content & focus. You want as many PSY courses as you can take. Also, what about your minor?

Many SOC classes are a natural fit.

The Psychology Minor

PSY101: Introduction to Psychology

Select 2 (or more) PSY200: Lifespan Development (Spring)

PSY210: Personality (Fall)

SSC315: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (Fall)

PSY325: Experimental Methods (Spring)

• PSY310 Abnormal • PSY330 Physiological psych • PSY340 Cognitive • PSY350 Social • PSY360 Behavioral Analysis • PSY370 Environmental • PSY440 Advanced Child Development • PSY498 Special topics • PSY499 Independent Studies

Social Science Research Minor

You can never take too many methods courses: Social Science Research Minor SSC315: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (Fall)

Psy325: Experimental Methods (Spring)

SSC321: Qualitative Methods (Spring)

SSC340: Program evaluation and needs assessment (Spring)

SSC325: Survey design and analysis (Fall)

Making Connections

Social and Behavioral Sciences Club SBS is a club for all students at Reinhardt University who are interested in the social sciences and want to become more involved in the community. We offer: • Volunteer Opportunities • Professional Development • Building Relationships with fellow students and faculty All students are welcome to join!

Pi Gamma Mu Pi Gamma Mu is an international social science honor society. The name refers to the first letter of three Greek words that denote “the study of the social sciences,” and it is to that end that the interdisciplinary honor society is dedicated.

More specifically, the Society aims to reward interest and achievement in the study of social sciences by the conferring of membership upon those who have thus distinguished themselves, and who accept the Society’s aims and ideals.

Activities

Pi Gamma Mu - Welcoming New Members

Pi Gamma Mu Inductions

2015-16 Academic Year

Conferences

Need more information?

Still have questions?

Contact Dr. Katrina Smith Program Coordinator (770) 720-5535 or MKS@Reinhardt.edu Are you ready to apply to Reinhardt?

Visit www.reinhardt.edu/admissions or Call (770) 720-5526 Schedule a Tour: Visit www.reinhardt.edu/visit