College of the Pacific

Department of Psychology

The Pacific Psychology department is housed in the Frank and Eva Buck Psychology Building. The department offers two degrees, a BA for undergraduates and an MA for graduate students. For a number of years, the major focus of the department has been behavioral psychology, with faculty expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis, Social and Forensic Psychology, Developmental and Child Studies, Clinical Psychology, Statistics and Research Design, Neuropsychology, Sexual Behavior, and Chronic Mental Disability. The department emphasizes "hands on" experience with a wide variety of research, practicum and internship placements.

Classes are small, averaging about 18 students per class for undergraduates and 9 students for graduate students. Students have a student lounge that provides a quiet place to study. The department also operates the highly successful Community Reentry Program, dedicated to training independent living skills among adults with chronic mental illness in San Joaquin County. In addition to working in this setting, students can also gain applied experience working with children in school settings, and with individuals with developmental disabilities. The program serves as an international model for success with the chronically mentally disabled population. Many of our undergraduate and graduate students go on to other universities to pursue graduate degrees.