Pursuing such a degree allows many students to update their knowledge, sharpen research skills, or examine the depth of their interest in psychology before entering a doctoral program. Clearly, a graduate degree in psychology from Western can be useful to people with a diversity of career goals. The heart of any university is its faculty and students. The faculty in the applied professional programs are active practitioners in their respective specialties. At any given time there are approximately 40 graduate students in the department.
Students also work closely with each other, providing another resource for learning.
Informal social groups, formal organizations such as Psi Chi, and membership on department committees offer further opportunities for the student to be actively involved in a broad, educational experience. Next to students and faculty, the curriculum is central to a university. The Department of Psychology has three curricular choices within its two graduate programs. The programs draw on a rich array of course offerings covering 30 substantive areas in psychology. The professionally oriented programs are supported by clinics maintained within the department which serve the University and surrounding communities.