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Department of Psychology

 

 

Do you ever wonder what makes people tick? Why are some people more prone to addiction than others? Can our genes really affect how intelligent we are? Questions like these are what psychologists seek to answer through the study of the human brain, mind, and behavior.

What's going on in the brain when we sleep and dream? Why do so many people believe in weird things (like ESP)? These are just some of the questions that psychologists are working to answer. By studying the human brain and behavior, psychology can help to shed light on the mysteries of the mind.

Birmingham-Southern College's Psychology major provides students with a strong foundation in statistics and research methods, as well as experience in areas of study. This education prepares students for careers in research, academia, counseling, and many other fields where an understanding of human behavior is essential.

Interested? Fill out the form to the right and an admissions representative will follow up with you to start your Hilltop journey.

Start your journey to understanding human behavior

 

Why study Psychology at BSC?

  • Learn about the human brain and behavior
  • Obtain a strong foundation in statistics and research methods
  • Study a variety of areas within psychology, including biological, cognitive, social, developmental, and clinical psychology
  • Prepare for graduate school or a career in psychology



About BSC Psychology

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    Plan YOUR Major

    People who graduate with a psychology degree go on to do many different things. Some people go to work right away, while others decide to pursue a graduate degree in a related field. No matter what you choose, a psychology degree can help you get there. The following are 4-year plans for graduating with your psychology degree and some ideas of what you could do afterward.

     

    General 4-year plan

    Not sure what you want to do for a career? Use this 4-year plan as a guide for designing your own unique educational experience. You will earn all the credits you need, take lots of interesting psychology classes, and have plenty of flexibility to explore whatever other topics interest you.

     

    Pre-Clinical Psychology/Counseling

    A psychology degree can help you prepare for a career in clinical psychology or licensed counseling. You should focus on taking classes like PY313 Abnormal Psychology and other classes related to the disorders and populations you are interested in working with. For example, if you want to become a substance abuse counselor, you would need to take PY217 Drugs, Brain, and Behavior as one of your psychology electives. If you want to work with children, then you would need to take PY316 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology.
    In addition to taking the right courses, many graduate programs are looking for applicants with research experience. Make sure to check out our faculty’s research labs and ask them about obtaining some research experience.

     

    Pre-Academic

    If you want to become a psychology professor or researcher, our department can help you. We have many opportunities for you to gain experience in research. This is the number one qualification that many graduate schools are looking for in their applicants. Make sure to talk to one of our psychology faculty members about these opportunities. 
    You can also work under a faculty member to gain teaching experience in our course PY498: Teaching Experience in Psychology. As a Teaching Fellow, you will help lead discussions, design coursework, and provide feedback.

     

    Pre-Health with a Psychology Major

    No matter what health profession you are interested in, many advanced degrees in health professions will be compatible with a psychology degree, as long as you take the necessary pre-requisite courses. Below we provide some guidance for preparing for several specific health-related graduate programs while earning your psychology degree. For additional guidance, students can contact BSC’s pre-professional advisor for health professions, Dr. John Woods.

     

    Pre-Med with a Psychology Major

    Did you know that you can go to medical school with a psychology major? Medical schools accept students from all majors, as long as they meet the required prerequisites.Click here for an example 4-year plan involving all of the needed coursework for most programs.

    While each medical school has its own particular requirements, there are common courses that most programs require, and which are tested on the MCAT. The required coursework typically includes foundational courses in:
    • General & Cell Biology (BI115 and BI125)
    • General (a.k.a. inorganic) Chemistry (CH111 and CH112)
    • Organic Chemistry (CH211 and CH212)
    • Biochemistry (BI308)
    • Physics (PH121 and PH122)
    • Behavioral Science/Psychology (PY101+)
    • General Math/Statistics (PY221 QA)
    • General English (EH102 or EH208)
    (Note that AP credits are often counted as fulfilling the intro-level requirements).

