2.9
Quality3.4
Difficulty41%
Would Retake162
Reviews41%
Would Retake
162
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
41
4
30
3
21
2
27
1
43
What Students Say
“The quizzes are useless (made by the publisher)”
PSY363 - 2.0 rating“right after a chapter is done the next day is test day”
PYSHC13091 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
28%
Textbook Required
57%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.48 avg changeRatings by Course
CS350I
5.0
(1)PERS356
5.0
(1)PSYCH3240
5.0
(1)PSYCH100
4.5
(2)PSYCH1
4.5
(4)Difficulty by Course
PSY03
5.0
PSY350
5.0
PSY115
5.0
PSY350I
4.3
3210
4.0
Reviews (162)
Awesome teacher! She really understands students, uses her personal experiences to reinforce concepts, and is pretty damn funny. Quizzes were extra credit!
professor o'leary is a great speaker, she is funny and very down to earth. she made psychology interesting and it extremely helpful. the tests are easy if you study and there is a quiz before every test that counts as extra credit. i would highly recommend this class.
Her lectures can be interesting but the tests are WAY too long. 100 on four chapters is too many. You have to know the little details for everything.
Dr. O'Leary is funny and chill. This class is how all college clases should be. She has study guides which are usually helpful. She doesn't take roll which is cool but she does give pop quizes which are gonna help for ur test she'll usually give a heads up on it. Everything you need to know is in her powerpoints.
Dr. O'Leary is a great professor!! I loved this class. I rated this class as easy because she really knows how to explain things and gives good examples. She's smart, funny, and I highly recommend you take her!
She is awesome! Makes difficult subjects very understandable and is always willing to help. She is funny too. Her tests are not too hard if you do the study guides, they are very helpful. Would gladly have her again.
O'Leary is a great professor, but her tests were really hard at first. After the class average was too low, she gave us a study guide which raised our grades up two letters. She is a sweet woman and will go out of her way to help you. I recommend taking this course with her!!
Very interesting topic and well-presented lectures. She requires a lot of books and instructions for papers can be confusing, but she's very responsive to feedback and will help you as much as possible. She's good-natured and lectures effectively, but I found in the office she's a little reserved and intimidating. Good capstone though--recommended.
i did not enjoy her class AT ALL! her papers are a waste of time and she has aides grade them. they are inconsistent! her lectures were boring and tests were straight from the book. she always seemed rushed and stressed out. she enjoyed talking about herself..
She rushes through lectures way too fast and printing powerpoint slides are a waste of paper, i suggest outline style. Test averages were 60-70% (you really need to read the book and go to class) and papers were simple, but she grades really strict on format. Quizzes were extra credit, averaging 5-15 points. Overall, decent class and decent prof.
She goes through all the lectures way too fast. It's almost impossible to keep up with her, and you don't retain any of the information. I was really excited to take psychology but I was disappointed.
Dr. O, as she would have us call her, was very down to earth. her test were essay form because she wants you opinion on the information she taught to see what you know. Very knowledgeable and DTE!!(down to earth) i recommend her.
This class was so boring, attendance is mandatory, Lectures are long and useless. Test are 100 ?'s. She was not helpful, don't even try to e-mail her b/c she wont help. I got a good grade but b/c I studied a lot. You do need to read & a lot lot lot. At the end she had to give extra credit b/c the avg test grade was a D, not kidding.
She was rather scatterbrained, her lectures could easily be derailed and useless, but the material was still on the test. She canceled class a few times and emailed us about it at 2 AM the night before. The class overall seemed to mostly be geared to her own personal interests and whims, rather than what we should be learning.
she is nice, just not easy to pass.
not easy to pass
the class was very interesting & she was very knowledgeable. exams are 100 questions and very difficult. but, she's really helpful. offered extra credit quizzes which helped a lot bec for the final, half of the content in the quizzes were on the final! got a 67 on 1st exam but with her help ended up with a high B! I recommend taking her class!
don't take her class, she is mean, and heartless. 100 questions on each test. super hard to pass.
Going to class is not mandatory, missed a grip already. 3 Behavioral papers, and 5 exams (3 chapters per exam and 100 questions each)Just read the chapters over and over on wileyplus and take the chapter quizzes too.
Maybe Im just not a psychology person, but the class was so boring i had to fight to keep myself awake. Reading the book helps alot, taking the extra credit and practice online exams were helpful as well. Follow to format and dont underestimate the simplicity of the content and you'll be fine.
Seriously my worst class this semester. She is soooo boring, I don't normally fall asleep in class, buuutt I did numerous times in her class. Also be ready to get bombarded with emails.
Not helpful.
I am taking this as an online course, so there is a "FAQ" discussion board on beachboard. But tell me, what is the point of that if the professor NEVER answers anyone's questions? Take this class if you have to, but don't expect much help from the professor. I have other complaints, but my words are limited
Completely cluelss. Waist of time and money. She has no idea about techonolgy and will punish you for hard work.
