Psychology

The Department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Designed as a liberal arts degree, this program also functions as a pre-professional degree that prepares students to pursue a graduate education. The Psychology Department also offers a Master of Arts degree in Psychology, with options in General Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Counseling Psychology, School Psychology, and Forensic Psychology.

Programs

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Master of Arts in Psychology

Certifications

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Psychometrist/Educational Diagnostician
• Specialist Level School Psychologist

History of the Psychology Program at UCO

Psychology courses were offered at a sub-collegiate level at this institution when it became known as Central State Normal School in 1908. In 1919, psychology courses were approved available for college credit when the institution became a degree granting teacher education college. Prior to the fall of 1963, an 18 hour minor in psychology was available and taught by faculty that supported the psychology component classes in the teacher education program. In the fall of 1963, a 30-credit hour major in psychology was instituted. Interestingly enough, however, a separate department of psychology was not formed until the fall of 1967 and Dr. Bill Frederickson was elected the first chair. In 1973, the first masters degree for psychology majors was instituted as a 32 credit hour program labeled as an M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance: non-teaching. Within 5 years, it was renamed as M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology. In 1982, Mike Knight was elected chair and the name was again changed to M.Ed. in Community Counseling and subsequently from an M.Ed. to an M.A. At that time required credit hours were raised to 45 to accommodate licensure requirements for the LPC. Both the LPC and the new Licensed Behavioral Practitioner (LBP) laws require 60 hours of course work.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Central Oklahoma Psychology Department is centered on the student. In that vein, we will strive to provide a program of study that will empower the student to gain the skills necessary to function in a rapidly changing field. In order to accomplish this, we will continue to incorporate existing and emerging technology as a component of instruction. It is the goal of the Department to continually review and update both teaching strategies and curriculum in order to engender the critical thinking skills necessary for students to function effectively in the increasingly diverse field of psychology. We intend to challenge students by challenging ourselves as professionals, thus leading not only in words, but also by example.

Faculty and Staff

Sixteen faculty members and six adjunct instructors provide instruction and support to students. Dr. Mark Hamlin is the department chair. Ms. Bonnie Hansen provides administrative support to faculty and students. Graduate assistants and teaching assistants also provide support for faculty and students.

Students

This year, over 630 students have declared psychology their undergraduate major. In the Master's program, over 110 have enrolled.

Advisors

Students with classes that require "chair permission" should email the department administrative assistant, Bonnie Hansen.

Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology

• Dr. Lorry Youll - Program Coordinator
• Dr. Rob Doan
• Dr. Janelle Grellner
• Dr. Veronika Karpenko
• Dr. Caleb Lack

Master's Degree in Experimental Psychology

• Dr. Mickie Vanhoy - Program Coordinator
• Dr. Jill Devenport
• Dr. Mark Hamlin
• Dr. Thomas Hancock
• Dr. Tephillah Jeyaraj
• Dr. Robert Mather
• Dr. Gabriel Rupp

Master's Degree in Forensic Psychology

• Dr. Robert Mather - Program Coordinator

Master's Degree in School Psychology

• Dr. Mary Sweet-Darter - Program Coordinator
• Dr. Rob Doan
• Dr. B. Scott Singleton

Undergraduate Psychology Degree

• Dr. Thomas Hancock - Program Coordinator
• Dr. Mark Hamlin
• Dr. Robert Mather
• Dr. Gabriel Rupp
• Dr. Mickie Vanhoy

Giving to Psychology

• Dr. Fred's Mentorship Endowment Fund

Contact Information

The faculty and staff are distributed across three locations: the chair, administrative assistant and some of the faculty are in suite 221 on the second floor of the Education Building; some have office space on the first or third floors of the Chambers Library.

Department of Psychology
College of Education & Professional Studies
University of Central Oklahoma
100 N University Dr
Edmond, OK 73034-5209

Department Telephone: (405) 974-5707
Department Fax: (405) 974-3863

Contact Persons
Bonnie Hansen (Department Administrative Assistant)
Dr. Mark Hamlin (Chair)