Department of Psychology

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. The word “science” implies the use of research methods to study psychological phenomena. “Behavior” refers to the outwardly observable acts of an organism. “Mental processes” refer to the functions of the brain, which includes memory, language, perception, and other cognitive processes.

There are many sub-disciplines within psychology. The major specializations include Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Teaching of Psychology. This list is not exhaustive, but is representative of the idea that psychology is concerned with many areas of research and practice. See more information about each of the sub-fields mentioned here and a few others.

The differences between these two areas of psychology are largely a function of theoretical orientation to, and training for, therapy. This link will take you to an article that addresses this difference in detail.

Also, you want to visit the Auburn University Psychology Department Web site to read its mission statement and the Counseling Psychology Web page to read its mission statement.

A master's degree (MS) is awarded to individuals after completing a one- or a two-year program of study following receipt of a baccalaureate degree. A master's degree may or may not involve completing a thesis. A PhD is awarded to individuals after completing a five-year (or longer) program of study following receipt of a baccalaureate degree or a master's degree. The PhD is a research degree, which means that this degree is awarded only to those individuals who develop considerable empirical skills. Ultimately, the degree you seek depends on your career goals. The following link is a helpful article to read if you are considering graduate school in psychology.

http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_90.asp

A fundamental difference between these two degrees is the extent to which research is emphasized. The following article will help you understand the distinction between these two degrees.

http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_171.asp

The following URL is a very helpful article for answering this question:

http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_68.asp

Once you have decided to major in psychology, you are assigned to an advisor based on your last name. Please visit the Psychology Department's advising Web page for more information.

The requirements for a major in psychology are outlined on the following web page.

If you have questions regarding the major requirements please see your advisor.

The requirements for a minor in psychology are outlined on the following web page.

If you have questions regarding the minor requirements please see your advisor.

No, you do not need a minor in any field to major in psychology. However, depending on your academic or career goals, you may find that a minor may be very helpful in rounding out the knowledge and skills you acquire as an undergraduate.

Independent study (PSYCH 4900) is a course in which you work on a research project under the close supervision of, or in collaboration with, a faculty member. Prerequisites for the course include being at least a junior and the getting the approval of the instructor with whom you wish to work. You enroll in the course by seeking out a professor whose research or intellectual interests align with yours and inquiring whether he or she would be willing to work with you in this course.

To learn more about specific faculty and their research orientation and interests go here.

The psychology department has established specific “tracks” of courses that are recommended for preparing for graduate school, entering a human services profession, or simply completing a major in psychology with no specific post-baccalaureate plans to attend graduate school or work in psychology. Go to the Major Tracks web page

The financial aid available to psychology students is the same as the aid available to other Auburn University students. Please visit the Auburn Financial Aid office for more information:

Internships in psychology are not typically available to undergraduate students. Internships are more readily available in graduate programs.

The psychology faculty members at Auburn are varied in their interests and research programs. For details on current research, please visit the Psychology faculty Web page: