Psychology

Introduction

Most of the major problems facing the people of the world today — hunger, overpopulation, the continuing threat of war, prejudice, pollution, drug addiction — are people problems; people have created them, and it will be people who must and will find solutions to them. Psychology, as the scientific study of mind and behavior, will help provide the answers to many of these pressing problems.

Psychology’s attempt to understand the human condition takes many approaches. Some psychologists study brain chemistry and its relation to behavior, while others study the behavior of individuals in groups (for example, in a religious cult). Still others are engaged in providing counseling or psychotherapy to people who are mentally ill or who are having difficulty in coping with the demands of life. With a faculty of 40 individuals, all of whom hold doctoral degrees, the department is able to offer a program of study which provides a solid foundation in the general concepts and methods of psychology, as well as courses and programs for students in many of the more specialized areas of this large and exciting field.

The Department of Psychology has limited the number of credits required for a major in psychology so that students may develop minors or a second major in another department. The core program in general psychology is designed to ensure that all majors develop a sound basic background in psychology, which will provide effective preparation for advanced study as well as contribute significantly to a liberal education.

A very important kind of learning takes place when students become personally involved in psychological research. Students are encouraged to become active participants in their own research projects and/or to cooperate with a faculty member in their ongoing research. It is also recommended that students seek participation in one of the available off-campus field experiences.

In addition to its undergraduate-degree programs, the department also offers three graduate programs, an MS in experimental psychology with an optional specialization in measurement, evaluation, and statistical analysis (MESA); an MS in clinical mental health counseling; and an MEd in school counseling. Complete program descriptions may be found in the Graduate School section of this catalog.

Faculty

JAMES M. GRAHAM (2006) Chair and Professor. BA, Purdue University; MA, Pepperdine University; PhD, Texas A&M University.
ANGELA C. BELL (2023) Assistant Professor. PhD, Oklahoma State University.
CHRISTINA A. BYRNE (1997) Professor. BS, Virginia Commonwealth University; MS, PhD, University of Georgia.
ANNA C. CIAO (2014) Associate Professor. BA, Trinity University; MA, PhD, University of Hawaii-Mánoa.
ALEXANDER M. CZOPP (2008) Professor BA, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, MS, PhD, University of Kentucky.
BRIANNA C. DELKER (2017) Associate Professor. BA, Columbia University; MS, PhD, University of Oregon.
JENNIFER DEVENPORT (2003) Associate Professor. BA, Boise State University; MS, PhD, Florida International University; MLS, University of Nebraska.
TINA DU ROCHER SCHUDLICH (2006) Professor. BA, University of Michigan; MA, PhD, University of Notre Dame.
ANNE A. FAST (2018) Associate Professor. BA, Providence College; MS, University of Washington-Seattle; PhD, University of Washington-Seattle.
ANTONYA M. GONZALEZ (2018) Associate Professor. AB, Washington University in St. Louis, MA, PhD, University of British Columbia.
JEFFREY W. GRIMM (2001) Professor. BA, Whitman College; MS, PhD, Washington State University.
DIANA GRUMAN (2003) Professor. BA, Whitman College; MEd, Western Washington University; PhD, University of Washington.
IRA E. HYMAN, JR. (1991) Professor. BA, Duke University; MA, PhD, Emory University.
KELLY J. JANTZEN (2007) Professor. BA, PhD, Simon Fraser University.
JOSHUA S. KAPLAN (2018) Associate Professor. BA, Colorado College; PhD, Oregon Health & Science University.
BARBARA J. LEHMAN (2005) Professor. BA, Drew University; MA, PhD, Claremont Graduate University.
KRISTI M. LEMM (2000) Professor. BA, Columbia University; MS, PhD, Yale University.
BRENT S. MALLINCKRODT (2018) Professor. BA, University of Missouri; MA, PhD, University of Maryland.
MICHI MATSUKURA (2021) Assistant Professor. BA, MS University of Oregon; PhD, University of Iowa.
JENNIFER E. MCCABE (2019) Associate Professor. BA, Gonzaga University; Phd, University of Iowa.
KATE C. McLEAN (2007) Professor. BA, Mills College; PhD, University of California-Santa Cruz.
ANNE RIGGS (2016) Associate Professor. BA, University of California at Berkeley; MS, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
JACQUELINE K. ROSE (2008) Professor. BS, University of Calgary; MA, Queen’s University; PhD, University of British Columbia.
DAVID N. SATTLER (2000) Professor. BA, San Diego State University; MA, PhD, Michigan State University.
CHRISTIE K. NAPA SCOLLON (2018) Associate Professor. BA, MA, Southern Methodist University; PhD, University of Illinois.
AARON J. SMITH (2017) Associate Professor. BA, MA, PhD, University of New Mexico.
SHAUN M. SOWELL (2018) Associate Professor. BA, MA, University of Alaska Fairbanks; PhD, University of Louisville.
LAWRENCE A. SYMONS (2000) Associate Professor. BA, MA, University of British Columbia; PhD, University of Western Ontario.
ADRIAN VILLICANA (2023) Associate Professor. BA, University of Redlands; MA, CSU, San Bernardino; PhD, University of Kansas.
MICHAEL T. WARREN (2022) Assistant Professor. BA, Chapman University; MA and PhD, Claremont Graduate University.

Declaration Process

The Department of Psychology is deeply committed to diverse and equitable student access to a quality education and seeks to maximize students’ admission to the psychology major, while limiting wait times and maintaining a high quality of education as well as a reasonable time to degree. However, the psychology major is highly impacted, with the number of fully qualified students interested in declaring the major exceeding the available seats. We strongly encourage all students who meet the minimum requirements to apply, and students who have previously not been accepted into the major are welcome to reapply. Application review will focus not only on academic achievement, but also on students’ commitment to furthering the values of the Psychology Department.

To declare a major in psychology, a student must meet the following minimum requirements*:

Completion of the Major Application
Completion (including currently enrolled WWU courses) of at least 90 credits including:
- PSY 101 and PSY 203 completed;
- two courses from PSY 210, PSY 220, PSY 230, PSY 240 and PSY 250, completed or currently enrolled. Transfer credit accepted as indicated on the Transfer Equivalency Report, and
- at least five PSY credits taken at Western, completed or currently enrolled.
Achieved a Western GPA (based on at least 12 credits) or psychology GPA (based on an average of all completed PSY 210-250 and 203 coursework) of 2.70 or higher. In the absence of a Western GPA, a GPA of 2.70 or higher cumulative GPA from an equivalent four-year institution (based on at least 12 credits) or a completed Associates degree may substitute for the Western GPA.

*Meeting the above requirements does not guarantee admission to the Psychology major.

For students who have met the minimum requirements, admission to the major will be determined each quarter on a space-available basis. As part of completing the above, submit an online application via the Department of Psychology website at chss.wwu.edu/psychology/declare-major. Applications will be available beginning the first week of each quarter. Application deadlines and notification dates are posted annually on the Department of Psychology website. Candidates are selected based on a variety of factors, including GPA and written responses to application questions, and will be notified of major application status well in advance of Phase I registration for the subsequent quarter.

Other Departmental Information

Mid-Program Checkpoint

Students seeking to complete a BS in psychology within four years should have completed an introductory psychology class (e.g., PSY 101 or a comparable course at another school) and 15 major required credits in psychology by the start of their junior year.

Graduate Study

For concentrations leading to the Master of Education or the Master of Science degrees, see the Graduate School section of this catalog.

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Minor

Graduate

Courses

Behavioral Neuroscience

Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400 are described in the University Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Psychology

Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400, 500 are described in the University Academic Policies section of this catalog.

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