Department of

Psychology and Neuroscience

This is a vibrant and busy department, with approximately 800 undergraduate majors, 60 doctoral students, 24 full-time faculty, and four full-time staff members. We offer a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. We offer doctoral degrees in Psychology (Ph.D.), with tracks in Behavioral Neuroscience, Social Psychology, and General Experimental Psychology, and an APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.).

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Undergraduate Programs

Psychology and neuroscience are comprehensive and versatile majors, providing educational foundation for advanced study in any field.

Psychology

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It seeks to understand the origins and processes of thought and emotion by drawing from biological, social, and cultural aspects of the human experience.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system with a special focus on the brain. As a multidisciplinary field, neuroscience draws from biology, psychology, chemistry and other areas to develop a thorough understanding of the nervous system and related disorders. From molecules and genes to behavior and motor skills, neuroscience spans the full range of the nervous system.

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Graduate Programs

The department offers two doctoral degrees: Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology.

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

The Psy.D. degree prepares students as practitioner-scientists in clinical psychology. The program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association. Formal course work is integrated with practicum and research experiences to produce highly qualified practitioner-scientists in this area of specialization.

Ph.D. In Psychology

The Ph.D. program in psychology prepares students for university teaching/research, and applied positions in universities, hospitals, industry, or government. The program has three training tracks: Behavioral Neuroscience, Social Psychology, and General Experimental Psychology.

Psychology Clinic

The Baylor Psychology Clinic is a teaching clinic that provides assessment and therapy services to Waco and the surrounding areas.

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Psychology & Neuroscience News
When It Comes to Vacation Memories, ‘Focus before Facebook’ Jun. 3, 2019 WACO, Texas (June 3, 2019) — In this digital age, what's more important when you're on vacation — the experience itself or the selfie that proves you were there? If you want to preserve the memories, it's best to process the experience before you post the photo — a modern-day twist on the adage “think before you speak,” says a Baylor psychologist. Baylor Researchers Share Sleep and Memory Recall Tips to Help Tackle College Finals May 7, 2019 WACO, Texas (May 7, 2019) – It’s final exam season for college students across the country. And final exams often come with all-night study sessions and gallons of coffee. But do such things really help? Baylor Faculty Member Earns Nearly $3 Million Grant to Study Evidence-Based Practices in Psychology Mar. 18, 2019 WACO, Texas (March 18, 2019) – Sara L. Dolan, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and neuroscience in Baylor University’s College of Arts & Sciences, has been awarded a five-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – for a project aimed at improving clinical practice for children who have been victims of abuse and trauma. Longest-Tenured Faculty Member in Baylor History Honored in Special Edition of APA’s The Score Mar. 4, 2019 WACO, Texas (March 4, 2019) – The Score, a flagship newsletter for the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 5, the Division for Quantitative and Qualitative methods, dedicated a recent issue solely to Roger E. Kirk, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Statistics and Master Teacher at Baylor University, in celebration of 60 years in the statistics field and his formal retirement at the end of this spring semester.
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Upcoming Events
Jun
26
2019
Last day on which a student may drop a class for Summer Session 1.
Jun
26
2019
Last day on which a student may withdraw from the University for Summer Session 1.
Jul
9
2019
End of Summer Session 1; final examinations for Summer Session 1.
Jul
10
2019
Grades due at 5:00 pm for Summer Session 1. More Events

Alumni Profiles

“Dr. Tom Carpenter completed his doctorate at Baylor in 2015 and immediately moved into a professorship at Seattle Pacific University. Tom credits the hard work of Baylor faculty in shaping his growth and success. 'Baylor is an unusual place. On one hand, most faculty are student centered, investing more time and care into their students than they might get at other institutions. On the other hand, faculty produce high-quality research at high rates. It's an impressive combination that provides a phenomenal opportunity to students.'”
Dr. Tom Carpenter
Dr. Tom Carpenter
Psychology, Ph.D. Program
“I graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. Currently, I am the head of Biorepository at the START Cancer Center in San Antonio, TX. I have been involved in several projects that led to co-authorships, including research on various types of cancers, from breast cancer to chordoma, in a preclinical setting using Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) models. My time at Baylor has not only expanded my knowledge in Neuroscience, but has also encouraged me to apply my education in a dynamic way. I'm thankful and proud to call Baylor home!”
Melissa Rundle
Melissa Rundle
Neuroscience, Undergraduate Program
“I majored in neuroscience at Baylor (class of 1997) and from the first course I took, was hooked! I'm now an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and spend my time trying to understand the relationships between brain and behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, particularly with respect to sensory processing differences in autism. To do this, my lab uses tools like psychophysics, behavioral testing, fMRI, and EEG. To learn more about Dr. Cascio's research, visit www.casciolab.com.”
Dr. Carissa Cascio
Dr. Carissa Cascio
Neuroscience, Undergraduate Program


Would you like to be featured on Alumni Profiles? Please email Psychology_Neuroscience@baylor.edu for more information.