Department of Social Sciences

All Huntingdon students are encouraged to take one or more classes in psychology since almost any profession that a student might choose will incorporate psychological principles in its training and practice. The core classes for the major provide you with a thorough background in basic psychological concepts and theories, statistical procedures and research methods, and an introduction to the field of human services.

Whether seeking additional postgraduate studies or desiring to enter the work place, the Psychology Program at Huntingdon prepares students for a wide variety of opportunities. In addition, the program brings in numerous speakers throughout the year to introduce students to various types of career opportunities. The Psychology Program also coordinates the annual Graduate and Professional School Fair, held each year at Huntingdon's campus. The fair brings to campus around 60 graduate and professional school representatives from many different areas of the country in almost every major career area.

Major: Psychology
Minor: Psychology

The major requirements and course descriptions are outlined in the Huntingdon College Catalog.

Faculty

• Ann G. Phillips, Ph.D.
  Psychology Program Coordinator
• Janet Cathey-Pugh, Ph.D.
  Adjunct Professor of Psychology

Psychology Internships

Internship opportunities, ranging from traditional mental health settings and public health to geriatric and correction facilities, are geared to the student's interests. Huntingdon psychology majors have completed internships in community mental health organizations (Family Guidance Center, Lighthouse Counseling Center); programs for rape crisis counseling; substance abuse programs; correctional facilities (Julia Tutwiler Women's Prison, Mt. Meigs Juvenile Institution); geriatric care (Archibald Center); biostatistics; epidemiology; health promotions; maternal/child care (Alabama State Department of Public Health); and a number of other career areas.

The Psychology Lecture Series

Students are invited to participate in the Psychology Lecture Series, which brings in presenters to discuss post-graduate opportunities with students. Presenters from the 2005–06 school year include:

• Director of Admissions, Psi Graduate Program in Christian Counseling in Atlanta
• Associate Dean of the Graduate Program in Social Work, University of Alabama
• Director of the Music Therapy Program, University of Alabama

Psychology Alumni

Our students have gone on to many different graduate programs, including the following:

• Medicine: University of Iowa
• Dentistry: University of Alabama-Birmingham
• Veterinary Medicine: Auburn University
• Clinical Psychology: Vanderbilt University, University of Miami, Argosy University-San Francisco, University of Central Florida, Spalding University-Louisville, University of Georgia
• Community Psychology: Auburn University, University of Dallas
• Social Work: George Brown School of Social Work, Washington University (St. Louis); University of Alabama; Tulane University
• Creative Writing: West Georgia College and State University
• Public Health: St. Louis University, University of Alabama-Birmingham
• Psychometrics: University of South Alabama
• English: University of Alabama-Birmingham
• Art History: University of Georgia
• Seminary: Yale Divinity School
• Anthropology: University of Memphis

What jobs are available?

Related Career Titles for Psychology Majors

This is only a sample list of job titles and job descriptions of entry-level positions for which graduates with a B.A. in psychology might be hired. As more and more employers are developing job titles that are particular to their own environment, it is more difficult to provide a definitive list of possible career options. The ones that follow should be considered to be illustrative rather than exhaustive.

Academic Advisor/College Counselor
Advises students at all levels on selection of courses and majors. Sometimes involves career counseling.

Career Planning and Placement Counselor
Assists individuals in setting and implementing career and job-search goals, teaches decision-making and job-search skills, networks among employers for interviewing opportunities and internships, develops related library resources. Employers include private firms and universities and colleges.

Housing and Student Life Coordinator
Administers housing services and produces special programs to promote positive interaction on campus. Works for universities and colleges.

School Counselor
Helps students to gain self-understanding, solve school-related problems, make personal and career decisions, and select appropriate educational programs. Administers and interprets standardized tests; works with school staff, students, and parents to identify and evaluate learning problems. Employers include elementary and secondary schools, technical institutes, and colleges.

Secondary School Teacher
Instructs high school and junior high school students in specialized subject areas. Most secondary school teachers teach several courses in a single subject area.

Special Program Teachers
Instructs students enrolled in special education programs. Settings (e.g., churches, social service agencies) and topics (e.g., vocational training, preschool Head Start, drug-abuse prevention) vary widely.

Student Activities Advisor
Administers various activities for college students, usually extracurricular. Positions include fraternity/sorority advisor, disciplinary advisor, foreign student advisor, student publications advisor, and so forth.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Assists physically, emotionally, or mentally disabled individuals to develop and carry out vocational and educational plans. Cooperates with other professionals such as physicians, placement counselors, and educators. Works for state and local rehabilitation agencies, hospitals, schools for the handicapped, and the Veterans Administration. Typically requires course work in vocational rehabilitation and a credential.

College Admissions Counselor
Recruits and selects prospective students, creates promotional materials, makes presentations on and off campus, sets admissions criteria, reviews applications, and communicates with applicants.

Employee Relations Assistant
Plans employee social activities, organizes new employee orientation sessions, assists in publishing employee newsletters, reports to Employee Relations Specialist or Manager and works for employers in all fields.

Social Work Caseworker Level 1
At this level, a caseworker will counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, and social adjustment.

Corrections and Parole Officer
Assist offender or inmates in matters such as conditional release requirements, restitution payments, educational and employment stipulations. This person will also make arrangements for post-release services.

Personnel Manager
This person must perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures. They are also an important link between management and employees by interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.

Technical Writer
Technical writers organize material and complete writing assignments according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology. Often they must confer with customer representatives, vendors, and publishers to establish technical specifications.

Statistician
A statistician must identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research. They plan data collection methods for specific projects and determine the types and sizes of sample groups to be used.

Youth Camp Counselor
This position involves enforcing rules and regulations of recreational facilities in order to maintain discipline and ensure safety. Counselors will confer with management in order to discuss and resolve participant complaints.

Sales Representative
Will confer or consult with department heads to plan advertising services and to secure information on equipment and customer specifications. They may also monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales effort.

Public Relations Specialist
Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, and public interest groups. They arrange public appearances, lectures, or exhibits for clients to increase product and service awareness and to promote goodwill.