Psychology

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Program Details

  • Prepare for a career in psychology
  • Complete a B.S., B.A., or a minor
  • Go directly into the field or continue your path with graduate programs
  • Top 150 psychology programs in the U.S.

Introduction

UMBC’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology provides students the analytic and interpersonal skills needed to claim their future in a wide range of fields, including psychology, social services, education, and business in both the public and private sectors. Students will learn practical application of research, including treatments, interventions, and policies that improve the quality of life. Traditionally, upper-level (300- and 400-level) psychology courses are offered on a convenient schedule during the weekdays (generally between 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) for students planning to complete a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, research opportunities and internships are available for UMBC-Shady Grove psychology students to expand beyond the classroom and help prepare them for a successful future.

Students enrolling in the Bachelor of Arts program in Psychology at UMBC-Shady Grove will complete approximately two years of full-time study prior to entry and complete the remainder of their upper-level credits with UMBC-Shady Grove. Students may transfer a maximum of 70 credits from a community college and 90 credits from a four-year school to UMBC.

UMBC is consistently highly ranked in many areas by U.S. News & World Report. Our psychology program has been ranked among the top 150 best in the nation.
Badge that says Best Colleges U.S. News World Report Psychology Programs 2024

B.S./B.A. in Psychology Information Request




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Pathways

Complete the recommended prerequisites in psychology, English, and statistics
Contact UMBC-Shady Grove for advising requirements, check your transfer credits, and the major requirements
Complete your major requirements, and total 120 credits including 45 upper level credits and graduate

More About the Program

Suggested Transfer Pathway

UMBC-Shady Grove has developed Suggested Transfer Pathways (STPs) for students at Montgomery College and Frederick Community College (updated version coming soon) who may be interested in transferring into any one of our undergraduate programs.

Montgomery College: General Studies, A.A., SSAH / Psychology, B.A.

Students may also make use of our General Suggested Transfer Pathway. Our STPs provide an academic plan of action for transfer and an outline of the recommended transfer coursework specific to each of our academic programs. Please note that the Suggested Transfer Pathway is not intended to serve as an official articulation agreement.

Recommended Prerequisites

UMBC-Shady Grove provides upper-level coursework for transfer students who have completed or are near completion of lower-level course requirements. As such, only upper-level courses are offered at UMBC-Shady Grove specific to each of our undergraduate programs. Most students transferring into UMBC-Shady Grove have completed at least 45-50 credits prior to transferring and many students have earned their associate degree. The Psychology Department strongly encourages you to complete the following courses prior to transfer:

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • English Composition
  • Statistics

In addition to the above courses, the following courses must be completed prior to graduation from UMBC. Ideally, a student will complete as many of the courses below as possible prior to transferring to UMBC-Shady Grove. Given that these courses are lower-level, they must be taken at an institution other than UMBC-Shady Grove:

  • 3 Arts and Humanities courses (from at least two different disciplines)
  • 3 Social Science courses (from at least two different disciplines; Introduction to Psychology counts as 1 of 3 courses)
  • College Algebra or Statistics
  • 2 Science courses (at least one must have a lab component)
  • World Language Intermediate-Level (consult advisor about exceptions)

Questions about the Psychology Program? Please contact Dr. Diane Alonso, Program Director, at dalonso@umbc.edu or 301-738-6318. Watch the short video below to meet Dr. Alonso.

Major Requirements

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete university requirements. Progress toward completion of university requirements is evaluated by means of the Transfer Credit Report (TCR) which is available online to students via myUMBC once admitted to the university. Progress toward major completion is evaluated in the academic departments. University requirements include:

General Requirements:
  • Minimum of 120 academic credits
  • Minimum of 2.0 grade point average
  • 45 Upper Level Credits
Major Requirements
Additional Advising Resources

View additional Shady Grove Advising Resources. For more information on degree requirements, please contact the UMBC-Shady Grove Coordinator of Undergraduate Recruitment and Advising at 301-738-6281.

Visit USG’s website to learn which classes will be available during the upcoming semester.

Minor Requirements

In addition to completing a major, UMBC students also have the option of completing a minor to supplement their coursework. The minors listed below are available to all students at UMBC-Shady Grove. Please note that all social work majors are required to complete a minor of their choosing. 

Please click on the links below for University requirements specific to minors requiring coursework available at UMBC-Shady Grove. Other minor options may be explored as well. You should meet with your academic advisor to discuss how your minor of interest may best fit your degree plan. Visit USG’s website to learn which classes will be available during the upcoming semester.