    In addition, there are some topics that are commonly recommended, even if sometimes not explicitly required. These sometimes include:
    • Physiology (BI303)
    • Genetics (BI215)
    For the specific requirements for the medical school you are interested in, here is a helpful guide from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

    Physical Therapy with a Psychology Major

    PT schools do not require any particular major, and many students earn their degree in psychology before attending graduate school to become a physical therapist. Click here for an example 4-year plan involving all of the needed coursework to earn your psychology degree and prepare you for a graduate program in physical therapy.

    While each graduate program in physical therapy has its own requirements, there are common courses that most programs require. These typically include foundational courses in:
    • Anatomy and Physiology (HS203 and HS242)
    • Physics (PH121 and PH122)
    • Psychology (PY101+)
    • Biology (BI115 and BI125)
    • Chemistry (CH111 and CH112)
    • Statistics (PY221-QA)

    As an example, here are links to the specific program requirements for several different PT programs.

     

    Pre-Nursing with a Psychology Major

    Birmingham-Southern College does not offer a major in nursing. However, students still have multiple options for pursuing a nursing career with their BSC degree. One option is for the student to complete BSC's dual degree program, which is an accelerated program earning a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from BSC while simultaneously beginning a Master’s degree in nursing from UAB. Another option is for the student to complete a bachelor’s degree with the major of their choosing, and then apply for a direct-entry nursing program. This second option is the path compatible with a psychology degree from BSC. Click here for an example 4-year plan involving all of the needed coursework to earn your psychology degree and prepare you for a direct-entry nursing program.

    While each nursing program has its own requirements, there are common courses that Master’s programs (MSNs) frequently require. These frequently include courses such as: 
    • Anatomy & Physiology (HS203 and HS242)
    • Human Growth and Development/Developmental psychology (PY224)
    • Nutrition (HS200)
    • Microbiology (BI304)
    • Statistics (PY221-QA)
    • Abnormal Psychology (PY313)

    As an example, here are the specific program requirements for several different MSN programs.

    Pre-Health with a Psychology Major (General)

    Many students are not quite sure what career they want to pursue after graduating, but they want to make sure they are well-prepared for many options. If you are a strong student and you are considering a career in a health-related field, but you are not yet sure which one—you could consider double-majoring in both Psychology and Health Sciences. Click here for an example 4-year plan involving all of the needed coursework to earn both of these majors simultaneously.
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    Internships and Hands-On Experience

    • Internships: If you're passionate about psychology and want to get the hands-on experience you need to jumpstart your career, then studying at Birmingham- Southern College is the perfect choice for you. During January e-term, fall or spring semester, and during the summer, you can earn course credit for your internship, giving you the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in the field.

    Some of the internships our students have obtained in the past few years include positions at mental health clinics, child development centers, nutrition and exercise programs, substance abuse facilities, and elder care homes. No matter what your interests are, we can help you find an internship that is perfect for you.

    Specific examples of recent student internship locations:
    • Crisis Center (suicide hotline)
    • Grayson and Associates Mental Health Care (outpatient therapy)
    • United Ability (programs to assist children and adults with disabilities)
    • Children’s Hospital of Alabama (shadowing different healthcare jobs)
    • Mitchell’s Place (specializing in improving the lives of children with autism)
    • Centrus Personnel Solutions (helping people select the right employee for the job)

    Our faculty are committed to helping you find the right internship for your specific interests and goals, and will connect you with some of the many great internship opportunities available in Birmingham. You can also search for internships through the Norton Board, which gives you access to professionals in a wide range of psychology-related fields.

    Interested in exploring hands-on and internship opportunities? Email Dr. Greta Valenti today!
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    Student Research

    At the Birmingham-Southern College Department of Psychology, we believe that it is critically important for students to get hands-on experience with research. We believe that this experience is essential for providing students with skills that are highly valuable in today’s job market. In addition, this experience gives students a more complete understanding of the psychological research they are learning about in class, seeing in the media, and reading about in peer-reviewed journal articles. Our department places a strong emphasis on training students to design and try out their own experiments under faculty guidance. We believe that this experience is essential for providing students with the skills they need to be successful in today’s job market.

