/Institutions/Catholic-University-of-America/json/2025-2026/Undergraduate-Announcements-local.json

/Institutions/Catholic-University-of-America/json/2025-2026/Undergraduate-Announcements.json

Undergraduate Announcements > College of Arts and Sciences > Divisions, Departments, and Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences > Division of Social Sciences > Department of Psychology

Department of Psychology

Professors	David A. Jobes; Brendan Rich,Chair
Professors Emeriti	Diane B. Arnkoff; James F. Brennan; Carol R. Glass; James H. Howard Jr.; Martin A. Safer; Marc M. Sebrechts; Antanas Suziedelis; Barry M. Wagner; James E. Youniss
Associate Professors	Kathryn Degnan; Marcie Goeke-Morey
Assistant Professors	Elise Cardinale; Stefanie Goncalves; Abby A. Mandel; Christina Sharkey
Research Associates	Jennifer A. Crumlish; Sandra Barrueco
Lecturers	Jessica Clark; Aimee Duncan; Angelica Eddington; Peter Ellsworth; Jessica Eddins; Katrina Furth; Brendan Hanley; Evan Hughes; Meredith Karam; Keith Main; David Missar; Rebecca Munoz; Sanchita Sharma; Avante Smack; Katherine Rahill; Catherine Rathman; Anna Villavicencio

The Department of Psychology, one of the first established in the United States, was founded in 1892 by Edward Pace upon his return from study with Wilhelm Wundt in Leipzig. From early in its history, the department has combined education in both theoretical and applied aspects of psychology.

The Department of Psychology offers both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychological and Brain Sciences. The B.A. program in psychology is designed to give students a thorough background in psychological theory and methodology and to acquaint them with a variety of content areas such as development, social, personality, clinical, cognition, and industrial organizational. This program gives the major an excellent preparation for graduate training in psychology. It also provides preparation for graduate work in other social science domains such as education, sociology, and political science, as well as for professional training in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, business, social work, and law. There are many areas of employment for psychology majors with a B.A. degree, including advertising, management, mental health, child development, forensics, communications, education, marketing, personnel, human resources, and government. The B.S. program in Psychological and Brain Sciences provides a strong foundation in the cognitive and neurological bases of behavior and a rigorous plan of math and natural sciences. In addition to the graduate study and employment paths listed above, the B.S. degree is an appealing option for students who are interested in preparing for graduate study in neuroscience, medicine, other allied health sciences, as well as employment in a neuroscience or STEM-related field.

Students have the opportunity to earn course credit for hands-on research experience (Research Apprenticeship, PSY 493) and for Psychology Internships (PSY 495) in faculty labs and at numerous sites in the Washington, D.C., area. Juniors with at least a 3.7 GPA who are involved in ongoing research with a department faculty member may apply to do a Senior Thesis (PSY 496) with Department consent. Students with GPA of 3.5 or above are eligible to apply for the 4+1 BA/MA or BS/MA programs.

Courses are numbered as most appropriate for, but not limited to, the following students: 200 level, all students, no prerequisites; 300 level, all students, most with PSY 201 as prerequisite; 400 level, juniors and seniors with PSY 201 and another course as prerequisites; 500 level, juniors and seniors (and also masters-level students) with PSY 201 as prerequisite; 600 level, most appropriate for graduate students but open to juniors and seniors by permission.

Students must maintain a 2.0 overall grade point average. Students must earn grades of C- or better in all psychology courses; students may only repeat required courses once.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The requirements for the major can be found at Psychology - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Bachelor of Science in Psychological and Brain Sciences

The requirements for the major can be found at Psychological and Brain Sciences - Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Minor in Psychology

The requirements for the minor can be found at Psychology - Minor

Minor in Neuroscience

The requirements for the minor can be found at Neuroscience - Minor