Psychology

Psychology Research

Psychology Research

Developmental Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Clinical Psychology

Clinical Psychology

Learning Laboratory

Learning Laboratory

Psychology is the systematic study of behavior and experience.

Psychology explores why humans and non-humans behave the way they do and the source of their behaviors.  We study the behaviors of humans, from child development to older adulthood. We also study the behavior of animals.

Psychologists are interested in the biological contributors to behaviors from the brain and nervous system, and the contributions of the environment that stem from family, friends, and other social factors.  

 

Psychology Program's Statement of Support for Black Lives Matter


About The Program

If you like studying people and seek to understand why they behave the way they do and what their experience is like, then you may enjoy psychology.

Knowledge from psychological theory and research can help us to understand the world better, and to gain insight into how we can live healthier more productive lives. Psychology focuses on understanding how the brain and the environment contribute to behavior. Because psychology is a science, you will learn analytical skills and how to evaluate research. The psychology degree at Stockton offers many applied experiences, such as research opportunities and internships, to help students prepare for the next level.

The psychology major prepares students to work under supervision when providing psychological services and also prepares students for business, law school, research, teacher certification, and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Chair

Mark Berg

Mark Berg, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Psychology
609-626-6862
G266
mark.berg@stockton.edu 

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Our program's student learning outcomes are tied to 5 Learning Goals:

  1. Knowlege Base

  2. Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking

  3. Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World

  4. Communication

  5. Professional Development

These goals are adopted from the APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major, and are accomplished by completing the courses in our program, both required and elected.

Curriculum

Three basic courses, required of all majors, provide a foundation for the understanding of psychology:

  1. PSYC 1100 Introduction to Psychology

  2. PSYC 2241 Statistical Methods

  3. PSYC 3242 Experimental Psychology

Students must also select courses from two core areas of the discipline:

  1. Natural Science Core (Group 1) 

  2. Social Science Core (Group 2).

Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to work closely with faculty members in seminars, tutorials and independent studies, which require students to be active, responsible participants while examining various theoretical, empirical, and applied topics.

  • Seminars always involve regular class meetings and discussion

  • Research tutorials are often more flexible with less structured class time and more independent investigation and inquiry.

  • Field placements allow students to apply what they have learned in their courses and gain experience working in educational, social services, and other professional settings.

 

Curriculum Worksheets

*Please refer to Degree Works for General Studies, At-Some-Distance, and Course Attribute requirements.


 

Psychology students are not required to pursue a concentration, but they may choose to focus on a particular area of interest. The program offers the following concentrations:

 

Students seeking teacher certification must meet both the requirements for graduation in Psychology and the state requirements for teacher certification (including testing and clinical practice requirements).

Elementary Education:

Required PSYC courses (in addition to required core courses):

  • PSYC 3323 Developmental PSYC: Childhood & Adolescence (required Natural Science)
  • PSYC 3391 Educational PSYC (replaces one PSYC elective)

Required Cognates:

  • EDUC 1515 Diversity in Families, Schools & Communities (4 credits)
  • EDUC 2241 Inclusive Learning in Education (4 credits)
  • EDUC 3101 Part time Clinical Practice I (2 credits)
  • EDUC 4600 Part time Clinical Practice II (2 credits)
  • EDUC 4990 Full time Final Clinical Practice (12 credits)
  • EDUC 4991 Final Clinical Practice Seminar (2 credits)

Required At Some Distance:

  • EDUC 2000 Gateway to the NJ Teaching Profession (1 credit)
  • EDUC 3105 Literacy Development (3 credits)
  • EDUC 3200 Practices and Techniques of Teaching (4 credits)
  • EDUC 4110 Methods of Teaching English Language Arts (2 credits)
  • EDUC 4150 Methods of Teaching Elementary Math (2 credits)
  • EDUC 4610 Curriculum & Methods in Elementary Education (3 credits)
  • EDUC 4992 EdTPA Capstone (2 credits)

Early Childhood Education:

Required PSYC course (in addition to required core courses):

  • PSYC 3391 Educational PSYC (replaces one PSYC elective)

