Department of
Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
College of Letters & Science
Mission Statement
The Department of Psychology at UWSP aims to provide
an excellent, well-rounded undergraduate education in psychology
that is grounded in scientific study and directed toward the application of
psychological knowledge in the professions and in life.
Table of Contents
Faculty....................................................................................................................... 1
Psychology Major Overview.................................................................................... 3
Psychology Major with a Human Services Concentration.......................................6
Courses in Psychology.............................................................................................. 8
Internship and Research Opportunities..................................................................... 9
Research Facilities.................................................................................................. 10
Student Awards.......................................................................................................12
Student Organizations............................................................................................. 14
Faculty▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Patrick Conley, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - University of California, Riverside
Courses: PSY200, PSY300, PSY330, PSY331
Interests: Memory, Psycholinguistics, Computational Modeling, Semantics
Amy Herstein Gervasio, Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - The Ohio State University
Courses: PSY295, PSY350, PSY351, PSY401, PSY402, PSY494/5
Interests: Clinical and Abnormal Psychology, Traumatic Brain Injury, Psychology
of Dance
Hamid Hekmat, Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - University of Southern California
Courses: PSY401, PSY402, PSY480, PSY482, PSY485
Interests: Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Pain & Anxiety Management
Jody Lewis, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - University of Nebraska -Lincoln
Courses: PSY110, PSY330, PSY375
Interests: Animal & human cognition, ecology & evolution, conservation
Angela Lowery, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - West Virginia University
Courses: PSY110, PSY301, PSY385
Interests: Health Psychology, Medical Decision-Making, Obesity, PsychoOncology, Geropsychology
Jeana Magyar-Moe, Associate Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - University of Kansas
Courses: PSY270, PSY301, PSY351, PSY402
Interests: Positive Psychology, Sport Psychology, Therapy Process & Outcome,
Diversity Issues, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning
Robert Nemeth, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - Louisiana State University
Courses: PSY110, PSY320, PSY331
Interests: Memory, Eyewitness Memory, Juror Decision-Making
Debbie Palmer, Associate Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - University of Utah
Courses: PSY110, PSY200, PSY260, PSY315
Interests: developmental psychology, parent-child interactions (specifically during
adolescence), managing chronic illness
1
Mark Plonsky, Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - State University of New York at Albany
Courses: PSY110, PSY275, PSY290, PSY300, PSY375
Interests: Animal Learning & Behavior, Canine Behavior, Psychoactive Drugs,
Educational Technology
Justin Rueb, Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - Virginia Poytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech)
Courses: PSY110, PSY300, PSY331, PSY345
Interests: Industrial Organizational, Psychometrics
Erica Weisgram, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Ph.D. - University of Texas at Austin
Courses: PSY110, PSY 240, PSY260, PSY400
Interests: Gender development, sex-typing of occupational interests, values,
women in math & science
Craig Wendorf, Associate Professor of Psychology & Chair
Ph.D. - Wayne State University
Courses: PSY110, PSY300, PSY320, PSY322
Interests: Psychology of Justice and Fairness, Cultural Psychology, Statistics
2
Psychology Major Overview▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
The Psychology Major consists of 37 credits from the following:
1. PSY 110: Introduction to Psychology
PSY 200: Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 300: Statistics for Psychologists
2. At least three courses from each of the following groupings:
a. PSY 260: Introduction to Developmental Psychology
PSY 301: Theories of Personality
PSY 320: Social Psychology
PSY 351: Abnormal Psychology
b. PSY 325: Physiological Psychology
PSY 330: Perception
PSY 331: Cognitive Psychology
PSY 375: Learning
3. Nine additional elective psychology credits (which may include courses from
a and b above), not used to satisfy any particular grouping requirement.
