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Psychology

Major: Psychology
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 180.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 42.2799
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3031

About the Program

Drexel University's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is a tight-knit, active community of internationally known faculty and impressive student scholars. The department defines psychology as a science of mind and behavior. From the neurophysiological underpinnings of cognition to defining the impact of human behaviors within the judicial systems and policies. Psychology contributes to the human behavioral aspects of other fields, including STEM, medicine, law, arts and other social sciences. Our students work alongside professors on cutting-edge research and clinical projects in a range of areas, including health, forensic, neuropsychology, human development, experimental, cognitive, and clinical psychology. Undergraduates also benefit from Drexel's cooperative education program, gaining hands-on, extensive work experience in areas of their interest.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program learn how to ask and answer important questions regarding human behavior, cognition and emotion, and how to apply their findings to improve lives. Within the program, students have the option to concentrate in three specific areas:

Mind, Brain and Behavior

The Mind, Brain and Behavior (MBB) area of focus allows psychology majors to concentrate their plan of study on how the mind and brain produce human behavior. Situating the mind within its biological substrate is one of the great scientific challenges of the 21st century. MBB covers introductory through advanced courses, exposing students to the formal study of the human mind and behavior and their underlying brain systems and structures

Human Development

This area allows students to focus on issues affecting human development across the lifespan. Using a biological, cognitive and socio-emotional perspective, students gain both breadth and depth in the understanding of current issues in child, adolescent and adult development.

Clinical and Health

For those interested in health and service careers, this area of focus includes coursework, experiential learning, and individualized mentorship, providing students with practical experience in the field.

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree

There is an accelerated MS program titled the Psychology BS/MS Scholars program to which undergraduates may apply. For more information, visit the Drexel University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences homepage.

Additional Information

To schedule an appointment, students should contact the Psychological and Brain Sciences department's academic advisor:

Devon M. Thomas
Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Program
Phone: 215-895-0487
Email: dmt356@drexel.edu
Office: Stratton 103A

Degree Requirements

College Requirements
CIVC 101	Introduction to Civic Engagement	1.0
COM 230	Techniques of Speaking	3.0
COOP 101	Career Management and Professional Development ^*	1.0
ENGL 101	Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research	3.0
or ENGL 111	English Composition I
ENGL 102	Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing	3.0
or ENGL 112	English Composition II
ENGL 103	Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres	3.0
or ENGL 113	English Composition III
Select one of the following:		8.0
MATH 101 & MATH 102	Introduction to Analysis I and Introduction to Analysis II
MATH 121 & MATH 122	Calculus I and Calculus II
UNIV H101	The Drexel Experience	1.0
UNIV H201	Looking Forward: Academics and Careers	1.0
Business elective		4.0
Fine Arts elective		3.0
Anthropology (ANTH) elective ^**		3.0
English (ENGL) electives, 200-level or above		6.0
History (HIST) electives		8.0
Philosophy (PHIL) elective		3.0
Political Science (PSCI) elective		4.0
Sociology (SOC) elective		3.0-4.0
Select one of the following sequences:		8.0
Biology
BIO 107	Cells, Genetics & Physiology
BIO 108	Cells, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory
BIO 109	Biological Diversity, Ecology & Evolution
BIO 110	Biological Diversity, Ecology and Evolution Laboratory
Chemistry
CHEM 111	General Chemistry I
CHEM 112	General Chemistry II
Physics
PHYS 170	Electricity and Motion
PHYS 171	Computational Lab for Electricity and Motion
PHYS 175	Light and Sound
PHYS 176	Computational Lab for Light and Sound
Free electives		48.0
Departmental Requirements
General Psychology Requirements
PSY 111	Pre-Professional General Psychology I ^***	3.0
PSY 112	Pre-Professional General Psychology II ^***	3.0
100-Level Requirements
Select two of the following:		6.0
PSY 120	Developmental Psychology
PSY 140	Approaches to Personality
PSY 150	Introduction to Social Psychology
Required Psychology Courses
PSY 212	Physiological Psychology	3.0
PSY 240 [WI]	Abnormal Psychology	3.0
PSY 264	Computer-Assisted Data Analysis I	3.0
PSY 265	Computer-Assisted Data Analysis II	3.0
PSY 280	Psychological Research	3.0
PSY 290	History and Systems of Psychology	3.0
PSY 325	Psychology of Learning	3.0
PSY 330	Cognitive Psychology	3.0
PSY 360 [WI]	Experimental Psychology	3.0
PSY 380	Psychological Testing and Assessment	3.0
Advanced Psychology Electives
Any non-required PSY course at the 200-level or above.		12.0
Senior Seminar Sequence OR Psychology Electives ^****
PSY 490 [WI]	Psychology Senior Thesis I	4.0
PSY 491 [WI]	Psychology Senior Thesis II	4.0
PSY 492 [WI]	Psychology Senior Thesis III	4.0
Total Credits		180.0-181.0

