We offer a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) in Psychology. Psychology majors can additionally pursue one of five optional concentrations in Psychology. We also offer a minor in Psychology and provide several opportunities for you to save time and money by participating in streamlined graduate admissions programs.
Department of Psychology
Spring 2024 tutor for Psychology Students
Statistics for Psychology and Writing for Psychology Tutor:
Looking for applicants. Email Dr. Ben-Porath
Dolan E 323
Major Field Test - Graduation Requirement -
Students majoring in Psychology must pass the comprehensive exam or the MFT (Major Field Exam).
Steps for taking the exam are as follows:
- Student must have applied for graduation for the current semester.
- Student will be emailed with details about the day and time for the exam along with preparation materials.
- If any part of the exam is not passed the student can retakethat section.
- Results will be given back 2 weeks after the exam date and the necessary forms have been completed.
More information about the MFT and results can be found under the Student Resources tab at the top of the page.
2025 Ohio Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference
The Ohio Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference is sponsored by a consortium of Ohio colleges and universities to provide undergraduate psychology majors with an opportunity to present their original research papers in a public forum. Consortium membership fees will be collected for the 2025 meeting, based on submission timeframe. The conference was initiated at ֱ in 1987. All students who submit papers are accepted for presentation. Their presentations should be 10 minutes in length with a brief question and answer session of 2-3 minutes.
The 38th annual conference host is yet to be determined. Schedule details will be provided the week before the conference.
Keynote Speaker: to be announced.
To register and submit presentations please visit the hosting school's Student Resources tab at the top of the page and click on Ohio Undergraduate Psychological Research Conference from the drop down menu. (Deadline for registration and presentation submissions is to be determined.)
Prospective Students: Department Highlights
Research
Our faculty will engage you in innovative research projects that will help you develop the critical-thinking skills and problem-solving abilities desired by internship sites, employers, and graduate schools.
Psychology students conduct research on campus with faculty or on their own individual or group projects and off at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Brain Health and Cleveland Clinic Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, among others.
For 29 consecutive years, JCU neuroscience students have earned first place/excellence awards for a research paper or poster in biology, chemistry, and/or psychology at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference.
Psychology majors regularly win Psi Chi Regional Research awards at the Midwestern Psychological Association's annual conference in Chicago.
We have several curricular opportunities for students to conduct their own research using our psychology subject pool, including , , , , and
Did you know that the majority of clinical psychologists have never published a scientific study? Yet our undergraduate students publish research in scientific journals! Below are two recent examples.
Whitman, M. R., Tarescavage, A. M., Glassmire, D. M., Burchett, D., & Sellbom, M. (2019). Examination of differential validity of MMPI-2-RF scores by gender and ethnicity in predicting future suicidal and violent behaviors in a forensic sample. Psychological Assessment, 31(3), 404–409.
Carey, A. D., Tarescavage, A. M., Block, A. R., & Ben-Porath, Y. S. (2019). Flexible and Conditional Administration of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2–Restructured Form in Presurgical Psychological Evaluations of Spine Surgery Candidates. Journal of personality assessment, 1-9.
The $66 million dollar Dolan Science Center was built in 2003 and is home to the Psychology Department.
There are 20 individual testing rooms in the department that can be used for research. There are also three observation rooms with video recording facilities and a state-of-the-art neuroscience lab. Students have access to each of these facilities as they conduct their own research and collaborate with faculty.
Neuroscience Research Lab
The Control Room and Observation Room
Control Room
Observation room
Internships
Internships afford Psychology students time to apply academic theories and principles to practical real-world professional situations as well as resume building opportunities in businesses and human service agencies throughout Greater Cleveland and beyond.
allow students to learn about human service agencies and/or client populations first hand. These include, but are not limited to: working with autistic populations in homes or schools, , planning adoption network events, patient assistant for Child Life Specialists, observing students in classrooms.
take place in both private sector or public sector organizations, and can provide very different experiences depending on the primary services of the department. Some I/O interns research and develop training curricula; others draft job postings and screen resumes and cover letters or attend networking events. Students should research the sponsoring organization’s mission and activities to find the “perfect” fit internship.
provide real-life experiences such as:
- Sitting in on individual or group therapy sessions
- Planning programs for seniors with cognitive issues
- Statistical analysis of data in research projects
- Observing children with disabilities
Forensic internships can include:
- Observing evaluations and screenings at juvenile detention centers
- Helping with support groups for previously incarcerated populations
Professional Development
All JCU Psychology majors are required to take PS 1900, a hybrid course with comprehensive information and guidance on professional development topics in psychology. Major topics include careers in Psychology with a Bachelor’s degree and preparation for graduate applications at the Masters and Doctoral level. Students are encouraged to take this as early as possible.
Psychology majors end up in a very diverse range of careers. Get a glimpse of your different career options from our own Dr. Tarescavage's !
Psychology graduate programs are very competitive and are necessary for many careers. Common areas for Master's degrees include:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Social Work
- School Psychology
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- Human Resources (Masters in Business Administration)
A doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) is necessary for:
- Clinical Psychologists
- Research Psychologists
JCU Psychology majors have pursued graduate studies in a variety of fields at institutions across the U.S. and abroad.
Streamlined Graduate Admissions
Our department is frequently looking for ways to save students time and money via streamlined graduate admissions
Students in the I/O Psychology Concentration are eligible to have up to 18 credit hours of graduate course requirements waived for the Boler School of Business MBA Program. Learn more!
Our department has partnered with the Case Western Reserve University Mandel School of Social Work to offer a 3-2 Program. Learn more!
Did you know Psychology is the second most popular major for law school applicants? The 3+3 Dual Admission in Law Program is a partnership between ֱ and Case Western Reserve University School of Law wherein a student obtains a bachelor’s degree from ֱ followed by the Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University in six years. The 3+3 Law Program is a non-traditional path that saves the student a total of one year in studies and expenses.
Earn your B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in Non Profit Administration in only 5 years. You'll be prepared to serve your organization and community through a curriculum that teaches leadership, team-building skills, ethical values and practices, and nonprofit financial and resource management, as well as provides planning, strategy, and development tools.
The ֱ Substance Use Disorders Counseling Certificate program prepares you to become license eligible as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) with a B.S. in Psychology. You can complete this certification while a student at JCU.
Diversity
By the numbers, the Psychology Department has the most diversity among both faculty and students across JCU's undergraduate programs.
Appreciation of diversity is a learning goal for our department and we have several courses related to this goal, including:
- Introduction to Psychology: Issues in Social Justice
- Psychology of Prejudice
- Multicultural Psychology
- Life Span Development
- Health Psychology
For students who wish to only minor in Psychlogy, we have an option to minor in Psychology of Human Diversity
Psychology News and Events