3
Four Year Course Sequence Sample
for the Psychology Major
First Year
Fall Semester
General Education / Electives .................................................................... 15 cr
Spring Semester
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (PSYC 110) ................................. 3 cr
General Education / Electives..................................................................... 12 cr
15 cr
Second Year
Fall Semester
RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (PSYC 200......................... 3 cr
General Education / Electives..................................................................... 12 cr
15 cr
Spring Semester
ELECTIVE COURSES IN PSYCHOLOGY
(Any 200-Level Psychology Course)............................................................ 3 cr
General Education / Electives
(or Courses for a Minor or a Second Major)............................................... 12 cr
15 cr
Third Year
Fall Semester
STATISTICS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS (PSYC 300)................................... 4 cr
CORE A PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 260, 301, 320, OR 351)....... 3 cr
CORE B PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 325, 330, 331, OR 375)....... 3 cr
General Education / Electives
(or Courses for a Minor or a Second Major)................................................ 5 cr
15 cr
Spring Semester
CORE A PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 260, 301, 320, OR 351)....... 3 cr
CORE B PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 325, 330, 331, OR 375)....... 3 cr
ELECTIVE COURSES IN PSYCHOLOGY (Any Psychology Course)..... 3 cr
General Education / Electives
(or Courses for a Minor or a Second Major)................................................. 6 cr
4
15 cr
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
CORE A PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 260, 301, 320, OR 351)....... 3 cr
CORE B PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 325, 330, 331, OR 375)....... 3 cr
ELECTIVE COURSES IN PSYCHOLOGY (Any Psychology Course)..... 3 cr
General Education / Electives
(or Courses for a Minor or a Second Major) ............................................... 6 cr
15 cr
Spring Semester
General Education / Electives
(or Courses for a Minor or a Second Major) .............................................. 15 cr
15 cr
Notes:
1. There are many other possible sequences to complete the Psychology major.
2. 37 credits are required for the Psychology major. Interested students may take
more courses in Psychology than required for the major.
3. The above outline assumes the first Psychology class is taken in the student’s
first year. It is possible to complete the major beginning in the student’s
second or third year by taking more Psychology classes than the number
indicated above.
4. Psychology majors can fulfill GE requirements and the courses needed for
another major or minor by taking more than 15 credits each semester or
classes in summer, interim, and winterim.
5. For students interested in completing the Human Services Internship,
we recommend that students begin taking classes earlier than listed here,
particularly taking PSYC 351 (Abnormal Psychology) and PSYC 401
(Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy) in the junior year.
5
Psychology Major ▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
with a Human Services Concentration
The Psychology Major with a Human Services Concentration consists of the
requirements for the major as defined previously, plus:
PSY 350:
PSY 351:
PSY 401:
PSY 402:
PSY 480:
PSY 482:
Psychological Assessment
Abnormal Psychology
Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy
Practicum in Counseling and Psychotherapy*
Behavior Modification
Practicum in Behavior Therapy*
These courses may be used to complete the 9 elective credits needed to fulfill the
psychology major, as mentioned previously.
*PSY 402 and PSY 482 are filled by a waiting list. You need to sign up at least one semester in
advance of taking the course. Enrollment is based upon class and graduation date. Enrollment priority
for these practicum courses (PSY 402 and PSY 482) will be given to students who have completed PSY
350, PSY 351, PSY 401, PSY 480.
Four Year Course Sample Sequence for the
Psychology Major with a Human Services Concentration
First Year
Fall Semester
General Education / Electives..................................................................... 15 cr
Spring Semester
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (PSYC 110) ................................ 3 cr
General Education / Electives..................................................................... 12 cr
15 cr
Second Year
Fall Semester
RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (PSYC 200) ..................... 3 cr
General Education / Electives .................................................................... 12 cr
15 cr
Spring Semester
CORE A PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 260, 301, OR 320)............... 3 cr
General Education / Electives
(or Courses for a Minor or a Second Major) ............................................ 12 cr
6
15 cr
Third Year
Fall Semester
STATISTICS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS (PSYC 300)................................... 4 cr
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (PSYC 351)................................................ 3 cr
CORE B PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 325, 330, 331, OR 375)....... 3 cr
General Education / Electives
(or Courses for a Minor or a Second Major)................................................. 5 cr
15 cr
Spring Semester
CORE A PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 260, 301, OR 320)............... 3 cr
CORE B PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 325, 330, 331, OR 375)....... 3 cr
HUMAN SERVICES PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 350 OR 401)... 3 cr
General Education / Electives
(or Courses for a Minor or a Second Major)................................................. 6 cr
15 cr
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
CORE B PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 325, 330, 331, OR 375)....... 3 cr
HUMAN SERVICES PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSYC 350 OR 401)... 3 cr
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION (PSYC 480)................................................ 3 cr
General Education / Electives
(or Courses for a Minor or a Second Major)................................................. 6 cr
15 cr
Spring Semester
HUMAN SERVICES PRACTICUM COURSES (PSYC 402 AND 482).... 6 cr
General Education / Electives
(or Courses for a Minor or a Second Major)................................................. 9 cr
15 cr
7
Courses in Psychology▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
PSYC 110. Introduction to Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 200. Research Methods in Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 240. Psychology of Gender. 3 cr.
