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 a science that emphasizes the principles, methods, and theories that are necessary for a better understanding of human and animal behavior. During their training, our undergraduate students not only acquire the essential knowledge and skills of psychology, but further engage in research, teaching, and/or community service through experiential opportunities.

The Psychology Department at WVU allows students to work toward either a B.A. or B.S. degree, which prepare them for an applied or STEM-focused career, respectively. With guidance from advisors and faculty, individuals tailor their degree choice and experiences for the career paths they choose. Thus, students completing the B.A. or B.S. program are prepared for admission to advanced degree programs in psychology, counseling, social work, medicine, education, business, and law, as well as to pursue immediately a range of service-oriented and science-focused careers.

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 and individualization.

Our Mission

The mission of the Department of Psychology is to understand and improve psychological and behavioral health, with an emphasis on problems that affect the people of Appalachia. 

We advance psychological science and its applications through innovative research, rigorous educational experiences for students, and impactful service to the community. These activities are guided by faculty who are leaders in their fields. At both undergraduate and doctoral levels, we prepare students for an array of careers by fostering critical thinking, effective communication, and an evidence-based understanding of complexity in psychological processes and behavior. We build these skills through coursework and hands-on experiences. Our scholarship and teaching activities integrate multiple perspectives to benefit our local, regional, and global communities.

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 2026-2027

• First Time Freshmen are admitted directly to the major.  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 transferring from another WVU major or from another institution with fewer than 24 credits and at least a 2.0 overall GPA are admitted directly to the major.  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 transferring from another WVU major or from another institution with 24 credits or more and at least a 2.0 overall GPA must meet the following requirement prior to being admitted to the major: completion of PSYC 101 with a C- or higher and eligibility 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.