Q. Does the bachelor’s degree in psychology program at Nicholls follow any model or orientation?
A. While the bachelor’s degree program in psychology at Nicholls conforms to the behavioral model, many courses are offered that are consistent with the other (humanistic, cognitive) models.

Q. How favorably do graduates from the Nicholls psychology program compare nationally?
A. Nationally, 38 percent of psychology graduates attend graduate school. Sixty-eight percent of Nicholls psychology graduates attend graduate school within two years of graduation.

Nicholls psychology graduates have achieved a mean composite score on the nationally standardized Psychology Area of Concentration Test of 80th percentile.

Resources for choosing a major:

• Myths about Choosing a College Major
• How to Chart Your Ideal Path
• Some Common Misperceptions about Choosing a Major
• Five Signs You Should Change Your Major
• Common Mistakes Students Make in Choosing a Major

Psychology students are eligible for numerous scholarships through the Office of Financial Aid. First time, continuing and transfer students are encouraged to apply for local, state and national scholarships, which are listed on the Financial Aid Web site.

ALMA STARK CECIL SCHOLARSHIP is a one-time scholarship awarded to a full-time student with a 2.8 cumulative GPA, majoring in General Family and Consumer Sciences. The student must be enrolled in an internship or student teaching. DR. JUDY THERIOT LEADERSHIP AWARD is awarded to a full-time student of senior standing majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences, who has earned a 2.7 GPA with a 3.0 in FACS courses.

HERMANAS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP goes to a full time student of at least sophomore status who has maintained a satisfactory academic average and who holds no collegeissued scholarship other than one covering registration fees. Applicants must be majoring or minoring in special education. Need, personality, purpose, and leadership are also considered by the Hermanas Club. The recipient must maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average.

LAFOURCHE ASSOCIATION FOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a full-time student who has completed a minimum of 72 semester hours majoring in the area of Family and Consumer Sciences. The applicant must have a 3.00 or better overall average. Character, purpose, and leadership are other qualities that will be considered in addition to academic standing. Lafourche Parish students will be given priority, with students from surrounding parishes receiving second preference..

MARGARET V. JOLLEY FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a full time student majoring in general family and consumer sciences. The recipient must be of at least sophomore standing with at least a 3.0 grade point average. Need, personality, character, purpose, and leadership are also considered..

THE NORMAN SWANNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP IN EDUCATION is awarded to a full-time student enrolled in the College of Education. The recipient will be classified as either a sophomore or junior and will have earned a 2.50 GPA at the time of the award. The recipient shall hold the scholarship for two consecutive semesters, providing all of the above criteria is met. Primary consideration must go to a resident of Lafourche Parish. Should there not be a qualified applicant from Lafourche Parish, the scholarship may be awarded to any other student who meets the criteria.

THE RICHARD P. CHAMPAGNE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a full-time student enrolled at Nicholls State University pursuing a degree in a field of service to persons with disabilities (ex. Medical Fields, Education, Psychology, Ministry, Social Work). The applicant must be a resident of Lafourche Parish. The application must be accompanied by a letter of professional reference. The applicant must have at least a 2.5 GPA and be enrolled in at least 12 hours. The scholarship is valued at $500 for one semester.

SARA SOLLARS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a full time student majoring in Psychology or Sociology and who shows financial need. Awards are $100 per semester.

THE TERREBONNE ASSOCIATION FOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION JEAN PICOU/HOMEMAKER COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP is awarded annually to a student majoring in family and consumer sciences or agriculture. The recipient must be a full-time student with an overall grade-point average of at least 2.5. The $300 scholarship is awarded at the beginning of the fall semester.

Dr. Kristin Johnson-Gros, assistant professor and clinical director of the School Psychology Clinic at Mississippi State University

Psychology, 1996
Specialist in School Psychology, 1999

Dr. Kristin Johnson-Gros can still remember the pacing. Back and forth, she walked from one wall to another trying to retain the information she would need to know for her upcoming Theories of Learning and Statistics exams. Today, she values being challenged in both the undergraduate psychology and specialist in psychology programs at Nicholls.

“The school psychology program prepared me to be a great school psychologist by integrating theory into practice and also prepared me to be highly competitive with graduates of other nationally known institutions,” Gros says.

