Psychology
DILLARD UNIVERSITY PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is where the study of human behavior takes center stage. As a psychology major, you’re embarking on a versatile journey that opens up a world of possibilities.
Psychology is not just a field of study; it’s a gateway to developing a wide range of essential skills. According to the American Psychological Association, a psychology major cultivates refined critical thinking skills, effective communication skills, and ethical decision-making abilities in an increasingly diverse world. These skills are highly valued in various professional domains.
At Dillard Psychology, we offer you a front-row seat to this dynamic field. Whether you aspire to become a therapist, researcher, counselor, or pursue further studies in psychology, our program will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in this evolving field.
Through engaging coursework, hands-on experiences, and mentorship from our dedicated faculty, you’ll explore the fascinating intricacies of human behavior and gain a deeper understanding of the human mind. Get ready to embark on a transformative journey that will shape not only your future but also the lives of those you touch through the power of psychology.
Organizations & Programs
K.B. Clark Psychology Club
Open to all students and faculty interested in the pursuit of psychological knowledge
Psi Chi Honor Society
The national honor society in psychology, which requires a formal application, minimum GPA standards and induction into the honor society prior to graduation
Peer Education Program
Open to all students from all majors and designed to assist Dillard students who are experiencing unhealthy life challenges
Mission
The Psychology program is designed to offer a solid background in psychological science that will prepare students for graduate work in psychology and for entrance into the job market. In addition to an extensive curriculum in traditional psychological studies, psychology students participate in clinical and research activities that give them practical experiences in the application of psychological principles.
Students in psychology are required to complete two years of world language studies and demonstrate proficiency in writing, statistics, and research skills. Psychology students are also required to develop and conduct a research thesis, a field placement course which requires completion of a community based internship program, and other courses which prepare students for the academic demands of graduate school.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the scientific and applied areas of psychology.
- Pursue acceptance into graduate and professional schools of psychology and related fields.
- Demonstrate proficiencies for undergraduate entry-level careers that require a background in the knowledge of psychology
Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Complete a total of 120 credit hours of coursework for graduation.
- Students may choose 18 hours of elective courses that match their personal career interests in psychology or other academic disciplines across the university curricula after consultation with their academic advisors.
- Comprehensive exam in Psychology.
- An Independent Research Thesis completed in PSY 490 and PSY 491.
General Education Core – 41 credit hours
Major Requirements – 45 credit hours
Additional Coursework – 34 credit hours
Major Requirements
- PSY 102 – Scientific Foundations of Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 103 – Applications of Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 210 – Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 212 – Experimental Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 215 – Social and Organizational Dynamics 3 cr.
- PSY 305 – Psychological Tests and Measurements 3 cr.
- PSY 311 – Psychology of Motivation and Emotions 3 cr.
- PSY 312 – Psychology of Learning 3 cr.
- PSY 321 – Theories and Systems 3 cr.
- PSY 401 – Physiological Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 402 – Abnormal Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 415 – Psychology Seminar I 3 cr.
- PSY 416 – Psychology Seminar II 3 cr.
- PSY 490 – Bridging Research and Practice I 3 cr.
- PSY 491 – Bridging Research and Practice II 3 cr.
Additional Coursework
- FFR 221 – Intermediate French I 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 221 – Intermediate Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 222 – Intermediate French II 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 222 – Intermediate Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
- MAT 122 – Precalculus 3 cr.
- PSY 213 – Psychology of Personality 3 cr. or General Elective
- PSY 301 – Child Psychology 3 cr. or General Elective
- PSY 302 – Adolescent Psychology 3 cr. or General Elective
- PSY 308 – Practicum in Psychological Testing 3 cr. or General Elective
- PSY 417 – Field Placement 3 cr. or General Elective
- STA 205 – Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
- General Elective: 3 cr.
- Natural Science Elective & Laboratory: 4 cr.
Psychology Curriculum
First Year
First Semester
- ENG 111 – Expository Writing 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 121 – Elementary French I 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 121 – Elementary Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 101 – First Year Seminar I 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- MAT 121 – College Algebra 3 cr. ♦
- UCO 101 – University Convocation I 0 cr. ♦
- Physical Education Activity Elective 2 cr. ♦
- Natural Science Elective & Laboratory 4 cr. ♦
Total: 16
Second Semester
- ENG 112 – Argument and Research 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 122 – Elementary French II 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 122 – Elementary Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 102 – First Year Seminar II 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- MAT 122 – Precalculus 3 cr.
- UCO 102 – University Convocation II 0 cr. ♦
- Humanities Elective 3 cr. ♦
- Natural Science Elective & Laboratory 4 cr.