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

GST 100 may be used as a substitute for ANTH 101

***

Students with AP psychology, or transfer students with PSY 101 credit, should check the AP Student Placement Exam Crosswalk or check with their advisor.

****

Students who do not wish to complete the research seminar sequence are required to complete 12.0 credits of additional advanced Psychology electives instead.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program . Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, No co-op

First Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
ENGL 101 or 111	3.0	CIVC 101	1.0	ENGL 103 or 113	3.0	VACATION
PSY 111	3.0	ENGL 102 or 112	3.0	PSY 120, 140, or 150	3.0
MATH 121 or 101	4.0	MATH 102 or 122	4.0	PSY 240	3.0
UNIV H101	1.0	PSY 112	3.0	UNIV H201	1.0
Select one of the following:	4.0	PSY 120, 140, or 150	3.0	Anthropology (ANTH) Elective	3.0
CHEM 111		Select one of the following:	4.0	Fine Arts Elective	3.0
PHYS 170 & PHYS 171		BIO 109 & BIO 110
BIO 107 & BIO 108		CHEM 112
		PHYS 175 & PHYS 176
	15		18		16		0
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
PSY 264	3.0	COM 230	3.0	PSY 212	3.0	VACATION
PSY 290	3.0	PSY 265	3.0	PSY 280	3.0
English (ENGL) elective, 200-level or above	3.0	PSY 330	3.0	PSY 360	3.0
Political Science (PSCI) Elective	4.0	English (ENGL) Elective, 200-level or above	3.0	Psychology Elective	3.0
Sociology (SOC) Elective	3.0-4.0	Philosophy (PHIL) Elective	3.0	Business Elective	4.0
	16-17		15		16		0
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
PSY 325	3.0	Free Electives	7.0	Free Electives	12.0	VACATION
PSY 380	3.0	History Elective	4.0	Psychology Elective^*	3.0
History Elective	4.0	Psychology Elective^*	3.0
Free Elective	3.0
Psychology Elective	3.0
	16		14		15		0
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits
PSY 490^**	4.0	PSY 491^**	4.0	PSY 492^**	4.0
Free Electives	9.0	Free Electives	9.0	Free Electives	9.0
	13		13		13
Total Credits 180-181

See degree requirements.

Students who do not wish to complete the research seminar sequence are instead required to complete 12.0 credits of additional advanced Psychology electives.