Required Cognates:

  • LANG 1210 Beginning American Sign Language I (4 credits)
  • HLTH 2115 Language Development (4 credits)
  • EDUC 3101 Part time Clinical Practice I (2 credits)
  • EDUC 4600 Part time Clinical Practice II (2 credits)
  • EDUC 4990 Full time Final Clinical Practice (12 credits)
  • EDUC 4991 Final Clinical Practice Seminar (2 credits)

Required At Some Distance:

  • EDUC 2000 Gateway to the NJ Teaching Profession (1 credit)
  • EDUC 3105 Literacy Development (3 credits)
  • ECUC 3151 Language & Motor Development (3 credits)
  • EDUC 3200 Practices and Techniques of Teaching (4 credits)
  • EDUC 4151 Curriculum Instruction & Assessment P-3 (3 credits)
  • EDUC 4612 Interdisciplinary Studies w/Early Childhood Education (4 credits)
  • EDUC 4610 Curriculum & Methods in Elementary Education (3 credits)
  • EDUC 4992 EdTPA Capstone (2 credits)

*Please refer to Degree Works for additional requirements and course options

This concentration provides a structured curriculum for those students who are interested in pursuing a research-focused graduate education in psychology or a closely related discipline. Students will develop their ability to read, comprehend and critically evaluate primary research articles. They will also receive systematic training which will enable them to conduct research projects independently. Students will be required to complete two courses focusing on statistical analysis techniques, one seminar course that heavily requires the reading of primary research articles, multiple research projects, and at least one formal experience in disseminating research findings to professional researchers. Completing this concentration would strengthen students’ graduate school applications and improve their chances of being accepted into competitive graduate programs. The structure of this concentration is flexible enough that students (including transfers) could complete it in two years; it is open to both B.A. and B.S. students.

The following courses (16 credit minimum) will fulfill the requirements of the concentration:

PSYC 3641 Advanced Statistics (elective for BA, required for BS)

PSYC 36XX Additional Senior Seminar (elective for BA, required for BS) [PSYC 3641 may not be used to fill this requirement]

Two Research Courses from below (8 credits):

  • PSYC 27xx Research Practicum (elective for BA/BS)
  • PSYC 37xx Research Tutorial (can be senior seminar for BA/BS)
  • PSYC 3740 Data Analysis Practicum
  • PSYC 4810 Research-based independent study (elective for BA/BS)
  • PSYC 4815 Research-based independent study in neuroscience
  • PSYC 4895 SIRE course in neuroscience (elective for BA/BS)
  • PSYC 4899 SIRE course (elective for BA/BS)

Completion of at least one of the following (0-4 credits):

  • PSYC 4820 Project for Distinction
  • Author (or co-author) of Regional, National or International Conference Presentation
  • Author (or co-author) of Peer-Reviewed Publication

Forensic psychology is a rapidly growing field within psychology and criminal justice. Courses that comprise the concentration at Stockton University were selected so students will understand an overall relationship between psychological principles and criminal offending. The criminal offender is continually influenced by multiple systems within the psychosocial environment. By taking the courses in the forensic psychology concentration, students will synthesize selected components in criminal justice and psychology that will result in a better understanding of how developmental patterns result in criminal behavior. Students will develop insight into how criminals think relative to the choices they make. These courses are also designed to allow a student to continue easily studying forensic psychology in the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program at Stockton, to continue studying in a psychology master’s degree program in another institution of higher education, or to pursue a variety of career opportunities. Criminal Justice and Psychology majors may enroll in the Forensic Psychology concentration at any time.

Foundation course requirements (Note: PSYC 1100 and CRIM 1100 are prerequisites to these courses):

  • CRIM 2114 Theories of Criminality
  • PSYC 2211 Psychopathology
  • CRIM/PSYC 3120 Forensic Psychology

Electives (two of the following courses):

  • CRIM 2111 Juvenile Justice
  • CRIM 2327 Introduction to Victimology
  • CRIM 2610 Introduction to Forensic Science
  • CRIM 3625 Sex and Violence
  • PSYC 3145 Sex Crimes
  • PSYC 3646 Forensic Behavior Analysis
  • PSYC 3648 The Criminal Brain
  • PSYC 3618 The Psychology of Child Witnesses

This concentration provides students with a framework to develop a general understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of clinical populations, the structure and functioning of the mental health system, and the basic skills necessary for interacting professionally in human service contexts.

Foundation course requirements:

  • PSYC 1100 Introduction to Psychology
  • PSYC 2211 Psychopathology
  • PSYC 3392 Theories of Counseling

Electives (four of the following courses):

  • PSYC 3145 Sex Crimes
  • PSYC 3323 Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence
  • PSYC 3324 Psychology of Learning
  • PSYC 3355 Clinical Neuropsychology
  • PSYC 3398 Theories of Counseling II
  • PSYC 3605 Psychology of Eating Disorders
  • PSYC 3616 Aging and Mental Health
  • PSYC 3619 Psychology of Group Therapy
  • PSYC 3626 Couples and Family Therapy
  • PSYC 3635 Positive Psychology
  • PSYC 3646 Forensic Behavior Analysis
  • PSYC 3648 The Criminal Brain
  • PSYC 3900 Field Placement*
  • GAH 3616 Memoirs of Mental Illness
  • GIS 3319 Addictions
  • GSS 2612 Multiple Perspectives on Suicide
  • GSS 3612 Culture and Mental Health

* The field placement (PSYC 3900) can take the place of TWO electives if approved by the faculty member sponsoring the PSYC 3900 course. Students should be aware that they may need to secure their own placement.

 

Psychology students are encouraged to explore various minors that provide complementary knowledge to the psychology degree. These offerings include the Behavioral Neuroscience minor, Childhood Studies minor, Integrative Health minorGerontology minor, Victimology minor, and the Women’s Gender and Sexuality minor.

 

Psychology Program Faculty

 

Mark E. Berg

Mark E. Berg

Ph.D. (University of Canterbury), Associate Professor of Psychology:  Perceptual category learning, experimental analysis of behavior, history of psychology, motivation, industrial/ organizational psychology.
 609-626-6862 |  G266
John Bulevich

John Bulevich

Ph.D. (Washington University), Associate Professor of Psychology:  Memory Distortion, Eyewitness Testimony, Metacognition, Retrieval Processes, Aging.
609-626-3821 |  H245
David C. Burdick

David C. Burdick

Ph.D. (University of Notre Dame), FGSA, FAGHE, Professor of Psychology:  Adult development and aging, technology and aging, intergenerational relationships, applied gerontology, mental health and aging.
 609-652-4311 |  F231
Christine V.  Ferri

Christine V.  Ferri

Ph.D. (Duke University), Associate Professor of Psychology:  Geropsychology, abnormal psychology, psychotherapy, positive psychology, statistical methods.
609-761-1256 |  E217a
Jessica Fleck

Jessica Fleck

Ph.D. (Temple University),  Professor of Psychology:  Brain, behavior and cognition, problem-solving, working memory, creativity, statistics, research methods.
 609-626-3489 | G253
Christine A. Gayda-Chelder

Christine A. Gayda-Chelder

Ph.D. (Drexel University), Associate Professor of Psychology:  Health psychology, clinical neuropsychology, traumatic brain injury, dementia, caregiver burden.
 609-626-6075 |  C139
Helana Girgis

Helana Girgis

Ph.D. (University of Arkansas), Assistant Professor of Psychology: Developmental and lifespan psychology, cognitive development, personality, conceptual development of foods and idea ownership, cross-cultural research.
609-652-4212 |  H238
Zornitsa Kalibatseva

Zornitsa Kalibatseva

Ph.D. (Michigan State University), Associate Professor of Psychology:  Clinical psychology, cross-cultural psychology, assessment, depression, cultural competency, race, ethnicity, acculturation.
609-626-3894 |  G239
Colleen Kase

Colleen Kase

Ph.D. (University of Maryland), Assistant Professor of Psychology: counseling psychology, health psychology, stigma, body size/sizeism, sexual minoritygroups, statistical and research methods.
609-626-3103 | H219
Jennifer A. Lyke

