The Psychology Major

Planning your program

• 2006-Present Psychology Major
• Pre-2006 Psychology Major
• Behavior Analysis Concentration
• Special Opportunities
  1. Psyc Learning Community
  2. Special Courses
  3. Capstone Experiences
  4. Independent Study
  5. Peer Advising
  6. Field Placement
  7. Honors Thesis
• Minors, Second Majors, and Pre-professional Programs
• Recommended Electives

Dealing with the System

• Major Admission
• Transferring Courses & Credit by Exam
• Grants and Awards
• Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Your Future

• Career Options for a Psychology Major
• Applying for Jobs with a Bachelor's Degree
• Applying for Admission to Graduate School
• Regional and National Organizations

Getting Help

Grants and Awards

The Department of Psychology does not have any grant programs for which students can apply that will pay your tuition. Each year, based on performance at JMU, we select students to receive the Leann Whitlock and Nelson scholarships, described below.  For information about otherscholarship and financial aid programs contact the JMU Financial Aid Office.

Department of Psychology Student Grants

Department of Psychology Grants are available to students who travel to professional conferences to make presentations and to support student research. Travel grants are limited to $200 per student and a group of 3 or more students making a presentation together can receive a maximum of $600. Research grants for up to $500 per projects are available to purchase equipment, supplies and cover travel expenses necessary to conduct the research. Grant applications can be submitted anytime before the semester deadline.    Please see the application forms for more details. The relevant forms and information are linked below:

• Conference Travel Grant Application Form
• Research Grant Application Form
• Expense Reimbursement Instructions

Whitlock Psychology Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in December 1993 by the Zeta Phi Beta sorority at JMU. The scholarship was created to honor the memory of Leann Whitlock . Leann was a student at James Madison University from Roanoke, Virginia. She was abducted from the Valley Mall in Harrisonburg and murdered on January 5, 1990. Her killers were eventually apprehended and found guilty. Leann loved playing games with other kids as a child and had dozens of friends. She also devoted her time to "adult" things: running errands with her mother, caring after a sick relative, helping out the elderly. At church, she became known as the "set of young legs" who tackled with missionary zeal the most tedious tasks given her, a quality that pleased neighbors and made her parents proud.

This scholarship is given to an outstanding Junior Psychology Major from an underrepresented group, whose talents skills, and abilities enable them to enrich the JMU community.

Eileen Nelson Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding Senior Psychology Major who is completing their Honors Thesis to defray the cost of senior-year tuition. Interest in developing a career in Psychology or Counseling, and a demonstrated service commitment to psychology, such as active participation in Peer Advising, are considered when students are selected for this award. The scholarship honors Dr. Eileen Nelson, a faculty member who retired several years ago after a career commitment of teaching and service to psychology at JMU. Dr. Nelson, a productive scholar in her own right, often supervised more Honors Thesis projects than any other faculty member on campus. She is also the founder of our Peer Advising program. This scholarship has been primarily funded by contributions from Dr. Nelson’s family.