Gros currently works as an assistant professor for the school psychology program at Mississippi State University. She also serves as a consultant to the university’s Department of Education on new federal regulations and crisis response and preparedness.

As a Nicholls student, Gros worked as a behavior interventionist for an elementary school and then interned in Lafourche Parish School District. She earned her doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi’s school psychology program. While pursuing her doctorate, Gros worked as a certified school psychologist and a consultant for the state of Mississippi and independent school districts.

Gros has served as a pediatric psychology intern at the University of Nebraska’s Medical Center Munroe Meyer Institute and is a national crisis trainer. Her research has also been published in national journals.

“The psychology professors at Nicholls have been and continue to be excellent mentors for me well beyond my educational career,” Gros says. “My most memorable moments at Nicholls are a collage of both personal and learning experiences. Obviously, the most memorable for me personally was meeting my husband, Gary Gros, and making some great new friends.”

Jaclyn Legendre, licensed specialist in school psychology for Brazosport Independent School District

Psychology, 2001
Specialist in School Psychology, 2005

After graduating magna cum laude from Nicholls with a psychology degree, Jaclyn Legendre decided to stick with the Thibodaux campus for her graduate studies. She immediately enrolled in the Specialist in School Psychology program. When it came time for Legendre to begin her year-long internship, however, she chose to branch out.

Legendre moved to Lake Jackson, Texas, to complete her internship in the Brazosport Independent School District. After finishing her internship and graduating, Legendre accepted a permanent job as a licensed specialist in school psychology with her internship school district.

“The research experience that I was involved in during graduate school and the externship that we had to complete at Nicholls best prepared me for my career today,” Legendre says. “It is a long journey, but once you have graduated, it is well worth it.”

Upon graduation, Legendre completed requirements to become a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. In Brazosport Independent School District, she participates in intervention strategy planning for students with academic or behavioral difficulties. Legendre also conducts and interprets full and individual evaluations and provides consultation to district staff to improve the academic and social-emotional success of students.

Legendre says she enjoyed the relatively small class sizes at Nicholls and will always remember when she was “hooded” on stage during commencement for her specialist degree.

Shannah Tabor Ordoyne, school psychologist/structured learning center facilitator at W.S. Lafargue Elementary

Psychology, 2001
Specialist in School Psychology, 2005

Few people land the perfect job right out of college. But Shannah Tabor Ordoyne couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.

After earning a bachelor’s and specialist degree from Nicholls, Ordoyne was hired as a school psychologist/structured learning center facilitator at W.S. Lafargue Elementary School in Lafourche Parish.

“If I could have picked any position and place of employment, this is exactly what I would have chosen,” Ordoyne says.

Ordoyne earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an associate degree in general business in 2001. She immediately entered the school psychology specialist program, where she held assistantships in the Testing Center/Office of Disability Services and the Center for the Study of Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders.

As a graduate student, Ordoyne also counseled clients in the Psychological Training Clinic and worked with students in Lafourche Parish School System through an externship. Research studies she conducted during the externship are currently being published in reputable psychological journals.

“My professors helped me with the background knowledge needed for my career, whereas my assistantship and externship provided me with the hands-on experience with clients and students that I needed to become successful,” Ordoyne says.

Ordoyne, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, is responsible for providing consultative, counseling, intervention and transition services to students, teachers, parents, administrators and support personnel.

“Find what it is that you want out of life and keep working towards that goal,” Ordoyne advises students. “Everything you need to know will be presented to you; you just need to show up, put in your share of hard work and things will fall into place.

Selecting a Major

• Six Signs You Should Change Your Major
• Common Misperceptions about Choosing a Major
• Choosing a College Major: How to Chart Your Ideal Path
• Common Mistakes Students Make in Choosing a Major
• Myths About Choosing a College Major
• Changing Your Major

Careers

• Health Guide USA Psychologist Job Outlook
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• What can I do with this Major?
• The 9 Highest Paying Psychology Careers

Professional Organizations

• American Psychological Association
• Association for Psychological Science
• Louisiana School Psychological Association
• Louisiana Counseling Association
• National Association of School Psychologists
• American School Counselor Association
• American Counseling Association
• PSI CHI National Honor Society in Psychology
• United States Department of Education
• Louisiana State Department of Education — School Psychology