Jennifer A. Lyke

Ph.D. (Temple University), Professor of Psychology:  Counseling psychology, research methods, abnormal psychology, eating disorders, states of consciousness.
609-626-6839 |  G210
Justin Ostrofsky

Justin Ostrofsky

Ph.D. (The Graduate Center of the City University of New York), Associate Professor of Psychology:  Perception, attention and memory-based processes supporting the ability to realistically draw objects from observation, statistics, research methods and cognitive psychology. 
609-626-6858 |  C113
David Rosen

David Rosen

Affiliated Research Faculty
Nordia Scott

Nordia Scott

Ph.D. (Michigan State University), Assistant Professor of Psychology: Ecological-Community psychology, race andracism, academic resilience, risk and protective factors, privilege and oppression, systemsperspectives, social change.
609-626-3403 | H202k
Elizabeth Shobe

Elizabeth Shobe

Ph.D. (University of Toledo), Professor of Psychology:  Cognition, learning theories, experimental psychology, statistical methods, evolution and behavior.
609-626-6032 |  G216
Marcello Spinella

Marcello Spinella

Ph.D. (City University of New York), Professor of Psychology:  Physiological psychology, clinical neuropsychology, psychometrics, psychopharmacology, herbal medicines, executive functions, addiction, aging and mental health.
609-626-6049 |  F127
Connie M. Tang

Connie M. Tang

Ph.D. (University of Wyoming), Professor of Psychology:  Child and adolescent development, child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency, psychology and the law, social cognition, culture and cognition, research methods.
609-626-3523 |  G261
John H. White

John H. White

Ph.D. (North Texas State University), Professor of Psychology:  Forensic neuropsychology, serial murder, sex crimes, violent crimes, police psychology, forensic psychology, criminal investigative analysis (profiling).
609-761-1255 | G256
Keith B. Williams

Keith B. Williams

Ph.D. (University of Minnesota), Professor of Psychology:  Educational psychology, social psychology, educational testing and measurement, individual differences.
 609-626-6033 |  F234
Kaite Yang

Kaite Yang

Ph.D. (Princeton University), Associate Professor of Psychology:  Social psychology, personality and individual differences, the emergence of gender differences, meta-analysis, thought speed and creativity.
609-626-3848 |  H220

 

Professors Emeriti

 

Michael L. Frank

Michael L. Frank

Ph.D. (State University of New York at Albany), Professor Emeritus of Psychology:  Statistics, mathematical models, motivation, research methods, gambling and risk taking behavior.
Sonia V. Gonsalves

Sonia V. Gonsalves

Ph.D. (Temple University), Professor Emerita of Psychology:  Educational psychology, statistics, research methods, psychological and educational testing, experimental psychology, adolescence, learning. 
Cheryl R. Kaus

Cheryl R. Kaus

Ph.D. (The Pennsylvania State University), Professor of Psychology and Dean Emerita, Social and Behavioral Sciences:  Successful aging, gerontological education, program development and evaluation.
David Lester

David Lester

Ph.D. (Brandeis University), Professor Emeritus of Psychology:  Abnormal psychology, psychological statistics, personality, psychological testing, theories of counseling
Jean Mercer

Jean Mercer

Ph.D. (Brandeis University), Professor Emerita of Psychology:  Developmental psychology, early childhood, infancy, perception, history and systems.
William M. Miley

William M. Miley

Ph.D. (Temple University), Professor Emeritus of Psychology:  Health psychology, mind/body interactions, abnormal psychology.

Faculty & Student Research

 

Students interested in pursuing a graduate-level education in psychology or another social-, behavioral- and/or mental-health-science related field should strongly consider acquiring undergraduate research experience. Many graduate programs prefer to admit students who have research experience before beginning their graduate education. For students interested in pursuing a doctoral-level education, this is required by doctoral programs. For students interested in pursuing a masters-level education, this is highly valued.

