Psychology Department

Distinguished Service Professor: Fred Millán

Professors: B. Runi Mukherji, Lorenz S. Neuwirth
Associate Professors: Marty Cooper, Ashlee Lien, Chair, Seojung Jung, Lillian Park
Assistant Professors: Erik Benau; Svetlana Jović, Lanaya Wade
Lecturers: Meesuk Ahn; Melissa Kiner

The Psychology Department provides students with a background in the major areas of expertise within the modern discipline of psychology. A major in psychology leads to either the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Completion of requirements for a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology ensures that students have been given an extensive background in research methods and have been introduced to the basic areas of specialization within psychology. To this end, the curriculum is designed around a set of required courses called The Core, which includes Introduction to Psychology; a sequence of two research methodology courses; Field Experience & Research, an internship course; and a Senior Seminar in a specialized area of interest. In addition to these core courses, students choose six electives: One foundations course in the area of physiological and cognitive psychology; two foundations courses out of three areas (clinical, developmental, and social); one foundations course in the area of diversity and social justice; and two additional electives. At least two electives must be at the 4000 level and at least one 4000-level psych elective must be taken at SUNY OW to fulfill a residency requirement. In selecting courses beyond the required core, students enrich the scope of their knowledge, and are able to prepare for employment or advancement in a way that matches their particular interests, abilities, and occupational goals. While some students begin employment with a Bachelor’s degree, in order to advance professionally, many students go on to pursue graduate degrees in psychology with specialization in their subfield or social work. The B.A. program provides majors with a strong background for entering graduate studies in many related fields of human service, whereas the B.S. program provides majors with a strong background for entering forensic/criminal sciences, nursing, developmental disabilities, special education, gerontology/rehabilitative science, pharmacology, psychiatry, neurology, neurobiology, in addition to basic and clinical research.

Department Mission

The Psychology Department trains students to become ethically responsible decision makers and agents of change in their personal, professional, and civic lives through the socially conscious and culturally informed practice and research of psychology across settings.

Program Outcomes

PO 1. Demonstrate knowledge of psychological concepts, theories, and research in psychology.
PO 2. Use critical thinking to evaluate and interpret evidence, and apply basic research methods to psychological and social issues.
PO 3. Critically evaluate the complexities of sociocultural diversity, societal inequality, the dynamics of oppression and privilege, and one’s own social positionality.
PO 4  Identify actions that could contribute to social change, social justice, and promote active participation in a global society.
PO 5. Exhibit effective and context-specific communication skills and professional demeanor. practice and research related to psychological and social issues.

Declaring a Major

The Psychology Department must approve the Application for Psychology Major before students may declare a major In Psychology. All students must meet with a faculty advisor in the Psychology Department, and bring a  transcript of all courses taken at Old Westbury and elsewhere.

In order to be able to declare a major in Psychology, students must meet the following requirements:

1. At least 32 credits, taken either at Old Westbury or elsewhere
2. Math and English Proficiency
3. Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher
4. Introduction to Psychology (PY 2010) or its equivalent with a grade of C or higher
5. One other Psychology course applicable to the requirements for the major with a grade of C or higher

Progressing Through the Major: Guidance and Important Information

1. Completion of Introduction to Psychology with a minimum grade of C is a prerequisite for most courses in the major. Earning a score of 3 or better on an AP Psychology exam meets this requirement.
2. In order to be able to register for Research Design & Analysis I, students must have earned a C or better in Introduction to Psychology and they must be proficient in both English (EMS) and Math. (Check “Proficiency Requirements” section of the Catalog for more information.)

• EMS (English Mastery Satisfied) is achieved after completing both English Composition I & II with a minimum grade of C; a score of 3 or better on an Advanced Placement (AP) English exam can exempt a student from ECI.
• Math Proficiency is established by completing any of the following courses with a C or better: MA 1020 , MA 2000 , MA 2050 ; a score of 3 or higher on AP Calculus or Statistics exam may also satisfy proficiency.