    Research is an important part of the psychology curriculum at Birmingham-Southern College. All students complete group research projects in PY222 Statistics and Research Methods II, and students typically complete an additional research project for their Senior Seminar course. Other courses, such as PY372 Psychology of Learning, may offer additional opportunities for students to conduct their own experiments. Aside from experiences in class, students interested in attending graduate school are further encouraged to gain experience as part of one of our faculty member’s research labs. Our location in the Birmingham area also provides opportunities for students to get involved in research projects at nearby institutions, such as the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

    Senior Research

    Most psychology majors complete either PY470/472 (Senior Seminar: Research in Psychology I and II) or PY450 (Senior Seminar: Advanced Topics in Psychology), during their senior year. After completing the course, each senior presents his/her research project to faculty and students at the Psychology Senior Conference. 

    Senior Seminar: Research in Psychology I and II

    In PY470/472 students have the opportunity to explore their own interests by conducting a complex research project from start to finish. This includes forming a research question and hypothesis, designing an experiment or observational study, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting the findings orally and in written form. This demanding yet rewarding task can be one of the most valuable experiences our majors have during their time at BSC. 

    Recent research papers from PY470/472:

    • Dying to Get More Sleep? Factors Underlying the Relationships Among Socioeconomic Status, Race, Sleep, and Long-Term Health Outcomes- Taylor Andrews, Julia Giggie, & Megan Moser
    • How Visual Perspective When Taking Photos Influences the Engagement and Enjoyment of an Experience- Avery Bottom, Erica Dekle, and Kinsey Martin
    • The Road to Social Cohesion: Examining Regret's Influence on Forgiveness – Elijah Schwartzkopf and Noah Lunsford
    • What Would Jesus Do? The Relationship between Christian Religiosity and Perceptions of Emotions - AnnaMarie Armstrong, Samuel Cortez, and Sally Hoffman

    Senior Seminar: Advanced Topics in Psychology

    In PY450, students do a deep dive into an advanced topic in psychology. This discussion-based class is very similar to a graduate level course in terms of its format. The final project may be the sort of research proposal that you would write in a graduate level seminar, or a grant proposal or business plan for a new non-profit organization that you design.

    Recent research papers from PY450:

    • Eliminating Gender Bias in the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder- Amber Thompson, Anna Blake Lowe, Ben Laufer, Patricia Smith, and Lizbeth Ceron Gomez 
    • You Win Some, You Lose None: The Experience of Regret and Guilt Among Individuals with Narcissistic Personality Disorder- Mary Margaret Bernard, Mary Bullock, & Campbell McAtee 
    • Reducing Relapse Rates Through Group Therapy in Sober Living Facilities– Natalie Howell, Coleman Jennings, Kenyé Underwood, & Danielle Wensel
    • Effects of Music Interventions on Dementia Problem Behaviors: A Review-Sam Nelson
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    Faculty Research Labs

    Laboratory Research Experience and Conference Presentations

    If you want more research experience, you can apply to volunteer in a faculty research lab. In these labs, the professor will be in charge of the research. Some of the students who volunteer may work on projects with the professor that could lead to a presentation at a conference. This is a good opportunity for students who are interested in going to graduate school.

    If you are interested, fill out an RA application and email it (along with your unofficial transcript) to the professor you would like to work with.

     

    Faculty Research Labs

    The SPI-DR Lab (Social Psychological Investigations of Decision-making and Regret) with Dr. Greta Valenti

    The SPI-DR lab conducts research on social cognition and judgment and decision-making. They are interested in how people think and feel about past decisions. For example, one project looks at how regret for buying things (like a new iPhone) compares to regret for experiences (like a weekend getaway). Another project is looking at what factors influence how much we appreciate regret and what benefits we think it has.
    The research is typically conducted using adult, online samples. Occasionally, research is also conducted with undergraduate participants at BSC. 