4 year, 1 co-op*

First Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
ENGL 101 or 111	3.0	CIVC 101	1.0	COOP 101	1.0	VACATION
PSY 111	3.0	ENGL 102 or 112	3.0	ENGL 103 or 113	3.0
MATH 121 or 101	4.0	MATH 102 or 122	4.0	PSY 120, 140, or 150	3.0
UNIV H101	1.0	PSY 112	3.0	PSY 240	3.0
Select one of the following:	4.0	PSY 120, 140, or 150	3.0	UNIV H201	1.0
CHEM 111		Select one of the following:	4.0	Anthropology (ANTH) Elective	3.0
PHYS 170 & PHYS 171		BIO 109 & BIO 110		Fine Arts Elective	3.0
BIO 107 & BIO 108		CHEM 112
		PHYS 175 & PHYS 176
	15		18		17		0
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
PSY 264	3.0	COM 230	3.0	PSY 212	3.0	PSY 325	3.0
PSY 290	3.0	PSY 265	3.0	PSY 280	3.0	PSY 380	3.0
English (ENGL) elective, 200-level or above	3.0	PSY 330	3.0	PSY 360	3.0	Psychology Elective	3.0
Political Science (PSCI) elective	4.0	English (ENGL) elective, 200-level or above	3.0	Psychology Elective	3.0	History Elective	4.0
Sociology (SOC) elective	3.0-4.0	Philosophy (PHIL) elective	3.0	Business Elective	4.0	Free Elective	3.0
	16-17		15		16		16
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
COOP EXPERIENCE		COOP EXPERIENCE		Psychology Elective^**	3.0	Psychology Elective^**	3.0
				History Elective	4.0	Free Electives^†	12.0
				Free Electives	6.0
	0		0		13		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits
PSY 490^***	4.0	PSY 491^***	4.0	PSY 492^***	4.0
Free Electives	9.0	Free Electives	9.0	Free Electives	9.0
	13		13		13
Total Credits 180-181

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term.

See degree requirements.

***

Students who do not wish to complete the research seminar sequence are instead required to complete 12.0 credits of additional advanced Psychology electives.

†

If student selects a 4.0 credit SOC elective, the Free Electives in this term will be 11.0 credits.

5 year, 3 Co-ops*

First Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
ENGL 101 or 111	3.0	CIVC 101	1.0	COOP 101	1.0	VACATION
PSY 111	3.0	ENGL 102 or 112	3.0	ENGL 103 or 113	3.0
MATH 121 or 101	4.0	MATH 102 or 122	4.0	PSY 120, 140, or 150	3.0
UNIV H101	1.0	PSY 112	3.0	PSY 240	3.0
Select one of the following:	4.0	PSY 120, 140, or 150	3.0	UNIV H201	1.0
CHEM 111		Select one of the following:	4.0	Anthropology (ANTH) elective	3.0
PHYS 170 & PHYS 171		BIO 109 & BIO 110		Fine Arts elective	3.0
BIO 107 & BIO 108		CHEM 112
		PHYS 175 & PHYS 176
	15		18		17		0
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
COOP EXPERIENCE		COOP EXPERIENCE		PSY 264	3.0	COM 230	3.0
				PSY 290	3.0	PSY 265	3.0
				English (ENGL) elective, 200-level or above	3.0	PSY 330	3.0
				Political Science (PSCI) elective	4.0	English (ENGL) elective, 200-level or above	3.0
				Sociology (SOC) elective	3.0-4.0	Philosophy (PHIL) elective	3.0
	0		0		16-17		15
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
COOP EXPERIENCE		COOP EXPERIENCE		PSY 212	3.0	PSY 325	3.0
				PSY 280	3.0	PSY 380	3.0
				PSY 360	3.0	Psychology elective	3.0
				Psychology elective	3.0	History elective	4.0
				Business elective	4.0	Free elective	3.0
	0		0		16		16
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits	Summer	Credits
COOP EXPERIENCE		COOP EXPERIENCE		Psychology elective^**	3.0	Psychology elective^**	3.0
				History elective	4.0	Free electives^***	12.0
				Free electives	6.0
	0		0		13		15
Fifth Year
Fall	Credits	Winter	Credits	Spring	Credits
PSY 490^†	4.0	PSY 491^†	4.0	PSY 492^†	4.0
Free electives	9.0	Free electives	9.0	Free electives	9.0
	13		13		13
Total Credits 180-181

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term.

See degree requirements.

