UB Programs At-A-Glance

Psychology

Department of Psychology
College of Arts and Sciences
283 Park Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4110

Phone: 716.645.3650, ext. 283
Fax: 716.645.3801
Web: wings.buffalo.edu/psychology
Email: cmgreen@acsu.buffalo.edu

Paul A. Luce
Chair

James R. Sawusch
Director of Undergraduate Studies

Christa M. Greenberg
Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies

About the Program

Psychology is the science of behavior and the mind. The study of psychology provides an understanding of basic processes of sensation, perception, learning, cognition, development, and personality along with principles of social psychology, clinical psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. Knowledge of psychological principles and of scientific methods for evaluating theories and research in the social and behavioral sciences is essential in our rapidly changing society.

The requirements for the psychology major are designed to provide students with foundational skills in statistics (PSY 207) and scientific methods (PSY 250) that are essential for subsequent coursework in psychology. The additional requirements for the psychology major are intended to introduce students to the great breadth of psychology as a scientific discipline; therefore, students are required to complete courses in four complementary areas of psychology. A second course in research methods (PSY 450) and experience in psychological research (PSY 498) are recommended for students who plan to pursue graduate study in psychology.

About Our Degrees

Objectives

Psychology is the science of behavior and the mind. In both the B.A. and the B.S. programs, the study of psychology provides an understanding of basic processes of sensation, perception, learning, cognition, development, and personality along with principles of social psychology, clinical psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. Knowledge of psychological principles and of scientific methods for evaluating theories and research in the social sciences is essential in our rapidly changing society.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses before full acceptance.

Provisional Acceptance

Students who have completed 60 credits but have not completed the prerequisite courses or have not achieved the minimum GPA of 2.5 may be provisionally accepted.

Acceptance Information

Deadline: Rolling

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Facilities

The Department of Psychology at UB, established in the 1920s, is situated in Park Hall. This modern building provides state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for psychological research.

About Our Courses

The typical class size for:

Freshman/introductory courses: 400
Sophomore/intermediate courses: 200
400-level/advanced courses: 30-40

Suggested Introductory Courses for B.A.


For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

Please see the Psychology department web site's information on faculty and staff.

See a list of our undergraduate faculty.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience

Many opportunities are available for undergraduate students to become involved in research in psychology with department faculty and graduate students. Current research programs include language processes, auditory and speech perception, memory, attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder, social interactions, personality, anxiety disorders, small-group processes, behavior therapy, human psychophysiology and biofeedback, and neurochemical and electrophysiological investigations into the physiological bases of behavior. The department’s computerized research facilities include eye tracking, real-time systems and networks for studies of behavior and physiological processes. The Psychological Services Center provides facilities for therapy and assessment with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Students can receive course credit through PSY 498 Undergraduate Research. Students should visit the department web site where summaries of current research are found on faculty web pages.

Independent Study
PSY 499 Independent Study is available to students who have completed PSY 207 Psychological Statistics and PSY 250 Scientific Inquiry. This course allows students to pursue a program of specialized study, for a semester or longer, that would not be available through regularly scheduled courses. Enrolling requires permission of a faculty sponsor.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

Students must earn the following GPA in all psychology courses in order to graduate with departmental honors: 3.2 with distinction; 3.5 with high distinction; 3.75 with highest distinction.

The Psychology department’s honors program is open to a limited number of seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 both overall and in psychology. The yearlong program involves the development and execution of an original research project under faculty supervision. During the fall semester, honors students meet as a group to examine advanced methodological issues and to discuss their research in a seminar format (PSY 497). This program is particularly valuable for students who plan to pursue graduate study in psychology or related disciplines. Students’ transcripts indicate graduation with honors, high honors, or highest honors in psychology. Each spring, the student with the most outstanding honors thesis is recognized with the department’s Feldman-Cohen Award for Distinguished Honors Achievement. Prior or concurrent completion of PSY 450 Advanced Research Methods is a requirement for participation. Prior research experience (PSY 498) and prior or concurrent completion of PSY 405 Data Analysis Techniques are recommended. Students interested in the honors program should obtain a detailed program description in 283 Park Hall during their junior year.

Extracurricular Activities

Undergraduate Psychology Association

The Undergraduate Psychology Association (UPA) is open to all students. This organization sponsors guest speakers on topics of interest to psychology students, workshops on topics such as applying to graduate schools, social activities for students and faculty, travel to regional and national psychology conferences, and an undergraduate graduation ceremony.

Psi Chi [National honor society in psychology]

Psi Chi was founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to psychology majors who have a minimum GPA of 3.1 overall and 3.4 in psychology courses. The UB chapter of Psi Chi sponsors workshops on careers in psychology and social activities for students and faculty.

See the UB Student Association

Career Information and Further Study

Skills gained in this program include:

Using insight to deal effectively with people; promoting good relationships with a group; applying knowledge of human needs/problems to counseling/crisis intervention; using interviewing techniques in investigative, reporting, social service, or marketing research; conducting surveys and interpreting results; analyzing statistical data, using computers and assisting in lab research; conducting library research; and writing reports.

Transferable Skills:

Managing, interpreting, editing, advising, organizing, problem solving, detail orientation, writing, teaching, speaking to groups, reading critically, reasoning, analyzing, statistical analysis, ability to think conceptually, evaluating evidence, advising, selling, and observing human behavior.

Career Choices

The undergraduate degree in psychology does not make you a psychologist or professional counselor - it does provide you with an excellent liberal arts background and is valuable for almost any type of work focused on people.

Students who earn a B.A. or B.S. in psychology will be well-prepared for graduate study in psychology and related mental health fields, graduate study in medicine, education, law, or business, and other careers that require a good understanding of individual behavior and interpersonal relations.

There are many fine career possibilities, including: Advertising manager, behavior modification management, caseworker, child-care worker, clinical psychologist, college or university professor, community planner, computer programmer, counselor, (vocational, rehabilitation, probation, alcohol and drug), criminal justice (law enforcement, criminologist), educator, employment counselor, government programs and agencies, graduate school (all types, including law school, medical school, dentistry), guidance counselor, hospitals and mental health facilities, industrial management/business, medical technician, mental health worker, occupational therapist, personnel manager, probation officer, psychology aide/technician, public relations specialist, research/advertising, research assistant, research psychologist, sales, school psychologist social and community agencies, social worker, special education worker, teacher (elementary and secondary), therapist, vocational rehabilitation counselor and youth worker.

Work settings include:

Students with a bachelor's degree who pursue work after graduation typically work in aspects of business, government, health, education, and other areas requiring an understanding and sensitivity to behavioral dynamics. Approximately 40% of all psychologists in the USA and Canada work for business and industry, government agencies, hospitals and clinics or in private practice as well as clinical or consulting agencies. The other 60% are employed in colleges/universities, elementary and secondary schools.

Salary Information

Salaries range greatly from one occupation, position, and work setting to another. According to the 2005 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree graduates in psychology, the average salary was $30,073, with salaries ranging from $15,000 to $39,000.

Additional Resources


Two excellent resources for current, detailed career information are:






Links to Further Information About this Program





Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:15 EST