wayne state university psychology phd

A degree in psychology

Wayne State provides a broad spectrum of psychology education that prepares students for careers in marketing, teaching, human resources and many other related fields. Psychology majors are trained in critical thinking, ethical reasoning, interpersonal communication, research design and much more!

Why study psychology at Wayne State?

Shanique Brown: Research that's helping teams succeed

Shanique joined the department as an assistant professor of industrial organizational (I/O) psychology. Her line of research on team effectiveness hopes to identify interventions to help teams to better integrate ideas and capitalize on their collective strengths.

Aimee Kotrba: Owner of two successful behavioral clinics treating children and adolescents

Aimee spends much of her time teaching, conducting workshops, supervising, and treating children with selective mutism, a childhood anxiety disorder impacting the ability to speak in specific social situations (while being able to speak well in the home or comfortable settings).

Scott Bowen: Treating behavioral effects of commonly abused drugs

Dr. Bowen first became interested in the behavioral effects of commonly abused drugs while an undergraduate at the University of Mississippi. His latest research has the potential to assist in devising effective treatments and prevention strategies for adolescent inhalant abuse.

Catalina Koptez: Applying interdisciplinary research to public health

"As a faculty member at Wayne, I am privileged to be only one of the many faculty who are working to apply their knowledge and skills of basic social, cognitive, and personality processes to the understanding of health behavior while also training new generations of scientists into this interdisciplinary approach."

Lenwood Hayman: Improving the lives of underprivileged populations

Lenwood studies the influence of stress on the disparate rates of obesity in African American women and low-income families, the various negative consequences that result from poor mental health in African American men, and academic achievement in first-generation and non-traditional students.

Antonia Abbey: Exploring psychosocial factors that influence sexual assault survivors’ recovery

Antonia (Toni) Abbey, Ph.D., has examined psychosocial factors that influence sexual assault survivors’ recovery, beginning with her dissertation research that examined survivors’ attempts to reestablish control, find meaning, and deal with the blame they experienced from professionals, family, and friends.

Michigan college students say neither party talks about issues that matter to them

Program offering free mental health support for youth aims to create future mental health pros

Warriors in the Community: Researching bullying

Whitmer seeks $5,000 tax credit for Michigan caregivers. How much will it help?

• April 11 Giving Day on April 11, 2024 All day
• More events

Psychology Clinic

A degree in psychology

Wayne State provides a broad spectrum of psychology education that prepares students for careers in marketing, teaching, human resources and many other related fields. Psychology majors are trained in critical thinking, ethical reasoning, interpersonal communication, research design and much more!

Why study psychology at Wayne State?

Shanique Brown: Research that's helping teams succeed

Shanique joined the department as an assistant professor of industrial organizational (I/O) psychology. Her line of research on team effectiveness hopes to identify interventions to help teams to better integrate ideas and capitalize on their collective strengths.

Aimee Kotrba: Owner of two successful behavioral clinics treating children and adolescents

Aimee spends much of her time teaching, conducting workshops, supervising, and treating children with selective mutism, a childhood anxiety disorder impacting the ability to speak in specific social situations (while being able to speak well in the home or comfortable settings).

Scott Bowen: Treating behavioral effects of commonly abused drugs

Dr. Bowen first became interested in the behavioral effects of commonly abused drugs while an undergraduate at the University of Mississippi. His latest research has the potential to assist in devising effective treatments and prevention strategies for adolescent inhalant abuse.

Catalina Koptez: Applying interdisciplinary research to public health

"As a faculty member at Wayne, I am privileged to be only one of the many faculty who are working to apply their knowledge and skills of basic social, cognitive, and personality processes to the understanding of health behavior while also training new generations of scientists into this interdisciplinary approach."

Antonia Abbey: Exploring psychosocial factors that influence sexual assault survivors’ recovery

Antonia (Toni) Abbey, Ph.D., has examined psychosocial factors that influence sexual assault survivors’ recovery, beginning with her dissertation research that examined survivors’ attempts to reestablish control, find meaning, and deal with the blame they experienced from professionals, family, and friends.

Lenwood Hayman: Improving the lives of underprivileged populations

Lenwood studies the influence of stress on the disparate rates of obesity in African American women and low-income families, the various negative consequences that result from poor mental health in African American men, and academic achievement in first-generation and non-traditional students.

Michigan college students say neither party talks about issues that matter to them

Program offering free mental health support for youth aims to create future mental health pros

Warriors in the Community: Researching bullying

Whitmer seeks $5,000 tax credit for Michigan caregivers. How much will it help?

• April 11 Giving Day on April 11, 2024 All day
• More events

Psychology Clinic

Wayne State University

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Your Librarian

Welcome to the Psychology Research Guide!

I hope that you will find this guide a useful starting place for your research in Psychology. I have assembled a core collection of resources available through the Wayne State University Library System, as well as high quality, freely available web resources. This guide is a collaborative work-in-progress, developed with the suggestions and feedback from students and faculty in Psychology.

I am available to assist with research related to Psychology, to provide instruction sessions to courses, and to suggest additions to our collections. Use the "Schedule Appointment" button in my profile box to self-schedule a meeting with me. 

Katrina Rouan

Subject Specialist for Psychology

WSU Library System has e-access to the DSM-5-TR through a subscription called PsychiatryOnline.  To access the electronic version of the DSM-5-TR, click the link below.

