James Madison
University
Who are
we?
Myths
● There are no jobs for undergraduate
psychology majors.
● You can only get a job as a “counselor” if
you graduate with a degree in psychology.
● Graduate school is the only way to succeed in
psychology.
● If you want to attend graduate school, you
should have a double major and/or several
minors.
Facts
● Psychology majors vary in jobs. Majors often decide
what types of jobs to look for based on their
professional interest. “Psychology” jobs generally
require a graduate degree.
● There are many options after your undergraduate
degree in psychology: AmeriCorps, research
opportunities, internships, jobs (human resources,
mediator, etc.)
● To get into graduate school you do not need to
double major/minor.
James Madison University - college of
health & behavioral studies
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TA positions
Introductory Field Work & Field Placement
Art for Memory Enhancement
Research opportunities
Study Abroad Opportunities
Research Opportunities
● Animal lab (Rats, mice, &
pigeons)
● Memory and cognition
● Altruism
● Social
● Development
Rat Lab & Memory/Cognition Lab
•It isn’t all scary! The animals are
safe and well cared for!
•Determining why we yawn –
based on temperature & not the
amount of Oxygen that goes to
the brain!
•Work with leading researchers in
the field!
***Dr. Melanie Shoup-Knox
developed her own probe for
measuring temperature in the
brain!
•In the Memory/Cognition lab,
we study how a specific type
of False Memory (Phantom
Recollection) can influence your
memory!
•Your mind can influence you
without you even knowing!
Study Abroad!
● Anywhere in the world
Psychology in the Community
Fast for food and Our Community Place
Summer Practicum with local shelter
Clubs
Psi-Chi
PSO
Active minds
To Write Love on Her Arms
Psych Club
Fields in Psychology
Clinical
● Focuses on treating patients with mental health disorders through
a variety of therapeutic approaches.
Counseling
● Focuses on helping individuals with everyday concerns and
issues, such as anxiety and depression.
Forensic
● Involves applying psychology to the field of criminal investigation
and the law.
Industrial/Organizational
● Helps to assess and improve psychology of the workplace.
Fields of Psychology Continued
Neuropsychology/Neuroscience
● Studies the brain and how it relates to psychological processes
and behaviors.
School
● They evaluate students to optimize learning throughout the school
setting.
Academia
● Teach courses in psychology throughout the undergraduate and
graduate levels. In addition, they also have the ability to conduct
their own research studies.
Graduation
Prepare with theAfter
help of CAP
and Recruit-a-duke!
Graduate school
● Master’s degree (2-3 years)
● Education Specialist (3-4 years)
● Doctorate degree (5-7 years)
Internships
Research
Take a year “on!”
Employment
● AmeriCorps: Teach for America, City Year
● Human Resources
● Mediation
Future Plans?
Statements from students and faculty
Beth Burleson:
“I love JMU because it has rapidly become my home
away from home. It is here that I am able to pursue
my passions inside and outside the classroom. JMU
is a thriving environment filled with opportunities to
grow and develop as a person. At JMU I have been
able to find my own place within the Psychology
Department where I am able to serve as a Peer
Advisor and a Research Assistant! Outside the
classroom there are so many outstanding
organizations that are easy to get involved with! JMU
is one big community but that community is filled with
clubs, academics, sports, service trips, study abroad
and so much more! While academics are taken very
seriously at JMU, there is more to JMU than just what
happens in the classroom!”
Meg Mischinski
"The psychology department at JMU provides its
students with such valuable opportunities that
most students don't get a chance to experience
until the graduate level. I have had the opportunity
to participate in research labs about treating
mental disorders and I am helping a professor
who is writing a book about how positive
psychology applies to travel! I am also currently
doing my field placement with the Batterers
Intervention Program, a court-ordered group
counseling service for first-time domestic abusers
to prevent future violence. One of my favorite
things about the department is that the faculty
are so approachable and helpful, they definitely
have their students' best interests in mind."
Statement from students and
faculty continued
Professor Kimberly
D.R. DuVall
“The JMU Department of Psychology is
unique in many ways. One is the
amount of opportunities that are
allowed to undergraduates, such as
research, practicums, internships, and
independent studies, just to name a
few. JMU Psychology majors have
the chance to become engaged in real
experiences that go beyond the
classroom. What an awesome
experience!”
Tips for First Years
Get Involved
Meet Your Professors
Don’t Be Scared to Meet People in Your Class!
Try New Things
Explore Explore Explore
Tips for Transfer Students!
Don’t feel that you’re missing out
Get involved!
Take advantage of your resources!
Be friends with your TOPA :)
Reach out to the people in your TOPA group
Perks of living on/off campus
Questions??