Psychology

Department website: http://psychology.wvu.edu/

Degrees Offered

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Sciences

Students may not earn both a B.A. and a B.S. in Psychology.

Nature of the Program

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. Courses in this discipline convey the principles, methods, and theories that are necessary for a better understanding of human and animal behavior. Studying psychology at WVU allows students to work toward either a BS or BA degree including classes and experiences that prepare them for applied or research-focused careers. Typically, individuals tailor their experiences according to the career paths they choose, and these decisions generally fall into three categories: pursuit of graduate studies, pursuit of a career applying principles of psychology to human problems, or pursuit of a career in a related field, such as medicine, law, education, or business.

Students who earn a degree in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences must complete the University requirements, the College requirements for their specific degree program, and their major requirements. Psychology major requirements include some required classes, but the program is structured to allow considerable flexibility.

Honors Program

The Department of Psychology honors program is designed to provide special enrichment, attention, and recognition for exceptional psychology majors. Admission to the program requires completion of nine hours of psychology, a psychology GPA of 3.5, and an overall GPA of 3.4. Graduation with departmental honors in psychology requires the same GPAs and completion of an honors thesis (three to six hours of PSYC 498). Information about the program is available from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Minors

All students have the possibility of earning one or more minors; view a list of all available minors and their requirements here. Please note that students may not earn a minor in their major field. Psychology majors can also pursue a certificate in Behavior Analysis.

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Faculty

Chair

• Claire St. Peter - Ph.D. (University of Florida)

Associate Chair

• Karen Anderson - Ph.D. (University of Florida)

Director of Graduate Studies

• Melissa Blank - Ph.D. (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Director of Undergraduate Studies

• Sharon Tenenholz - Ph.D. (University of California, Los Angeles)

Director of Recruitment, Advising, and Student Success

• Elizabeth Levelle - Ph.D. (West Virginia University)

Professors

• Barry A. Edelstein - Ph.D. (University of Memphis)
  Eberly Family Distinguished Professor of Clinical Psychology; Burnout in Intergenerational Caregiving, Older Adult Decision Making
• Amy Fiske - Ph.D. (University of Southern California)
  Late Life Depression and Suicide
• Amy Gentzler - Ph.D. (Kent State University)
  Emotion Regulation and Adjustment in Children and Adolescents, Positive Psychology
• Kevin T. Larkin - Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh)
  Clinical Health Psychology, Applied Psychophysiology, Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine
• Kennon A. Lattal - Ph.D. (University of Alabama)
  Centennial Professor; Experimental Analysis of Behavior, History and Philosophy of Psychology, Human-Pet Interactions
• Tracy L. Morris - Ph.D. (University of Mississippi)
  Eberly Distinguished Professor for Outstanding Teaching; Leadership Studies
• Melanie C. Page - Ph.D. (Arizona State University)
  Assistant Vice President for Creative and Scholarly Activity, Quantitative/Developmental Psychology
• Julie Hicks Patrick - Ph.D. (University of Akron)
  Health Disparities, Cognitive Aging, Mid- and Late-Life, Methodology
• Michael Perone - Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
  Positive and Negative Reinforcement, Animal and Human Operant Behavior, Research Methodology
• Claire St. Peter - Ph.D. (University of Florida)
  Eberly Family Professor for Outstanding Public Service; Procedural Fidelity, School-Based Behavior Supports, Observational Measurement
• JoNell Strough - Ph.D. (University of Utah)
  Life-Span Development, Decision Making, Everyday Problem Solving, Gender Development

Associate Professors

• Karen Anderson - Ph.D. (University of Florida)
  Behavioral Pharmacology, Self-Control and Impulsivity
• Melissa Blank - Ph.D. (Virginia Commonwealth University)
  Behavioral Pharmacology, Nicotine/Tobacco Addiction, Tobacco Use Disparities
• Elisa Krackow - Ph.D. (Binghamton University-SUNY)
  Children and Adults as Witnesses, Developmental Psychopathology
• Elizabeth Levelle - Ph.D. (West Virginia University)
  Lifespan Development, Teaching of Psychology, Academic Advising
• Sharon Tenenholz - Ph.D. (University of California, Los Angeles)
  Visual and Crossmodal Perception, Teaching of Psychology, Curriculum Design, Academic Advising
• Nicholas Turiano - Ph.D. (Purdue University)
  Personality, Health, and Aging

Assistant Professors

• Brennan Armshaw - Ph.D. (University of North Texas)
  Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Medicine and Neuromuscular Behavior, Behavior Analysis and Education, Advising and Mentorship
• Ryan Best - Ph.D. (Florida State University)
  Adult Development, Value-based Decision-making, Cognitive Aging
• Mariya Cherkasova - Ph.D. (McGill University)
  Addiction, Psychopharmacology, Reward-related Behavior
• James Cole - Ph.D. (University of Virginia Medical School)
  Sensory and Development Neuroscience, Neuroaesthetics
• P. Raymond Joslyn - Ph.D. (University of Florida)
  Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Education, Crime and Deliquency
• Kathryn Kestner - Ph.D. (Western Michigan University)
  Behavior Analysis, Assessment and Treatment of Challenging Behavior
• Stephanie McWilliams - Ph.D. (West Virginia University)
  Youth Mentorship, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Health Psychology, Behavior Change and Weight Management
• Kathleen Morrison - Ph.D. (University of Tennessee)
  Stress and Neuropsychiatric Disease, Women's Health
• Michelle Roley-Roberts - Ph.D. (University of Toledo)
  Clinical Child/Adolescent Psychology, Childhood Traumatic Stress, Cultural Factors
• Kelly Smith - Ph.D. (West Virginia University)
  Teaching of Psychology, Life-Span Development, Decision Making, Gender Development

Professors Emeriti

• Edward C. Caldwell - Ph.D. (Syracuse University)
• Stanley H. Cohen - Ph.D. (Michigan State University)
• Christina Duncan - Ph.D. (Louisiana State University)
• William J. Fremouw - Ph.D. (University of Massachusetts)
• Robert Hawkins - Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh)
• Katherine Karraker - Ph.D. (Michigan State University)
• Daniel W. McNeil - Ph.D. (University of Alabama)
• Cheryl B. McNeil - Ph.D. (University of Florida)

Admissions for 2025-2026

• First Time Freshmen are admitted to the major directly. For the timely completion of the degree, it is recommended that students have a minimum MATH ACT of 20, a MATH SAT of 520, or an ALEKS score of 40.
• Students coming from another major at WVU must have an overall GPA 2.0, completion of PSYC 101 with a C- or higher, and be eligible to take PSYC 203.
• Students coming from another institution must have an overall GPA 2.0, completion of PSYC 101 with a C- or higher, and be eligible to take PSYC 203.

Major Code: 1466

Degree Progress

• First-time Freshmen who enter Psychology directly:
  • By the end of their second semester in the major (excluding summer), students must have completed PSYC 101 with a minimum grade of C-, and be eligible to take PSYC 203.
  • By the end of their fourth semester in the program, students must have completed PSYC 203 (with a C- or better) and PSYC 204 (with a C- or better).
• Students who transfer from another major at WVU or another institution:
  • By the end of their third semester in the program, students must have completed PSYC 203 (with a C- or better) and PSYC 204 (with a C- or better).
• All students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 in the major and overall. 
• All students must meet with their Psychology adviser each semester.

Students who do not meet these benchmarks will be reviewed for removal from the major.