Psychology courses gain support at OHS

By:  Andrew Spragins and Maggie Mallette

Students may have a chance to learn about the brain, the most complex organ in the body if Psychology is offered at OHS. Currently, Psychology is one of the few classes in which high school students are allowed to “dual enroll,” which enables the student to take a class at the University of Mississippi while earning credits at the high school level.

Junior Taide Ding was the only student from OHS who took Psychology at Ole Miss for a dual credit this year.

“(Dual enrolling) is quite a bit of a hassle,” said junior Taide Ding,  “especially getting forms around, signing everything for the first time, and getting the health forms signed.  But once you get in, it’s a good thing to have.  You get a taste of college classes.”

Assistant Principal Kathy Howington said that bringing Psychology to OHS makes another much-needed elective available for students at OHS.

“I am kind of torn,” Howington said.

Offering Psychology at the University makes it either a pre-AP or AP course. Not as many students, however, would be allowed to take it at the university. Offering psychology at OHS,” Howington says, “casts the net much wider.”

Many students, including freshman Grady Tollison, see the class as a great opportunity.

“I think it is something a lot of people will do,” said freshman Grady Tollison. “I think it is something a lot of people will be interested in.”

OHS already has a teacher who is certified to teach psychology. Health teacher Todd Liddell has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and says he is impressed with the number of students who have shown interest in psychology and is enthusiastic about the possibility of teaching the class.

“I have had a good number of students come up to me and say, ‘It would be really cool to have (Psychology)’,” Liddell said. “We have students in OHS that are even interested in studying Psychology. Whether it is counseling or forensic psychology, some students are even interested in making (Psychology) a career choice.”

Along with excitement over the student enthusiasm, Liddell looks forward to his opportunity to teach Psychology 101, and has already begun preparing the curriculum for the class.

“It’s a great class; it is interesting,” said Liddell. “I would love to teach it.. I found some great textbooks to use, and I have found the framework for the class.”

Liddell believes that Psychology is a relevant course with true application in the real world.  With many colleges, including Ole Miss, require their freshman to take Psychology 101, Liddell also says that offering psychology at OHS would give students a “leg up.”

Howington says that the decision to bring psychology to OHS, however, has not been finalized.  She remains excited for the possibility, though. “We need more electives,” she said.  “ I know there’s interest within the student body and I think it’s a great, well-rounded course that the general student population is interested in.  We need more classes like that.”