3. Students must earn a grade of C or better in Research Design & Analysis I in order to proceed to Research Design & Analysis II.
4. Students who wish to register for Field Experience & Research must have earned a C or better in Introduction to Psychology and in Research Design & Analysis I, and must have completed at least 24 credits in Psychology. Students also must attend a scheduled Field Orientation Workshop before the semester begins.
5. Students must complete one 4000-level psychology elective at SUNY Old Westbury in order to meet the residency requirement.
6. Senior Seminar is a 5000-level course in a specific area of psychology. In order to register for a senior seminar course, students must have earned a C or better in Introduction to Psychology and in Research Design & Analysis I, and must have completed at least 24 credits in Psychology. Other prerequisites apply, depending on the specific Senior Seminar course.

Transfer Students

General Guidelines

1. Transfer students must complete 42-44 credits in psychology to complete the major. At least 24 of these must be taken at Old Westbury.
2. A maximum of 20 approved and applicable credits can be applied to the major from transfer institutions. Additional psychology credits can count toward the baccalaureate degree but not toward the requirements for the major.
3. Course credits will be transferred based upon the number of credits earned at the previous institution, even though a similar course at Old Westbury may earn fewer or more credits.
4. All transfer students are strongly encouraged to speak with a faculty advisor in the Psychology Department to discuss the requirements for the major and plan a course of study that ensures a timely completion of  the degree.

Evening Students

The Psychology Department offers the required core courses and electives in the evening on a rotating basis; however, completion of the major typically takes longer for evening-only students.

Credit/No Credit Policy

All core courses (Intro to Psych; RDA I; RDA II; Foundational Courses in Cognitive/Biological, Social, Clinical, Developmental, and Diversity & Social Justice; Field; and Senior Seminar) must be taken for a letter grade in order to meet requirements for the major.

Spring2020 Exception to the Credit/No Credit Policy 

For Spring 2020, students may take core courses, with the exception of Intro to Psych and RDA I, for Credit for the psychology major. Intro to Psych and RDA I must be taken for a letter grade in order to meet the C minimum grade requirement for pre-requisites.

Policy on the Progression through the Psychology Major

Students who are registered as psychology majors (i.e., both the B.A. and B.S.) have three attempts to pass PY 2010 Intro to Psychology and PY 3010 Research, Design, & Analysis I (RDA I) in the psychology major with a grade of “C” or better. A student who fails to earn a grade of “C” or better in Intro and RDA I in the psychology major after three attempts, which includes withdrawals*, will not be permitted to continue as a psychology major. For information on credit/no credit, refer to the Credit/No Credit Policy in the Psychology Dept.

If a student has a first failure to achieve a grade of “C” or better in a required core course for the psychology major, as a student support measure, an advising hold will be placed on the students’ record. Students will be required  to meet with a faculty advisor to discuss the current policy on how to succeed in the core course to advance through the psychology major.

If a student has a second failure to achieve a grade of “C” or better in the above mentioned courses, as a secondary student support measure, this situation will trigger a meeting with the student, their faculty advisor, and the Department Chair to discuss the current policy, how to best support the student to succeed in the core course to advance through the psychology major. 

If a student has a third failure to achieve a grade of “C” or better in a required core course for the psychology major, the student will be sent a formal letter from the Department Chair indicating the current policy, the prior student support intervention meetings, and their release from the psychology major. If the student so chooses, they may appeal the decision to be released from the psychology major by writing to the Chair of the Department. This appeal must be furnished within one semester from the semester in which the third failure of a core course in the major was recorded.

All decisions are at the discretion of the Department Chair.

*Medical withdrawals are not included in this count.

Programs

• Psychology, B.A.

• Psychology, B.S.

• Foundational Counseling Skills, Micro-Credential
• Foundations in Applied Behavior Change Micro-Credential
• Foundations of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Micro-Credential
• Foundations of Neuropsychopharmacology, Micro-Credential

• Neuropsychology, Minor
• Psychology, Minor