PSYC 260. Introduction to Developmental Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 270. Positive Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 275. Canine Behavior. 3 cr.
PSYC 290. Psychoactive Drugs and Behavior. 3 cr.
PSYC 295. Career Development in Psychology. 1 cr.
PSYC 300/500. Statistics for Psychologists. 4 cr.
PSYC 301. Theories of Personality. 3 cr.
PSYC 315. The Psychology of Adolescence. 3 cr.
PSYC 320. Social Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 322(MNS). Psychology and Culture. 3 cr.
PSYC 325. Physiological Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 330. Perception. 3 cr.
PSYC 331. Cognitive Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 332. Topics in Cognition. 3 cr.
PSYC 345. Industrial/Organizational Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 350. Psychological Assessment. 3 cr.
PSYC 351. Abnormal Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 360/560. Behavior and Learning Disorders in Children. 3 cr.
PSYC 375/575. Learning. 3 cr.
PSYC 385/585. Health Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 399/599. Independent Study. 9 cr. maximum
PSYC 400. Advanced Research Methods in Psychology. 3 cr.
PSYC 401/601. Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy. 3 cr.
PSYC 402/602. Practicum in Counseling and Psychotherapy. 3 cr.
PSYC 480/680. Behavior Modification. 3 cr.
PSYC 482/682. Practicum in Behavior Therapy. 3 cr.
PSYC 490. Seminar: Fields of Psychology. 2 or 3 cr.
PSYC 494. Human Services Internship. 1-6 cr.
PSYC 495. Human Services Internship Seminar. 1 cr.
8
Internship and Research Opportunities▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Internship Opportunities
Senior psychology majors who have taken Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 351)
and Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy (PSYC 401) can apply for an
internship. Interns receive credit for working at an unpaid placement for 6 hours a
week at various community agencies including school psychology and guidance
departments, shelters for abused women, counseling centers, group homes for
delinquents or halfway houses for parolees. Typically 15 students per term are
placed in internships. They also attend a weekly seminar where issues common
to clinical placements are discussed. Students apply for internship around week 8
preceding the term in which they wish to do an internship. Occasional internships
for students with industrial-organizational interests are sometimes available.
Students participating in the internship program find it invaluable when searching
for employment in the field after graduation and applying to graduate school. For
more information, contact the Psychology Main Office.
Research Opportunities
Many of the psychology faculty members at UWSP are actively involved
in different research projects in various areas of psychology. And one of the
most enriching experiences you can have as a psychology major or minor is
involvement in this research. Generally speaking, students have the opportunity
to volunteer their time and energy, work on faculty-directed research for course
credit, or conduct an independent research project under the supervision of the
faculty.
We invite you to learn more about the types of studies psychology faculty are
conducting and the type of involvement they typically ask of their students. For
more information, please contact the individual faculty members.
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Research Facilities▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Animal Laboratory (J. Lewis)
The Animal Laboratory is used for conducting research studies using animal
subjects, primarily rodents. It is equipped with computerized testing and data
collection equipment for conducting experiments in animal behavior. The lab also
has an adjoining facility for housing small animals.
Beck Biofeedback Laboratory (A. Lowery)
The Beck Biofeedback Laboratory offers students enrolled in classes such as
the Health Psychology and Counseling Practicum courses the opportunity to
learn about mind-body interactions. For example, laboratory participants are
provided supervised opportunities to experiment with voluntary self-regulation of
physiological functioning such as muscle tension and skin temperature by altering
thought processes and through the modification of environmental stimuli.