    The Lifespan & Well-being Lab with Dr. Jessica Allen

    The Lifespan and Well-being Lab primarily focuses on the quality of life of pediatric and older adult populations living with chronic disease, and their caregivers. This lab has three main research areas of focus:
    • The lived experience of patients and caregivers with chronic and rare diseases across the lifespan (i.e., including diagnosis, symptom experience, interventions, end-of-life care, and bereavement). 
    • Research on psychosocial and related interventions for community-dwelling individuals with neurocognitive impairments (i.e., adult day and respite care programs)
    • Research on student attitudes and experiences regarding aging (e.g., aging stereotypes and death anxiety)

    Dr. Allen is a founding member of thegutsyperspective, and students may have opportunities to engage in research with other gutsy collaborators and research sites. Dr. Allen also has virtual reality and simulation software available for student research related to health psychology and aging. Student research from this lab has been presented at regional conferences like the Southern Gerontological Society.


    The Rat Lab with Dr. Lynne Trench

    Dr. Lynne Trench oversees the Rat Lab, which is a facility that is used to study how animals (including humans) learn new behaviors. The Rat Lab is located in the 24.1 million dollar state-of-the-art Elton B. Stephens Science Center. Psychology of Students enrolled in PY 372 (Psychology of Learning) have the opportunity to work with rats in order to better understand how they learn. In addition, students enrolled in PY470/472 (Senior Seminar: Research in Psychology) occasionally use the Rat Lab to conduct their own research projects. 

    Students in the past have studied the effects of ginseng or ginkgo on rats in the Morris water maze or on running wheel activity.
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    Courses and Electives

    Our department provides a strong foundation in psychology, as well as many opportunities to explore different areas of psychology that interest you. This could include topics such as sleep and dreams, how drugs work, why people believe misinformation, the human psychological relationship to death, how humans and animals learn new skills, and other fascinating subjects.

    Exploration term classes (January):

    Psychology faculty members teach a variety of interesting E-term classes in January. Check this year’s Exploration Term Bulletin to see the e-term courses your favorite psychology professors will be teaching this January. 

    Recent and Recurring e-term courses

    • Changing Habits with Behavior Modification—use newly learned principles of classical and operant conditioning to actually increase one of your “good” behaviors and decrease a “bad” behavior. (Dr. Lynne Trench)
    • Sport and Exercise Psychology—learn how psychological principles apply to performance issues, including an exploration of personality, competition and cooperation, exercise and fitness, children's development through sport, peak performance, burnout and overtraining, group dynamics, and leadership. (Dr. Richard Rector)
    • The Science of Social Networks—explore how social networks have shaped your political decisions, friendships, romantic partners, health, and more as you learn about the scientific evidence on the widespread influence of social media. (Dr. Jessica Allen)
    • Planning Your Career in Psychology and Related Fields—navigate the widespread career opportunities available to psychology majors and, along the way, practice the skills that will help you land that job you’ve been working toward. (Dr. Jessica Allen)
    • Urban Inequality & the Systematic Failure of Municipal Institutions: Insight from HBO’s The Wireexamine the failures of large city institutions and persistent urban inequality through the lens of the HBO series “The Wire”. (Dr. Alex McDiarmid)



    Psych_Games_2020-1.jpgBSC students test a prototype of a classmate’s game in “Psychology of Games” during E-term.

     

    Other Prior E-term courses


    • May I Take Your Order? The Forces That Shape Our Food Choices (Dr. Greta Valenti)
    • Psychology of Games (Dr. Kyle Kraemer)
    • Psychology of Stress (Dr. Tricia Witte and Dr. Lynne Trench)
    • Understanding Climate Change: Perspectives from the Natural and Behavioral Sciences (Dr. Greta Valenti & Dr. Scot Duncan)

     

    Fall and Spring Term Electives:

    In order to complete the psychology major, students need to take several electives in psychology. Psychology electives are different from the core courses, such as Introduction to Psychology, Biological Psychology, & Statistics and Research Methods I and II.

