Psychology Department

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Douglas Peterson, Chairperson
South Dakota Union Building, Room 205
(605) 658-3700
Psychology@usd.edu
http://www.usd.edu/arts-and-sciences/psychology

FACULTY

Professors:

Jan Berkhout, Ergonomics and Safety
Elizabeth Boyd, Family Systems, Native American Mental Health
S. Jean Caraway, Traumatic Victimization, Cross-Cultural Psychology
Jeffrey Simons, Psychology of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Raluca Simons, Stress, Military Personnel and Alcohol
Cindy Struckman-Johnson, Social Psychology, Sexual Coercion, Transportation Safety

Associate Professors:

Michael Granaas, Quantitative Methods, Virtual Environments
Douglas Peterson, User Experience/Usability, Mental Workload, Neuroscience
Timothy Ricker, Working Memory, Attention, Vision, Multitasking

Assistant Professors:

Taylor Bosch, Neuroimaging, Motor Learning
Brianna Byllesby, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Diagnostic Comorbidity
BreAnne Danzi, Stress and Trauma, Children and Families, Disasters
Jacob Kraft, Psychophysiology of Cognitive Processes in Psychopathology
Jong-Sung Yoon, Cognitive Psychology, Memory, Expertise

Assistant Professor of Practice:

Rachel Post, Clinical practice, Child Psychopathology

Senior Lecturers:

Gemma Skillman
Sarah Thimsen

Lecturer:

Robin Duncan

Emeritus:

Gerard Jacobs
Randal Quevillon
Frank Schieber
Holly Straub
Barbara Yutrzenka

MAJOR:

Psychology, B.A., B.S.

SPECIALIZATION:

Disaster Response
Mental Health

MINORS:

Psychology
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. 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 website listed above.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Please contact the department for additional information about available scholarships and awards. Also see College of Arts & Sciences  for college/school level scholarships.

• Harold O. Fossler Scholarship
• Norman Heimstra Memorial Scholarship
• Psi Chi Prize Scholarship
• Royal D. & Helen B. Doner Scholarship

Student Learning Outcomes for Neuroscience (B.S.)

1. Understand the cellular and molecular function of neurons, basic neuroanatomy, the sensory and motor systems, and the development and plasticity of the nervous system.

2. Describe the application of neuroscience research to topics beyond basic science, including education, medicine, psychopathology, and behavioral sciences.

3. Understand the research methods employed in neuroscience research.

4. Review and summarize current literature in the field of neuroscience. 

Student Learning Outcomes for Psychology (B.A., B.S.)

1. Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology. Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s content domains. Describe applications of psychology. 
2. Demonstrate competency in psychological information literacy; research methods and statistical results; critical evaluation of conclusions drawn from scientific inquiry. 
3. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice. Build and enhance socio-culturally aware interpersonal relationships. Adopt values that build community at local, national and global levels 
4. Apply psychological content and skills to career goals, exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation, enhance teamwork capacity and develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation. 

Programs

• Disaster Response Minor
• Disaster Response Undergraduate Certificate
• Neuroscience (B.S.)
• Neuroscience Minor
• Psychology (B.A., B.S.)
• Psychology Minor

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