Psychology Department

Randal Quevillon, Chairperson
Room 205, South Dakota Union Building
(605) 677-5351

FACULTY:

Professors:

Jan Berkhout, Ergonomics and Safety
Gerard Jacobs, Disaster Psychology
Randal Quevillon, Rural Mental Health, Disaster Psychology
Frank Schieber, Aging and Human Performance, Vision, Transportation
Cindy Struckman-Johnson, Social Psychology, Sexual Coercion, Transportation Safety
Barbara Yutrzenka, Professional Ethics, Diversity, Clinical Training
X.T. (XiaoTian) Wang, Physiological and Cognitive Psychology, Decision Making

Associate Professors:

Elizabeth Boyd, Family Systems, Native American Mental Health
S. Jean Caraway, Traumatic Victimization, Cross-Cultural Psychology
Michael Granaas, Quantitative Methods
Douglas Peterson, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Aviation Psychology
Jeffrey Simons, Psychology of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Gemma Skillman, Developmental and Cultural Factors in Adjustment, Assessment
Holly Straub, Cognitive Psychology

Assistant Professors:

Jon Elhai, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Disaster Psychology

MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY, B.A., B.S.
MINOR: PSYCHOLOGY
MINOR: DISASTER RESPONSE
AREA OF SPECIALIZATION WITHIN THE PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR: DISASTER RESPONSE

Psychology is both a scientific discipline concerned with understanding, explaining and predicting behavior, and a profession dedicated to the application of this knowledge to the solution of practical human problems. The courses and independent study opportunities offered in the department are designed to expose our students to both aspects of the field. The Psychology Department at The University of South Dakota is the most comprehensive in the state and has won several national awards for excellence.

Our curriculum provides comprehensive coverage of the core areas of general and experimental psychology as well as exposure to psychological applications in several areas. Informal tracks (emphases) are available in human factors/applied industrial and human service (clinical/counseling) areas whereby students can work with their advisors to obtain a concentration of courses in an applied track. Department facilities include a computer laboratory, the Heimstra Human Factors Laboratory, the Disaster Mental Health Institute and the Psychological Services Center. The Disaster Mental Health Institute conducts cutting-edge work in the developing field of disaster psychology. Advanced undergraduate students in Psychology are encouraged to participate with faculty in research projects to earn academic credit and gain valuable experience. More information is available at http://www.usd.edu/psychology .