ChooseWhy Choose This Program?

Why Study Psychology at Goucher?


The Center for Psychology educates students in the core skills of the discipline alongside Goucher’s mission of respecting diverse viewpoints, methods, and connections with other traditions and disciplines. This education contributes to the overall mission of the college as a liberal arts institution, “to prepare students within a broad and humane perspective for a life of inquiry, creativity, and critical and analytical thinking.”

LearnWhat Will You Learn?

What Will You Learn?


Students who major in psychology will learn research methodology in psychology; understand the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology; communicate effectively and develop critical consciousness and an appreciation of a variety of ways of knowing; recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity as played out in psychology and related fields; and develop an ethical framework with regard to the study and practice of psychology.  Learn More

DoWhat Will You Do?

What Will You Do?


Across the varied perspectives represented in our department, we strive to create an open, supportive, challenging and vibrant learning culture in our psychology classes. We value sharing our passion for the field of psychology through close and active mentoring of psychology major and minor students inside and outside of the classroom. We encourage and model experiential learning in the form of community engagement, social justice, active involvement in research, collaborative construction of knowledge, and self-directed exploration. 

Faculty

Major & Minor Program Contacts
Jennifer McCabe, Department Chair, Professor of Psychology: cognitive psychology

Full-Time & Half-Time Faculty
Katherine Choe, Associate Professor of Psychology: developmental psychology

Laura DeWyngaert, Assistant Professor of Practice: applied developmental psychology

Amanda Draheim, Assistant Professor of Psychology: clinical psychology

Thomas Ghirardelli, Professor of Psychology: perception and attention

Jennifer McCabe, Professor of Psychology: cognitive psychology

Arlette Ngoubene-Atioky, Associate Professor of Psychology: international psychology, counseling psychology

Brian Patrick, Associate Professor of Psychology: social psychology

Gillian Starkey, Associate Professor of Psychology: neuroscience

Professor Emeritus or Emerita or Emeriti
Carol Mills, Emerita Professor of Psychology: cognitive psychology

Part-Time Faculty
Kauscha Howard

Study Abroad

Much of what a student in psychology studies in the classroom can lead to deeper understandings when viewed in a global context. For psychology majors/minors, study abroad is a chance to learn different perspectives about psychology and human behavior. When they come back from study abroad, students are much more aware of the world around them, and the diversities and similarities of people.

Studying psychology abroad is not required for the major, but many of our students choose programs with psychology offerings. Some examples of programs that psychology students have attended in recent years are:

Please contact the Office of Global Education to learn more about approved study-abroad programs.

Office of Global Education

Opportunities & Internships

Internships


Internships help students explore possibilities, apply classroom learning, and gain experience. Explore internships and credit options.

The variety of internships that have been completed under the supervision of this department is evidence of the flexible and creative applicability of degrees in psychology. Students seeking a psychology major or minor find internship opportunities through the Career Education Office (CEO), through faculty and staff members, or on their own. In the Baltimore area, there is a wide variety of possible placements for psychology students. Some of the more frequent internships are at:

View our Goucher Undergraduate Psychology Internships (PDF) for information on the following internship opportunities:

  • Art With a Heart
  • Baltimore City Online Learning
  • Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust
  • Baltimore Urban Project at Mt. Clare Christian School
  • Bare of Hope LLC
  • Calls4Care
  • Calvert School
  • Chase Brexton Health Center for LGBTQ Health Equity
  • Children's National Medical Center
  • City Neighbors Hamilton School
  • Cool Kids Campaign
  • Core L'Etoile
  • Crisis Text Line
  • Days End Farm Horse Rescue
  • Dream Catcher Meadows Green Care Farm
  • Erie County Family Justice Center
  • Goucher Human Resources Department
  • Holistic Life Foundation
  • Humanz Meditate
  • Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
  • Karina Association Inc.
  • Kennedy Krieger Institute
  • Little Leaves
  • Mental Health America of Fredericksburg
  • Oregon Court of Appeals
  • Peace LLC
  • Pharmasite Research Inc
  • PlayCenters
  • Public Health Management Corporation
  • Rebounders Gymnastics Center
  • Talbert House
  • The Renfrew Center
  • Trevor Project
  • TurnAround, Inc.
  • University of Texas Department of Psychology
  • Way Station of Frederick
  • Westchester Medical Behavioral Center

A detailed description of the off-campus experience is published by the CEO each year and fully describes the guidelines and timetable for internships. Students interested in arranging an internship in psychology should visit the Career Education Office, and then contact their individual academic advisors.

Upon completion of the internship, psychology students must complete the online Internship Evaluation. Final grades for internships will not be issued until the evaluation is complete. Please email gwen.probst@gov-cms.com for the link to the survey.

Psych Club


The Psych Club was created to promote learning and participation outside the classroom setting. The club sponsors a variety of activities including, "get-to-know-you" meetings; community service; information sessions on internships, graduate programs, and careers; and guest speakers.

Membership is open to any Goucher student with an interest in psychology.

Contact Dr. DeWyngaert or Dr. Choe for more information. 

Psych Club

Student Employment


Student employment connects students to both on and off-campus opportunities. The Career Education Office provides resources and support to students with or without Federal Work Study to find jobs, submit applications, and learn more about the job search process. Students have access to Handshake — a website for job postings, events, resumes/cover letters, and career management.

Major & Career Exploration


Exploring career options, choosing a major, and making career decisions is a multi-step process in which all students are encouraged to engage early and often. Goucher students have a variety of resources available through the Majors and Career page to assist them in this process.

Job Search


A Goucher education prepares students for today’s job market and beyond. Students can explore job opportunities and access job search resources through the CEO Job Search page.

Graduate & Professional School


Students access resources for searching and applying to graduate and professional school through the CEO Graduate and Professional School page, through faculty and staff members, or utilizing their own resources, network and tools.

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School 4+1 BA/MS Program


Goucher College and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School are offering Goucher students a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program. This 4+1 program combines a bachelor’s degree from Goucher with a master of science degree from Johns Hopkins in business analytics and risk management, information systems, health care management, finance, or marketing. Students can apply during their junior year. GRE or GMAT tests have been waived but applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better and have passed some quantitative reasoning courses with a grade of B or better.

  • Psychology program faculty

Alumni SpotlightChevron iconLeila Melendez ’16

Chevron icon

Leila Melendez ’16


“Goucher students an alum they can reach out to, especially when they think something hasn’t been done before. The door is always open.”

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