Total: 17
Second Year
First Semester
- ENG 201 – Readings in World Literature I 3 cr. ♦ or
- ENG 202 – Readings in World Literature II 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 221 – Intermediate French I 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 221 – Intermediate Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
- PSY 102 – Scientific Foundations of Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 213 – Psychology of Personality 3 cr. ****
- STA 205 – Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
- Social Science Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 18
Second Semester
- AWS 100 – Survey of the African World 3 cr. ♦ or
- REL 208 – The Black Church in the U.S. 3 cr. ♦
- ECO 203 – Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr. ♦
- ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination 0 cr. ***
- FFR 222 – Intermediate French II 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 222 – Intermediate Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
- PSY 103 – Applications of Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 210 – Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychology 3 cr.
- Social Science Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 18
Third Year
First Semester
- PSY 215 – Social and Organizational Dynamics 3 cr.
- PSY 301 – Child Psychology 3 cr. ****
- PSY 305 – Psychological Tests and Measurements 3 cr.
- PSY 311 – Psychology of Motivation and Emotions 3 cr.
- General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Second Semester
- PSY 212 – Experimental Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 302 – Adolescent Psychology 3 cr. **** or General Elective
- PSY 308 – Practicum in Psychological Testing 3 cr. **** or General Elective
- PSY 312 – Psychology of Learning 3 cr.
Total: 12
Fourth Year
First Semester
- PSY 401 – Physiological Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 402 – Abnormal Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 415 – Psychology Seminar I 3 cr.
- PSY 490 – Bridging Research and Practice I 3 cr.
- PSY 499C – Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr.
Total: 12
Second Semester
- PSY 321 – Theories and Systems 3 cr.
- PSY 416 – Psychology Seminar II 3 cr.
- PSY 417 – Field Placement 3 cr. ****
- PSY 491 – Bridging Research and Practice II 3 cr.
- PSY 499C – Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr. (Retake)
Total: 12
Total Required Hours
*Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102.
**Community Service: Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.
***Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination. Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 – Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).
****Psychology elective or General electives as directed by faculty advisor determined by student.
Dillard University and Western Michigan University have collaborated to offer a Psychology 3/2 Program. The program is designed to assist psychology students in completing their undergraduate degree in psychology and Master’s degree within 5 years of study. Psychology students must complete Dillard’s general studies and psychology curriculum prior to attending Western Michigan University. The program includes courses taken during the spring, fall and summer sessions.
Complete a total of 138 credit hours of coursework for graduation.
General Education Core – 41 credit hours
Major Requirements – 51 credit hours
Additional Coursework – 22 credit hours
Western Michigan University Requirements – 24 credit hours
* Please note that summer courses are a part of the combined bachelor and master’s degree.
Major Requirements
- PSY 101 – Introduction to Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 103 – Applications of Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 204 – Human Development 3 cr. or
- PSY 301 – Child Psychology 3 cr. or General Elective Credits / Units: 3 cr.
- PSY 210 – Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 212 – Experimental Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 213 – Psychology of Personality 3 cr. or General Elective Credits / Units: 3 cr.
- PSY 215 – Social and Organizational Dynamics 3 cr.
- PSY 302 – Adolescent Psychology 3 cr. or General Elective Credits / Units: 3 cr.
- PSY 305 – Psychological Tests and Measurements 3 cr.
- PSY 308 – Practicum in Psychological Testing 3 cr. or General Elective Credits / Units: 3 cr.
- PSY 311 – Psychology of Motivation and Emotions 3 cr.
- PSY 312 – Psychology of Learning 3 cr.
- PSY 321 – Theories and Systems 3 cr.
- PSY 401 – Physiological Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 415 – Psychology Seminar I 3 cr.
- PSY 416 – Psychology Seminar II 3 cr.
- PSY 417 – Field Placement 3 cr.
Additional Coursework
- FFR 221 – Intermediate French I 3 cr. or
- FSP 221 – Intermediate Spanish I 3 cr.
- FFR 222 – Intermediate French II 3 cr. or
- FSP 222 – Intermediate Spanish II 3 cr.
- MAT 122 – Precalculus 3 cr.
- STA 205 – Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
- General Elective Credits / Units: 6 cr.
- Natural Science Elective and Laboratory Credits / Units: 4 cr.
