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Psychopathology is a course on mastering the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM is a reference book and comprehensive guide that mental health professionals use to diagnose and categorize mental illnesses. The class sparked many lively and thought-provoking discussions about our perspectives on mental health, including the controversies surrounding the extent to which certain behaviors are pathologized. Clinical Interviewing was one of my favorite courses, where we learned the foundational skills essential for establishing and maintaining therapeutic relationships with clients in psychotherapy. We were introduced to the core therapy techniques and had the opportunity to practice these skills with our classmates.

In my Family Psychology class, we delved into various techniques used in family systems therapy. The course allowed us to explore our families of origin, examining how they function and our roles within those systems. Surprisingly, my favorite class turned out to be Assessment. In this course, we studied a range of tests that psychologists use to measure intelligence, academic achievement, personality, and psychopathology. We spent the semester learning about the development of these tests and practicing how to administer them. It was entertaining and illuminating to administer IQ tests and personality inventories to several of my friends and see how they scored. Assessment is one of the most lucrative career paths for psychologists, as it involves using these tests to diagnose conditions like learning disabilities or autism.

You might be thinking that this sounds like a lot of work, and it is. However, being in a doctoral program is quite different from undergrad. For one, there aren鈥檛 many assignments throughout the semester. Instead, these courses require extensive reading, and you are expected to come to class prepared for in-depth discussions on what you have read that week. I found most of the readings were incredibly interesting and valuable for my development as a mental health professional. The most common assignments are papers, and having a strong understanding of APA Style is crucial for success. I am particularly grateful I learned APA Style at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, as it has saved me considerable time writing papers for my current program. The first year of a psychology doctoral program is demanding and sometimes stressful, but if you鈥檙e passionate about psychology, it can be fulfilling and a whole lot of fun.

The post What to expect: The first semester of a clinical psychology doctoral program appeared first on Psychological Science.

Regularly scheduled Psychology Club guest speaker events occur on certain Fridays from 1:00 -1:45. During this semester (Fall 2024) all meetings will be virtual and held over Google Meet. These events last about 45 minutes. Contact Bob Hines, Ph.D. of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Department of Psychological Science if you have any questions. (rjhines@ualr.edu).

Friday, Sept 6th, 1:00 – 1:45, virtual Google Meet event
Bob Hines, Ph.D.
糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Psychology Club advisor
Topic: Everything you ever wanted to know about applying to graduate school in psychology

Friday, Sept 20th, 1:00 鈥� 1:45. Virtual Google Meet event Rachel Lindstrom, LCSW
Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator, Instructor
School of Social Work | University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Topic: Everything you want to know about the Master of Social Work program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock

Friday, Sept. 27th, 1:00 鈥� 1:45 virtual Google Meet event
Donala K. Jordan, Psy.D., LP, Clinical Psychologist,
Jordan Consulting and Psychological Services, PLLC
Topic: Becoming a clinical psychologist, educational path and experiences

Friday, November 22nd, 1:00 鈥� 1:45 virtual Google Meet event
Joan B. Simon, Ph.D., Professor
Director, School Psychology Program
University of Central Arkansas
Topic: Exploring the World of the School Psychologist
Other potential meetings (job candidates) – to be announced

All students are welcome to attend these events.

The post Psychology Club Fall 2024 Events appeared first on Psychological Science.

Every school will have different requirements for applying to their program. While some schools may require research experience (PhD programs), others prefer their applicants to have some clinical experience (PsyD programs). Most institutions no longer require the GRE, but it is crucial to determine the testing requirements to apply. , roughly 25% of psychology doctoral programs require the GRE. In contrast, almost all require a good undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a CV or resume.

Maintaining a good, if not great, undergrad GPA is vital for your grad school application. Most schools will not consider a GPA below 3.0, and many require an average closer to 3.5. Work hard in all your classes, and ensure you are taking the prerequisite courses required by your preferred programs. Aside from the required courses you will take for your undergrad degree, many grad schools require prerequisites such as Abnormal Psychology and Cognitive Psychology. It is important to make good grades, especially in your psychology courses. Undergrad GPA is one of the most critical metrics that grad schools assess when considering your application.

Letters of recommendation are an essential component of a grad school application. Some institutions will require three letters, while others will only want two. These letters will typically come from a professor in the psychology department or a supervisor in a relevant work setting. When considering who to ask to write your letters, you want to consider a professor or supervisor with whom you have a good relationship. This person should understand your academic or work abilities and have a good impression of you as a student or employee. Think about a class you enjoyed and excelled in, or maybe you are currently taking. Build rapport with your professor, and let them know you intend to apply to grad school.

When the time comes to ask, give the writer plenty of time to prepare their letter. At a minimum, request a month before you need the letter. If you want to be safe, I highly recommend asking them two months in advance. When contacting a professor or supervisor, be professional and polite, and ask them if they are willing to write a positive letter. Your letter writer will most likely want to see a copy of your CV and the personal statement you will be submitting to grad school. If you have doubts about how to ask, just search the internet for information regarding grad school letters of recommendation. There are plenty of resources available.