This is a fantastic class, but don't be surprised if you get zero assistance from the instructor. Do your assignments right a way. She will mislead you for example, the exam should end (on line) at noon, yet in reality it will end at 9AM... stuff like that.
i liked this class. very difficult though. so spend a lot of time to study.
to hard for me. i don't think i will be a psychologist.
I like this class. It is not easy but not because the material - the instructor is the only obstacle in this class. It would be a lot better if she was not sending confusing email. BTW, I have no idea who wrote her questions for the tests - many of them make no sense.
fascinating class, but it's not easy. her lectures are helpful, but your HAVE TO do the reading if you want to pass the class. I emailed her a few times with questions and her responses were usually "look it up in the book" (like i hadn't already done that). overall the great class, learned a lot, but it was a challenge
This is a great class but you will be on your own with this instructor. Her teaching is disappointing to say the least and abnormal psychology is very hard. If you want to enjoy it, try to take a different instructor.
Poeople warrned me about O'Leary but I was not listening. Now I pay the price. She is just horrible, hardless, and will do anything to put you down.
Easy class. You must read everything. No shortcuts here. This is online and you are completely on your own. The instructor will not help you ... You will have to answer 100 questions in 75 minutes.
to many silly discussions. lot's of reading. isnstructor none existing - no help what so ever.
this class is so easy its ridiculous, 3 short easy papers on a movie you choose, 20 short easy discussion, 5 easy exams. If you guys think this class is difficult or hard to pass, you might want to consider dropping out of college, because this is one of the easiest you will come by. Plus, i enjoyed the material we learned.
I really enjoyed Dr. O'Leary's class. Ab Psych is an interesting subject by itself, but she adds a lot to it. She's really down to earth and funny. Tests were difficult, mainly because they are 100 questions, but she offered 50 points extra credit which EASILY makes up for it and bumps you up at least a full letter grade at the end. Take her!
Dr. O'Leary is a great teacher. However, you have to really really read the chapters (not just learn the main ideas) because the 100 question exam are tricky, but passable! I recommend her! She does offer extra credit based quizzes or extra papers. Second time I taken her ( PSY 100 & 370). The course is interesting, just read and pay attention! :)
a LOT of reading, has pp presentations, and extra credit quizzes before each test (3 tests) have THREE 6-8 page papers, exams are straight from book, lectures arent boring which is good, but theres alot of info in this class to know for tests. read read read
She's a really good teacher. She makes the class interesting. She doesn't take role. It is a lot of reading and it is necessary to read the chapters several times to do well on the exams. She gives quizzes prior to each exam that are scored as extra credit. Love that strategy. She gives the answers prior to the exam.
Course was difficult, required a lot of time and effort, but the course was a hard one regardless ofthe professor. Provided detailed lectures/examples, provided outlines for exams, gave extra credit quizzes/papers to help get a better grade! Be prepared to work. But nothing in life is easy, so get used to it and stop complaining.
She's funny.Lectures and ppts are outlines of the chapters and do not cover the material for the exams;up to 95% of the questions are from the text, the rest is applied. Every fact, statistic, and figure is fair game. Must read and memorize the book to get an A. It is worth studying early to get high quiz scores; makes a big difference:B to A, etc.
She is a nice professor who tries to keep class lively by remaining humorous. Does not require attendance which is great because everything you need to know for the exam is in the text! SO READ! Offers plenty of extra credit. 4 exams and 3 papers, which may sound like a lot, but you get the hang of it.
The reading is manageable if you begin immediately . Lecture comes directly from the readings but you will gain a better understanding from reading the book, the tests are 100 questions if you read the entire chapter you will pass the test . Make sure to do the extra credit tests as they bump score up 10 points. 3 papers ...not bad.
Do Not Take Her. She seems nice in class, but she is far from that when you need help. She is one of those women professors who has a Ph.D & is successful, therefore she is very stuck in her head. 4 exams 3papers 8page papers. Just know all your time will be dedicated to this class. My other classes suffered b/c there was so much work. Do Not take!
DO NOT TAKE HER! Her lectures aren't boring and she seems really nice in class, but when you want extra help she is very rude. She talks down on you when you ask questions. Test are straight from the book and are very difficult. I've studied harder for these tests than any other class and the highest grade I received was a B.
Terrible. She doesn't take the time to write her own test, she gets it from the publisher. She doesn't make her powerpoints either (they are made by the publisher). The quizzes are useless (made by the publisher). So, basically she is a very lazy professor who doesn't take time to make her own material. She rushes lecture when she's out of time.
Very rude when asked for help, and power-points state exactly what is in the book. Boring personality, do not recommend!
