Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology

Demand for psychology majors grows in parallel with our ability and desire to understand human behavior. The reach of technology and data both deepen our understanding and shape our behavior. John Carroll University prepares students to thrive in this changing world by emphasizing data science, research methods, and statistics as core skills in the study of psychology.

Psychology remains a broad discipline with ties to natural and social sciences. That breadth is reflected in the variety of available concentrations. For example, the interdisciplinary concentration in neuroscience offered at John Carroll is intended for biology, chemistry and psychology majors. John Carroll neuroscience undergraduate students have presented award-winning research at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference for four decades.

Opportunities available to psychology majors extend far beyond traditional clinical and counseling roles, to include advertising, business, economics, education, politics, human resources, law and medicine.

Psychology at John Carroll

The John Carroll Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) in Psychology offers five concentrations in addition to the General Psychology Major:

Child and Family Studies
Forensic Psychology
Business, Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Clinical and Counseling Psychology
Interdisciplinary Neuroscience

Regardless of your focus area, you will graduate with knowledge across the core areas of psychology, advanced critical thinking and communication skills, and the ability to apply the scientific method as preparation for graduate study and a range of careers.

Additionally, John Carroll offers a minor in psychology that is frequently combined with a major in business, biology, chemistry and many other degrees. While many students that major in psychology choose to minor in data science, business and/or statistics.

Majors, Concentrations & Minors

The psychology major includes 39 required psychology credits, covering foundations of psychology as well as experimental design and analysis, and then diving into deeper psychological concepts in behavior, developmental and social psychology, individual differences, learning and memory, and more.

Psychology majors should consider a statistics or data science minor.

If you have an interest in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, criminology, law, or employment in the criminal justice system, this is the concentration for you.

The Industrial/Organizational Psychology concentration applies psychological theories and evaluation methods to organizations to understand human behavior in the workplace and thereby increase productivity and the well-being of employees.

The Interdisciplinary Neuroscience concentration is coordinated by the Department of Psychology and is intended for biology, chemistry, and psychology majors who desire an interdisciplinary approach to the study of physiology, biochemistry, and behavior of higher organisms.

The Clinical and Counseling concentration provides a foundation for understanding how people handle stress, relate to others, and make life choices. A strong option for those seeking to enter the mental health field, such as counseling.

A general psychology minor exposes you to the basics of human behavior. Only 19 credits.

41,000

Estimated number of openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors projected each year, on average, for the next decade (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

33%

Approximately one-third of Americans live in an area lacking access to mental health professionals

2nd

Second most popular major for law school applicants – because of the critical thinking, analysis, and writing skills that come with a psychology degree

BS in Psychology Highlights

Research Opportunities

Students regularly attend and present award winning research at the Midwestern Psychological Association. Psychology majors also gain research experience with faculty and in partnership with world-class centers such as the Cleveland Clinic Center for Brain Health and Cleveland Clinic Children's Rehabilitation Hospital.

The $66 million dollar Dolan Science Center was built in 2003 and is home to the psychology department. Perform research in one of 20 individual testing rooms in the department or three observation rooms with video recording facilities and a state-of-the-art neuroscience lab. You will have access to each of these facilities as you conduct your own research and collaborate with faculty.

Whether you want to work in a mental health setting, in child and family studies, or for a large company, John Carroll has helped students secure internships to gain real-world experiences in any specialized field. CFS internships allow you to learn about human service agencies and/or client populations first hand. These include working with autistic populations in homes or schools, planning adoption network events, patient assistance for Child Life Specialists, and observing students in classrooms. Industrial/Organization internships are available in both the private and public sector, including work to research and develop training curricula or helping human resources with recruiting. Mental health internships include sitting in on individual or group therapy sessions, planning programs for seniors with cognitive issues, working with children with disabilities, and more. Additionally, as a Psychology major, you are required to take PS 190, a hybrid course with comprehensive information and guidance on professional development topics in psychology, helping you dive into just how many career options are available for you in the field, and how to find success in each one.

