Our Students: A Profile
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Attendance: A little over half of our students attend full time (12 credits/semester). Since a significant amount of our population is also part-time, the timeline to graduation greatly varies amongst students.
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Hometowns: A large percentage of students are in state from the local Baltimore area.
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Age: The age of students range from approximately 18 (after completion of some college level work) to 67. The median age is approximately 28.
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Diversity: Undergraduate psychology students are predominately female (about 78 percent), and about 56 percent are minorities, primarily African American.
- Experience: Most students in our program are transfers from Maryland community colleges having completed some college level work or have earned their associate’s degree.
Prepare for a Graduate Degree
Our graduates have been accepted into top Master's and Ph.D. programs at universities across the country. Check out where some of our Psychology graduates have continued their study:
- University of Maryland, College Park (Ph.D. in Public Health)
- Penn State (Ph.D. in Social Psychology)
- University of Missouri, Kansas City (Ph.D. in Counseling)
- California State University, Fullerton (M.S. in Clinical Psychology)
- McGill University (Ph.D. in Communications)
- University of Washington (Ph.D. in Social Psychology)
- Towson University (M.S. in Experimental Psychology)
- Bowie State University (M.A. in School Psychology)
- University of Maryland, Baltimore (School of Social Work)
- University of Baltimore (M.S. in Applied Psychology)
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Georgia State University (Ph.D. in Counseling)
Hear from psychology Alumni
"The thing that makes the University of Baltimore an excellent school is not that it’s easy or that it’s fun, it’s that the faculty will champion you when you succeed and will help you work through your defeats. The people at UBalt helped me shape my future by creating the kinds of academic and professional opportunities that I may have never received elsewhere. I traveled to conferences, participated in research competitions, gave talks, participated in professional development activities, formed collaborative relationships with students and faculty from different disciplines, thought about philosophy while eating pizza, and began work on the kind of research that is published in scientific journals—and that does not even represent the breadth of experiences others will have here.
Since graduating from UBalt, I have moved to Denver, Colorado to pursue my Ph.D. in Affective & Social Psychology. My work includes theory building in the areas of social processes, nonverbal behavior, emotion, and cultural cognition as well as research into applied topics dealing with the affective and academic outcomes of racial minorities at universities. My goal is to become a professor someday and continue to do research while challenging the next generation of thinkers to see the world with new eyes, which incidentally was a path I set down because of the people at UBalt."
-Terrence Pope, B.A. '16
"I began my journey at UBalt because of the variety of class times. The class schedule allowed me the flexibility to balance work and academic goals. It was tough in the beginning trying to balance these challenges but the faculty in the psychology department were excellent and supportive of the students. I was able to create a bond with several of the faculty members where they shared their experiences with me to help me push forward in my academic goals. Professors in the psychology department encouraged me to apply for graduate school when I did not see the potential in myself. I could not imagine attending any other university. The small class sizes created a family environment for success where faculty cared about your achievements. I accepted a graduate school offer and will be furthering my education in educational psychology. This would not have occurred without the support of the psychology department faculty members."
-Sherita Jamison, B.A. '16
"As an African American male growing up in Somerset Projects in East Baltimore, the school to prison pipeline was a reality for me and many of my neighbors. By grace, I was able to enroll and graduate from community college, and then I transferred to UBalt. While at UBalt, I learned the importance of professionalism and research. However, I truly believe that the measurement of teaching at any university is the attitude and cultural understanding of professors who are entrusted to ensure students get what they came to get.
I got an academic foundation at UBalt. I got to go to classes that were work-friendly. I got to speak with professors off the record. I got to use computers during hours unheard of all in the name of getting academic papers done. I got to learn about why humans do what they do and that independent and dependent variables do matter. Most of all, the professors there wanted me to understand the concepts associated with the discipline. In short, professors at UBalt weren't stuck on themselves or their degrees, but on making sure I was equipped to help others in real-life situations.
I did not go to college for the experience, nor to see if I could do it. I went to break a generational curse that seemed to be attached to African American males growing up in urban America. I have obtained my bachelor's degree in psychology from UBalt and my master's degree in social work from Morgan State University, and am now able to assist thousands of children, youth, and families. Well done, UBalt."
