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

Amy Hess presents her research at the
JMU Psychology Symposium.

Independent Study

Independent Study in Psychology at JMU is a formal way that Psychology Majors can apply classroom learning to practical problems and to expand the scope of knowledge in Psychology to areas that are not emphasized in the coursework that we offer. As you participate in these projects, you can work independently with a small group of students with similar interests. You will also interact, and can form mentoring relationships with faculty. The faculty consider these experiences to be an essential part of the undergraduate Psychology experience, and encourage all students to participate. Project Supervisor permission is required to participate in independent study projects. Some projects require specific courses or special skills to qualify. Contact potential course supervisors to apply for these experiences. Upcoming activities are generally described in Department of Psychology newsletters and e-mail news.

• Independent Study Application Instructions
• Independent Study Application (in Word)
• Independent Study Application (in Adobe PDF)

1. The Scope of Independent Study
   • Directed Research. TThis is an opportunity for students to assist a faculty member with a research project. You can design your own project, but more typically faculty working with students develop the project. In some cases students work individually, but often a team that includes several students conducting the project. Students may participate in any or all phases of the research including completion of background research, study design, collection of data, data analysis and interpretation. Sometimes projects culminate with the development of a professional conference presentation or publication of an article.
   • Service Learning & Internship Activities. This is an opportunity for students to apply Psychology learning to a field setting. Students may work on projects individually or in groups. Credit is never awarded for fieldwork alone. To earn academic credit, students must integrate their understanding ofPpsychology with the experiences they have in the field. Often completing readings, preparing written materials, and participating in discussions with the faculty supervisor accomplish this. To enroll, students must have a JMU Psychology faculty sponsor. Discuss the field experience you would like to have with your faculty supervisor first, before contacting field sites.
   • Directed Readings. This is an opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge of an area of Psychology that is not available in the courses we offer. Typically the student completes extensive readings on a topic, has periodic meetings with their supervisor, and prepares a product that is evaluated by the project supervisor.
2. Preliminary (Psyc 290) or Advanced Work (Psyc 402)
   • PSYC 290 (1-3 credit hours). This course allows you to work closely with a faculty member for approximately 40 clock hours per credit hour. Psyc 290 projects can include directed research, service learning, directed readings, or some combination of these options. Psyc 290 is intended to be an introductory experience; Gpsyc 101 (and permission of the instructor) is the only prerequisite. Psyc 290 credits cannot be counted towards the 38-credit hours minimum required for the Psychology Major, but it is considered an excellent experience for majors.
   • PSYC 402 (1-4 credit hours). This course is an advanced elective in the Psychology Major that is intended to allow students to apply their knowledge of Psychology to a research, service or readings project. As a 400-level course, students will be expected to complete Gpsyc 101, Psyc 210, Psyc 211, one Social Science Area course and one Natural Science Area course before enrolling in this experience. Project supervisors may waive these prerequisites, add additional ones, or require specific skills from the students they select for their projects. Psyc 402 projects must include the development of an evaluated product that demonstrates that learning objectives have been achieved. Only three credits of Psyc 402 can count towards the 38-credit hours required for the Psychology Major. Additional Psyc 402 credit can be earned and counted towards university graduation credit.