Gain the skills you need to better understand human behavior. With a bachelor's degree
in psychology from Wilkes, you'll prepare for a wide variety of exciting and meaningful
careers both inside and outside the field of psychology.
Program Snapshot
Program Type
Format
Credit Hours
Major, Minor
On-campus
120 (18 for minor)
Why Study Psychology at Wilkes?
You'll learn from expert professors while experiencing the facilities and equipment
used by today's psychological professionals. Our faculty are committed to developing
mentoring relationships with you and will help you build on your strengths and reach
personal and career goals. Choose from either the applied or research track. The applied
track prepares you for entry-level positions in many fields that depend on an understanding
of human behavior, while the research track gives you the methodological background
to proceed to graduate school. You can even minor in sport psychology.
Gain a broad understanding of human behavior through your development of critical
thinking and scientific inquiry skills. Practice research methods, project design
and statistical analysis while learning to evaluate claims using scientific evidence.
Develop an awareness and appreciation for the diversity of human experiences while
learning about social and ethical responsibility both within the classroom and in
professional settings.
Learn to communicate effectively with others and work as part of a team, making you
a valuable asset to a variety of potential employers.
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Program Highlights
Flexibility
Gain a broad understanding of the field of psychology. Choose a specialized educational
track that best aligns with your unique interests and goals. You might also consider
adding a minor or even a second major to expand your knowledge.
Independent Research
If you choose the research capstone experience, you'll design and implement your own
research project. You'll also build professional skills by presenting your findings.
You may also find opportunities to work with side by side with faculty on their research.
Internships
Internship experiences allow you to develop skills and apply coursework to real-world
settings. Internships often result in job offers at placement sites after graduation.
Recent internship sites include Mercy Hospital Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, John Heinz
Institute of Rehabilitation, Essex County Juvenile Detention Center and Step by Step
Inc.
I am so thankful for the never-ending support from faculty and administrators and
all the amazing opportunities that they have provided for me.Francesca Varela-Seri '20 - Neuroscience and Psychology
The psychology department has not only offered me an excellent education but has also
given me opportunities to gain research experiences in the NeuroTraining Research
Center as well as in a Stress and Social Justice Lab.Monica Morrison '21 - Psychology
1 in 4
psychology majors have a second major, expanding potential career options
4 out of 10
psychology majors have one or more minors, allowing them to explore a variety of academic
interests
100%
of psychology majors who want to pursue an internship opportunity get placed at an
internship site
Meet our Faculty
Our Psychology faculty are experts in their specialties and provide hands-on mentoring
and opportunities to gain valuable experience in research, critical thinking and other
valuable skills vital to future academic and career success.
Dr. Micayla F. Lacey is a psychophysiologist specializing in motivational processes
and emotion. Dr. Lacey earned her Ph.D in Experimental Psychology from the University
of Alabama, with a concentration in Social Psychology.
In her research, Dr. Lacey uses behavioral and physiological measures, such as electroencephalography
(EEG), to investigate processes linked to emotion and motivation. Her recent research
has focused on using these measures to better understand the neural, cognitive, and
behavioral processes that occur during instances of motivational conflict.
Dr. Ellen E. Newell is a social psychologist who focuses on understanding how diverse
people cope with stressful situations. She is especially interested in the intertwining
of people's psychological and cardiovascular responses when faced with the threat
of discrimination. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Maine. Dr. Newell teaches
a variety of courses for psychology and neuroscience students including statistics,
the psychology of prejudice, and social psychology.
Dr. Newell is a strong advocate for diversity initiatives on the 正澳门六合彩开奖直播
campus and she has been awarded the President's Award for Excellence in Diversity.
Dr. Newell runs the interdisciplinary Behavioral, Activism, Developmental and Social
Stress Lab with Dr. Jennifer Thomas. Their most recent project examined feminist identity
and whether identifying as a feminist can help buffer the wellbeing of people faced
with sexism. You can read more about their lab in .
Dr. Nichole Sell, Assistant Professor of Psychology, received her BA in Psychology
from Cedar Crest College, her MEd in Counseling and Human Services from Lehigh University,
and her MS and PhD degrees in Biobehavioral Health from The Pennsylvania State University.