Beck Videotaping Facility (J. Magyar-Moe)
The Beck Videotaping Facility provides counseling practicum students the
opportunity to conduct videotaped counseling sessions in preparation for class
critiques of counseling performance. Importantly, the facility supports experiential
learning crucial to students who aspire to careers in professions such as clinical,
counseling, and school psychology.
Beck Psychophysiology Laboratory (P. Conley)
The Beck Psychophysiology Laboratory consists of a microcomputercontrolled system for collecting event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and
electroencephalograms (EEGs) while the subject performs a variety of
experimental tasks. The laboratory is used in conducting research on attention and
memory.
Clinical Psychology Laboratory (A. Lowery)
The Clinical Psychology Laboratory is a computer-based facility for developing
tests and other research materials, and for analyzing data gathered in clinical
studies.
Cognition Laboratory (P. Conley)
The Cognition Laboratory is a micro-computer based facility with four
microcomputers in separate subject booths. This lab runs experiments using the
E-Prime experiment authoring system. The laboratory is focused on research in
human attention and memory.
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Developmental Laboratory (D. Palmer)
In this shared laboratory facility, students explore the topic of parental involvement
in students’ educational activities. Both quantitative and qualitative information
is collected, and a theoretical emphasis is placed on the collaborative nature of
human interactions within the context of family across the life-span.
Counseling Psychology Laboratory (J. Magyar-Moe)
In this shared laboratory facility, students explore topics related to positive
psychology, therapy process and outcome, and the scholarship of teaching and
learning. Studies utilizing Psychology 110 students and community participants
are possible, and therefore the lab space would be used for completion of selfreport measures, interviews, and focus groups.
Pain Laboratory (H. Hekmat)
The Pain Laboratory is equipped to measures acute pain induced by ice water.
Auditory and visual distracter devices are used in research designed to explore the
distracting effects of cognitive processes on pain. The role that emotions such as
anger, anxiety, and depression play in responsiveness to placebo intervention is
also investigated.
Social Analysis Laboratory (C. Wendorf)
The Social Analysis Laboratory is dedicated to the design and analysis of social
psychology studies. The laboratory is also used for small group research and
discussion.
Social Development Laboratory (E. Weisgram)
This laboratory is dedicated to the investigation of children’s, adolescents’, and
adults’ social attitudes and cognitions. The laboratory is equipped for stimulus
creation using computers, design software, a scanner, and a color laser printer.
Spindler Memory and Applied Cognition Laboratory
(R. Nemeth)
The Spindler Perception Laboratory houses four subject stations equipped
for memory and applied cognition research. Software that can be used for
experimentation includes MediaLab which enables experimenters to author
programs that will run experiments on these machines with precise and systematic
stimulus presentation and response collection procedures. A variety of issues in
memory and applied cognition including juror decision-making are investigated in
this laboratory.
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Student Awards▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
The Department of Psychology offers six major individual awards (e.g., Lloyd
Beck, Jack Holmes, Albert Harris, Frank Spindler, L. Wayne Lerand, and Douglas
Henderson) and one major scholarship award (i.e., Dennis Elsenrath). In addition
to these major awards and scholarship, three types of department awards are
available to students: Junior and Senior Merit, Service and Research awards. The
Merit Awards are for academic achievement only, and the Service and Research
Awards are for activities other than academic performance alone, but eligibility
still requires a respectable level of academic achievement.
1. Academic Awards: The current department academic merit awards include
the following:
a. Lloyd Beck Award: Junior Psychology Major with the highest GPA in
Psychology
b. Jack Holmes Award: Junior Psychology Major with the highest overall
GPA
c. Albert Harris Award: Senior Psychology Major with the highest GPA
in Psychology
d. Frank Spindler Award: Senior Psychology Major with the highest
overall GPA
e. Junior and Senior Merit Awards: Certificates for high Academic
performance
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2. Research and Service Awards: The current department research and service
awards include the following:
a. Junior and Senior Service and Research Awards: Certificate for
performance outside of the strictly academic domain. These awards
primarily reflect activities that demonstrate excellence in service,
research, or a combination of both. These activities include participation
in student organizations, attendance at conferences, service in the
department, university or community, overcoming obstacles (such as
many non-traditional students do), work on research or independent study
projects with faculty members, etc. Particular emphasis will be placed on
unpaid/volunteer service and students that hold leadership positions, as
compared to simple membership within an organization.
