Jeffrey Charles McAndrew ’81 named inaugural poet laureate in North Fond du Lac
Jeffrey Charles McAndrew ’81 of North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, has been named North Fond du Lac’s inaugural poet laureate by Spillman Public Library. He […]
Psychology majors gain the background they need for admission into graduate programs of many types, at both the master’s and Ph.D. levels. Advising throughout the Ripon College journey assures that student choices fit their interests and their future trajectory. Classes strive to connect the field of psychology to other fields, from philosophy to art, and make connections between course material and the personal experiences of our students.
The department stresses the scientific (empirical) approach, and students become adept at coming up with their own ideas for research and carrying out that research. The two-semester Research Design and Statistics course, typically taken sophomore year, greatly promotes this type of learning, and is an important part of our active attempt to promote scientific and critical thinking outside the classroom. In addition, all senior majors conduct original research projects on topics of their own choice, write a thesis to describe them, and report them at our annual on-campus psychology symposium.
We also never lose sight of the fun side of psychology.
Latest News
Kovack-Lesh, two alumnae contribute to article published in journal
Professor of Psychology Kristine A. Kovack-Lesh had an article published this summer with Ripon College alumnae and other collaborators. “Inconsistent flanker congruency effects across stimulus […]
Julia Meyers-Manor quoted in another article receiving widespread attention
Associate Professor of Psychology Julia Meyers-Manor is quoted as an expert in another article that is receiving widespread sharing. “Comfort dogs are greeting Uvalde students […]
Faculty
Hatcher, Joe
Professor of Psychology, Chair of the Psychology Department, Pieper Family Chair of Servant Leadership
Kovack-Lesh, Kristine
Professor of Psychology
Meyers-Manor, Julia
Associate Professor of Psychology
Advising
Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.
As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers. Our collaboration with Student Support Services provides tutoring and additional academic and skill development, as well as tools to help with note-taking, exam preparation, goal-setting and time management. Likewise, Mentors in the Franzen Center provide in-depth, one-on-one or group mentoring for students about class projects and college-level writing, and can share problem-solving strategies to overcome academic obstacles.
Advising at RiponRequirements
Requirements for a major in psychology: PSC 110, 211 and 212, 523, 524 and at least four other psychology courses selected from the following: classes numbered at or above 200, two of which must be selected from 300, 310, 313, 324, 328, 339 and 342, and each of which must carry a minimum of four credits or receive the approval of the departmental chair. All courses in the department may be counted toward the psychology major, provided they are consistent with the requirements specified above. The grades received in all psychology courses will be used in the determination of departmental honors. PSC 110 and PSC 211 and 212 or the consent of both the instructor and chair of the department are prerequisite for all courses numbered at or above 300. Consult course descriptions for prerequisites for classes numbered in the 200s. Seniors majoring in psychology are expected to present at the annual Research and Scholarship Symposium. Independent study courses are often arranged for topics not included in our list of classes.
Requirements for a minor in psychology: Eighteen credits in psychology beyond PSC 110, all approved by the department chair. Each class contributing to the minor must carry a minimum of two credits.
Requirements for a teaching major in psychology: 37 credits in psychology including PSC 110, 211 and 212, 232, 523 and 524; two of the following: 221, 224, 234, 235, 242; two of the following: 300, 310, 313, 324, 328, 339, 342.
Requirements for a teaching minor in psychology: PSC 110, 211 and 212; three courses chosen from the following (one of which must be 313): 224, 234, 235, 242, 313, 339 and 342.
Career Tracks
Psychology can lead to careers in a wide variety of fields, from counseling and therapy to marketing and law. Recent graduates also have gone on to graduate school programs in counseling/clinical psychology, developmental psychology, business, industrial organizational psychology, social work, and women’s and gender studies. Others have launched careers as psychologists, teachers, therapists, research analysts and mental health practitioners.
Unique Opportunities
- Students participate in local and regional internship experiences, including working with at-risk high school students in an alternative high school setting, sitting in on therapy sessions at a local mental health clinic, observation at local daycare centers, working with autistic children, and helping jail inmates attain their GED.
- Students do research with faculty members, often co-writing publications or conference presentations. Work at the Infant Cognition Lab, under the direction of Dr. Kristine Kovack-Lesh since 2008, and on dog/owner behavior and relationships with Dr. Julia Manor provides significant applied opportunities for faculty-student collaborative research.
- Through the Department of Educational Studies, certification in psychology is available in early adolescence/adolescence (grades 6-12).
- The Infant Cognition Lab (ICL), which has been in operation under the direction of Dr. Kristine Kovack-Lesh, associate professor of psychology, since 2008, provides significant applied opportunities for students in Ripon's psychology department. Research focuses on mental developmental stages in young infants. Students work in the lab year-round, where they gain valuable hands-on-training in the field of psychology and learn how to effectively communicate a research question to an outside community member.