She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Clinical and Research Institute
on Addictions at the University at Buffalo.
Dr. Sell teaches courses in Abnormal Behavior, Psychological Research, Applied Capstone,
and Personality. She is a health psychologist whose main research focus deals with
preventing risky drinking and related harms (e.g., sexual assault) among college students.
Dr. Jennifer Thomas is a developmental psychologist who is an expert in children鈥檚
and adolescents鈥� friendships and peer relationships. She is an Associate Professor
of Psychology and the Director of the Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies program. Dr. Thomas earned a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Purdue University
and an MA in psychology from Wake Forest University. She teaches courses in Developmental
Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, Research Methods, the Psychology of Gender, and
Introduction to Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies. Dr. Thomas was a recipient of the Carpenter
Outstanding Teaching Award.
Dr. Thomas has several areas of research interest. First, she studies how friendships
influence children鈥檚 and adolescents鈥� adjustment and prosocial behaviors and connections
between adults鈥� friendships and their wellbeing. Her interdisciplinary research interests
include factors associated with emerging adults鈥� engagement in gender-based and political
activism. Dr. Thomas, along with Dr. Newell, also examine to better understand their resilience versus vulnerability to sexism. Dr. Thomas
also engages in the scholarship of teaching and learning. For example, she studies
mechanisms that foster metacognitive processes and student achievement.
Dr. Thomas is the advisor for Psi Chi, the international psychology honor鈥檚 society,
and the Wilkes Feminist Alliance.
Dr. Debbie Tindell, Professor of Psychology, received her BA degree in psychology
from California State University, Chico and her MS and PhD degrees in Cognitive Psychology
from Texas A&M University. She teaches courses in Cognition, Research Methods, the
Senior Capstone course and Introductory Psychology. Dr. Tindell was a recipient of
the Carpenter Outstanding Teaching Award and the President's Award for Excellence
in Mentoring at Wilkes.
Dr. Tindell鈥檚 main research focus deals with human memory, and she is specifically
interested in implicit memory and memory blocks. Dr. Tindell has also conducted research
on issues related to research design, and the use of cell phones in the college classroom.
She has also worked with Dr. Robert Bohlander (Professor Emeritus) to test the effects
of audio-visual entrainment on cognitive processing using equipment in the NeuroTraining and Research Center. Dr. Tindell serves as the advisor to the Psychology Club.
NeuroTraining & Research Center
The NTRC's cutting-edge neuroscience techniques help clients with stress and lead
to improved focus and peak performance. The center is run by psychology and neuroscience
interns, who gain hands-on training with the latest neurofeedback and biofeedback
equipment.
There is growing demand for clinical, counseling and school psychologists. The U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15% increase in demand for these professions
from 2018-28. Wilkes psychology graduates are well-prepared for a variety of career
paths in psychology. Some graduates continue their education or enter medical school.
Below are selected job titles and employers for our graduates, as well as examples
of where our alumni attend graduate school.
Job Titles
School Counselor
Community Mental Health Counselor
Drug/Alcohol Counselor
Law Enforcement Officer
Researcher
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Human Resources Professional
Public Relations Specialist
Graduate Schools
The University of Scranton
University of Delaware
Clemson University
Lehigh University
University of Hawaii
Temple University
Ball State University
University of Pittsburgh
George Mason University
Stony Brook University
Employers
Caring Communities
Children's Choice
Children's Behavioral Services
Monmouth Medical Center
OSF HealthCare
The Center
Facilities
You'll get plenty of experience in our hands-on facilities:
Our psychophysiology laboratory allows you to collaborate in studying acute psychological
and physiological responses to stress.
The biopsychology laboratory exposes you to brain structure and function, neuroanatomy
and perceptual demonstrations.
Our NeuroTraining and Research Center allows you to gain hands-on-training with state-of-the-art neurofeedback and biofeedback
equipment, as well as audiovisual entrainment devices.
Our clinical observation suite is equipped with one-way mirrors.
The computer lab gives students access to software and computer demonstrations specific
to the field.
