Course Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Psychology
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Nancy Darling, Department Chair and William and Jeanette Smith Professor of Psychology
Kenneth J.D. Allen, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Patricia Ann deWinstanley, Professor
Cynthia Frantz, Professor
F. Stephan Mayer, Professor
Clinton Merck, Visiting Instructor of Psychology
Meghan Morean, Associate Professor
Sarah Rabbitt, Assistant Professor
Paul Thibodeau, Associate Professor
Sara Verosky, Assistant Professor
Travis Wilson, Associate Professor
 Visit the department webpage for up-to-date information on department faculty, visiting lecturers and special events.
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior, thought, and feelings. Its subject matter includes biological, cognitive, cultural, developmental, and social perspectives on normal and abnormal behavior. The Department of Psychology’s curriculum prepares students for careers in business, health sciences, criminology, and the helping professions and for graduate work in psychology, education, law, statistics, health sciences, business and other areas in which knowledge of psychology and strong quantitative and reasoning skills are relevant.
Majoring in Psychology provides students with insight into human behavior and a strong background in scientific reasoning, quantitative skills and writing skills. Students interested in going directly into careers after graduation have pursued work in many fields, including social services and business. Those pursuing careers in counseling, social work, in education, or in speech, physical, or occupational therapy will often need to complete at least a masters degree. Careers in academics or clinical psychology normally require a Ph.D. A major in Psychology provides excellent preparation for such fields as law, medicine, public health, or human-computer interface design. Undergraduates interested in applied areas of psychology are encouraged to obtain field experience through Winter Term projects, internships and summer jobs.
 See information about Research, Internships, Study Away and Experiential Learning (RISE).
Advanced Placement
Students who receive a 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology examination or a 6 or 7 on the IB Psychology examination will be exempt from the requirement to take PSYC 100 and will receive one full course at the 100 level toward major requirements and graduation.
Transfer of Credit
All transfer credit must be approved by the Department Chair. Students should obtain prior written approval from the Department Chair to ensure that courses taken at other institutions will count toward major requirements. At least 5 required courses must be completed at Oberlin and one required Advanced Methods course must be taken at Oberlin. It is the student’s responsibility to complete transfer of credit forms and submit them to the Office of the Registrar. Please note that PSYC 200 comprises statistics, research methods, and a lab in SPSS. Students wishing to transfer in a replacement for this course should consult carefully with their advisor.
Independent Work
A variety of opportunities for students to pursue independent work is available at all levels in the curriculum. Both laboratory and non-laboratory research courses are available at junior, senior, and Honors levels. Registration for Independent Work courses requires prior approval of the proposed work by the staff member who will supervise it.
 Explore Winter Term projects and opportunities.
Majors and Minors
Courses
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