***

If a student selects a 4.0 credit SOC elective the Free electives in this term will be 11.0 credits.

†

Students who do not wish to complete the research seminar sequence are instead required to complete 12.0 credits of additional advanced Psychology electives.

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Some graduates seek employment immediately after receiving their bachelor’s degrees.They are well trained to work as research assistants in consulting firms and medical settings or to provide front-line services in mental health and educational settings. Other graduates go on to professional schools in law, business, medicine, and other health professions. Still others pursue graduate training in psychology and related fields. Students build skills and knowledge that provide a foundation for advanced study, create opportunities for future growth, and can be used to improve the quality of life for others.

Co-Op Experiences

Drexel University has long been known for its co-operative education programs, through which students mix periods of full-time, career-related employment with their studies. Co-op/internship employment is an option for psychology majors. Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Psychology Faculty

Meghan Butryn, PhD (Drexel University). Associate Professor. Treatment and prevention of obesity and eating disorders, behavioral treatment, acceptance and commitment therapy.

Dorothy Charbonnier, PhD (State University of New York at Stony Brook). Associate Teaching Professor. The nature of the creative process and writing.

Evangelia Chrysikou, PhD (Temple University). Associate Professor. Cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, neural basis of language, memory, and executive functions, neurocognitive processes associated with problem solving and flexible thought

Brian Daly, PhD (Loyola University, Chicago) Interim Department Head. Associate Professor. Pediatric neuropsychology, intervention with at-risk youth.

David DeMatteo, PhD, JD (MCP Hahnemann University; Villanova University School of Law) Director of the JD-PhD Program in Law and Psychology. Professor. Psychopathy, forensic mental health assessment, drug policy; offender diversion.

Evan M. Forman, PhD (University of Rochester) Director WELL Center. Professor. Clinical psychology: mechanisms and measurement of psychotherapy outcome, cognitive-behavioral and acceptance based psychotherapies, the development and evaluation of acceptance-based interventions for health behavior change (for problems of obesity and cardiac disease) as well as mood and anxiety disorders; neurocognition of eating.

Pamela Geller, PhD (Kent State University) Director, Clinical Training. Associate Professor. Stressful life events and physical and mental health outcomes, particularly in the area of women's reproductive health (e.g. pregnancy, pregnancy loss, infertility, medical education).

Maureen Gibney, PsyD (Widener University). Teaching Professor. Clinical psychopathology; neuropsychological evaluation and intervention with the elderly.

Naomi Goldstein, PhD (University of Massachusetts) Co-Director of the JD-PhD Program; Stoneleigh Foundation Fellow. Professor. Forensic psychology; juvenile justice; Miranda rights comprehension; false confessions; juvenile justice treatment outcome research; anger management intervention development; child and adolescent behavior problems.

Kirk Heilbrun, PhD (University of Texas at Austin). Professor. Forensic psychology, juvenile and adult criminality, violence risk assessment, forensic psychological assessment, treatment of mentally disordered offenders, academic-sports mentoring.

Adrienne Juarascio, PhD (Drexel University) Director, Practicum Training. Assistant Professor. Enhancing treatment outcomes for eating disorders and obesity; Acceptance-based behavioral treatments; Evaluating mechanisms of action in behavioral treatments

Marlin Killen, PhD (Trident University International). Teaching Professor. Authentic teaching methods in Psychology as well as student persistence behavior.

John Kounios, PhD (University of Michigan) Director, PhD Program in Applied Cognitive and Brain Sciences. Professor. Cognitive neuroscience, especially creativity, problem solving, and cognitive enhancement.

David Kutzik, PhD (Temple University). Professor. Social and cultural theory, political economy, gerontology, materialisms, activity theory, reflection theories, communities of practice and labor theories of culture.

Michael Lowe, PhD (Boston College). Professor. Prevention and treatment of eating disorders and obesity; effects of appetitive responsiveness and dietary restraint on eating regulation; psychobiology of obesity-proneness; empirical foundations of unconscious processes.

