Faculty

Chair

Anne Brodsky

Professor

Anne Brodsky
A.B., Vassar College, 1987; M.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1992; Ph.D., 1995

John Borrero
B.S., Louisiana State University, 1997; M.S., University of Florida, 2001; Ph.D., 2004

Charissa Cheah
B.A., University of Waterloo (Canada), 1995; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 2000

Lynnda Dahlquist
B.A., St. Olaf College, 1975; M.S., Purdue University, 1978; Ph.D., 1981

Christopher Murphy
B.A., University of New Hampshire, 1983; M.A., 1990; Ph.D., State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1991

Susan Sonnenschein
B.A., New York University, 1972; M.S., The Pennsylvania State University, 1975; Ph.D., State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1979

Shari Waldstein
A.B., Duke University, 1984; M.S., University of Pittsburgh, 1989; Ph.D., 1993

Associate Professor

Danielle L. Beatty
B.A., North Carolina State University, 2000; M.A., North Carolina Central University, 2002; Ph.D., City University of New York, 2007

Nkiru Nnawulezi
B.A., American University, 2008; M.A., 2011; Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2015

Steven C. Pitts
B.A., California State University, North Ridge, 1990; M.A., Arizona State University, 1993; Ph.D., 1999

David Schultz
B.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1990; M.Div., Yale University, 1993; M.A., The College of William & Mary, 1995; Ph.D., University of Delaware, 2000

Shuyan Sun
B.A., Beijing Normal University, 2004; M.A., University of Cincinnati, 2008; Ph.D., 2012

K. Lira Yoon
B.A., Yonsei University, 1997; M.A., 1999; M.S., Northwestern University, 2002; Ph.D., Northwestern University, 2006

Assistant Professor

Janelle Billingsley
B.A., North Carolina Central University, 2016; M.A., University of Virginia, 2019; Ph.D., 2022

Mirela Cengher
B.A., University of Bucharest (Romania), 2008; M.A., Hyperion University (Romania), 2010; M.A., City University of New York, 2012; Ph.D., 2017

Erika Fountain
B.A., Florida International University, 2010; M.A., 2015; Ph.D., Georgetown University, 2017

Molly Franz
B.A., Boston University, 2010; M.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2015; Ph.D., 2019

Karrie Godwin
M.Ed., Harvard University, 2006; Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University, 2015

Sophia Hwang
B.A., Stanford University, 2008; M.S.Ed., University of Pennsylvania, 2010; Ph.D., New York University, 2021

Tasneem Khambaty
B.S., Ohio State University, 2009; M.S., Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 2012; Ph.D., 2015

Rebecca Schacht
B.A., University of Washington, 2001; M.S., University of Washington, 2006; Ph.D., University of Washington, 2011 

Professor of the Practice

Elliot D. Lasson
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1987; M.A., 1990; Ph.D., Wayne State University, 1992

Clinical Professor

Greg Williams
B.A., State of University of New York at Plattsburgh, 1978; M.S., 1980; Ed.D., George Washington University, 1997

Clinical Associate Professor

Raimi Quiton
B.S., Stanford University, 1989; Ph.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore, 2007

Principal Lecturer

Diane Lindwarm Alonso
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park, 1985; M.S., 1995; Ph.D., 1998

Eileen O’Brien
B.S., University of Pittsburgh, 1973; M.S., The Catholic University of America, 1977; M.A., 1984; Ph.D., 1987

Senior Lecturer

Laura Rose
B.A., Ithaca College, 2006; M.A., Boston College, 2008; Ph.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2014

Lecturer

Elissa Abod
B.A., The Pennsylvania State University, 1987; M.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1989; Ph.D., George Mason University, 2001

Robert Anderson
B.S., Towson University, 1976; M.A., 1979; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1993

Aubrey Etopio
B.S., SUNY Brockport, 2013; M.A., University of Nevada, Reno, 2015; Ph.D., 2020

Shariece A. Evans
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2004; Ph.D., 2020; M.A., Towson University, 2010

Angela Katenkamp Shiplet 
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2000; M.A., 2003; Ph.D., 2008

Donald Knight
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1997; M.A., New York University, 1999; Ph.D., Western Michigan University, 2012

Adjunct Professor

Maureen Black
B.A., The Pennsylvania State University, 1967; M.A., University of Southern California, 1973; Ph.D., Emory University, 1978

Marc Bornstein
B.A., Columbia College; M.S.; Ph.D., Yale University

Michael Cataldo
B.A., University of Rochester, 1968; M.A., University of Kansas, 1971; Ph.D., 1974

