Psychology
Do you ever wonder why people behave the way they do? Have you ever wanted to help someone with his or her problems? A major in phycholoy at Central College might be a fit for you. Central’s courses are designed to inform students about approaches used, discoveries made, explanations offered and questions asked to promote the understanding about the nature of being human.
Central’s psychology program prepares students for a wide variety of careers and graduate study programs. Graduates have gone on to become social workers, therapists and victim services advocates.
Faculty
- Paul Naour, Ph.D., professor of psychology, vice-president of academic affairs and dean of the faculty, naourp@central.edu, teaches General Psychology and Brain and Behavior
- Peggy Fitch, Ph.D., professor of psychology, fitchp@central.edu,
areas of interest include issues in developmental psychology, intercultural awareness and intellectual development in college students, service-learning
- Keith Jones, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, joneskt@central.edu,
areas of interest include life-span developmental psychology (in humans and primates), social cognition, (e.g. aging stereotypes), practical applications of research and statistical analyses
- Kevin Krumvieda, Ph.D., adjunct professor of psychology krumviedak@central.edu, clinical psychologist at the Southern Iowa Mental Health Center in Ottumwa, teaches psychopathology
- Soo Yun Uhm, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, uhms@central.edu,areas of interest include multicultural and cross-cultural psychology, counseling, the impact of racism and discrimination on health
- Edmond Willis, Ph.D., professor of psychology, willise@central.edu,
areas of interest include social psychology, health psychology, relationships and personal growth, and faith and psychology
Successful Careers
Central’s psychology graduates have gone on a wide range of careers and graduate programs. About 70 percent of Central’s psychology majors eventually receive a post-graduate degree. However, you don’t have to go on to graduate school to find a career. Many Central graduates obtain jobs in alcohol and substance abuse counseling, or work with the mentally or physically challenged, juvenile offenders or prison populations. Psychology is also an excellent preparation for careers in other professions. Central psychology graduates have gone on to law school and medical school, and have achieved success in the business world.
Past graduates include:
- Margaret Acker, program coordinator, Kalona Group Home of REM Developmental Services, Coralville, Iowa
- Lisa Adamson, M.A., admission coordinator, Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa
- Nicole Oxenford Baker, M.A., vocational rehabilitation specialist, Bass & Babb Companies, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Samantha Smith Clinkinbeard, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Neb.
- Amanda Johnson, Ph.D. student in counseling psychology, State University of New York, Buffalo, N.Y.
- Jason Metzger, senior manager-northeast region, Progressive Insurance, Wappingers Falls, N.Y.
- Matthew O’Leary, production operations manager, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Minneapolis, Minn.
- Zachary Osborn, Ph.D., staff psychologist, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Mo.
- Jessica Schultz, Ph.D. student in counseling psychology and research assistant, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Lisa Shileny, J.D., attorney, Hills Bank and Trust Company, North Liberty, Iowa
- Rachel Morris Tesch, M.A., senior analyst, Mercer Health and Benefits, Washington, D.C.
- Kyna Thorberg, M.A., occupational therapist, Saint Luke’s Hospital/Surrey Place, Chesterfield, Mo.
- Andrew Whitham, M.A., neurohealth and pulmonary pharmaceutical sales, GlaxoSmithKline
Internships
Central encourages students to supplement classroom activities and to explore areas not usually covered in regular coursework by arranging internships. Interns at the Department of Human Services in Knoxville assist with family evaluation, while those at the Correctional Release Center in Newton work with inmates. Interns at MECCA in Iowa City learn how to work effectively with people struggling with alcohol and other drug dependencies. Interns at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines work in child psychology, and those at Turning Point in Pella handle domestic violence cases. The Christian Opportunity Center in Pella gives interns experiences working with mentally and physically challenged people, while Homestead Inc. in Pleasant Hill provides opportunities for Central students to work with people with autism.
Internships are also available to students who study in Yucatan, London, or on the Chicago Metropolitan Center program. Past internships include:
Yucutan
- Casa Cuna (government-operated orphanage)
- Hogares Juveniles (shelter home for abused and abandoned youth)
- Public schools, Mérida businesses, or village schools.
- ProNatura (peninsula-wide environmental organization)
London
- Amnesty International
- The Bayswater Family Centre
- Family Planning Association (sexual health agency for the U.K.)
- Field Land Homeless Family Centre
- Riverside Mental Health Centre
- Shelter, National Campaign for the Homeless
Leiden
- Care of the Mentally Handicapped.
- De Krullevaar (nursery school)
Chicago
- Cook County Probation Office
- Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
- Children’s Memorial Hospital, Child Life Department
- Jobs for Youth
- Tuesday’s Child (working with troubled youth)
- University of Illinois Institute for Juvenile Research
Often, internship experiences later result in paid, part-time positions during college, and full-time positions upon graduation.
Learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
Central’s psychology program offers a wide range of psychology courses taught from a variety of perspectives to provide students with a solid background in the science of psychology and in the application of principles to real-life situtations. Central’s course offerings include:
- General psychology
- Psychological investigations
- Theories of personality
- Psychopathology
- The brain and behavior
- Health psychology
- Multicultural issues in psychology
- Social psychology
- Fundamentals of statistics
- SPSS for psychological research
- Cognitive psychology
- Experimental psychology
- Child and adolescent development
- Adult development and aging
- Principles of counseling
- History and systems of psychology
- Capstone research in psychology
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Sample Schedule
Freshman year
- General psychology
- Psychological investigations
- Core courses and/or electives
Sophomore year
- Psychology electives
- Core courses and/or electives
Junior year
- Fundamentals of statistics
- Experimental psychology
- Capstone research in psychology
- Psychology electives
- Core courses and/or electives
Senior year
- Psychology electives, including internship
- Core courses and/or electives
Facilities
Central College is one of the most beautiful college campuses you'll find. A perfect mix of old and new, our buildings reflect our history and our future. Central's distinctive library is spacious and a popular haven with more then 230,000 volumes, computer stations, a multimedia collection and an extensive online computerized catalog.
Organizations
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization that you’ll want to join! Pscyhology students might be interested in joining Central’s Psychology Club or Psi Chi (national honor society of the American Psychological Association).
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about about Central’s study abroad programs.
Back to TOP
