About us

The Department of Psychology offers opportunities to explore all of psychology's major areas through coursework and research emphasizing the biological, cognitive, developmental and social dimensions of psychology and the intersections of these foci with each other and with neuroscience, health, clinical and industrial-organizational psychology.

The psychology department is composed of over 40 full-time faculty and a wealth of supporting part-time faculty. The department is strengthened by an instructional specialist, a computer specialist, several post-doctoral research assistants, full-time staff and numerous student assistants. The department has research facilities and applied work in several buildings on campus.

The psychology department typically receives $3 to 4 million in grants and contracts annually, with many opportunities for undergraduates to receive research training. We currently have more than 200 graduate students and countless undergraduates conducting research. These students attend seminars and colloquia, submit research grants, travel to professional meetings and publish in scholarly journals.

Highlights

  • Over 1,500 undergraduate majors and 100 graduate students
  • Over 40 faculty with highly productive and active research programs
  • Over $3 million per year in external research grants
  • APA accredited program in clinical psychology
  • A Carnegie Doctoral/Research University in a real-world setting
  • Commitment to diversity and inclusion

More about

  • Wayne State University

    Founded in 1868, Wayne State University is a nationally recognized metropolitan research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 28,000 students. Wayne State's main campus in Midtown Detroit comprises 100 buildings over 200 acres; its six extension centers offer higher education to students throughout Southeast Michigan.

    Wayne State University is Michigan's only urban research university. Our Graduate School is among the twenty largest in the nation. It provides leadership in advancing graduate education and cultivates a supportive environment for research, scholarly activities and other creative endeavors that are integral to successful graduate students and faculty members.

    In 1994, Wayne State University became one of the elite 2.5 percent of institutions in the nation that are distinguished as "Research Universities I" by the Carnegie Foundation. Only 88 of the 3,600 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. earned this prestigious ranking, which takes into account both the educational and research environments.

  • Our campus

    The main campus of Wayne State University is located two miles north of Detroit's downtown in the heart of the Cultural Center, a region of leading museums, libraries and other cultural institutions. The campus encompasses 203 acres of beautifully landscaped walkways and gathering spots linking 94 education and research buildings of both contemporary and classic design.

    Students can find a variety of entertainment and other recreational activities on and around the main campus. The Detroit Institute of the Arts (DIA), Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Science Center, Museum of African American History and the main branch of the Detroit Public Library all are within easy walking distance. The DIA is one of the nation's largest art museums and offers many regular events, such as concerts and the Detroit Film Theatre (arthouse and classic films). The University's Hilberry Theatre features the nation's first and only graduate repertory company. The Bonstelle Theatre features excellent undergraduate productions.

    Sports enthusiasts can watch Wayne State's athletic teams in action or take part in personal and intramural sports at the campus Matthaei complex. The 42-acre complex offers an Olympic swimming pool, diving pool, three large gymnasia, eight handball and six squash courts, various exercise rooms, 16 lighted tennis courts, a lighted baseball diamond, track field, football field and various utility fields.

    Beyond the University Cultural Center, the metropolitan Detroit area offers something for everyone. The Detroit River serves as the backdrop for summer-long events that include ethnic festivals, Gold Cup limited hydroplane racing, Indy car auto racing, the Ford International Jazz Festival and the Detroit Electronic Music Festival. Detroit's theatres, concert halls and arenas provide the best in entertainment options: Broadway plays and musicals, opera, classical and popular music concerts, art and foreign films and classic movies. Detroiters are great sports enthusiasts and enjoy cheering for the Red Wings, Tigers, Pistons, Shock, and Lions, as well as participating in a variety of warm and cold-weather sports. Downtown Detroit and the surrounding communities offer many opportunities for fine dining and have many local nightspots for dancing or taking in the Motown sound.

    Michigan is well known for its ever-changing seasons and its beautiful parks and forests. Fall color is spectacular in Michigan. In the summer, Michigan residents enjoy the Great Lakes, hundreds of inland fresh-water lakes and forest trails. Wintertime brings such outdoor activities as skiing, skating and sledding. The city of Windsor in Ontario, Canada is just 15 minutes from campus and offers an assortment of shopping, dining and entertainment activities. Weekend getaways to Toronto, Niagara Falls and other areas in Ontario make international travel simple and inexpensive.

  • Campus safety

    Wayne State University is committed to the safety and security of its campus community. A wide range of activities, training, safety measures, technology and resources combine to ensure Wayne State remains one of Michigan's safest college campuses a place where everyone can live, learn, work and experience all that Detroit has to offer without worry. WSU's safety measures are lauded and positive media coverage has been extensive, including these recent articles from BestColleges.com and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

  • Employment opportunities for spouses

    Students whose spouses or partners are interested in employment will find a wealth of job opportunities in the Detroit area. Unlike smaller college towns, students' spouses or partners do not represent a surplus of talent and wages are not depressed. In fact, wages in Detroit are generally excellent. Many openings are available for nurses, secretaries, teachers, artists, office workers, sales personnel and others. Because Detroit is one of the leading centers of science and technology, job seekers will find a wide variety of positions for technologically trained individuals.

Contact us

5057 Woodward, Suite 7908
Detroit, Michigan 48202

313-577-2800
313-577-7636 (fax)
psychology@wayne.edu