Psychology
Psychology Department Mission Statement
It is the mission of the psychology department at McKendree University to prepare students to be knowledgeable professionals as they learn critical reasoning through psychological theory and research methods, caring, engaged practitioners as they learn about mental health issues and issues of diversity, and more self-aware, reflective, and collaborative individuals as they learn to analyze themselves and the society of which they are a part.
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It develops theories
and discovers laws to understand, explain, predict, and change behavior. Students
in psychology will develop the ability to express themselves in oral and written form
and to think critically about human behavior, including causes, development, and outcomes.
Also, students will gain a greater self-awareness and an understanding of others.
The degree prepares students to enter graduate school in psychology and other relevant areas (for example, Industrial/Organizational, School/Community, Child, Social, Health Psychology, Clinical, Social work, Occupational Therapy, Sport Psychology, Law, Divinity, Criminal Justice, and Professional Counseling.)
Psychology majors go on to a variety of careers, including mental health clinics, crisis centers, substance abuse programs, social work agencies, eldercare facilities, human resources and personnel departments, criminal justice facilities, and the educational system.
The psychology major offers three tracks:
1. General – A broad overview of psychology oriented toward students who plan
to attend graduate school or who have general career plans in the field.
2. Gerontology – An emphasis on work with the elderly, a rapidly growing field
in our society.
3. Social Work – An overview of the field of social work with an emphasis on
social service agencies and clinical social work.
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: General Track
PSY 153 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (4)
PSY 315 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (4)
PSY 450 COUNSELING AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (4)
PSY 491 STATISTICAL SOFTWARE FOR PSYCHOLOGY (2)
PSY 496W EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (4)
PSY 498 SENIOR SURVEY IN PSYCHOLOGY (3)
MTH 310 STATISTICS (4)
Additional Psychology electives (16)
--The psychology major at McKendree University offers you a great deal of customization. Each student selects the electives that match their educational plans and interests (e.g., child and adolescent, biopsychology, death and dying, human sexuality, social, personality, and sport and health psychology just to name a few.)
Get Involved with the McKendree University Psychology Department!
*McKendree Psychology Club is open to all students with an interest in psychology. There are no GPA or hour requirements. Join our Facebook page for more information.
*Psi Chi is the nationally recognized and prestigious honorary in psychology. Requirements are that one be a psych major, have taken at least 9 hours in psych, and be in the top % of the class.
*Pi Gamma Mu is an interdisciplinary honor society and requires a 3.0 GPA and 20 hours in the Social Sciences.
The psychology club and the two honor societies sponsor workshops and presentations about various topics including graduate school, community service projects at local group homes, trips to undergraduate research conferences, speakers, movie nights, attendance at career fairs, and other events.
Testimonials:
I feel that McKendree prepared me very well for Occupational Therapy graduate programs. The small class sizes, one-on-one with the staff, and community service at McKendree were very helpful. Occupational Therapy is the perfect job! I am enriching people's lives by giving them the tools that they need to be independent. I currently have an internship at an SSM rehabilitation hospital in Hazelwood, MO.
~Lacey Frerking ’07 (Washington University Occupational Therapy Graduate Program)
I am currently entering my 3rd year of law school at Saint Louis University School of Law. This will be my last year, and the past two have been challenging but rewarding. My time at McK taught me so much about life and how to become a better person. In the academic realm, it also prepared me for the challenges I would face in a competitive law school environment.Next summer, I will take the Bar and hopefully find a job.I will then have my Juris Doctorate with an emphasis in Civil Litigation. I could write a book on how much McK has done for me. But in my opinion, the two things McK taught me that have helped me the most in law school include: failures give us the ability to learn more and work harder and help other people even when no one is watching.
Katie Hubbard '07 (Saint Louis University School of Law)
McKendree gave me a unique, hands-on experience in preparing for grad school that few colleges can rival. The personal relationships I was able to develop with the remarkable faculty allowed me to develop much faster as a scholar than I could have otherwise. The Honors program and Experimental courses gave me my first real taste of what conducting research was like, and I haven't looked back since. I loved my experience at McK and wouldn't trade it for the world.
~Adam T. Biggs ’06 (Research/Teaching Assistant, University of Notre Dame)
The Psychology Department faculty at McKendree were some of the most inspiring and knowledgeable people I met during my undergraduate years. In each class, I felt challenged as well as encouraged by the professors, and realized at the end of each course that I had grown as an individual and as a professional.The professors were also available outside of class for guidance and advice, as well as to serve as unofficial mentors to assist many of us throughout the ups and downs of college life - it made a difference knowing that they not only cared about our education, but that they were also interested in who we were as individuals and our well-being. Belonging to some of the organizations related to the Psychology Department, such as the Psychology Club and Pi Gamma Mu, also gave me the opportunity to meet other students with similar interests, help other students on campus, and to give back to the community.Upon graduation, I felt fully prepared for graduate school and knew that I had more than sufficient training from McKendree to be successful on that journey, as well.Selecting McKendree University for my undergraduate career was a choice that will impact the rest of my life in a very positive and powerful way. ~Emily (Canning) Boeckmann Graduate School:Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green) Specialist in Education Degree in School Psychology The Special School District of St. Louis County and service the Kirkwood School District. full-time school psychologist. I loved McK because of how the faculty made you feel like family.I felt like I belonged here at McK from the very beginning.The psychology department is very vast and encompassing and prepares the students for every challenge they will face in the future. ~Matt McKendree '09 (McKendree University; Professional Counseling) The professors in the psychology program truly cared about their students and were willing to spend extra time with them to make sure they understood the subject matter. They always challenged us to learn new things and be independent thinkers, while taking others opinions into account. Also, each professor I encountered in the Psych department had different teaching styles and personalities, which always made for an exciting educational experience. I would not change anything about my time at McKendree, and I have the wonderful people there to thank for preparing me for life after my undergraduate studies! ~Emily Gavilsky '09-(McKendree University Master of Arts in Professional Counseling)
Because of the McK psych program I was the best prepared grad student in my program. I learned actual application of the psych material and the professors at McK not only prepare their students for grad school, they prepare them for life!
~Kristin Roberts Graduate School Brenau University-MS in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Therapist
McKendree is a great school, with a lot of charm and friendly faces. Ever since taking my first psychology course, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the field of psychology. The professors in the Psych Department were wonderful to work with!
~Jennifer Tedesco ‘04
Graduate School & Program: SIUE, Clinical Child & School Psychology
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Professors:
Murella Bosse, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology;
mbosse@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6882; Carnegie Hall 201
Dr. Bosse started teaching at McKendree in 1973, she teaches a variety of classes including clinical and counseling, experimental, and senior survey. Her research interests include art therapy and child advocacy issues.
Tami Eggleston, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology;
tegglest@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6859; Carnegie Hall 202
Dr. Eggleston joined the McKendree psychology faculty in 1996, she teaches sport psychology, the psychology of human sexuality, and social psychology. Her research interests include the study of auto racers, team dynamics, and other issues related to sport psychology.
Linda Hoffman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology;
lehoffman@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6886; Carnegie Hall 204
Dr. Hoffman recently started teaching at McKendree in 2007, she teaches the gerontology courses as well as industrial/organizational psychology, and tests and measurements. Her research interests include related to work and aging.
J. L. Kemp, Psy. D., Associate Professor of Psychology;
jlkemp@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6580; Carnegie Hall 203
Dr. Kemp graduated from McKendree and was hired as a faculty member in 2000. Her courses include child and adolescent psychology, adult psychology, cross cultural psychology, and personality. Her research interests include scaffolding and pedagogical issues related to teaching psychology.