• DSM-5-TR Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, text revision

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Reference Desks

Undergraduate (UGL): 313-577-8852 Purdy/Kresge: 313-577-6423 Arthur Neef Law: 313-577-6180 Shiffman Medical: 313-577-1094

Psychology @ Wayne State University

Undergraduate program in psychology.

Wayne State University's Department of Psychology provides a broad spectrum of undergraduate education that prepares students for graduate study in psychology, or other related fields. A major in psychology also can prepare students for medical school, business school, and law school. We have a dynamic, dedicated faculty with wide ranging interests and active research programs in almost all areas of modern psychology.

MA/PHD in Psychology

Wayne State University's Department of Psychology offers four different MA/PHD degrees in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience; Clinical Psychology; Industrial/Organizational Psychology; and Cognitive, Developmental and Social Psychology. The Department also offers a MA only program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

For more information see the "Undergraduate Programs" and "Graduate Programs" links on the Department of Psychology webpage

Professional Associations

• American Psychological Association
• Association for Psychological Science
• Canadian Psychological Association
• Next: Article Databases >>
• Last Updated: Apr 4, 2024 10:31 AM
• URL: https://guides.lib.wayne.edu/Psychology
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Wayne State University

Academic catalog, psychology (b.s.).

Undergraduate training offered by the Department of Psychology serves several related purposes. For the science major and the liberal arts major, the study of psychology provides an opportunity to learn the scientific approach to the study of behavior which will include material helpful in increasing self-understanding and insight into the behavior of others. For students preparing for medicine, law, education, nursing, business, and other professions, psychology provides important basic knowledge useful in these vocations. For those planning to pursue graduate study in psychology, the undergraduate program establishes a sound foundation.  Psychology-related employment for graduates with a bachelor’s degree has increased in recent years. Such employment, of course, has depended on the personal characteristics of the individual, on the special qualifications and training of the individual, and particularly on job opportunity.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for this program are satisfied by the general requirements for  undergraduate admission  to the University.

Psychology Mass Advising / Information Meeting

Attendance at one of the meetings is mandatory for all psychology majors. Students are expected to attend prior to their first advising appointment.

Prospective and current WSU students who are considering majoring or minoring in psychology should attend to learn about the major and opportunities within the field.  It is also helpful for individuals who are considering pursuing psychology as a second career and/or graduate studies. Meetings will cover psychology major requirements, information about graduate school, research experience, volunteer experience, career development, tips for success and much more. Attendance at one of the meetings is mandatory for all psychology majors. Students are encouraged to attend as soon as possible and should feel free to bring parents and/or interested friends. View the  current schedule .

Program Requirements

Candidates must complete minimum of 120 credits in course work including satisfaction of the  University General Education Requirements  and the  College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements , as well as the Departmental major requirements cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the  University  and the  College  governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.

Major Requirements

• To graduate with a major in psychology, a student must complete satisfactorily at least thirty-four credits in PSY courses BEYOND the credits for PSY 1010  or  PSY 1020 + PSY 1030 (Introductory Requirement). 
• Students must also attend the  Psychology Mass Advising Meeting . This two-hour meeting is offered approximately every two-three weeks at various days/times. Students need to attend only once, but must be present for the full meeting. Students are expected to attend either prior to or upon declaring major in psychology. View the current schedule .
• Transfer students must complete at least twenty credits in the Psychology Department at Wayne State University.
• Bachelor of Science requires a minimum of 27 credits of non-Psychology science. See a Psychology advisor for list of applicable courses.

Degree Requirements

PSY 2020 is a mandatory prerequisite for other courses, such as PSY 2030 ,  PSY 3993 and PSY 5020 . Students are strongly encouraged to take PSY 2020  within one year after completion of the Introductory Psychology requirement. A minimum grade of C is required for Psychology majors. PSY 2020 can only be repeated one time.

PSY 2030 is a mandatory prerequisite for other courses, such as PSY 3993 and PSY 5020 . Students are strongly encouraged to take PSY 2030  within one year after completion of the Introductory Psychology requirement. A minimum grade of C is required for Psychology majors. PSY 2030 can only be repeated one time.

Preparation for Psychology Graduate Work

While individual graduate programs in psychology have different requirements for admission, students who intend to do graduate work are advised to earn the B.A. or B.S. degree and select courses that are consistent with their intended area of study. Students are also encouraged to obtain research experience. A psychology advisor will help tailor a plan-of-work that is based on academic and career goals. Additional courses in mathematics, computer science, biology, and sociology are strongly recommended for students pursuing graduate work in psychology and for students who plan to apply for professional programs.

Psychology Honors Program

Students with an overall grade point average of 3.3 and a Psychology grade point average of 3.5 are eligible for admission to the Department's Honors Program. Satisfactory completion of the Honors Program will lead to a degree 'With Psychology Honors' on the diploma. Students interested in the program should obtain detailed information from the Psychology Department Undergraduate Advising Office.

Honors Sections provide smaller classes, somewhat more advanced readings, and opportunities for independent work by students. Students must complete a minimum of eighteen credits in honors coursework, including: PSY 5020 (Honors Research in Psychology), PSY 4991 (three-credit Honors Directed Study), PSY 4998 (Senior Thesis), and one additional PSY course designated as honors through an honors section or honors option contract. Students must also complete an Honors Seminar from the HON 42xx series.

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