The personal statement is probably the most stressful and time-consuming aspect of the grad school application. Every program is different, but most schools want to get to know you through your statement. Please do not wait to start working on this piece of your application. I worked on my personal statement for about two months. I went through countless revisions and submitted a document that looked nothing like the one I started with. I had my trusted friends read over it and suggest edits, and I worked hard to ensure my voice and personality came through.

Admissions forums are an indispensable resource that most schools will offer during application season. These are usually held over Zoom and provide invaluable information about the programs. You can ask questions about the application process and what they are typically looking for in an applicant. Call the admissions office of your prospective grad school, and talk to an admissions counselor. These hardworking folks will become your best friends throughout the application process and are usually very gracious and helpful. The admissions office will most likely be the first to read your application and decide whether you get an interview for the program. If you create a good impression with the admissions office before sending your application, they will be more likely to take it seriously.

The post Applying to grad school: Advice from a graduate student in clinical psychology appeared first on Psychological Science.

Schedule of meetings, Spring 2024

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Hello, my name is Matthew. I graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in May of 2023 with a degree in Psychology. This fall I began working on my Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree. Here is a little bit about my journey up to this point. I hope it helps others who want to pursue a higher level of education in Psychology!

By the end of my first semester at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, I decided I wanted to pursue a PsyD degree instead of a PhD. The simplest way to understand the difference between these two programs is a PsyD, or Doctor of Psychology, is designed to train clinicians or therapists to work in a public-facing clinical setting. A Ph.D. in Psychology is typically designed to train psychologists who wish to work as researchers or professors in academia. Having said that, many folks with PsyDs work in academia, and many people with PhDs work as therapists. If you are a person who wants to pursue a career as a therapist, a PsyD may be the path you want to take. If you love research or want to be a college professor, a Ph.D. is probably better suited to your goals. Of course, not everyone wants to obtain a doctorate, and there are plenty of master鈥檚-level programs related to psychology.

If you are considering pursuing graduate school, it鈥檚 crucial to start preparing as early as possible. I recommend you start by searching for schools that have programs that interest you, align with your values, and offer the type of degree you wish to obtain. The American Psychological Association (APA) website is an excellent resource for searching doctoral programs. The APA is responsible for the accreditation of doctoral programs throughout the United States, and most states require future psychologists to attend an accredited program in order to obtain licensure. Once you find a program that interests you, visit the school鈥檚 website and read more about the program. If you want more information, feel free to email their admissions office and tell them you would like more information about the program. Many programs will offer information sessions over Zoom during the fall, providing a wealth of information about the programs and how to apply.

Next time, I will discuss some other important factors of the application process, such as letters of recommendation, internship and research experience, and the dreaded essay. Over time, I will share my grad school experiences, and I hope my words will be informative and inspire you to further your education.

The post From the frontline: Advice from a graduate student in clinical psychology appeared first on Psychological Science.

“I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the Department of Psychology. I never expected to feel so supported or to have so many opportunities as an online student. Enrolling at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” – Ashley Mathis

“I am honored to receive this award and sincerely appreciate your recognition. I am immensely grateful to the entire department for its support and guidance in helping me acquire the skills and knowledge to achieve my goals. I look forward to the day when I can contribute as a member of the psychological community and make a meaningful difference in the world.” – Matthew Lawton

Matthew completed an internship this spring with the Arkansas Crisis Center and contributed to a video about their suicide prevention efforts in Arkansas.

The post 2023 Marie Wilson Howells’ Award appeared first on Psychological Science.

The post Graduation Application Status Information appeared first on Psychological Science.

• high overall GPA
• high Psychology GPA
• exemplary professional conduct
• involvement in research activities
• involvement with departmental organizations.

Read more about Marie Wilson Howell鈥檚 story here.

2018: William Brewis

2019: Sasiyeeda Hossain & Laura Astorga

2020: Julieta Dalmazzo & Taylor Allen

2021: Claire Brazile & Lindsey Carl

The post Marie Wilson Howell Outstanding Graduating Seniors – Past & Present appeared first on Psychological Science.

March is national sleep awareness month and March 13鈥�19 is Sleep Awareness week!

A 鈥済ood night鈥檚 sleep鈥� is something everyone wants but is not something everyone manages to get. March is designated as National Sleep Awareness Month, which provides us with an opportunity to look at our own sleep habits and search for ways to improve on the quantity and quality of sleep we get.

Eating right and exercising are used to maintain good health, but sleep can also affect one鈥檚 wellness. Sleep plays a critical role 鈥� allowing for the brain and body to recharge from the previous day鈥檚 activities. Failing to get enough sleep can have both short-term and long-term effects, reduce performance at work, and cause irritability and depression. Inadequate sleep has also been shown to have an effect on the hormones that regulate hunger. According to the National Sleep Foundation, at least 40 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder.

The post Add a good night’s sleep to your to-do list! appeared first on Psychological Science.