    There are many interesting electives to choose from. See the most recent college course catalog for a complete listing. Here are some of the more popular electives:

    PY 217 Drugs, Brain, and Behavior
    A study of licit and illicit drugs (focusing on drugs of abuse) examining their effects on the brain and on behavior. Topics may also include addiction and treatment, history of drug use, and the influence of drugs on the unborn child, the individual, and on society.

    PY 219 Psychology of Aging
    A comprehensive overview of psychological aspects of aging, examining intellectual, social, cognitive, and physical development in adulthood with special emphasis on the last years of life. Specific topics include age-related changes in sensation/perception, cognition, and personality, as well as application to late-life psychopathology.

    PY 308 Judgment and Decision Making 
    An exploration of scientific theory and research on how we make judgments and decisions. Topics include the mental shortcuts we use and the biases we show; automatic vs. deliberate processing; and the personal and situational factors that influence judgments, decisions, and choice satisfaction. The course will also examine how research findings in judgment and decision making apply to human history, current events, and your everyday life.

    PY 316 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
    A survey of psychological disorders that primarily affect children and adolescents. The course takes a developmental approach to childhood psychopathology, focusing on diagnostic criteria and familial, educational, and individual deatures associated with each disorder. Research on etiological theories and treatment is also discussed.

    PY 317 Death and Dying
    An overview of the basic concepts and psychosocial issues relating to the meaning of loss and death, the process of death, and the experience of grieving. Health care practices and community resources are considered, and students challenged to examine their own personal attitudes towards psychological, medical, legal, ethical, religious, and cultural aspects of death, dying, and bereavement.

    IMG_4499.jpeg

    A student in Dr. Jessica Allen’s PY 317 Course in Death and Dying, participating in virtual reality to immerse them in the experience of a doctor’s visit in which they are told they have 4-6 months left to live.

BSC Psychology Highlights

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    Faculty & Student Publication

    Our faculty have published a variety of papers in prestigious peer-reviewed academic journals, and their work has also been showcased at professional psychology conferences including the annual meetings of the Southern Gerontological Society, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and the Midwestern Psychological Association.


    Student Authorship

    Our faculty seek to involve students as authors in their research. Browse below to see a selection of publications, conference posters, and presentations faculty have delivered in collaboration BSC students as co-authors. Faculty names are bolded, while students are denoted with an asterisk.

