How does the human mind work, and how does this shape the world we live in? As a psychology major at UNC Asheville, you’ll explore these compelling topics and more through the scientific study of the mind and behavior.
Why Study Psychology at UNC Asheville?
John Baley is the director of psychology at the Black Mountain Neuromedical Treatment Center and the managing attorney at a boutique law firm in Asheville, NC. His work focuses on supporting improved behavioral health and social equity for everyone, particularly historically underserved populations.
John Baley, Class of 2012
Kylee Frye serves as the Resiliency Coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County, working as an advocate promoting youth mental health, integrating mental health services for Boys and Girls Club members and providing education, training, and support to staff, families, and the community.
Kylee Rose Frye, Class of 2006
Mx. Tuesday Feral (they/them) is a business owner and a licensed counselor in private practice in Western North Carolina. For 10 years they served as the founding director of the support programs at Tranzmission, a non-profit that serves nonbinary and transgender people.
Tuesday Feral, Class of 2014
Outside the Classroom
Outside the classroom, you can join the Psych Club or our active chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. In addition to clubs, you can also participate in The Psychology and Life series (PAL), which consists of lectures, films, career development activities, and other events throughout each semester. PAL events cover everything from post-graduate opportunities to recent trends in the field.
You can also get involved with the Disability Cultural Center, which is focused on disability as diversity and acts as a hub for community connection between students with disabilities.
Meet the Faculty
Unlike larger universities, we offer smaller classes taught by professors, not teaching assistants, and the opportunity to collaborate closely with faculty. Our psychology department is a community of scholars dedicated to supporting each other as we work together to make the world a better place through the knowledge and best practices of the discipline.
Caitlin Brez, Ph.D.
QEP Co-Director and Assistant Professor
| Office: 226 Delany Hall |
| Phone: (828) 250-3855 |
| Email: cbrez@unca.edu |
Evelyn Chiang, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology; Co-Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning
| Office: 235 Delany Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6382 |
| Email: echiang@unca.edu |
Patrick Foo, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
| Office: 234 Delany Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6830 |
| Email: pfoo@unca.edu |
Mario Herrera, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
| Office: 228 Delany Hall |
| Phone: (828) 250-3848 |
| Email: mherrera@unca.edu |
Melissa Himelein, Ph.D.
Professor
| Office: 237 Delany Hall |
| Phone: (828) 250-3896 |
| Email: himelein@unca.edu |
Pamela Laughon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
| Office: 220 Delany Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6424 |
| Email: laughon@unca.edu |
Michael Neelon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
| Office: 222 Delany Hall |
| Phone: (828) 250-2359 |
| Email: mneelon@unca.edu |
Elizabeth Pascoe, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
| Office: 229 Delany Hall |
| Phone: (828) 251-6827 |
| Email: epascoe@unca.edu |
Psychology Degree Careers & Outcomes
Wondering what you can do with a psychology bachelor’s degree? There are many career opportunities within industries ranging from healthcare to management to education, though many students may choose to become psychologists with an advanced degree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that psychologists can expect careers in this industry to grow at a rate of 6% over the next decade and can earn an annual salary of $81,040.
Besides becoming a psychologist, UNC Asheville’s psychology graduates have found careers in a range of fields, including healthcare, research, business, and more, while others pursue professional programs in medicine, law, and education. Many alumni have gone on to earn masters degrees or doctorates at universities such as Duke, Lenoir-Rhyne, University of Pennsylvania, Western Carolina, UNC Chapel Hill, and Howard University. Some have also started their own law firms and other businesses.
Related Programs
Explore the Mind and Beyond as a Psychology Major at UNC Asheville
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program at the University of North Carolina Asheville gives you the opportunity to study what you’re passionate about, then dive deeper than ever before. While you delve into the human mind and the behaviors that drive us, we’ll be clearing the way for you to achieve your goals and reach your full potential.
Contact Us
| Psychology Department |
| Phone: 828.251.6422 |
| Email: mharvey@unca.edu |
