This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.valdosta.edu.

Dr. David Monetti, Department Head
Room 2104, Converse Hall

The Department of Psychological Science offers B.A. and B.S. degrees with a major in psychology. Psychology is an exciting and popular undergraduate major and minor at Valdosta State University. Undergraduate psychology training assists in preparing students for a number of career alternatives in government, business, industry, etc., that do not require more advanced training. It also assists in preparing students for professional or graduate school in psychology, law, physical or occupational therapy, social work, business, education, and other areas. 

Department Mission Statement

The Department of Psychological Science serves the citizens of the region and state by offering instruction, research, and services designed to advance the understanding of behavioral and cognitive processes and to improve the quality of life. The principle function of the department is to prepare students at the undergraduate level to pursue careers within the discipline and affiliated areas. A related purpose is to provide courses for programs in education, nursing, and other disciplines. At the baccalaureate level, students develop basic skills in scientific research and knowledge of psychological nomenclature and concepts, and they are introduced to the diverse applications of psychology. 

Grade Point Average Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology and the Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology introduce students to psychology as a scientific discipline, with content and methods able to improve the human condition. Students entering the university may declare a major in psychology upon completion of 30 credit hours and a 2.5 cumulative GPA. In order to remain a psychology major, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 in all course work undertaken. If a student’s GPA falls below 2.5, the student will have one semester (fall or spring) to restore it to a 2.5. If the overall GPA remains below a 2.5 for two consecutive semesters, the student will be required to select another major. Any student who fails to select another major will automatically be transferred to an undeclared major status.

Students who enter the university as transfer students who wish to declare a major in psychology must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5. Upon acceptance as a psychology major, a student must maintain a 2.5 GPA in all coursework undertaken. Students changing majors from another program within the university must also have at least a 2.5 overall GPA to transfer to the psychology major, and they will be subject to the same requirements described above. A minimum of “C” must be earned in a PSYC course for it to count in the major. No PSYC course may be repeated more than three times before the student will be removed from the program.

Selected Educational Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees are the goals in the American Psychological Association’s Guidelines (2013):

Goal 1: Students should demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems.

Goal 2: The skills in this domain involve the development of scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods.

Goal 3: The skills in this domain involve the development of ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity.

Goal 4: Students should demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills.

Goal 5: The emphasis in this goal is on application of psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation.  

Examples of Outcome Assessments

            The department assesses the extent to which program requirements create the desired outcomes by a variety of techniques. Examples of these assessments (and related educational outcomes) include the following:

  1. Student research reports will be assessed by individual faculty members using appropriate criteria.
  2. Students will be assessed on various measures during their senior year.
  3. Students will assess academic advising.