    PXL_20230225_142216090-1.jpg
    • *Crowder, C., *Irvin, M., & Valenti, G. (2023). Sorry, not sorry: Factors that influence perception of regret benefits. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Atlanta, GA.
    • *Sriram, D. & Allen, J.Y. (April, 2022). The influence of Hindu philosophy on end-of-life care and preferences among Indian Americans. Poster presented at the 43rd Annual Conference of the Southern Gerontological Society, Panama City Beach, FL. 
    • *Dickens, L., *Potts, M., & Pitts, S. (May, 2022). The face of (im)morality: Unidentified atheist faces are perceived as immoral actors. Data Blitz talk and Psi Chi Regional Research Award Winner (one of 8 awarded from 300+) at the 96th annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL
    • *Parker, J.M., *Rice, J.L., *Hutchens, K.T., Hill, K., & Pitts, S. (May, 2022). The role of facial affect in categorizing race of female faces Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
    • *Cortez, S.C., *Crowder, C.R., *Schwartzkopf, E.J., *Lunsford, N., *Boissel, E.G., & Pitts, S. (May, 2022). (Un)Believable!: The effects of evidence and sources on health claim believability. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
    • *Hearn, K., Crowder, C., & Pitts, S. (May 2022). Racial bias in estimates of physical distance and formidability. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
    • Chandler, J. F., *Bullock, M. M., Chandler, N.G., *Nelson, S. M., *Hoyle, S. P., & *Guice, J. O. (2020, June). Conceiving a connected, preventative treatment stance across the brain-gut-microbiota axis in prodromal Parkinson’s Disease: The power of preventative sleep health. Abstract accepted for presentation at the 2020 joint meeting of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, Philadelphia, PA.
    • JF Chandler, M M Bullock, N G Chandler, S M Nelson, S P Hoyle, J O Guice, 1148 Conceiving A Connected, Preventative Treatment Stance Across The Brain-gut-microbiota Axis In Prodromal Parkinson’s Disease: The Power Of Preventative Sleep HealthSleep, Volume 43, Issue Supplement_1, April 2020, Pages A437–A438,  https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.1142
    • Allen, J. Y., *Patel, D. & *Patel, S. (April, 2019). Assessing a Relaxation Intervention for Caregivers of Adult Day Facility Clients: Physical and Psychological Well-Being Outcomes. 40th Annual Conference of the Southern Gerontological Society, Miramar Beach, FL.
    • Allen, J. Y. & *Barakam, M.  (April, 2019). Assessing a communication education intervention on  undergraduates’ self-efficacy and attitudes: Communicating chronic diagnoses.  40th Annual Conference of the Southern Gerontological Society, Miramar Beach, FL.
    • *Andrews, T., *Giggie, J., *Moser, M., & Chandler, J. F. (2019, April). Dying to get more sleep? Sleep myths and race-related stress predict sleep and health outcomes. Poster presented at the annual Troy University Psychology Conference, Troy, AL.
    • Ferrier, E.*, Fitzgerald, A.*, and Trench, L. S. Repeated Phosphatidylserine Supplement Dosage Enhances Spatial Memory and Decreases Anxiety in Young Female Sprague-Dawley Rats. Talk presented at Troy University Undergraduate Psychology Conference, Troy, AL, 2018.
    • Valenti, G., *Cooper, C., *Deese, C., & *McEachern, J. (2018). Social nature of purchases predicts relative strength of action and inaction regret. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Southeastern Social Psychologists, Raleigh, NC.
    • Valenti, G., *Findley, C., & *Guy, S. (2018). Visual perspective in mental imagery of regretted events influences feelings of regret and perception of consequences. Poster presented at the annual meeting of SPSP, Atlanta, GA.

     

    Findley-Valenti-SPSP-2018-2.jpg
    • *Gibbs, S. K., & Chandler, J. F. (2018, October). Interpersonal stress and subsequent sleep mediate the relationship between sexual minority status and suicidality in youth. Abstract accepted for presentation at the 51st annual meeting of the International Society for Developmental Psychobiology, San Diego, CA.
    • Pitts, S., & *Wilson, J.P. (2018). Atheists and Christians can be differentiated from their faces. Invited presentation at the meeting of the Social and Personality Psychological Society, Atlanta, GA.
    • *Stephenson, H. G. & Chandler, J. F. (2018, April). Varieties of groups and the attribution of group mind. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the 90th Annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
    • *Stephenson, H. G. & Chandler, J. F. (2018, March). Personality and prejudice against the poor: Individual differences in attribution of blame for poverty. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the 2018 meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Atlanta, GA.
    • Chandler, J. F., *McEwen, K. A., *Mathis, M. G., *Creps, D. R., & *Gereben, M. I., (2017, June). Mood mediates the relationship between glucose and performance during sleep loss. Abstract accepted for oral presentation at the 2017 joint meeting of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, Boston, MA.
    • *McEwen, K. A., & Chandler, J. F. (2016, June). Endorsement of sleep myths correlates with risk-taking behavior in adolescents. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the 2016 joint meeting of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, Denver, CO.