John Medaglia, PhD (The Pennsylvania State University). Assistant Professor. Applying models and methods developed in neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience and graph theory to understand and treat brain dysfunction and enhance healthy functioning

Megan Meyer, PhD (Temple University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Influences on preferred body type; changes in body image, self-esteem, and self-efficacy in females as a function of strength training; Sensation and Perception

Danette Morrison, PhD (University of Maryland - College Park). Assistant Teaching Professor. Social and academic motivation within school context; Social relationships and identity development; Educational attainment of ethnic minorities

Arthur Nezu, PhD, DHLL, ABPP (State University of New York at Stony Brook). Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Community Health and Prevention. Behavioral medicine applications of problem-solving therapy and other cognitive-behavior therapies (e.g., to decrease emotional and psychosocial risk factors; improve adherence), particularly with regard to patients with cardiovascular disease; assessment.

Christine Maguth Nezu, PhD (Fairleigh Dickinson University). Professor of Psychology, Professor of Medicine. Cognitive-behavioral assessment and treatment for mood, anxiety, personality disorders, and coping with chronic illness; mind/body studies; stress and coping; developmental disabilities and comorbid behavioral and emotional disorders; spirituality and psychology.

Nancy Raitano Lee, PhD (University of Denver) Director of MS and BS/MS Programs. Associate Professor. Neuropsychological and neuroanatomic correlates of intellectual and developmental disabilities; Verbal memory and language difficulties in Down syndrome and other genetic disorders; Comorbid autism spectrum disorder symptoms in youth with genetic disorders; Neuroanatomic correlates of individual differences in typical and atypical cognition

Diana Robins, PhD (University of Connecticut) Interim Director, AJ Drexel Autism Institute. Professor. Autism screening, early detection of autism

Ludo Scheffer, PhD (University of Pennsylvania) Director of Undergraduate Studies. Teaching Professor. Meta-cognitive development, writing, and computers; Language and literacy development in the early years in the context of family and schooling; Youth-at-risk; School violence and bullying; Program/intervention effectiveness

Maria Schultheis, PhD (Drexel University) Vice Provost of Research, Office of Research and Innovation. Professor. Clinical Neuropsychology and rehabilitation following neurological compromise (brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis), application of technologies in psychology. Specialization in the use of virtual reality (VR) simulation, and evaluation of the demands of driving after disability.

Jennifer Schwartz, PhD (Idaho State University) Director of Psychological Services Center. Teaching Professor. Adult psychopathology; evidence-based clinical practice; competency-based training; competency-based clinical supervision.

Julia Sluzenski, PhD (Temple University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Spatial and episodic memory, memory loss across the lifespan, developmental psychology.

Fengqing (Zoe) Zhang, PhD (Northwestern University). Associate Professor. Neuroimaging data analysis; Data mining; Bayesian inference; High dimensional data analysis

Eric A Zillmer, PsyD (Florida Institute of Technology) Carl R. Pacifico Professor of Neuropsychology and the Director of Athletics. Professor. Psychological assessment (neuropsychological, cognitive, personality), psychiatric and neurological disorders, behavioral medicine, neurogerontology, mathematical modeling, sports psychology, psychology of genocide.

Emeritus Faculty

Donald Bersoff, JD, PhD (Yale University, New York University). Professor Emeritus. Law and psychology; mental health law.

James Calkins, PhD. Professor Emeritus.

Douglas L. Chute, PhD (University of Missouri) Louis and Bessie Stein Fellow. Professor Emeritus. Neuropsychology and rehabilitation; technological applications for the cognitively compromised and those with acquired brain injuries.

Myrna Shure, PhD (Cornell University). Professor Emeritus. Child development, problem-solving interventions with children, prevention programs.

Mary Spiers, PhD (University of Alabama at Birmingham). Professor Emeritus. Clinical neuropsychology and medical psychology; memory and practical applications for memory disorders in the elderly; cognitive health of women.