Greetings!                                 

On behalf of the psychology faculty and staff, I welcome you to the website for the Department of Psychology at the University of West Florida. I hope you will find these pages valuable and interesting. 

The past 2 years have been exciting for the department. We have conducted extensive strategic planning using data and information from within and outside the department to help us formulate a vision and establish goals for our future. The faculty identified 5 strategic goal areas and developed actions plans to reach our vision:  To be recognized as an innovative leader in the application of psychological science.

We have developed specific goals and objectives as well as action steps for the following strategic areas:

1. Undergraduate Education and Learning


2. Graduate Education and Learning


3. Community Outreach


4. Faculty and Staff Enhancement


5. Infrastructure and Operations of the Department

Whether you are a student, an alum, a faculty member, or a visitor, I expect you will notice several changes in student learning experiences and in the department as we implement our action plans. You can read about several recent accomplishments in the Spring 2009 PsychNews, the department newsletter.

After establishing the University’s Center for Applied Psychology (CAP) in 2007-2008, we have extended outreach to our professional and local communities. CAP is a consulting group affiliated with the department, and serves as a resource for the community to enhance human performance and quality of lives. The professors engage students in their projects to provide hands-on experiences. Be sure to check the CAP web pages.

Our undergraduate and graduate degree programs provide a solid foundation in all aspects of psychology, and also prepare students to think critically, manage projects, effectively communicate, and enhance their understanding of integrity and values. Check out the highlights of our graduate students. The professors are dedicated teachers who are passionate about applied psychological science. Be sure to look at the faculty web pages.

Through the study of psychology as a science, the faculty and students evaluate and understand behaviors and experiences, and then apply this knowledge in a variety of settings to solve problems. In doing so, the education and development of each individual is our primary concern! 

Thanks for taking the time to check our website. If I can be of any assistance, don’t hesitate to contact me at LKoppes@uwf.edu.

Best wishes!

Laura L. Koppes, Ph.D

Chair and Professor