2026-2027 Undergraduate Bulletin
Psychology
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 Return to: Undergraduate Programs and Department Information
Professors- Karkowski
Associate Professors- Van Horn
Assistant Professors- Coleman
Instructors- Jackson, Quinones
Adjunct Instructors- Sasser
Psychology is about understanding what drives behavior - and using that knowledge to make real change. It’s the science behind how people think, feel, decide, and perform, from everyday choices to high-stakes moments. Psychologists conduct research that shapes what we know about the brain and behavior, and they apply those insights to solve real problems in mental health, business, education, sports, healthcare, law, and technology.
Psychology examines both typical and atypical behavior, preparing students to understand mental health, relationships, learning, motivation, and performance in a complex world. Career opportunities in psychology are rapidly expanding, with pathways in clinical and counseling psychology, neuroscience, forensic psychology, health and sport psychology, and more. Whether you want to help people directly, improve workplaces, design better systems, or influence policy and practice, psychology offers versatile, in-demand career options that translate across industries.
Psychology Mission/Goals Statement
Capital University’s psychology department is a student-centered, professionally engaged faculty that teaches students to think as scientists about behavior and mental processes. By integrating a strong liberal arts foundation within an undergraduate psychology curriculum, we cultivate ethical graduates prepared to serve diverse communities and achieve personal and professional goals.
Psychology students are able to:
- Evaluate psychological principles and theoretical perspectives;
- Critique basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation and sociocultural factors;
- Communicate effectively in a variety of formats to diverse audiences;
- Assess how the social and natural science aspects of psychology relate to personal, social, and professional issues and situations;
- Evaluate how diversity (e.g., ethnic, cultural, social, and gender) affects individuals and social situations;
- Assess the ethical implications of issues and situations and act ethically; and
- Formulate realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.
Learn from psychologists who do the work - and open doors to what’s next. Full-time psychology faculty hold doctoral degrees and are active teachers, researchers, and mentors who connect psychological science to real-world impact. Their work blends cutting-edge research, applied practice, and community engagement, giving students insight into how psychology is used beyond the classroom.
Students also learn from part-time instructors who are leaders in their fields - working clinicians, researchers, and professionals who bring specialized expertise and valuable professional networks. Together, full-time and part-time faculty prepare students for graduate study, competitive careers, and meaningful work in science- and practice-focused settings.
The psychology major prepares students for what comes next - graduate school, competitive careers, and real-world impact. Designed as a strong pre-professional foundation, the major builds the critical thinking, research, and communication skills employers and graduate programs look for. In upper-level courses, students work directly with primary sources - such as journal articles, research reports, and landmark studies - learning how knowledge in psychology is created, evaluated, and applied.
The results speak for themselves: nearly half of psychology graduates continue to graduate or professional school and earn advanced degrees. Those who enter the workforce find careers across human services, research, healthcare, education, public safety, and business. Alumni work as counselors and case managers, behavioral and psychiatric support specialists, youth and child development professionals, policy and data analysts, laboratory and research technicians, human resources and personnel analysts, healthcare workers, and managers - using their psychology training in roles that make a difference and open doors across industries.
World Languages and Cultures Requirement
Both the American Psychological Association and the Psychology Department recognize the importance of preparing students for a diverse, international community. As part of this preparation, psychology majors are required to complete a world language and cultures experience. Students can fulfill this requirement in multiple ways:
- Students who earned an AP language test score of 3 or better have fulfilled the requirement.
- Students who live in a bilingual or multilingual family and are fluent in a second language can take a test to demonstrate their proficiency (defined as having second language skills that are equivalent to or greater than placement into the second year of a college language course).
- Students with second language learning experiences in high school can take a test to demonstrate their proficiency (defined as having second language skills that are equivalent to or greater than placement into the second year of a college language course).
- Students can complete two semesters (i.e., 110 and 111) of a world language at the college level (students with prior world language experience may test out of the first semester).
- Students can complete a semester-long study abroad experience in a non-English speaking country.
Students in the Adult and Continuing Education program are exempt from the world languages and cultures requirement.
A Community of Undergraduate Scholars
Psychology students don’t just take classes - they join a community that gets them doing real work early. Through hands-on courses and high-impact experiences, undergraduates collaborate with faculty and peers who are serious about research, ethics, and professional growth. Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, brings students face-to-face with the field through guest speakers, research talks, and service projects that build leadership and stand out on a résumé.
The psychology seminar series tackles professional ethics head-on while helping students map out careers and graduate school options. Students can take ownership of their interests by completing an Undergraduate Thesis, designing independent research through one-on-one faculty mentorship, or creating a Multidisciplinary Major that connects psychology with areas like neuroscience or animal behavior. If you want a major that’s flexible, rigorous, and designed to prepare you for what’s next, psychology delivers.
Program Requirements
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