David Chavis
B.A., Vanderbilt University, 1978; M.S., 1981; Ph.D., 1983

Brenda Hussey-Gardner
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park, 1985; Ph.D., 1995; M.A., M.P.H., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1987

Geoffrey Schoenbaum
B.S., University of Georgia, 1989; Ph.D., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1994; M.D., 1996

John Sollers, III
B.S., Towson State University, 1990; M.A., 1995; Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997

Alan B. Zonderman
B.S., University of Massachusetts, 1973; M.S., University of Colorado, 1974; Ph.D., 1977

Adjunct Associate Professor

Louis Hagopian
B.S., Virginia Commonwealth University, 1985; M.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1988; Ph.D., 1991

Leslie Katzel
B.S., Cooper Union, 1975; Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 1981; M.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine, 1984

Nanmathi Manian
B.A., Lady Shri Ram College, 1989; M.S., Maharaja Sayajirao University, 1992; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1999

Gloria Reeves
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park, 1993; M.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore, 1997

Laura Rowland
Ph.D., University of New Mexico

Cindy Schaefer
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park, 1992; M.A.,1996; Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000

Keith Slifer
B.A., McDaniel College; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Ph.D., Florida State University

Sharon Hoover Stephan
B.A., University of Sussex, 1995; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2000; Ph.D., 2002

Vicki Tepper
B.A., Rutgers University, 1979; M.S., 1982; Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 1989

Jennifer Zarcone
Ph.D., University of Florida

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Carrie S. W. Borrero
B.S., University of Pittsburgh, 1995; M.S., Vilanova University, 1999; Ph.D., University of Florida, 2006

Nicole Hausman
B.A., University of Florida, 2004; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2007; Ph.D., 2012

Lisa Jordan
B.S., Elmira College, 1989; M.A.,1993; Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1997

Patricia Kurtz
B.A., The George Washington University, 1984; M.A., The Claremont Graduate School, 1988; Ph.D., 1991

Fernanda Tebexreni Orsati
B.A., Mackenzie University, 2004; M.A., 2006; Ph.D., Syracuse University, 2013

Cara Phillips
M.A., Ph.D., University of Florida

Peter Resta
B.S., Mount St. Mary’s University, 1970; M.A., Loyola College in Maryland, 1976; M.S.W., University of Maryland, Baltimore, 1984; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 1993

Ashlyn L. Smith
B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1998; M.A., Georgia State University, 2007; Ph.D., 2001

Carrington Wendell
B.A., Wake Forest, 2003; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2006; Ph.D., 2011

Cheryl Zwart
B.A., State University of New York at Binghamton, 1971; M.A., 1978; Ph.D., 1981

Affiliate Associate Professor

John Martello
B.S., The Pennsylvania State University, 1974; M.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1976; Ph.D., Howard University, 1984

Laura Ting
B.A., Columbia University, 1987; M.S., 1989; Ph.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore, 2003 

Affiliate Professor

Zane Berge
B.S., Rochester Institute of Technology, 1977; Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1988

Emeritus Professor

Linda Baker
B.A., Rutgers University, 1973; M.S., 1975; Ph.D., 1977

A. Charles Catania
A.B., Columbia University, 1957; M.A., 1958; Ph.D., Harvard University, 1961

Marilyn E. Demorest
B.A., Trinity College, 1965; M.A., The Johns Hopkins University, 1967; Ph.D., 1969

Carlo DiClemente
A.B., St. Mary’s University, 1964; S.T.B., Gregorian University, Rome (Italy), 1966; M.A., New School of Social Research, 1974; Ph.D., University of Rhode Island, 1978

Stanley Feldstein
B.A., Brooklyn College, 1953; M.A., Columbia University, 1954; Ph.D., 1960

Jonathan C. Finkelstein
B.A., Temple University, 1965; Ph.D., The University of Chicago, 1971

Kenneth I. Maton
B.A., Yale University, 1975; M.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1982; Ph.D., 1984

Bernard M. Rabin
B.A., University of Michigan, 1963; Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1968

Emeritus Associate Professor

Robert Deluty
B.A., New York University, 1975; M.A., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1978; Ph.D., 1980

Mary Ann Metzger
B.A., University of Connecticut, 1960; M.A., 1968; Ph.D., 1970

Emeritus Faculty

Karen Freiberg
B.S., State University of New York at Plattsburgh, 1966; M.A., Cornell University, 1968; Ph.D., Syracuse University, 1974

Courses in this program are listed under PSYC.

