Each Psychology major is assigned one of the Psychology Program faculty members to serve as their academic advisor. (Follow these instructions to find out who your advisor is.) Make an appointment to meet with your academic advisor during the advisement period listed in the Academic Calendar. Use the resources linked below to help make your advising appointment more productive.
- Psychology Major Degree Assessment Form
- Advising Preplanning Worksheet (from Advising Assistance Center)
- 2025-2026 Core Curriculum Worksheet
- The Psychology program “Spine”
- Advising Assistance Center (Student Page)
Advising notes for Spring 2026
NOTE: There are a few spring classes with numbers ending in “R” and “RBA Students only” in the Comments. These are only available to students in the Regents Bachelor of Arts program and are not available to Psychology B.A. students. In particular, PSYC 399R ST:Abnormal Psychology is different from PSYC 309 Psychopathology, and PSYC 499R ST:Adolescent Development is different from PSYC 342 Adolescent Development. Those 399R and 499R classes don’t count toward the Psychology major. (Also, there’s no such thing as “Paranormal Psychology”.)
PSYC 102 Introduction to the Psychology Major
Face-to-face, T 11:00 am – 12:15 pm, Prerequisite/corequisite: PSYC 101
Dr. Lovelace will again be offering his Introduction to the Psychology major class for new Psych majors. This one-credit class will meet once a week to talk about the Psychology program, classes, careers in psychology, and to meet the Psych faculty. There are a few homework assignments (and a scavenger hunt), but no tests. All students who are new to the Psychology major at Shepherd are invited to enroll. Contact Dr. Lovelace with questions.
PSYC 316 Art Therapy
W 1:00-3:00 pm, Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or instructor permission
Note: this class will meet on West campus in the Center for Contemporary Arts I building.
This course will again be offered by Dr. Ann Wendle and will be an introduction to therapeutic techniques using artistic productions as an aid to psychotherapy. The course involves an analysis of approaches with specific clinical populations; e.g., juvenile delinquents, geriatric clients, etc. This course also includes a historical and theoretical appraisal of the use of art therapy in both clinical practice and research.
PSYC 499 Social Influence
Face-to-face, MWF 1:10-2:00 pm, Prerequisite: PSYC 101
This 3-credit elective, taught by Dr. Lindsey Levitan, explores how people can change each other’s attitudes and behavior through persuasion and social influence. The course examines the structure of attitudes, psychological routes to persuasion, and factors that increase persuasion and resistance to it. It additionally examines social influence without direct persuasive attempts, including conformity, compliance, obedience to authority. There is a focus on applications to political attitudes and behavior, social movements, and advertising.
PSYC 399 ST:Death, Dying, & Grief
Online synchronous, W 5:00-7:40 pm, Prerequisite: PSYC 101
This special topics class will again be taught by Prof. Ashley Shepard, who has extensive experience working in the Hospice environment. This course will examine various topics associated with death, dying and grief. Topics include physiology of the death and dying process for complex terminal illness and sudden death of adults and children, theoretical approaches to grief, coping strategies for complex nonfinite and disenfranchised grief, and ethical and legal issues associated with death, such as euthanasia.
PSYC 399 ST:Leadership AI and Psych
Hybrid synchronous, M 6:30-9:10 pm
This course, Leading for the Future: Psychology, Philosophy, and Science of Innovative Leadership in the AI Age, taught by John Unger, is designed to engage students across disciplines in exploring leadership as a human-centered practice essential in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. By integrating psychology, philosophy, educational development, science, and practical application, students will examine how leaders cultivate character, navigate ethical challenges, and inspire innovation in the age of artificial intelligence. Through case studies, leadership labs, and interdisciplinary projects, students will develop both the mindset and skillset to lead effectively in their respective fields and communities.
Psychology Research Practica (PSYC 211, 312)
Practicum (internship) experiences in psychology offered by the Psychology Program include helping faculty with their ongoing research. Visit the Psychology Practicum page for more information.