Psychology graduate programs are very competitive and are necessary for many careers. Common areas for Master's degrees include: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Social Work; School Psychology; Industrial/Organizational Psychology; Experimental Psychology; and Human Resources (Masters in Business Administration). A doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) is necessary for: Clinical Psychologists; Research Psychologists. JCU Psychology majors have pursued graduate studies in a variety of fields at institutions across the U.S. and abroad. Additionally, many take advantage of hybrid graduate program options offered right here on campus, including: the I/O Psychology-Boler School of Business Fifth Year MBA Program; 3-2 Psychology B.S. + Master of Science in Social Administration with Case Western Reserve University; the 3+3 Dual Admission in CWRU Law School; A Fifth-Year Master of Arts in Non Profit Administration; Substance Use Disorder Counseling Certification

Dr. Tracy Masterson, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology teaches courses in Psychology of Autism, Adolescent Psychology, and Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. Her areas of specialization are the examination of adherence with infection control (IC) guidelines in individuals with cystic fibrosis, autism spectrum disorders, and adolescent development, culture, and perspectives. After winning the 2019 Lucrezia Culicchia Award for Teaching Excellence, one student explained Dr. Masterson’s teaching style: “Her energy transfers to the students when she is teaching. She engages all students at the same time with games, music, readings, assignments, and videos that all contribute to learning,” the student said. “As a well-known and successful professor in her field of study, she is able to bring in amazing guest speakers and professionals to her classroom for us to further learn what we are discussing in class.”

Featured Courses

PS 387 PSYCHOLOGY OF AUTISM

This course focuses on the characteristics and incidence of autism, and the implications for children’s learning, behavior, and ability to process information. You will explore the latest research on potential causes, best practices for assessment and intervention, and areas of impairment as well as the multidisciplinary specializations that work with individuals with autism and current issues related to autism services and behavioral interventions.

PS 270 FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

This course contains study into the implications of psychological theory and methods for various legal issues and the legal perspective on some psychological issues. You don’t need to know anything about the legal system to learn about the social science research surrounding various legal topics such as confessions, the validity and reliability of eyewitness testimony, juries, insanity defenses, and determining competency to stand trial. The course focuses on the criminal justice system with some civil issues.

PS 342 PSYCHOLOGY OF PREJUDICE

What exactly leads to discrimination and intolerance? This course includes a discussion of classic and contemporary theories and research on stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and intolerance. There is a strong emphasis on how the insidious nature of implicit prejudice and stereotyping may unknowingly perpetuate social inequality, even for individuals who genuinely do not perceive themselves as prejudiced or biased.

Notable Alum

Nicolle Simonovic, Psychology '16

Nicolle graduated with her PhD student from the Psychological Sciences program at Kent State University and earned a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Haifa’s Health & Risk Communication Research Center in Israel. Her research sits at the intersection of social psychology and health psychology. Nicolle uses social psychological theory and methods to understand engagement in health behaviors, particularly how perceptions of risk and ambiguity as well as defensiveness influence psychological responses to health information.

Top Employers
Top Graduate Program Placements

Kent State University, Masters in Special Education; Masters in School Counseling.; P.hD.in Clinical Psych; PhD in Health Psychology and Social Psychology; MPH, Public Health
Wright State University, PsyD; Medical School
Youngstown State University
USC, Davis, School of Gerontology, M.S.
Southern Illinois University, PhD, Clinical Psychology
Rivier University, MA, Experimental Psychology
John Carroll University, M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling; M.Ed, School Psychology; MBA
Cleveland State University, Masters in School Psychology; Nursing school; Masters, Speech and Language Pathology
Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
OSU, College of Dentistry
Ohio University, Physician Assistant program
Case Western Reserve University, MSW; Medical Physiology Master’s; MS, Entrepreneurial Biotechnology
Bowling Green State University; Master’s Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology; PhD, Clinical Psychology
University of Nevada, Reno, PhD, Integrative Neuroscience
Capital University, School of Law