Psychology 3/2 Program
First Year
First Semester
- ENG 111 – Expository Writing 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 121 – Elementary French I 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 121 – Elementary Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 101 – First Year Seminar I 1 cr. / Service Learning (15 hrs.) ♦ *
- MAT 121 – College Algebra 3 cr. ♦
- UCO 101 – University Convocation I 0 cr. ♦
Total:16
Second Semester
- ENG 112 – Argument and Research 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 122 – Elementary French II 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 122 – Elementary Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 102 – First Year Seminar II 1 cr. / Service Learning (15 hrs.) ♦
- MAT 122 – Precalculus 3 cr.
- PSY 101 – Introduction to Psychology 3 cr.
- UCO 102 – University Convocation II 0 cr.
- Natural Science Elective and Laboratory Credits / Units: 4 cr.
Total:17
Summer
- PSY 204 – Human Development 3 cr. or
- PSY 301 – Child Psychology 3 cr. *** or General Elective Credits / Units: 3 cr.
- Humanities Elective ♦ Credits / Units: 3 cr.
Total:6
Second Year
First Semester
- AWS 100 – Survey of the African World 3 cr. ♦ or
- REL 208 – The Black Church in the U.S. 3 cr. ♦
- ENG 201 – Readings in World Literature I 3 cr. ♦ or
- ENG 202 – Readings in World Literature II 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 221 – Intermediate French I 3 cr. or
- FSP 221 – Intermediate Spanish I 3 cr.
- PSY 213 – Psychology of Personality 3 cr. ****
- General Elective Credits / Units: 3 cr.
- STA 205 – Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
- General Elective Credits / Units: 3 cr.
Total:18
Second Semester
- ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination 0 cr. *** ♦
- ENG 203 – Introduction to Scholarship in English 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 222 – Intermediate French II 3 cr. or
- FSP 222 – Intermediate Spanish II 3 cr.
- PSY 103 – Applications of Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 210 – Advanced Statistical Methods in Psychology 3 cr.
- General Elective Credits / Units: 3 cr.
- Social Science Elective Credits / Units: 3 cr.
Total:18
Summer
- Social Science Elective ♦ Credits / Units: 3 cr.
- PSY 302 – Adolescent Psychology 3 cr. or General Elective**** Credits / Units: 3 cr.
Total:6
Third Year
First Semester
- PSY 215 – Social and Organizational Dynamics 3 cr.
- PSY 305 – Psychological Tests and Measurements 3 cr.
- PSY 311 – Psychology of Motivation and Emotions 3 cr.
- PSY 401 – Physiological Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 415 – Psychology Seminar I 3 cr.
- PSY 499C – Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr.
Total:15
Second Semester
- PSY 212 – Experimental Psychology 3 cr.
- PSY 308 – Practicum in Psychological Testing 3 cr. or General Elective **** Credits / Units: 3 cr.
- PSY 312 – Psychology of Learning 3 cr.
- PSY 321 – Theories and Systems 3 cr.
- PSY 416 – Psychology Seminar II 3 cr.
- PSY 417 – Field Placement 3 cr. or General Elective **** Credits / Units: 3 cr.
- PSY 499C – Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr. (Retake)
Total:18
Total Dillard University Hours: 114
Total Hours Host Institution: 24
Total Graduation Hours: 138
*Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102.
**Community Service: Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.
***Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination. Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 – Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).
****Suggested psychology course designed to prepare students for graduate school.
SUMMER SESSION and FIFTH YEAR at WMU
- A career in psychology goes beyond mental health. A psychology degree unlocks diverse career pathways because of rigorous academic training.
As far as actual psychology careers, here is the average salary outlook:
| Clinical Psychologist | $75,000 |
| Sports Psychologist | $62,500 |
| Forensic Psychologist | $59,440 |
| School Psychologist | $59,440 |
| Social Service Specialist | $47,000 |
| Teacher | $40,500 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $34,000 |
| Child Care Worker | $19,300 |
Lana Chambliss, Ph.D.
lchambliss@dillard.edu
Associate Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Phone: 504.816.4243
Sonia Cooper
scooper@dillard.edu
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Phone: 504.816.4748
Dana Gumas
dgumas@dillard.edu
Social Sciences Administrative Specialist
Location: Michael and Shaun Jones Hall 251
Office: 504.816.4701
Fax: 504.816.4185
Sean Gibbs, Psy.D.
sigibbs@dillard.edu
Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Psychology
Psy.D. in Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Location: Michael and Shaun Jones Hall 240
Office: 504.816.4604
Eartha Johnson, Ed.D.
ejohnson@dillard.edu
Associate Professor of Psychology
Ed.D. in Educational Counseling, Texas Southern University
Location: Michael and Shaun Jones Hall 237
Phone: 504.816.4429
