Department of Psychology Messiah

Department of Psychology Messiah College http://www.messiah.edu/departments/psychology

What is Psychology? Psychology is “the study of the behavior and mental processes of humans.” Draws students who want to work with people or who want to have a sophisticated understanding of others.

Why Study Psychology? “A human being is a microcosm of the universe, ‘a rare example of God’s power, goodness, and wisdom, and contains within enough miracles to occupy our minds’.” – John Calvin “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV) “But Jesus did not trust Himself to them, because he knew all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what was in man.” John 2: 24, 25 (RSV)

Distinctives of Psychology at Messiah College Students Faculty Facilities Faith Integration Enrollment has consistently been one of the highest for all the departments at Messiah College.

Psychology Curriculum at Messiah College Comparable to Psychology programs at other schools Students will take courses that are theoretical, clinical, and experimental nature Many courses combine academic theory with hands on experience Students consider connections between subject matter and a Christian world view

Psychology at Messiah College: Degrees offered Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology with optional Clinical Concentration Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology B.S. in Biopsychology Psychology Minors Psychology Pre-Counseling and Therapy (interdepartmental with HDFS) Community Psychology

Psychology at Messiah College: B.A. vs. B.S.— What’s the Difference? a B.A. in Psychology: Prepares students for placements in entrylevel positions in the helping professions or for graduate school in many sub-fields of psychology. a B.S. in Psychology: Designed for students who intend to work in a field that has a stronger emphasis on science or math or for those who wish to pursue graduate studies that lean more towards research and the sciences.

Psychology at Messiah College: Division of Credits for the B.A. & B.S. in Psychology 27 Required Credits 123 50 46 General Education Requirements (50) Psychology Major Requirements (46) Free Electives (27)

Psychology at Messiah College: B.S. in BIOPSYCHOLOGY Biopsychology is the scientific study of the biology of behavior and mental processes (such as learning, memory, perception, attention, motivation, emotion, and cognition). Our B.S. in Biopsychology is a collaborative effort with the Department of Biological Sciences. Prepares students who are interested in fields such as: Medicine Psychopharmacology Psychiatry Neuropsychology Cognitive neuroscience Behavioral genetics Occupational therapy Comparative Psychology

Psychology at Messiah College: Division of Credits for the B.S. in Biopsychology 123 Required Credits 13-15 47 61-63 General Education Requirements (47) Biospychology Major (61-63) Free Electives (13-15)

Psychology at Messiah College: State-of-the-Art Equipment academic building that includes: AnInterview rooms with recording capability Group observation/counseling area with recording capability Physiological recording equipment for Biopsychology: Biopac Student Lab Equipment EEG (electroencephalogram - brain waves) EOG (electrooculogram - eye movement) EMG (electromyogram - muscle contraction) EKG (electrocardiogram-- heart) Reaction time measurement.

Psychology at Messiah College: Opportunities in Psychology Join Active Minds, which educates students on mental illness by reaching out through service to the local community Become a member of Psi Chi, the national honor society for Psychology Connect faith and academics through the completion of service learning projects related to psychology Research, write, and present with faculty members Complete a Senior Major Honors Project Gain additional experience through an internship or practicum related to Psychology

Psychology at Messiah College: The Faculty Research & Professional Interests: Fathering & Divorce Cross-Cultural Studies Technology & Its Psychological Effects Communication technology and European Youth Frequently Taught Courses: Opportunities in Psychology Cognition Experimental Psychology Cross-cultural Psychology Statistical Methods in Psychology John Bechtold, Chair Ph.D. Kansas State 1988

Psychology at Messiah College: The Faculty Research & Professional Interests: Immigration Attitudes Intelligence Test Performance Reconciliation Frequently Taught Courses: Social Psychology Lifespan Development Topics: Research Henry A. Danso Ph.D. University of Western Ontario 2009

Psychology at Messiah College: The Faculty Research & Professional Interests: Integration of Psych & Theology Christian Higher Education Faculty Development in Classroom Rhonda Jacobsen Ed.D. Temple University 1984 Frequently Taught Courses: Psychology Seminar Women and Men in American Society

Psychology at Messiah College: The Faculty Research & Professional Interests: Impact of Technology on Families Impact of Work on Adolescent Development Body Image and Sanctification of the Body Charles D. Jantzi Psy.D. Wright State 2004 Frequently Taught Courses: Counseling Theories Abnormal Psychology History and Systems of Psychology Adolescent Development

Psychology at Messiah College The Faculty Research & Professional Interests: Body Image and Sanctification of the Body Forgiveness Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Frequently Taught Courses: Counseling Techniques Psychological Testing Abnormal Psychology Group Dynamics Valerie A. Lemmon Psy.D. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine 2007

Psychology at Messiah College: The Faculty Research & Professional Interests: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Stress & Health Addiction Jennifer Thomson Ph.D. University of North Carolina 2012 Frequently Taught Courses: Biological Basis of Behavior Drug & Alcohol Addiction Stress & Health Sensation & Perception

Psychology at Messiah College Year Post-Graduation Assessment Professional Advanced Other * Employment Degree 2009 Psychology 26% 61% 13% 2008 Psychology 52% 43% 5% 2007Psychology 36% 55% 9% 2006Psychology 60% 29% 11% 2005Psychology 40% 37% 23% From the program’s start to date, all of our biopsychology graduates have become professionally employed in the first year after graduation. * “Other” includes volunteer opportunities, missions work, and employment unrelated to the degree earned.

Psychology at Messiah College: Examples of Student Entry-Level Positions Case Manager Organizes and coordinates services and supports for patients, such as children with mental health problems and their families; oversees the overall medical, personal, and social service needs of the patients Counselor Provides professional help in coping with life issues such as emotional and relationship difficulties; helps clients and families evaluate their patterns of problem solving and develop more effective ones Psychiatric Assistant Assists counselors in non-therapeutic therapy. Monitors and assesses patient progress to ensure that patient treatment objectives are met. Records and reports patient information. Implements patient treatment plans and selects patient

Psychology at Messiah College: Examples of Student Entry-Level Positions Crime Victim Advocate Counsels victims and their families; accompanies and supports victims through the criminal justice process; provides community education, training and consultation Social Worker Provides social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and academic functioning of children Therapeutic Staff Support Provides one-to-one behavioral health interventions to a child or adolescent with a serious emotional disturbance in order to prevent more restrictive services or out-of-home placement and

Psychology at Messiah College: Examples of Student Entry-Level Positions Rehab Specialist Manage the components important in the rehabilitation process of individuals with physical and mental disabilities. They help prevent fragmentation and gaps in services to people seeking to move from psychological and economic dependence to independence Residential Counselors In charge of group homes. The residents of these homes include emotionally disturbed, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill youth and adults. People in homes supervised by residential counselors may also have physical problems, but the problems that keep them from being self-sufficient are primarily mental or emotional Home Care Aide Helps elderly, disabled, and ill persons live in their own

Psychology at Messiah College: Graduate Schools of Recent Grads Messiah College Masters of Arts in Counseling American University Brandeis University Biola University, Rosemead School of Psychology Evangelical Theological Seminary MCP Hahneman University Indiana University of Pennsylvania Jerusalem University College Millersville University New York University Regent University Shippensburg University Wheaton College Graduate School

Psychology at Messiah College: Graduate Schools of Recent Grads State University of NY at Albany and Brockport Temple University Thomas Jefferson University Towson University Mount St. Mary’s College University of Central Florida University of Connecticut University of Maryland University of Wisconsin University of Texas St. Joseph’s University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University William and Mary School of Law

Department of Psychology Messiah College http://www.messiah.edu/departments/psychology