     

    Sleep-2016-Poster.jpg
    • Carbajal, L.* & Trench, L. S. The Effects of Music and Non-Music Activities on Mood in Patients with Schizophrenia, Bipolar, and Major Depressive Disorders. Presented at the Southern Regional Honor’s Council conference, Greenville, SC. 2015.
    • Meyer, K. N.*, Froula, J. M.*, McCarthy, S. J.*, & Trench, L. S. Does Reward Type Moderate Exclusion’s Influence on Risk-Taking Behavior?  Presented at Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. 2015.
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    Alumni: where are they now?

    C81538B2-EAF7-4760-82C0-096DAEDB5A37-1.jpeg

    Class of 2021 graduate Morgan Chapuran (right) celebrates her newly acquired minor in psychology with Dr. Richard Rector

     

    Our alumni go on to work in many different fields, including clinical psychology, social work, counseling, and research. They also pursue careers in health care, law, and education. And because of the strong foundation they receive in critical thinking and writing, our alumni are well-prepared to succeed in any number of professional or graduate programs. No matter what path they choose, our alumni have the skills and knowledge they need to make a difference in the world.

    Are you a BSC Psychology alumnus? We'd love to hear what you're doing now.

    Art

    • Glenn Taylor, M.A.—Coordinator, Sotheby's
    • Spencer Lenzie, MFA—Movie Trailer Editor, Workshop Creative

     

    Athletics and Performance

    • Samantha Davidson, M.S.—Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Converse University
    • Richard Vance, M.S.—Sports Performance Specialist, Lehigh Valley Health Network
    • Logan James, MSBM—Head Women's Lacrosse Coach, BSC

    Business

    • Stephen Davis, M.S.—Manager, Measurement Analytics & Business Insights at American Express
    • Kerry Ellis, M.Ed.—Accounting Associate, Hennessy Automotive
    • Jennifer McCarthy—Principal Program Supply Chain Analyst, Northrop Grumman
     

    Clinical Psychology

    • Eugenia Boozer, PsyD—Clinical Neuropsychologist, Gulf Coast VA
    • Melissa Robinson, PhD—Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Children's Mercy Hospital
    • Michelle Hilgeman Pitts, PhD—Research Clinical Psychologist, Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Research & Development Service

     

    Counseling

    • Sam Nelson—Student M.S. Clinical Counseling Psychology, Brenau University
    • Katie O’Donnell, M.Ed.— Outpatient Therapist, Impact Family Counseling
    • Mary Kate Veal, M.A.—Associate Professional Counselor, Anchored Alliance Counseling.

     

    Developmental Disabilities

    • Becca Rhea—Registered Behavior Technician, Gadsden City School district
    • Kellandra Youngblood, M.S.—Disability Determination Specialist, State of Alabama
    • Vanessa Anspach, 2003, M.Ed.—Special Education Teacher-Tempe Union High School District

    Education

    • Laura Carbajal, M.A.—Ed.M. Student, International Educational Development, Teachers College, Columbia University
    • Brian Terrell, M.A.–Social Studies teacher, Vestavia Hills High School
    • Sara Katherine Janecky, M.A.—Special Education teacher for Mountain Brook City Schools

    Health Care Administration/Operations

    • Diamond Elston, MPH—Project coordinator II, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention
    • Manjari Singh—Business Development Manager - Acadia Healthcare
    • Brice Hunt—Director of Clinic Operations and Project Management, Ozarks Healthcare

    Higher Education

    • Alexis Brown, M.Ed.—Academic Advisor/Instructor, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    • Joseph Chandler, PhD—Associate Professor, Athens State University
    • Benjamin Marsh, PhD—Assistant Professor, University of Tampa
    • John Paul Wilson, PhD—Associate Professor, Montclair State University

    Law

    • Austin Hagood, J.D.—Attorney, Charlotte Christian Law, P.C.
    • Jessica Scholl, J.D.—Partner, Moore Hill & Westmoreland, P.A.
    • Jordan Gaston, J.D.—Vice President - Public Finance, Citigroup, Inc.