b. L&S Student Awards: The top all-around student with a minimum GPA
of 3.0. Top all around refers to leadership, service, athletic, academic,
and social participation (club membership) in university events.
c. L. Wayne Lerand Award for Student Leadership in Psychology:
Given to either a Junior or Senior student with the best overall record of
activities in the area of student leadership. Preference will be given to
students who hold leadership positions throughout all levels of service, to
include the department, the university, and the community.
d. Douglas Henderson Award for Service: Given to either a Junior or
Senior student with the best overall record of activities in the area of
service. Preference will be given to students who are service-oriented
to include the department, the university, and the community. Particular
emphasis will be placed on unpaid/volunteer service and service impact.
e. Dennis Elsenrath Scholarship for “Scholarship, Leadership,
Service to the Helping Community, and Commitment to a Wellness
Lifestyle:” The criteria for eligibility and responsibility for the ultimate
decision of the recipient for the Dennis Elsenrath are contained in
the charter for that award. They include scholarship (high academic
performance and evidence of promise for independent scholarly work),
leadership (demonstrated initiative to improve the quality of life outside
the classroom), service (demonstrated service to others through paid or
volunteer experiences), and wellness (demonstrated a commitment to
personal growth, integrity, and quality relationships with others).
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Student Organizations▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Psychology Club
The Psychology Club is a recognized student organization with membership
open to any interested individual. The club meets at least monthly, and organizes
speakers, programs, field trips and other activities of interest to psychology
students, in addition to serving as a social activity. The number of programs
sponsored by the Psychology Club is entirely dependent upon the activity level
and interest of its student officers and members.
Typical club activities include: Sponsorship of the annual Psychology Department
picnic in early May; fundraising for students to attend the annual meeting of the
Midwestern Psychological Association (held each year on the first weekend of
May); and, the sponsorship on campus of nationally known speakers from a wide
range of viewpoints and areas. The club also sponsors psychologists from the
local community and from our own faculty and staff who make presentations on
their areas of interest.
14
Psi Chi - National Honor Society in Psychology
Outstanding psychology students are eligible for membership in the University
of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in
Psychology. Psi Chi is a recognized student organization whose membership is
open to psychology majors and minors who have completed at least 13 hours of
psychology, have reached at least junior status, have at least a 3.2 overall Grade
Point Average (GPA) and a 3.3 GPA in psychology courses. The local chapter
periodically sends letters to eligible students informing them of the opportunity
to join Psi Chi, but membership is open at any time to students who meet the
membership criteria.
Our chapter of Psi Chi, one of approximately 600 across the nation, was founded
in May of 1977. Since that time approximately 30 students from UWSP have
joined this nationally recognized group of scholars each year. The benefit
of membership is primarily the recognition of scholarly attainment through
membership in a national honor society, which can be shown on your resume.
Members are eligible for free copies of the quarterly Psi Chi newsletter while on
campus, may attend meetings of the group which occur periodically, and may
submit research papers to the Psi Chi Paper Conferences held in conjunction
with the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association (APA) and
the annual meetings of all regional psychological associations. Furthermore,
the University of Wisconsin-Madison chapter of Psi Chi sponsors an annual Psi
Chi Paper Symposium
in the spring to which
students from Midwestern
undergraduate institutions
may submit papers.
Our chapter of Psi Chi
also sponsors occasional
programs of interest
to psychology majors,
including a “Graduate
School Night” usually
held during the spring
semester, at which
department faculty discuss
their graduate school
experiences. One-time
membership fees for
the national and local
organizations currently
are approximately $30
and applications may be
obtained in the Psychology
Main Office.
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Department of
Psychology
Craig Wendorf, Department Chair
Patricia Kleman, Academic Department Associate
D240 Science Building
Phone: 715-346-2883
E-mail: psychology@uwsp.edu
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
College of Letters & Science