Psychology and Human Services

Rhonda Korol, Professor
Ronald Rossi, Professor
Margaret Sherrer, Associate Professor
Patricia Shine, Associate Professor
Meri Stiles, Assistant Professor
Lori Werdenschlag, Professor

A.S. Human Services
B.A. Psychology
B.S. Human Services
Minor: Psychology, Human Services

Program Mission Statement

In the Psychology and Human Services Department, we provide students with the coursework and practical field experience that prepares graduates for entry-level human service and psychology positions and/or continued study at the graduate level.

Program Goals

The Psychology and Human Services programs share similar goals – with slightly different emphases. Both programs provide students with a solid foundation in psychological and developmental theory. Students in both programs also complete a field work experience and a senior capstone paper.

B.A. in Psychology: Prepares students for entrance into graduate psychology programs. Specific emphases are placed on providing grounding in current theory as well as the development of competency in research. Students complete a year-long research project.

B.S. in Human Services: Prepares students for entry-level human service positions and entrance into social work and counseling graduate programs. Specific emphasis is placed on experience. Students complete a minimum 300-hour internship.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the major in Human Services (BSHMS) will be able to:

A. Demonstrate an understanding of and be able to articulate the research principles, concepts, and theories of psychology.
B. Research, synthesize, and apply theory and practice in human services.
C. Acquire skills and behaviors necessary for obtaining employment and succeeding in the professional world.
D. Demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to the ethical and legal standards of the human service profession.

Graduates of the major in Psychology (BAPSY) will be able to:

A. Demonstrate an understanding of and be able to articulate the research principles, concepts, and theories of psychology.
B. Research, synthesize, and apply theory and practice in psychology.
C. Acquire skills and behaviors necessary for obtaining employment and succeeding in the professional world.
D. Demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to the ethical and legal standards of the psychology profession.
Unique Program Features

Unique Program Features

The Lyndon Psychology Department differs from many other psychology programs in that we offer two degrees which are integrated and share a common curriculum. Both programs emphasize the following:

Strong foundation in theory. Students become well versed in the variety of psychological theories that help to explain human behavior in the social environment.

· Development of analytic skills. Students are taught to analyze and interpret what they learn and to apply these skills to all areas of practice.

· Development of problem-solving skills. Students “practice” what they’ve learned and apply this knowledge to “real life” problems that arise in the field.

· Strong foundation in ethics. Students learn about the ethical and legal constructs that drive the fields of psychology and human services.

· Professional competence. Students learn what it means to be a “professional.”

· Personal growth and self-care. Students learn about themselves, their strengths and their areas for continued growth. They also learn about the critical need to engage in self-care in fields as personally challenging as psychology and human services.

· A systems perspective. Students learn how the larger society impacts their work in these fields. Particular attention is paid to issues of poverty, diversity and oppression and how to advocate for social justice in these areas. Students are encouraged to think of themselves as potential leaders in the fields of psychology and human services.

Program Assessment

The Psychology Department assesses its program goals in a variety of ways. Surveys are periodically sent to recent graduates, and the responses to the surveys guide program development and curricular change. Graduate school enrollment and job placement of alumni are also used as part of program assessment. Psychology faculty participate annually at national conferences for human services, social work, and the teaching of psychology. Participation at such conferences allows faculty to stay informed about national standards and changes in respective fields. Our faculty are also involved in fieldwork, research, private practice, and community service, all of which provide insights into the relation between community needs and our program.

Special Requirements for Acceptance to the Major

Approval for field work placement is contingent upon the student’s academic progress and potential for success in the fields of human services and psychology. Any student who has engaged in unprofessional or unethical practices may not be considered for field work placement, acceptance to the major, or continuation in the program. Prior to the completion of 60 credits students must successfully complete PSY 1040, PSY 2811, PSY 2812 and apply for acceptance to the major. Requirements for acceptance to the psychology major include a 2.3 GPA in Psychology/Human Services courses and a 2.0 GPA overall, satisfactory academic progress in the General Education Program, recommendation of two psychology and human services department faculty members as well as the development of interpersonal skills necessary for success in the profession.

The Programs

Students choose one of the following areas:

The Psychology program is the recommended preparation for graduate study in psychology;
The Human Services program is directed toward entry into the human services field, or graduate work in counseling or social work.

Double Major

Students may obtain a double major in Psychology and Human Services by completing the core requirements (21 credits), and the concentration requirements for Psychology (15 credits), the concentration requirements for Human Services (18 credits), and an additional 9 - 12 credits from the list of approved courses at the 3000-4000 level. A total of 68 credits is required to complete the double major. Courses required in a concentration cannot be used as elective credits for the double major.

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