Grand Valley Psychology Department
Welcome to the GVSU Psychology Department!
Psychology covers such a broad range of topics that psychologists specialize in many different areas, such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, physiological psychology, neuropsychology, industrial-organizational psychology, educational psychology, experimental psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and cross-cultural psychology. The interests and training of the faculty members in the department cover all of these areas, so we are able to offer a wide range of courses in the undergraduate curriculum.
Please click the button below for information about their office hours. If you have any questions, please send an email to [email protected] or you may call the main telephone number, 616-331-2195.
Office staff are available in person 8AM - 5PM Mon-Fri.
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5th
Largest Major
90%
Applicants Accepted to Masters Programs
90%
Faculty Involving Students in Research
Undergraduate Degrees Offered
Psychology BA/BS
Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. This basic and applied science includes the study of thought, action, and emotion. Psychologists study how people influence and interact with one another, how they develop, and the role that biological mechanisms play in psychological processes.
Graduates find jobs in varied settings, including business, industry, and human services.
Many of our graduates pursue graduate studies in a wide variety of disciplines, including psychology, medicine, law, social work, business, library science, human resources management, and non profit administration.
Behavioral Neuroscience BA/BS
Behavioral Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary area that studies the interactions between the nervous system and behavior, the development and function of the nervous system, and their application to the treatment of disorders.
The major is administered by the Psychology Department. Students may earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Behavioral Neuroscience. The B.S. requires students to take the degree requirement sequence from the Psychology Department. The B.A. requires third semester proficiency in a foreign language.
Graduates with training in behavioral neuroscience have worked for colleges and universities, research institutes, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and government agencies. Students with a Behavioral Neuroscience degree may also pursue graduate study in neuroscience, neuropsychology, or related fields, or professional degrees in health-related fields.
Psychology Minor
Because human interaction is central to many careers, students often choose to add a psychology minor to their major field of study. Psychology minors gain increased understanding of how humans perceive, think, feel, and act, and how research contributes to our growing knowledge in these areas.
For future teachers interested in teaching psychology in high school, there is a strongly suggested set of courses that will fulfill the minor requirements and prepare students for secondary teaching.
Requirements Worksheet Minors Interested in Secondary Teaching
Graduate Studies Offered
School Psychology, M.S. and Psy.S.
Grand Valley State University's School Psychology graduate program, leading students to earn both a Masters of Science degree (M.S.) and a Specialist in School Psychology degree (Psy.S.), offers students extensive training through coursework, practicum, and research experiences in the assessment, prevention, and intervention of academic, social, and mental health problems that affect a wide range of students.
The full-time program spans 3 years, and includes extensive coursework and practicum experiences. Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for licensure as a school psychologist. Every student is automatically admitted to the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) certificate program.
Opportunities in Psychology
Conference Presentations
Elias Ghazal, Mya Hanna, & Tessa Kramer
Elias, Mya, and Tessa presented on: "From Stagnation in Cognitive Development to Conspiratorial Belief: The Relationship Between Piaget and Conspiratorial Beliefs" at the Psychonomic Society Meeting.
Elias Ghazal & Mya Hanna
Elias and Mya worked with Mario Fific, Brian Bowdle, and GVSU's Decide Lab. They presented on: "Exploring Causal Relationships in Between Lack of Control in One's Life, Interpretation of Events and Conspiratorial Beliefs".
Dionne Pinto-Guerra (McNair Scholar)
Dionne Pinto-Guerra (McNair Scholar) worked with Mary Bower Russa and gave an oral presentation: "History of trauma, mental health functioning, and parent stress in maltreating parents"
The Psychology Department is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.