UMBC’s Department of Psychology provides an exceptional opportunity for students to see how basic laboratory research can be translated into treatments, interventions and policies that improve the quality of life. Interested undergraduates work with internationally recognized researchers at the cutting edge of science. In recent years, students have participated in studies of such issues as the neurological basis of laughter and yawning, how rats and people regulate eating, how infants ‘bond’ with their parents, how nonhuman species learn complex tasks, the relations between behavior and heart disease and what society can do to foster the social and academic success of disadvantaged youth. Psychology is an exciting discipline; at UMBC, undergraduates can share in that excitement.

Career and Academic Paths

The psychology major provides a firm foundation for students interested in graduate study and a range of careers and professions. Positions held by program graduates include clinical psychologist, counseling psychologist, school psychologist, industrial psychologist, research consultant, personnel administrator, university professor, social worker, lawyer, physician, dentist, optometrist and early-education or elementary school teacher. Each year, many of UMBC’s graduating seniors go on directly to graduate programs in psychology (M.A., Ph.D. and Psy.D.) and in related fields such as social work (M.S.W.). Many are admitted to some of the most highly rated programs in the United States. Students interested in pursuing graduate study should consult with their academic advisor upon declaring their major. UMBC offers doctoral programs in applied developmental psychology and human-services psychology, including behavioral medicine, clinical psychology and community-applied social psychology.

Academic Advising

All new first year students, transfer students, and recently declared majors should meet with the department’s academic advisors to be provided with advising clearance prior to course registration during their first semester in the major. Departmental advisors will also assist students with a psychology minor and those who may be considering psychology as a major. During this initial meeting, advisors can assist with questions about university requirements (such as academic policies, registration concerns and General Education Program requirements), academic support, transfer concerns, and research opportunities. Each student is then assigned a faculty advisor after his or her first semester as a psychology major and remains with that faculty advisor until graduation. Students who are being transitioned from a departmental to faculty advisor are assigned to their new faculty advisors after the add/drop period is complete during the second semester in their major. The advising process is designed to give each student individual attention and guidance about curricular choices. All students are required to meet with an advisor at least once per semester, to discuss course selections for the upcoming semester and be cleared to register. 

Honors Program

The departmental honors program is open to qualified students who wish to pursue advanced independent research in psychology. Students interested in going to graduate school in psychology are particularly encouraged to become honors candidates because research experience is given considerable weight by admissions committees. Students who complete the honors sequence of courses (PSYC 498 and PSYC 499) and have a GPA in psychology of 3.5 or above are eligible to receive the B.A. or B.S. degree with departmental honors.

The Universities at Shady Grove

The UMBC psychology department is represented at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), an off-site location in Montgomery County that is home to 9 of the 11 institutions from the University System of Maryland (USM). The UMBC Psychology Program at USG is intended to provide junior- and senior-level classes to students who have transferred to the program from either a two-year or four-year institution. The program is equivalent in course material and content to the program at the home campus, and all psychology students, upon graduation, receive a Psychology, B.A.  from UMBC. More information about the program is available at the at the Universities at Shady Grove website.

Graduate Courses

Some graduate courses in applied developmental and human services psychology are open to qualified undergraduates under the conditions specified in the academic regulations chapter of this catalog. Complete course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Special Opportunities

There are a variety of opportunities for undergraduates to gain applied and research experience. Students regularly obtain internships and co-op education experiences through the department and UMBC’s Shriver Center. Similarly, a large number of students secure hands-on research experience by collaborating with psychology faculty members. Many undergraduate researchers have had the opportunity to co-author publications and present professional conference papers. A listing of faculty research programs and opportunities for student involvement can be found on the Psychology department website and posted in the Psychology department (opposite Room 321). Interested students should contact the faculty member directly to inquire what research involvement opportunities are currently available.

Student Organizations

The department sponsors Psi Chi, the national honorary society for psychology. Psi Chi meets regularly and discusses such issues as graduate school preparation, job and internship resources, research opportunities and student-faculty relationships. Psi Chi membership criteria include completion of at least three semesters and a minimum of nine semester hours of psychology courses, declaration of the major or minor in psychology, a cumulative GPA above 3.0 and a psychology course GPA above 3.25. 

Programs

• Psychology, B.A.
• Psychology, B.S.

