The Department of Psychological Sciences represents the combined strengths of the fields of psychology and communication sciences. We offer two undergraduate majors: Psychology and Communication Sciences, as well as two minors: Psychology and Communication for Health Professionals. Students can tailor their experience to meet their own career and educational goals. This can be accomplished in many ways, including through independent studies and experiential learning opportunities with faculty, honors Capstone projects, and Pathways. Pathways provides student with guidance to structure coursework based on their specific career interests. Pathways include Clinical, Lifespan Development, Pre-Health, Neuroscience, and Research. Students may choose several Pathways that meet their needs.
We also provide graduate programs, including a masters in Communication Sciences, and three Ph.D. programs: Communication Sciences, Clinical Psychology, and Developmental, Cognitive, and Affective Sciences (DCAS). Our Ph.D. students conduct cutting edge research, learn effective and engaging pedagogical skills, and those in Clinical Psychology and Communication Sciences programs learn to provide empirically supported treatments in a variety of settings.
Department News and Highlights
Why Building Emotional Intelligence in Classrooms Might Be the Key to Better Grades
Parents: R. Elizabeth Capps, assistant professor at the Department of Psychological Sciences, explained how social-emotional learning programs can set the tone for the entire school building and communicate that it’s important to acknowledge every student’s well-being as crucial to learning. "This can build a positive school climate that’s useful...
Former Emerging Scholar Kristina Bowdrie brings her journey full circle at CWRU
The first time Kristina Bowdrie, PhD (CWR ’17), walked through the doors of Case Western Reserve University, she was a nervous first-year student hoping to find her footing. Twelve years later, she’s walking those halls again—this time as a mentor, researcher and assistant professor. For Bowdrie, who began her first...
PTSD depression research study offering therapy
The PTSD Treatment and Research Program at Case Western Reserve University is looking for people ages 18-65 who have experienced a stressful life event and are experiencing symptoms of PTSD or depression. Such stressors might include loss of a job, sexual assault, end of a serious relationship, physical assault, or loss...
Research Study Opportunity: Understanding Parent-Child Connections in Autism
The Neurodevelopment Research Lab at CWRU is inviting caregivers to participate in a research study at CWRU focused on understanding how families of children with autism interact, connect, and support one another. Help us learn what makes families stronger – and how we can better support yours. Participants: Parents &...
PTSD depression research study offering therapy
The PTSD Treatment and Research Program at Case Western Reserve University is looking for people ages 18-65 who have experienced a recent sexual assault and are experiencing symptoms of PTSD or depression. Common symptoms of PTSD and depression include distressing memories, sadness, feeling numb, and sleep problems. The study...
Can Doing Crosswords, Puzzles, and Other Games Really Help You Stay Sharp?
Health: Angela Hein Ciccia, associate professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences, said brain games only benefit cognition if they’re truly challenging. Once a task becomes easy, the effect fades. She recommended learning new games and playing consistently—ideally several times a week...
Former faculty member Jane Kessler passes away at age 104
Jane Kessler (GRS ’51, psychology), a longtime Case Western Reserve University faculty member who retired in the 1990s, passed away July 21 at the age of 104. Kessler, a leader in child psychology, was on the faculty for more than 40 years before retiring as the Lucy Adams Leffingwell Distinguished...
Applications for the 2026-2027 Academic Year are open!
Questions? We’d love to hear from you! psychsciences@case.edu