-Antonio Thompson, B.A. '13
employer: Chesapeake Treatment Center, Parkville, MD
"I came to UBalt as an older student not knowing what to expect, and wondering if I would fit in with the other students. From my first day, I was impressed with how attentive my professors were, and the diversity of UBalt’s student body made me feel very comfortable. I attribute my academic success to my supportive professors and peers who both encouraged and inspired me.
I currently work for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake as a match support specialist. Working with the children, parents, and the mentors is a very rewarding job that comes with amazing opportunities. As the case manager working with the matches I handle the safety of the match, healthy development of the youth in the program, and planning activities to solidify the match relationship. Thanks to my experience at UBalt I am now on a path to success to achieving my professional goals and personal satisfaction."
-Lisa Cheeseboro, B.A. '14
employer: Big Brothers Big Sisters
"After raising two children, I decided to complete my undergraduate degree and quickly realized that UBalt's psychology program was the perfect fit for me. Having worked in HIV research administration for ten years, I wanted to be the one providing direct support to people with HIV and AIDS and helping individuals and caregivers access the services they needed to live their best lives. The faculty at UBalt encouraged me to focus my undergraduate work on HIV, including my academic papers, my Senior Capstone Project, and even my volunteer work with at-risk populations at a mission in Nigeria.
The leadership, faculty and my student colleagues at UBalt were always professional, supportive and challenging. The UBalt experience is part and parcel of the life that I have built – post-children and post-undergraduate. My UBalt Capstone led me to develop an HIV linkage to care workshop for the AIDS Education Month Prevention Summit in Philadelphia and will likely serve as the basis for my master’s thesis at LaSalle University where I am currently enrolled. Quite simply, I would not be where I am today without my UBalt psychology degree: an M.P.H. candidate working on the largest HIV cure clinical trial to date. Thank you, UBalt!"
-Beth Peterson, B.A. '13
employer: The Wistar Institute
"I started at UBalt as a freshman and gained many skills from the program, including critical thinking, research methods, and problem solving. I attended the Master’s program at the University of Maryland, School of Social Work after completing my bachelor's degree. I do not believe that I would have been able to complete the program as successfully as I did without the above mentioned skills.
After I completed the Psychology program at UBalt, I began the MSW program in the Fall of 2014. Prior to graduating from the MSW program, I received multiple job offers and accepted a position as a Social Worker at a Therapeutic Foster Care agency. I am now currently working as a Social Worker for Child Protective Services.
My advice for prospective students would be to avoid limiting yourselves. I had a few struggles while at UBalt and at times believed that I was inadequate. I was constantly encouraged and pushed by my professors (especially Dr. Eyssell and Professor Gasparini) and advisor. I honestly believe that if I would have attended a larger university, I may not have made the progress that I have made thus far. Take advantage of the opportunities to participate in different organizations on campus. Also do not hesitate to speak with your advisor and/or professors about your struggles or your goals."
-Charmaine Osbourne, B.A. '13
employer: Child Protective Services
"In my four short years at UBalt I was able to achieve so much because of the guidance and support I received from my professors. While at UBalt, I worked as a research assistant with Dr. Eyssell, assisting her with research on Terror Management Theory, and with Dr. Farley, supporting her research on health priming. I was inducted into UBalt’s chapter of Psi Chi and served as the honor society’s president during my senior year. Being a member of Psi Chi allowed me to attend psychology conferences and plan fun campus activities.
For my senior project I interned at Key Point Health Services Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program where I got to work with clients with mental illness, and my capstone project focused on mental illness, stigma, and its effects on socialization. Before graduation, I was presented with UBalt’s Outstanding Student in Psychology Award.
Although I switched careers from psychology to nursing, I use concepts of psychology in my everyday work life. As a nurse in a Baltimore emergency department, I see patients with all types of mental illness and cognitive and behavioral differences. My background in psychology allows me to serve many different populations and use my knowledge of how people interact to safely manage care, educate patients, find community resources, and avoid stigma of disease."
-Elysa Amoroso, B.A. '12, BSN, RN
employer: University of Maryland Medical Center