Our program provides practical training and focuses on behavioral therapies important to populations such as autism, Alzheimer’s and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. WVU Tech’s psychology program has small classes that strongly encourage student-professor interaction. Many students conduct research with faculty and present their findings at professional conferences. We are one of only two schools in the state with a full behavioral laboratory, giving students true hands-on experience.
Students begin by taking traditional courses that teach the science and ethics of psychology and introduce the critical concepts, theories and problems of the field. They later take a behavioral course designed to implement what they have learned in the full behavioral laboratory. Finally, students participate in supervised field placements and research opportunities with faculty to prepare them for careers.
As a part of their training, many psychology upperclassmen at WVU Tech complete an off-campus professional field experience for academic credit. Students have recently completed field placements at the Children’s Therapy Clinic, the Psychiatric Unit at Mt. Olive Maximum Security Correctional Facility and the Kennedy-Krieger Institute.
Our students have also created an active psychology club that sponsors guest speakers on campus, engages in volunteer work with organizations (such as the Special Olympics) and organizes group trips.
Dr. Lieving is an associate professor and chair of the WVU Tech Department of Psychology. His area of expertise is in the field of behavior analysis. Dr. Lieving's students learn how to conduct basic and applied behavioral research; how to assess and treat dysfunctional behavior in humans and non-humans; how to approach conceptually any behavioral problem associated with a psychological disorder; and how to construct effective interventions for children with special needs, including those diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder and other intellectual and developmental disorders.
Assistant professor Dr. Hall's areas of expertise are in social development, psychological assessment and quantitative analysis. Dr. Hall is an expert in helping students learn how to construct, implement and evaluate psychological tests for use in research, program evaluation and clinical settings. Her students also learn how disorders common in West Virginia and Appalachia are diagnosed and treated with both child and adult populations, including addictions, intellectual disabilities and personality disorders.
Graduates of the psychology program are prepared for a varied set of career paths that all have at their core the skills of effectively changing and managing behavior. These paths may be in the fields of mental health, business, social work, education, behavioral medicine/psychiatry and child care, to name a few. Graduates are prepared to work with a variety of clinical populations in community, hospital, educational and institutional settings.
The WVU Tech psychology program offers coursework consistent with the requirements set forth by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Students that complete the requirements are eligible to take the Board Certification examination to become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst.
The program also prepares students to continue their professional and intellectual development in post-baccalaureate training. Many recent graduates have been admitted into medical schools and into masters and doctoral programs in psychology and related fields.
Our graduates are putting their skills to work as:
Explore this introduction to animal behavior, including a survey of fundamental concepts (evolution, genetics, adaptation and learning) and research methods in understanding animal behavior, including primate species. Includes laboratory exercises and demonstrations.
Examine theoretical and empirical readings in a survey of major perspectives in personality theory, including dynamic, cognitive, humanistic and behavioral.
Learn the basic principles of behavior and their application to changing significant human behavior. Includes clinical, educational, parenting, industrial/organizational, community and other applications.