    Medicine

    • Janelle West, M.D.—Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham
    • Hannah Spiker, D.O., MPH—Resident physician in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics combined, East Carolina University Health
    • Mohamed Jasser, M.S., M.P.H, D.O.—Psychiatry Resident University of South Alabama

    Neuroscience

    • Elizabeth Wallace, PhD—Neuropsychology Pre-Doctoral Intern, UCLA
    • Mary Bullock—Graduate research fellow and PhD student in Behavioral Neuroscience, UAB
    • Jessica Froula—PhD Candidate, University of Minnesota Department of Neuroscience
     

    Nursing

    • Avery Bottom, BSN—Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse, Emory Healthcare, Emory Decatur Hospital
    • Leah LaRussa Wright, MSN—Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Alabama Psychiatry
    • Alexis Smith, BSN—RN Clinical Coordinator- Neuro/Spine Surgery and Pain Clinic, Operating Room, Parker Adventist Hospital, Parker, CO
     

    Occupational Therapy

    • Ashton Parker, M.S.—Occupational Therapist/Rehab Director, Therapy Management Corporation
    • Linda Harris, M.S.—Occupational Therapist, PRN for multiple companies
     

    Physical Therapy

    • Mattie Gereben—Physical Therapist, Encompass Health Corporation
     

    School Psychology

    • Angela Hodges, Ed.S.—School Psychologist, Aiken County Public School District
    • Farah Downs, M.A.—School Psychologist, Broward County Public Schools
    • Ameet Bosmia, Ed.S—School Psychologist, Birmingham City Schools

    Social Work

    • Shannon Walsh, MSW—Social Worker, Jefferson County Public Defender's Office
    • Jane Asseff—Medical Social Worker, NeuroMedical Center Rehabilitation Hospital
    • Claire Cooper—Staff Social Worker, Menninger Clinic

    Speech-Language Pathology

    • Lallie Bennett, M.S.—Speech-Language Pathologist, Basics Plus: Communication and Learning (New Orleans)
    • Jenny Logan, M.S.—Speech-Language Pathologist, Jefferson County Board of Education (Fultondale Elementary)
     

    Miscellaneous

    These graduates are showing that a major in psychology at BSC can prepare you to chart your own course in just about anything!

    • Mallie Searcy Hale, M.A.—Vice President for University Advancement, UAH
    • Sarassa Inglis—Director of Operations, Ransomed Life nonprofit
    • Lisa Glenn Nobles, M.Ed—VP of Operations, Journeyage
    • Katie Lloyd, M. Div—Pastor, Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
    • Christian Clesi, PhD—Senior Associate for Policy and Programming, Special Olympics International
    • Cedric Evans—Systems Administrator, City of Hoover
    • Haley Montgomery—Awards & Membership, Academy of Country Music
    • Preston Walsh—Police Officer, Mountain Brook Police Department
    • Ashley Vann—Registered Behavior Technician, Glenwood Inc.
    • Robyn Watkins— Service Coordinator, TN Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
    • Rachel Buchan, M.A.—Economic Development Project Administrator, The City of Birmingham
    • Jenna McEachern—Chief of Staff/Project Manager, AT&T - National Business Sales
  •  

    Meet the Psychology Faculty

    Click on the names below to learn more about each member in the department.

    Dr. Jessica Allen, Associate Professor, Psychology

    Dr. Alex McDiarmid, Visiting Assistant Professor Psychology

    Dr. Richard Rector, Associate Professor, Psychology

    Dr. Lynne Trench, Professor, Biological Psychology

    Dr. Greta Valenti, Associate Professor, Psychology


Contact Us

To contact the BSC Department of Psychology, please write or email:
Department Chair: Greta Valenti
Department of Psychology
Birmingham-Southern College
900 Arkadelphia Road / Box 549007
Birmingham, Alabama 35254-9021
Email: [email protected]