Minor Requirements:

Psychology Minor

Faculty

Diane Alonso smiling for the camera wearing UMBC Black and Gold. Diane Alonso, Ph.D.
Program Director, Principal Lecturer
Special Assistant to the Vice Provost for UMBC at USG Academic Innovation

Department: Psychology
Phone: 443-612-1318
Email: dalonso@umbc.edu
Office: Building III, Room 4145


Research Areas:
 Child and Adolescent Development
Undergraduate Courses: PSYC

Diane Alonso, Ph.D., serves as the UMBC Psychology Department’s Program Director at the Universities at Shady Grove. She started the undergraduate program at the Center in 2004 and the Graduate I/O Psychology program in 2007. Diane is a lifetime Maryland resident and received her undergraduate degree (B.S.) in Computer Science and her graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D.) in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP). With a background in Cognitive Psychology and Human Factors/Usability, Diane has over 10 years experience working in the industry both for IBM’s Federal Systems Division and for Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC)’s Health and Human Services Division. While employed at CSC, Diane performed usability work for clients such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Department of Education, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She also created and led a successful training program for new software implemented for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Systems (MMCS).

In addition to her vocation, Diane’s avocation is musical theater. For over 15 years she performed locally in community and professional theaters in the D.C. and surrounding metro areas. In 1992, during a production of an original version of the “Phantom of the Opera” at Toby’s Dinner Theater in Columbia, Maryland, Diane met her future husband, Tom Alonso, the very talented composer of the commissioned production. They were married a year later and now have two beautiful daughters.

View Dr. Alonso’s profile on UMBC Psychology Departmental web site.


Dr. Donald Knight
Lecturer
Department: Psychology
Phone:
301-738-6221
Email: dknigh1@umbc.edu
Office: 
Bldg. III, Room 4149
Undergraduate Courses: 
PSYC 211 (The Science and Profession of Psychology), PSYC 309 (Psychology: Exploration of the Discipline and Careers), PSYC 320 (Psychological Assessments), PSYC 345 (Introduction to Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy)

View Dr. Knights profile on UMBC Psychology Departmental web site.


Dr. Shariece Evans
Lecturer
Department: Psychology
Phone: 240-665-6476
Email: shariece.evans@umbc.edu
Office: Building III, Room 4143
Undergraduate Courses: PSYC 309 (Psychology: Exploration of the Discipline and Careers),
PSYC 311 (Research Methods in Psychology I), PSYC 312 (Research Methods in Psychology II)


Dr. David Banks
Email: drbanks@umbc.edu
Undergraduate Courses: PSYC 387 (Community Psychology) and PSYC 441 (Social/Health Psychology)
Research Areas: Family and community violence, personalized health, and public health.


Dr. Robin Goldstein
Email: go@umbc.edu
Undergraduate Courses: PSYC 304 (Adolescent Psychology), PSYC 308 (Child Maltreatment), PSYC 382 (Child and Adolescent Psychopathology), PSYC 407 (Advanced Child Psychology), PSYC 409 (Development and Education)
Research Areas: Child and Adolescent Development


Dr. Donald Knight
Email: dknigh1@umbc.edu
Undergraduate Courses: PSYC 211 (The Science and Profession of Psychology), PSYC 309 (Psychology: Exploration of the Discipline and Careers), PSYC 320 (Psychological Assessments), PSYC 345 (Introduction to Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy)


Dr. Emily Lichvar
Email: elichvar@umbc.edu
Undergraduate Courses: PSYC 306 (Lifespan Human Development) and PSYC 307 (The Psychology of Aging)
Research Areas: Addiction and substance abuse in the areas of prevention, treatment, and integrating systems of care for adolescents and families; Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adolescence


Edward Rudow
Email: erudow@aol.com
Undergraduate Courses: PSYC 320 (Assessment), PSYC 324 (Interviewing), PSYC 346 (Industrial/Organizational), PSYC 360 (Motivation), PSYC 380 (Personality), PSYC 393 (Diversity in the Workplace), PSYC 393 (Consumer Behavior)
Research Areas: Employee Attitude Assessment


Dr. Nina L. Tarner
Email: tarner@umbc.edu
Undergraduate Courses: PSYC 210 (Psychology of Learning), PSYC 335 (Physiological Psychology), PSYC 357 (Psychology of Women), PSYC 370 (Sensation & Perception), PSYC 385 (Health,Psychology), PSYC 393 (Abnormal Psychology in Film), PSYC 463 (Eating: Normal and Abnormal)
Research Areas: Forensic Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Animal Learning