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Department of Psychology

College of Science and Mathematics

AROLDO RODRIGUES, Chair
SHERI OSBORN, Administrative Support Coordinator
Psychology and Human Services Bldg., Room 234
(559) 278-2691

http://psych.csufresno.edu/

Faculty

Aroldo Rodrigues, Chair

Undergraduate Adviser: Christine Edmondson
Graduate Adviser: Marilyn S. Wilson

Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, Barbara H. Basden, Michael D. Botwin, David R. Basden, Thomas E. Breen, Karen T. Carey, Constance J. Jones, Robert V. Levine, Terry G. Newell, Karl M. Oswald, Paul C. Price, Jean M. Ritter, Matthew J. Sharps, Michael J. Thackrey, Ronald D. Yockey, Lynnette C. Zelezny

Psychology

Psychology is concerned with the scientific study of human behavior and consciousness, and the applications of these findings to the areas of home, school work, and social relations. It covers topics such as learning, cognition, motivation, personality, psycho physiology, sexuality, group processes, cultural factors, and abnormal behavior. Psychology is an area for students interested in learning about the behavior of humans and other organisms.

The Department of Psychology provides a variety of opportunities for students. We have an undergraduate major that can be tailored as a strong liberal education, a preprofessional degree or as preparation for graduate study in psychology. In addition, we have two advanced degrees providing professional training in psychology. Our program gives considerable emphasis to psychology as an empirical science, including research design, data analysis and interpretation, and computer skills.

As preparation for graduate work in psychology, our undergraduate major is one of the strongest and most respected in the CSU System. Our better students do well in the Ph.D. programs into which they are often accepted. Our undergraduate program provides a solid background for liberal arts majors choosing to enter business or other more specialized vocations immediately after graduation.

Faculty and Facilities

All full-time and some part-time members of the department hold Ph.D. degrees in psychology and many are licensed as psychologists for private practice by the state of California. Our faculty represents a wide range of theoretical orientations and interests that include most of the major areas in American psychology.

A comprehensive test library is maintained for programs in the testing and clinical areas. Complete video facilities are available for preparing training materials and for research and instruction. Several university computer terminals are located in the department area and the department has several microcomputers of its own for instruction and research. A computerized Bio-lab is also available for training and research in psychophysiological studies. The Department of Psychology employs technicians who construct specialized equipment for research and teaching purposes.

Career Opportunities

In addition to learning theoretical views and research methods, students often have the opportunity to apply psychological principles of counseling and testing in community settings. Students who earn the M.S. degree obtain certification as school psychologists. There are openings in mental health, public schools, community colleges, and other agencies for these advanced students.

Recent surveys show that large numbers of psychology graduates are employed in business and administration, social services, and education. Significant numbers can also be found in the health care professions, biological sciences, and computer programming.

The B.A. degree does not train a person to work as a professional psychologist. However, a number of jobs related to psychology can be entered without advanced education. Some examples are employment interviewers, personnel managers, market researchers, management trainees, probation officers, and mental health workers.

Our 30-unit M.A. degree provides a strong background for further graduate study toward the doctoral (Ph.D.) degree. In the 78-unit M.S./School Psychology degree, students learn many clinical skills (psychotherapy, psychological assessment, etc.) that lead to employment possibilities in the schools and mental health settings.

Professional psychologists are employed in colleges and universities as instructors, researchers, and counselors. State and federal governments utilize psychologists in a variety of agencies and settings (mental hospitals, rehabilitation centers, prisons, employment testing, and personnel work). Finally, some psychologists are in private practice as counselors and psychotherapists, or consulting psychologists.

Psychology Courses

Psychology Degrees

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