The psychology program is designed to align students to a deeper sense of self-awareness, untangling your inner self from the outer world. The mind as part of your inner world, and your behavior as measured in your outer world, are sites of exploration that move toward increased order and complexity, with hope and goodwill, thriving towards originality, wholeness, and integration. We seek to provide you with a life-changing, transformative education.
The undergraduate program in psychology is designed to meet the needs of individuals interested in the liberal arts fields, a career in a human services profession or graduate study in psychology or social work.
Psychology is offered as a minor field of study at Sul Ross State University. Students must complete 18 semester credit hours of psychology courses, including six semester credit hours of advanced coursework.
A limited number of graduate courses in psychology are available to support such graduate majors as public administration, education, business administration, or history.
Alpine Program Coordinator
Dr. Jay Downing
432.837.8368
jdowning@sulross.edu
RGC Program Coordinator
Dr. Wesley Wynne
wwynne@sulross.edu
830.279.3044
Students are introduced to the biopsychosocial approach that addresses the interdisciplinarity among biological, psychological and social factors that impact mental processes and behaviors. Psychology faculty provide strong scientific applications in psychology for inquiry, critical thinking, and professional development. In addition, students are offered space for discovery of diverse languages, cultures, knowledge, and models of being, under the lens of advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Students majoring in an academic area within the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences are required to take a major field assessment examination during the semester in which they graduate. Students should contact their major field advisors concerning specifics of the examinations.
Our tradition is to strengthen your personal relevance to diversity and inclusiveness, growth and exploration, and instill values of academic excellence, effective communication, and attitudes of social responsibility and sustainability in a multicultural global community.
The Department sponsors a number of honorary societies and clubs, including Psi Chi, the international psychology honor society and the Psychology Association, a student organization for psychology majors.
Careers in Psychology
- Education (e.g. school counseling)
- Research (e.g. experimental psychology)
- Counselors or Psychotherapists
- Social workers and child protective service workers
- Industrial or Organizational Psychologists
- Psychometrist or Clinician
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Art, Music, and Drama Therapists
- Human resource management
- Well-being, Physical and Mental Health Counselors
- Sports Psychologists
- Law Enforcement, Correction, and Probation Officers, Detectives and Forensic Psychologists
Other health, environmental, government and private industry positions requiring a liberal arts background
- Paralegal careers and Law School
- Ecological and Sustainability Issues and Disaster Recovery
- Medical careers and Psychiatry
- Social Work Programs
- Graduate Psychology Programs
| Mark Saka Chair of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Professor of History LH 210 C-157 432.837.8304 msaka@sulross.edu |
James Downing Professor of Psychology FERG 108 C-88 432.837.8368 jdowning@sulross.edu |
| Alicia Trotman Assistant Professor of Psychology LH 306 C-157 432.837.8147 alicia.trotman@sulross.edu |
Bibiana Gutierrez Adjunct Professor of Psychology Virtual office, email to schedule appointment 432.386.3223 bmg15th@sulross.edu |
| Rio Grande College Wesley Wynne Professor of Psychology 830.279.3044 wwynne@sulross.edu |
|
“I found that the psychology program gave me the freedom to pursue courses and activities which I found interesting. The faculty and staff also provided additional opportunities to learn more about areas in psychology that interested me along with ardent support in the pursuit of my goals. The courses, small class sizes, and projects allowed me to learn as much about myself as I did about the course material and helped me to grow not only as a student but as a person.” –Jeremiah Boatright, 2020 Graduate
“After changing my major a couple of times before deciding to stick with Psychology I was lost, luckily the Professors in the Psychology department welcomed me into the program with a helping hand. Choosing Psychology felt right when I was in the classroom simply because the Professors always taught the subject so passionate which made me eager to learn. I’ve appreciated the constant reassurance and help from my professors in this department. Seeing my instructors love their degree in Psychology gave me hope for mine because I know I am passionate about the subject as well.” –Janelle Galvan, 2020 Graduate
“The psychology program at SRSU is a dream. The professors are excellent at what they do, they know how to teach and are aware that they are shaping the future generation. They are wise beyond their years and there is no length that they will not go to if it means assisting you with the coursework. They see you as human beings, they treat you with respect and the courses they teach are the best possibilities to learn for not only careers but even life in general.” –Kimberly Luna, 2020 Graduate
All undergraduates must be advised in order to register/enroll in courses in a future term.
Academic Advisors provide students with schedule planning and degree checklists, identify academic support structures (tutoring) for at-risk students, help new students transition from other institutions, and assist students in deciding on a major. Academic Advisors also provide students with one-on-one instruction on how to use Lobo Online which is the student’s portal to academic and administrative services at Sul Ross State University.
Advisors accept student inquiries by appointment (Zoom, Teams, and Skype), over the phone, or as walk-ins. Students must be advised before registration and they must receive their advisor’s final approval of schedules and official degree plans.
Visit Academic Advising to learn more.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Minor required)
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
ENG 1301
3 credit hours
ENG 1302 or ENG 2311
3 credit hours
MATH 1342
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Sciences
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Sciences
3 credit hours
Language, Philosophy & Culture
3 credit hours
Creative Arts
3 credit hours
HIST 1302
3 credit hours
HIST 1301
3 credit hours
PS 2305
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 15 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
PS 2306
3 credit hours
PSY 3314 or PSCH 3320
3 credit hours
Component Area Option
3 credit hours
Component Area Option
3 credit hours
Foreign Language
3 credit hours
Foreign Language
3 credit hours
PSY 1302 or equivalent
3 credit hours
PSY/PSCH 3305
3 credit hours
Social & Behavioral Sciences
3 credit hours
PSY/PSCH 3311
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 15 sch
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
ENG/ENGL 3312
3 credit hours
PSY/PSCH 3301, 3302 or PSY 3313
3 credit hours
PSY/PSCH 3315
3 credit hours
PSY/PSCH 3303, PSY 4318, or PSY 3316
3 credit hours
PSY/PSCH 3304
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
General Elective
3 credit hours
General Elective
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 15 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
PSY/PSCH 3309, PSY 4306, PSY 4316, or PSCH 4325
3 credit hours
PSY/PSCH 4330
3 credit hours
Major Elective (2000, 3000, or 4000 level)
3 credit hours
Major Elective (2000, 3000, or 4000 level)
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
Minor Coursework
3 credit hours
General Elective
3 credit hours
General Elective
3 credit hours
General Elective
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 15 sch
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: 120
