Psychology Department

Psychology Library Resources 

Cheryll Rothery, Psy.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Division Chair
Lynn Brandsma, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology
Joseph Diorio, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology

Meredith E. Kneavel, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Undergraduate Coordinator

Kelly M. Landman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology
Nancy Porter, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology

Chestnut Hill College offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology; a dual degree (BA/MS) program in Counseling Psychology; and a minor in Psychology. Students interested in these programs should contact Lynn Brandsma, Room 3, St. Joseph Hall. Telephone: 215/248-7049. Email: brandsmal@chc.edu.

A minimum Career GPA of 2.00 and a minimum Major GPA of 2.00 are required for graduation. Courses Required in the Major comprise the Major GPA. Unless indicated, students must earn a grade of C- (1.70) or better in courses both Required in the Major and Also Required in order to successfully complete the requirements for the Major. Students must earn a grade of C- (1.70) or better in courses required to successfully complete the requirements for the Minor.

Departmental Mission  

The Psychology Department offers courses that encompass the broad range of factors that shape human behavior. The influences related to Biology, particularly the workings of the brain, from individual psychological processes such as cognitions and emotions, and the effects of sociocultural surroundings are all considered as students are exposed to the great breadth of the field.

In addition, rigorous training in research methods prepares the students well for individual investigation and graduate study. Students can also receive course credit for supervised field experiences through internships in their Junior and Senior years.

Advanced Placement  

Students who have completed an Advanced Placement Psychology course in High School may be eligible to receive credit for a General Psychology course, depending on their performance on the Advanced Placement test. AP test scores of 3 or higher will be accepted as 3 credits for PSYC-101: General Psychology.

Honors and Honor Societies  

The Psychology Department sponsors Psi Chi, the Psychology Honors Society and the Psychology Club. Members of both organizations jointly sponsor and partake in activities such as guest speakers, demonstrations and academic events.

Outstanding students may be invited to participate in the Departmental Honors program. Sophomores of high scholastic standing (a Career GPA of 3.50 or higher) may be invited by their major department to stand for Honors in their Junior and Senior years. The Departmental Honors program provides an opportunity for independent study and research culminating in an Honors Thesis submitted in the spring of Senior year. All students who have successfully completed the Honors Program will be recognized with Honors in their major field at the annual Honors Convocation and on their academic transcripts. In addition, the title of the completed Honors Thesis will appear on the academic transcript.

Course Options  

Courses open to students of any major to fulfill a Behavioral Ways of Knowing, to meet a requirement in another major, or to pursue an interest in Psychology include the following, which may not be offered every semester; see Course Descriptions for Pre-Requisites:

  • PSYC-101: General Psychology (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-103: Psychology of Child Development (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-109: Psychology of Women (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-111: Industrial/Organizational Psychology (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-202: Educational Psychology (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-206: Theories of Personality (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-207: Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-210: Physiology of Behavior (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-211: Sensation and Perception (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-212: Social Psychology (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-217: Abnormal Psychology (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-223: Theory and Practice of Psychological Counseling (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-230: Drugs and Behavior
  • PSYC-235: Forensic Psychology
  • PSYC-240: Psychology of Health, Stress, and Coping (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-250: Adolescence/Adulthood and Aging (WOK: Behavioral)
  • PSYC-281: Special Topics in Psychology/Topics vary by semester (Repeatable for credit) 
  • PSYC-301: Group Process and Leadership
  • PSYC-481: Advanced Special Topics in Psychology/Topics vary by semester (Repeatable for credit)