The psychology program provides numerous opportunities for students to become involved in research. Many research students have the opportunity to present their research findings at a scientific conference, or to coauthor a manuscript in a scholarly journal. Some of the experiences available to our students include:

  • Research courses in which students complete a research project as the main focus of the course. These typically occur as research tutorial courses or summer intensive research experiences.
  • Research assistants on faculty-directed research projects. Students assist faculty with data collection and analysis on faculty research projects.
  • Projects for distinction. These are student-directed research projects that are completed under faculty supervision.

 

Psychology Research

 

Students interested in learning more about how to acquire psychology research experience should visit the Psychology Research Resources website. Example website content includes:

  • Benefits of Acquiring Undergraduate Research Experience
  • Ways to Acquire Undergraduate Research Experience
  • Psychology Program Faculty Members Who Conduct Research with Students
  • Detailed Information about Conducting Projects for Distinction
  • Detailed Information about the Empirical Research Concentration and research courses
  • Information about how to Find Research Jobs and Summer Research Programs for Undergraduates or Students who have Graduated with a Bachelors Degree
  • Detailed Information about Creating a Psychology Student Research Portfolio

 

Psychology Faculty Group Photo

 

Internship Experience

Students interested in learning more about how to acquire internship experience relating to psychology, childhood studies and/or gerontology should visit the Psychology Internship Resources website. On this website, you will find detailed information pertaining to:

  • Field Placement Courses in Psychology, Childhood Studies and Gerontology 
  • Faculty Members who Supervise PSYC/GERO Field Placement Courses
  • Types of Internship Sites Students Can Work at in their Field Placement Course
  • Type of Work Student Interns Complete in their Field Placement Course
  • How to Get Involved in a Field Placement Course: How to Secure an Internship and What to do Before it Begins
  • Student Responsibilities During the Semester of their Field Placement Course/Internship

Psychology students in a classroom

 

 

 

Student Engagement 

 

The Psychology program at Stockton has an active Psychology Club as well as a chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology.

PHI CHI Students

Psi Chi

Psi Chi was founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. Here at Stockton, our chapter hosts research conferences, career panels, service projects, and many other activities. For more information please visit the Stockton Psi Chi website.

Psi Chi membership is open to students who have completed at least one semester of full time course work at Stockton (including 9 credit hours in psychology), registered as a Psychology major, and maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.2 and a PSYC GPA of at least 3.0 for work completed at Stockton University. Each year Psi Chi and Psychology Club sponsor an undergraduate research conference showcasing student-faculty research collaborations, student independent projects, a keynote speaker, and a Distinguished Alumni Award.

Psychology Club

The Stockton Psychology Club is a student-led organization that promotes exposure to professional perspectives in psychology. The club enhances student learning and community by organizing faculty, graduate school, alumni, and career panels, hosting psychology and graduate school information sessions, coordinating volunteer and donation drives, and facilitating other psychology-related events and activities, including an annual day trip to locations such as the Eastern State Penitentiary and the Philadelphia College of Physicians (Mutter Museum).

The club participates in the selection of the Distinguished Psychology Alumni Award and provides assistance with the annual Stockton Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference.

The 2023-2024  student leadership board consists of:

  • President: Julianna (Jules) Snodgrass
  • Vice president: Katherine (Katie) Wilkinson
  • Treasurer: Emma Riley
  • Secretary: Briana Ricks

For more information, please contact the faculty advisor, Dr. Colleen Kase, at colleen.kase@stockton.edu or visit OspreyHub.

Psychology Club Trip

 

Students studying in the Learning Laboratory

Students speaking with a Psychology faculty member

 

 

 

Graduate Study and Careers

 

The psychology degree prepares you for many careers. Some of these careers are professional areas of psychology such as clinical/counseling psychologist, health psychologist, experimental/research psychologist, developmental psychologist, and many others. There are also careers in related fields in which training in psychology will give you an advantage. Related areas where the psychology degree is beneficial include hospital administration, marketing, international relations, publication relations, sales, education, health and medical professions, and many more.

Careers in Psychology

Obtaining a Research Assistant Position Following Graduation

Graduate Study in Psychology