Psychology

www.smu.edu/psychology

Associate Professor Austin Baldwin, Department Chair

Professors: George Holden, Ernest Jouriles, Akihito Kamata, Renee McDonald, Alicia Meuret, Thomas Ritz, David Rosenfield
Associate Professors: Austin Baldwin, Michael Chmielewski, Chrystyna Kouros (Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies)
Assistant Professors: Holly Bowen, Nathan Hudson, Priscilla Lui, Benjamin A. Tabak, Stephanie Wilson
Senior Lecturers: James Calvert, Susan Hornstein, Chris Logan (Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies)
Clinical Assistant Professor: Naomi Tabak

General Information

Psychology is the study of human behavior and cognition. A degree in psychology equips students with a variety of fundamental and transferable skills, including the ability to think scientifically, interpersonal and communication skills, and a sensitivity to diversity. A degree in psychology provides students with a solid academic foundation and prepares graduates to succeed in a variety of careers in psychology, law, medicine and business.

The research interests of faculty members fall into three broad areas: psychopathology, biological and health psychology, and family psychology. There are many opportunities for students to become involved in faculty research. A departmental distinction program provides highly motivated students with the opportunity to design and execute their own research project.

The Psychology Department offers one minor and two majors: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. Students interested in the BS degree need to plan coursework very early to ensure completion within four years. The Psychology Department also jointly operates two interdisciplinary minors in neuroscience  (with Biology) and cognitive science  (with Philosophy).

Additionally, the department offers an accelerated pathway towards a Master of Science in organizational psychology to SMU undergraduates. The program can be completed in one year postbaccalaureate. Students who are interested in applying for this program should meet with the program director and their adviser early on to plan courses around completing two graduate courses during the senior year of undergraduate study followed by a summer, fall, and spring term after graduation.

Departmental Distinction

The department offers a distinction program to select majors with high academic achievement. The program consists of a sequence of classes where students, under the guidance of their faculty mentor, develop and conduct an independent research study. The program includes designing the study, collecting and analyzing the data, and then writing a paper for conference presentation and journal submission. To be eligible for the program, a student must have at least a 3.5 GPA overall, a 3.5 GPA in Psychology and have completed at least one semester of research training with a faculty member (PSYC 3099 , PSYC 3199 , PSYC 3299 , or PSYC 3399 ). Interested students should consult with the departmental adviser or director of undergraduate studies.

With departmental approval, the student will enroll in PSYC 3399  to begin preparation for the distinction paper. Upon completion of PSYC 3393 with a grade of Pass, students may enroll in PSYC 4393 . On the basis of this research project, an oral and poster presentation will be made to the faculty, and a distinction thesis will be written.

Although most students typically enroll in PSYC 3393  and PSYC 4393  in consecutive semesters, students completing an original study may need to take an extra semester in between these two courses to collect their data. Students may register for a semester of research training (PSYC 3099 , PSYC 3199 , PSYC 3299 , or PSYC 3399 ) during the semester they are collecting data. After completion of their data collection, they may then register for PSYC 4393 to complete the distinction project.

A grade of B or better is required for PSYC 4393  in order to earn Departmental Distinction in Psychology. Departmental Distinction may be added to either the B.A. or B.S. degree.

Programs

• Psychology, B.A.
• Psychology, B.A. or B.S. - Accelerated Pathway to Organizational Psychology, M.S.
• Psychology, B.S.

• Psychology Minor

Courses

• PSYC 1300 - Introduction to Psychology
• PSYC 2332 - Developmental Psychology
• PSYC 2351 - Psychopathology
• PSYC 2362 - Psychology and the Challenges of Life
• PSYC 3099 - Research Training
• PSYC 3199 - Research Training
• PSYC 3299 - Research Training
• PSYC 3301 - Research Methods in Psychology
• PSYC 3310 - Memory and Cognition
• PSYC 3341 - Social Psychology
• PSYC 3360 - Health Psychology
• PSYC 3364 - Forensic Psychology
• PSYC 3365 - Organizational Psychology
• PSYC 3366 - Positive Psychology
• PSYC 3370 - Personality
• PSYC 3371 - Psychology of Women
• PSYC 3375 - Human Rights From a Psychological Perspective
• PSYC 3384 - Special Topics Abroad: Psychology
• PSYC 3393 - Preparation for Departmental Distinction Thesis
• PSYC 3399 - Research Training
• PSYC 3484 - Special Topics Abroad: Psychology
• PSYC 4301 - Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology
• PSYC 4310 - Cognition and the Brain
• PSYC 4320 - Behavioral Neuroscience
• PSYC 4321 - Behavioral Action of Drugs
• PSYC 4322 - Social and Affective Neuroscience
• PSYC 4325 - Psychology of Emotions
• PSYC 4334 - Psychological Disorders of Children
• PSYC 4337 - The Science of Parenting and the Family
• PSYC 4339 - Psychology of Aging
• PSYC 4342 - Close Relationships
• PSYC 4345 - Psychology of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race
• PSYC 4352 - Introduction to Clinical Psychology
• PSYC 4353 - Depression and Anxiety
• PSYC 4363 - Psychology of Conflict Resolution
• PSYC 4376 - Psychology of Religion
• PSYC 4377 - Environmental Psychology
• PSYC 4378 - Psychology of Evil
• PSYC 4380 - History of Psychology
• PSYC 4381 - Special Topics
• PSYC 4385 - Internship in Psychology
• PSYC 4393 - Departmental Distinction in Psychology