Psychology

Psychology is the third most popular major at HPU and is typically the largest or second largest major in the School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences.

Contact the Office of Admissions

One University Parkway High Point, NC 27268

Undergraduate Admissions Campus Map Faculty & Staff Psychology

(800) 345-6993

(336) 841-9216

(336) 888-6382

[email protected]

Daily from 8:30am — 5:00pm.

Faculty and Staff

View All Psychology Faculty and Staff

Kirsten Li-Barber

Chair & Associate Professor of Psychology

[email protected]

+1 (336) 841-4620

Jana Spain

Professor of Psychology and Director of High Point Washington Program

[email protected]

+1 (336) 841-4541

Dr. Kimberly Wear Jones

Associate Professor of Psychology and Chair of Institutional Review Board

[email protected]

+1 (336) 841-9246

Deborah Danzis

Associate Professor of Psychology

[email protected]

+1 (336) 841-9008

Kelly Curtis

Associate Professor of Psychology

[email protected]

+1 (336) 841-9569

Laura Nagy

Assistant Professor of Psychology

[email protected]

+1 (336) 841-2851

Melissa Schoenlein

Assistant Professor, Psychology

[email protected]

336-841-2878

View All Psychology Faculty and Staff

Psychology is the third most popular major at HPU, and is typically the largest or second largest major in the School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences. With more than 250 students in the major and 100 in the minor, it is estimated that our majors constitute approximately 5% of the HPU student body. Close to 90% of all HPU students take Introduction to Psychology as one of their social sciences.

Psychology majors gain invaluable skills that are essential to a successful career. At HPU, psychology students are equipped to conquer the field with skills such as:

Research methods and statistical skills
Thinking and problem solving
Information acquisition and synthesis skills
Communication and intrapersonal skills
Computer literacy
Adaptability

Using behavioral modification techniques to help autistic children function more effectively in their daily lives
Studying factors that help cancer patients cope with their illness at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine
Constructing profiles at the FBI headquarters that will help law enforcement agencies distinguish real and fake threat letters
Learning about a psychologist’s role in the justice system with a Certified Forensic Psychologist
Working with gerontologists and social workers providing services to patients with advanced forms of Alzheimer’s disease

Psi Chi (international honor society for psychology)
Psychology Club

Course Requirements 2024/2025

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Degree Requirements	Credits
Major Requirements	44
University Core Requirements	36-44
Electives	40-48
Total	128

Minor in Psychology

Minor Requirements	Credits
Course Requirements	20
Total	20

Requirements for the B.S. in Psychology

Course	Course Title	Credits
PSY 2000	Introduction to Psychology	4
PSY 2100	Statistics for Psychology	4
PSY 3100	Research Methods in Psychology	4
PSY 4100	Advanced Research Methods in Psychology	4
A. Survey of Psychology Choose 3 of the following courses:
PSY 2200	Personality Psychology	4
PSY 2250	Abnormal Psychology	4
PSY 2300	Lifespan Development	4
PSY 2400	Social Psychology	4
PSY 2500	Cognitive Psychology	4
PSY/NEU 2600	Biopsychology	4
PSY 2880	Special Topics	4
B. Psychological Processes Choose 2 of the following courses:
PSY 3210	Person Perception	4
PSY 3250	Child Psychopathology	4
PSY 3310	Child Development	4
PSY 3320	Adolescent Development	4
PSY 3410	Social Cognition	4
PSY 3420	Close Relationships	4
PSY 3450	Industrial/Organizational Psychology	4
PSY/GBS 3470	Cross-Cultural Psychology	4
PSY 3510	Language and Thought	4
PSY 3520	Sensation and Perception	4
PSY 3610	Health Psychology	4
PSY 3620	Human Sexuality	4
PSY 3710	Career Development & Psychology	4
PSY 3880	Special Topics	4
PSY 3910	Forensic Psychology	4
C. Applications of Psychology Choose 8 credits from the following courses:
PSY 4110	Undergraduate Research	*
PSY 4120-4130	Independent Study	4
PSY 4190	Psychological Testing	4
PSY 4200	Counseling and Psychotherapy	4
PSY 4210	Personality and Psychopathology	4
PSY 4301	Family Dynamics	4
PSY 4311	Cognitive Development	4
PSY 4342	Cognitive Aging	4
PSY 4430	Social Influence	4
PSY 4450	Organizational Behavior	4
PSY 4510	Learning and Memory	4
PSY 4610	Drugs and Human Behavior	4
PSY 4620	Clinical Neuropsycholgy	4
PSY 4710-4750	Student Internship Program	*
PSY 4880	Special Topics	4
Required Supporting Courses:
BIO 1100, BIO 1500, or BIO/PHS 2060/2061	Biology: A Human Perspective, Principles of Cell Biology, or Human Physiology	4
Course Descriptions

* No more than 4 credits will count toward the Psychology major.

Note: PSY 2100 has a prerequisite of MTH 1130 or higher.