• Psychology Minor

• Industrial-Organizational Psychology Certificate

Courses

• PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology (4)
• PSYC 100H - Introduction to Psychology - Honors (4)
• PSYC 200 - Child Developmental Psychology (3)
• PSYC 205 - Before We Were Born (3)
• PSYC 210 - Psychology of Learning (3)
• PSYC 210H - Psychology of Learning (3)
• PSYC 215 - Paraprofessionals in the Residential Community (3)
• PSYC 216 - Foundations of Leadership Development (3)
• PSYC 230 - Psychology and Culture (3)
• PSYC 230H - Psychology and Culture - Honors (3)
• PSYC 255 - Psychology of the Black Experience in the United States (3)
• PSYC 285 - Abnormal Psychology (3)
• PSYC 292 - Special Topics in Psychology (1-3)
• PSYC 300 - Psychology Takes on the Media (3)
• PSYC 302 - Psychology and Cinema: Depictions of Mental Health (3)
• PSYC 304 - Adolescent Psychology (3)
• PSYC 305 - Children with Exceptionalities (3)
• PSYC 306 - Lifespan Human Development (3)
• PSYC 307 - Psychology of Aging (3)
• PSYC 308 - Child Maltreatment (3)
• PSYC 309 - Psychology: Exploring the Discipline and Careers (3)
• PSYC 310 - Psychology: Exploring the Discipline and Careers (3)
• PSYC 311 - Research Methods in Psychology I (4)
• PSYC 312 - Research Methods in Psychology II (4)
• PSYC 314 - Behavior Analytic Research and Practice (3)
• PSYC 316 - Language and Thought (3)
• PSYC 317 - Cognitive Psychology (3)
• PSYC 320 - Psychological Assessment (3)
• PSYC 324 - Introduction to Interviewing Techniques (3)
• PSYC 330 - Child Development and Culture (3)
• PSYC 331 - Experimental Psychology: Design and Analysis I (4)
• PSYC 332 - Experimental Psychology: Design and Analysis II (4)
• PSYC 333 - Laughter and Humor (3)
• PSYC 335 - Physiological Psychology (3)
• PSYC 340 - Social Psychology (3)
• PSYC 342 - The Psychology of Aggression and Antisocial Behavior (3)
• PSYC 345 - Introduction to Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (3)
• PSYC 346 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
• PSYC 350 - Psychology and the Law (3)
• PSYC 353 - Morality and Psychology (3)
• PSYC 355 - Comparative Psychology and Ethology (3)
• PSYC 356 - The Psychology of Sex and Gender (3)
• PSYC 357 - Psychology of Women and Gender (3)
• PSYC 360 - Psychology of Motivation (3)
• PSYC 365 - Children with Disabilities (3)
• PSYC 370 - Sensation and Perception (3)
• PSYC 371 - Psychology Success Seminar (0)
• PSYC 375 - Neuroanatomy (3)
• PSYC 380 - Personality (3)
• PSYC 382 - Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (3)
• PSYC 385 - Health Psychology (3)
• PSYC 385H - Health Psychology (3)
• PSYC 387 - Community Psychology (3)
• PSYC 390 - Neuropsychopharmacology (3)
• PSYC 393 - Special Topics in Psychology (3)
• PSYC 397 - Research Experience in Psychology (1-3)
• PSYC 398 - Applied Psychology Internship (1-3)
• PSYC 399 - Cooperative Education in Psychology (1-3)
• PSYC 400 - Seminar in Developmental Psychology (3)
• PSYC 405 - History and Systems of Psychology (3)
• PSYC 406 - Advanced Behavior Pathology (3)
• PSYC 407 - Advanced Child Psychology (3)
• PSYC 409 - Development and Education (3)
• PSYC 410 - Seminar in Learning (3)
• PSYC 411 - Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
• PSYC 415 - Seminar in Cognitive Psychology (3)
• PSYC 421 - Parenting (3)
• PSYC 437 - Contemporary Social Issues: Making a Difference (3)
• PSYC 440 - Seminar in Social Psychology (3)
• PSYC 441 - Social/ Health Psychology (3)
• PSYC 442 - Seminar in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
• PSYC 444 - Psychology of Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity (3)
• PSYC 448 - Developmental Neuroscience (3)
• PSYC 450 - Seminar in Comparative Psychology and Ethology (3)
• PSYC 455 - Schizophrenia (3)
• PSYC 460 - Seminar in Motivation and Emotion (3)
• PSYC 463 - Eating: Normal and Abnormal (3)
• PSYC 465 - Family Psychology (3)
• PSYC 467 - Child Health Psychology (3)
• PSYC 470 - Seminar in Perception (3)
• PSYC 475 - Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3)
• PSYC 480 - Seminar in Personality Study (3)
• PSYC 485 - Seminar in Behavior Pathology (3)
• PSYC 490 - Independent Research Project or Independent Reading in Psychology (1-3)
• PSYC 493 - Advanced Topics in Psychology (3)
• PSYC 498 - Honors Thesis Research (4)
• PSYC 499H - Honors Thesis Research (4)