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"Students pursue original research they usually wouldn't encounter until graduate school." Prof. Kelly Lambert
Department Chair:
Kristen Klaaren, PhD
Phone: 804-752-7332
E-mail: kklaaren@rmc.edu
Psychology
As a psychology major or minor, you'll explore the complexities that shape the way we think and behave, gaining insights that you can apply no matter where your future may take you. Says Anna Colby Barone '04, "I am constantly remembering theories, formulas, concepts, and so forth that help me navigate through my daily life, whether at home or at work."
A major for your interests: As a psychology major, you'll have the option to focus your studies in a specific area of emphasis: cognitive science, psychobiology, developmental psychology, social psychology, or clinical applications.
Research emphasis: Department Chair and author Kelly Lambert, named 2008 Virginia Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, exemplifies the department's commitment to encouraging active research and hands-on learning. Every psychology major participates in research-intensive courses, and independent research projects are encouraged.
Internships and study abroad: Expand your college experience through internships, travel study and individual research projects.
Graduate school: With its focus on research, the psychology major at R-MC prepares you for the challenges of graduate school. "Immersion in behavioral neuroendocrinology research allowed me to gain a broad knowledge base far earlier than many of my peers," says Erica Glasper '02, now a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University. Recent alumni have attended graduate programs at schools including Harvard, UVA, Johns Hopkins, MCV and UNC-Chapel Hill.
Careers: You'll find alumni of R-MC's psychology major in fields including psychopharmacology, neuroscience, rehabilitation, school counseling, education, and mental health.
| "This is a rare opportunity, and I am extremely grateful..."
Randolph-Macon College student Mary Tschirhart '12 was just as comfortable conducting research as she was designing theatre sets. With a major in psychology and a minor in drama, Tschirhart spent a lot of time in the Copley Science Center labs and in Cobb Theatre. As the set designer for two of the Drama Department's productions, A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To the Forum and Bedroom Farce, Tschirhart put her artistic skills to use. In addition, Tschirhart's 2011 SURF (Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship) experience played a pivotal role in her college career. Under the guidance of Psychology Professor Kelly Lambert, Tschirhart looked at two species of mice, one monogamous and the other non-monogamous, and observed how the mothers of a litter would react to stress with and without the presence of the father. Tschirhart also presented her research at the International Behavioral Neuroscience Conference in Hawaii. |