Note: All psychology majors are expected to complete the Psychology Department Assessment Packet, including the Major Field Test, during their final semester before graduation. Please see your advisor for details.

Requirements for Minor in Psychology

Course	Course Title	Credits
PSY 2000	Introduction to Psychology	4
8 credits at the PSY 2000 level (excluding PSY 2000)
PSY 2100	Statistics for Psychology	4
PSY 2200	Personality Psychology	4
PSY 2250	Abnormal Psychology	4
PSY 2300	Lifespan Development	4
PSY 2400	Social Psychology	4
PSY 2500	Cognitive Psychology	4
PSY 2600	Biopsychology	4
PSY 2880	Special Topics	Variable Credit. May be repeated.
8 credits at the PSY 3000/4000 level
PSY 3100	Research Methods in Psychology	4
PSY 3210	Person Perception	4
PSY 3250	Child Psychopathology	4
PSY 3310	Child Development	4
PSY 3320	Adolescent Development	4
PSY 3410	Social Cognition	4
PSY 3420	Close Relationships	4
PSY 3450	Industrial/Organizational Psychology	4
PSY 3460	The Global Workplace: Cross-Cultural Psychology at Work	4
PSY/GBS 3470	Cross-Cultural Psychology	4
PSY 3510	Language and Thought	4
PSY 3520	Sensation and Perception	4
PSY 3610	Health Psychology	4
PSY 3620	Human Sexuality	4
PSY 3710	Career Development and Psychology	4
PSY 3910	Forensic Psychology	4
PSY 4100	Advanced Research Methods in Psychology	4
PSY/URCW 4110	Undergraduate Research	1-4
PSY 4120-4130	Independent Study	4
PSY 4190	Psychological Testing	4
PSY 4200	Counseling and Psychotherapy	4
PSY 4210	Personality and Psychopathology	4
PSY 4301	Family Dynamics	4
PSY 4311	Cognitive Development	4
PSY 4342	Cognitive Aging	4
PSY 4430	Social Influence	4
PSY 4450	Organizational Behavior	4
PSY 4460	Group and Team Dynamics	4
PSY 4510	Learning and Memory	4
PSY 4610	Drugs and Human Behavior	4
PSY 4620	Clinical Neuropsychology	4
PSY 4710-4750	Student Intern Program	3-12
PSY 3881, 4881	Special Topics	Variable Credit. May be repeated.
Course Descriptions

Career Opportunities

Psychology majors at High Point University receive more than just a solid education. They also receive practical training through their research, internships and participation in professional meetings. Some graduates go on to work as Mental Health Support Specialists or to provide care and mental health services for those in residential and group homes. Other graduates are employed by school systems or are pursuing management in national organizations.

Psychology courses provide students with training in critical thinking and analytic skills. Our program provides students with a range of skills and abilities including, a broad knowledge base in psychology, research methods and statistical skills, thinking and problem solving skills, information acquisition and synthesis skills, computer literacy, communication and intrapersonal skills, and adaptability. Many of our graduates are currently pursuing masters and/or doctoral degrees in:

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Neuroscience
Social Psychology
Social Work
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Communication
School Psychology
School Counseling

Student Outcomes

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Isabel Boyles, Class of 2026 Hometown: Williamsport, Pennsylvania Major: Healthcare Management and Psychology Post-graduation plans: After…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Megan McCambridge, Class of 2025 Hometown: Rockford, Michigan Major: Political Science, minors in Spanish and…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Alexandra Vogel, Class of 2025 Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia Major: Psychology Post-graduation plans: Alexandra is…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Sarah Szalus; Class of 2026 Hometown: Berkeley Heights, New Jersey Major: Marketing; double minor in…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Shira Gold, Class of 2025 Hometown: Englewood, Colorado Major: Psychology; minor in Statistics Post-graduation…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Dessie Maiella, Class of 2025 Hometown: Morganton, North Carolina Major: Psychology; minor in Healthcare Management…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Emily Boenig, Class of 2025 Hometown: Mechanic Falls, Maine Major: Exercise Science, minor…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Phoebe Shelburne, Class of 2024 Hometown: Clackamas, Oregon Major: Sport Management, double minor in…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Elizabeth Ring, Class of 2024 Hometown: San Francisco, California Major: Psychology with a minor…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Christina Falcone, Class of 2024 Hometown: Cedar Point, North Carolina Major: Media production and entrepreneurship…

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Study Abroad

At High Point University, our emphasis on global perspectives is designed to provide students with opportunities to enhance their international awareness and to develop their cross-cultural communication skills. Study abroad is strongly encouraged as a part of this emphasis on global studies. With a variety of extraordinary options at some of the most prestigious universities in the world, students at High Point University are encouraged to study abroad as early as the summer after their freshman year. Employers are looking for more than just a degree; they want well-rounded individuals who have familiarity with diverse cultures, special skills, and knowledge of the world around them.

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