Message from the Chairperson - Dr. David Skotko

The Department of Psychology and Counseling represents a unique blending of the theoretical and practical aspects of behavioral science.  The institution was founded as a normal school and from the department’s inception there has existed a core of courses which focus upon psychological principles.  The department has evolved from the nucleus of courses constituting a portion of a teaching preparation program.  The orientation was largely of an applied nature and the early courses focused on models of learning and concepts related to human development.  The changing mission of the institution mandated that substantial changes occur.  Offerings were expanded over the years in those major areas of study which have come to be identified under the umbrella of psychology.  The offerings reflected the department’s effort to provide a university-wide service for students coming from departments throughout the university.  Concurrently, courses were developed which were intended to provide students with the knowledge and skill coming from the systematic study of behavior.  These courses came together to constitute a “major.”  Through the ensuing years, changes in the content of the programs have occurred which reflect the status of the discipline.

The philosophy of the Psychology/Counseling Department of the University of Central Arkansas is embodied in the concept that psychology and counseling are disciplines that contribute to the understanding of human behavior and experience.  The graduate programs in the department have as their collective mission the training of mental health professionals in prevention, diagnosis, assessment, and intervention at the levels of the individual and the community.  The department functions as a purveyor and disseminator of scientific knowledge.  It espouses no single theory or philosophical position.  Rather, its strength lies in its ability to remain committed to question and discovery.  A graduate of the department is expected to be a competent, ethical professional who is committed to a scientific orientation in the area of human relations.

The department has faculty members representing diverse interests and proficiencies in psychology/counseling; nevertheless, the department is a collection of individuals sharing common concerns, the scientific approach to studying behavior, and the application of theory to a set of behaviors associated with the helping professions.  The department has maintained teaching as its principle mission, but research has become an increasingly important responsibility of the faculty.  The scholarly activity of the faculty is viewed as a major strength of the department.  The stance of the department is that any student completing a program of studies will have acquired a body of knowledge and a set of skills which can be used either in a vocational setting or in pursuing further academic study and/or research.

We have a strong commitment to preparing our students for employment in a highly competitive world.  As part of our student’s experiences, we offer them the opportunity to participate in the study of psychology from an international perspective.  Both students and faculty have the opportunity to interact with faculty and students from other countries through exchange programs with outstanding universities around the world e.g., Ternopil National Pedagogical University, Ternopil Ukraine and Moscow City Psychology and Education University, Moscow Russia to name a few.  In addition, we offer numerous short-term study abroad opportunities.  As a faculty, we believe it is important for our students and faculty to have a global perspective.

If you are interested in beginning your education as an undergraduate student or continuing your education as a graduate student in one of our Master’s or Ph.D. programs, you will find the Department of Psychology and Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas to be an excellent choice.  I look forward to seeing you on campus.

Dr. David Skotko

Chairperson, Department of Psychology & Counseling