Psychology

Major Map: B.A. Psychology

The Discipline of Psychology seeks to develop graduates who are well prepared to proceed to graduate training or to employment. The faculty perceives its responsibility as going beyond instruction, challenging and stimulating students, and developing students' commitment to academic excellence, social responsibility, and professionalism. The ultimate aim is to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and experience on which students may build in order to make significant contributions to psychology as a profession and assume leadership roles within their communities.

Psychology is a basic science of human behavior and mental processes. The goals of the Psychology Department are:

  • to contribute to the understanding of humanity through scientific inquiry into the behavior of living organisms by means of a range of research methods
  • to provide fundamental training for mental health practitioners or professionals and researchers in the field of human behavior and development
  • to assist in preparing persons for professions requiring psychological background--such as teaching, the health sciences, social service, law, and ministry
  • to encourage the application of this knowledge to a variety of problems, such as those associated with minority status and personal, occupational, and social adjustment

Students who complete the psychology program will be able to:

  • define and use appropriately the important concepts of contemporary psychology;
  • identify the major historical and contemporary theories of psychology;
  • identify and describe important research methods and analyze and interpret data gathered using the various methods applicable to the discipline;
  • define the ethical responsibilities of psychologists in both research and practice;
  • communicate the results of empirical, library, and Internet research both orally and in writing;
  • apply psychological concepts and research to social problems; and
  • recognize the role of psychological research and theory in the practice of various careers.

GET THE COURSES YOU NEED

 

Psychology 180 – General Psychology; prerequisites for all psychology courses
Choose at least one 200 level psychology course out of the pairs from:

 
·       Psych 205 Child and Adolescent Development (Fall only) or Psych 221 Introduction to Personality (Fall only)

·       Psych 217 Biological Psychology (Fall only) or Psych 262 Learning and Cognition (Spring only)

 

 

Cognate: HSS 280, Methods and Statistics for Social Research (4 credits)
(Prerequisite: Core 131 or Math 101 or higher.
 
Choose at least one of the 300 level psychology courses from the pair:
·       Psychology 348 Abnormal Psychology (Spring only) or

·       Psychology 341 Social Psychology (Fall only)

 

Psychology 310 Quasi-experimental Design (HSS280 is the prerequisite)
 
Choose at least one psychology electives which can be the second course in a pair or a designated psychology elective course such as:
·       Psychology 380 – Special Topics

·       Psychology 374 – Field Placement

·       Psychology 450 – Independent Study
Note: Joint majors are not required to take psychology electives.

 

Psychology 481 Senior Seminar (Fall only)
 
Choose at least one psychology elective (4 hours) from the course pairs or designated psychology elective courses such as:
·       Psychology 380 – Special Topics

·       Psychology 374 – Field Placement

·       Psychology 450 – Independent Study

 

 

GET RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

  • Complete online assessment to ascertain career interests. Discuss these with your academic advisor and staff in the Office of Career Planning and Development. Self-assessments are also available through CareerOneStop.org. One of the five assessment tools matches strengths with occupations.
  • Create a core resume. Ask the staff in the Office of Career Planning and Development to review your resume.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Psychology Club programs will market potential internships. Majors are encouraged to participate in Psychology Club activities.
  • Design an Individual Development Plan through the American Psychological Association with the assistance of your faculty advisor.
  • Attend Industry Expo for internship opportunities.
  • Shadow professionals in the field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in the employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in the field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations such as the Tennessee Psychological Association.
  • Update your resume.
  • Join the American Psychological Association as a student affiliate.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Attend Industry Expo for internship opportunities.
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline-specific sessions.
  • Shadow professionals in field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.
  • Update your resume.
  • Consider taking Psychology 374, Internship, to gain work experience and college credit.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Attend Industry Expo.
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline-specific sessions.
  • Shadow professionals in the field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in the field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.
  • Update your resume. Be sure to include your research skills.
  • Consider taking Psychology 374, Internship, to gain work experience and college credit (can only take once).
  • Shadow professionals in the field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in the employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in the field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.

GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY

  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Meet with a faculty advisor to discuss possible volunteer opportunities with community service organizations.
  • Take advantage of service-learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Apply for the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors program and participate in their offered activities and programs.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Volunteer with community service organizations.
  • Participate in Service Day during Homecoming and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for a list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in community service activities promoted through the Psychology Club.
  • Participate in Service Day during Homecoming and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in the Office of Leadership and Service for a list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk's e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in community service activities promoted through the Psychology Club.
  • Participate in Fisk Annual Research Symposium (Abstracts are due in March, Poster or Oral Presentation in April, check Fisk website for more information); share your research experience or best practices with your peers (note: 'early and often is a very effective strategy).
  • Participate in Service Day during Homecoming and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in the Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in community service activities promoted through the Psychology Club.
  • Participate in Fisk Annual Research Symposium (Abstracts are due in March, Poster or Oral Presentation in April, check Fisk website for more information); share your research experience or best practices with your peers (note: 'early and often' is very effective strategy).

GET THINKING GLOBALLY

  • Begin foreign language course requirements (placement examination determines beginning course)
  • Begin planning potential study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives).
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Begin foreign language course requirements (placement examination determines beginning course)
  • Begin planning potential study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives).
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Finalize arrangements for study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives). Meet with advisor to ensure courses earned abroad will meet student course requirements for general studies, electives, and major.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.

GET READY FOR LIFE AFTER GRADUATION

  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline-specific sessions.
  • Research various career options available for psychology majors
  • Attend Industry Expo to meet with graduate school recruiters.
  • Participate in Graduating Senior Boot Camp.
  • Present your research at regional and local symposia. Compete in undergraduate paper competitions.
  • Prepare for and take Graduate Record Exam or other professional examinations (e.g., LSAT, MCAT).
  • Apply for graduate or professional school. Have personal statement reviewed by staff in Writing Center and Office of Career Planning and Development and psychology faculty/advisor. Request letters of recommendation from faculty members (be sure to give plenty of advance notice of deadlines).

WHERE COULD I GO AFTER GRADUATION?

Psychology majors have found employment within the following fields


• Governmental agencies (state and federal departments of health and human services, social services, children, and family services)
• A nonprofit organization (community and faith-based) • Community Organizing
• For-Profit corporations and organizations • Administrative/Program Support
• Management • Public and private Education (Elementary to Higher Education)
• Sales Marketing • Social Science Researcher • Mental Health Caseworker
• Case management • Healthcare • Law enforcement
• Armed Services • Legal

Selected Job Titles of B.A./B.S. Psychology Degree Recipients


• Business and Industry: market analyst, human resources coordinator, data entry manager, recruiter
• Justice System: criminal investigator, parole officer, special agent, rehabilitation counselor
• Community and Social Services: caseworker, community organizer, substance abuse counselor, hospital administrator
• Government: human rights officer, urban planner, legislative aide, personnel coordinator
• Education: admissions counselor, college placement worker, public health educator, teacher
• Research: data analyst, consumer researcher, research assistant

Selected Job Titles of Fisk Psychology graduates


Lawyer, Federal probation officer, FBI agent, College admissions administrator, Property manager, Juvenile probation officer, Marriage and family counselor, Human services caseworker, School resources counselor, Urban planner, Hospital administrator, Data analyst, Elementary and secondary school teachers, Nonprofit organization administrator/Managers, Nurses and Nurse Practitioners, medical students, crisis counselors, educational psychologists, clinical therapists, licensed psychological examiners.

Graduate/Professional Degrees earned by Fisk sociology graduates


BSN, MSN, M.D., J.D., Psy.D., Ed.D., Ph.D., Masters in Clinical Psychology, Counseling, Community, Industrial and Organizational, Educational, Health, and Neuropsychology; Masters and Ph.D. in Community Research, Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling, Masters in Human Resources, Master’s in Social Work, Masters in Public Health, Masters in Public Administration.