This class is NOT hard, it's a piece of cake upper div. I only show up for test days and have an A so far, her powerpoints and tests are straight from the book! However, she has sent out confusing emails about her paper and is a VERY boring lecturer.Take if you need the class but don't have time to attend.
Seemed like a good fit at first but doesnt really give time to absorb and study for test. right after a chapter is done the next day is test day. asking for help was not a big help either seemed like a waste of her time and was rude. do not take. i wish i wouldve read these before enrolling. I know theres better professors out there.
If you dont like reading the textbook or studying, then it's simple..DONT take her. If not, then the class really isnt that difficult. There's 5 exams (which can be a lot), weekly hmwk, and 1 paper. Plus she gives extra credit. It's a challenging course but it is manageable. And I personally, never got a rude or sarcastic reply from her
Lovely lady, horrible class! Her entire class is based on what Pearson company wants you to know about developmental psychopath. Does not write her own notes nor exams. Exams are extremely difficult to get an A in. If it wasn't for the extra credit...wow. Class attendance is pointless. 5 exams, 1 paper, 15 online hw quizzes. Possible extra credit.
This class is the epitome of a typical college class. She is STRICT with classroom guidlines, so read the syllabus. 80% of grade is Exams, 5 of them. STUDY or else you will fail, if you don't study then why are you in college to begin with? Take this class if you really want to learn about Psychology.
att @ SMC, she is tough. Read the book 4 times in order to pass exams. She's tough. But she loves psych and you can see it. 5 exams-100 questions /pt each 3 papers -25 pts each.
HANDS DOWN THE WORST professor I have ever had. I never write reviews but I couldn't help myself.I don't want anyone else to make the mistake I've made. She's a horrible teacher, she reads the powerpoints out loud throughout class, and couldn't care less if he students succeed. She is rude and unwilling to help her students. DO NOT TAKE HER!!!
Professor O'leary does have a good sense of humor when explaining information, although her lectures can be boring. She is willing to compromise with you when contact her ahead of time. She can be rude when you ask her for help through e-mail, etc. Reading is essential in passing this class for her tests are based solely on the book.
Dr. O'leary's class was challenging, however, I think most of the students who are rating her POORLY expected an easy A. If you plan to engage in the lectures, read the book, and complete the online assignments then this class is for you. If not then be happy with that D you earned for doing nothing.
Let's get things straight. Her class isn't hard. I just learned nothing at all. I got an A, but felt like it was a complete waste of the time. She doesn't make any material herself. She is rude and I found it unnecessary and unprofessional for her to forward the answer of a student's questions through email to the whole class.
Took her at SMC MUST READ. I read each chapter 3 times and got high B's on the test. She's amazing & passionate. You just need to read.
Skim the reading, take notes, do the homework. One paper pretty easy. I dont see why she has some pretty bad reviews she's not the best professor I've ever had but I've had farrr worse. She's straightfoward, eh strict, but overall pretty chill and will make you chuckle every once in a while during lecture.
Not very helpful, she almost seems bothered and upset when you ask her a question or if she can clarify things. Furthermore, she is tough with assignments, she does not allow any extra credit so if you mess up once your screwed for the rest of the semester. I would not take a class with her again as she does not look to the education and learning.
She tells her students exactly what she wants from them. Just read the book and you're set. Pretty good teacher.
Great Professor! She uses the PowerPoint made by Pearson, but go to each class, do the reading and she'll provide examples from her practice. Do ALL of the homework assignments and ask questions, you'll do great. Read 1 chapter a week, 5 exams (non-cumulative), 1 paper based of a film displaying abnormal psychology. It's worth the tough work!
She is pretty cool and can be funny, but goes off topic. There are 5 exams (each testing 3 chapters). Ppts straight from Pearson. I'd suggest reading each chapter 1 week each and taking a LOT of notes because you don't know what will be on the exam. Multiple choice-75 questions. 1 paper (scaffolded) Marks points off for simple mistakes.
I'm going to be honest, I have never had a more tough professor. Don't get me wrong, she's a nice lady but I learned nothing in her class. Basically live off the textbook for that class and her exams are 75 questions, extremely long study guides and exams from the textbook. Struggled to pass this class. Would not recommend to take.
So I took Dr. Leary for Abnormal Psychology and found the class to be quite enjoyable. Attending class really isn't necessary since she primarily basis her exams off the lecture notes she provides on beachboard. There is one paper that must be six to eight pages that she has her assistants grade, the feedback and grading isn't always clear.
I took the to fulfill a requirement for my major (social work). At first, I was scared that the class was going to be too much workway too tough. However, the material and the way if was presented was so interesting. She has good storiesexamples and she's pretty funny sometimes. HW gets you easy pts, 5 exams (75 mult choice), 1 paper.
I just can't understand why she has such a negative attitude all the time. I expected more empathy from a former therapist or better ability to help students with a background in learning patterns. I was hesitant to comment here but if I can save someone from spending money and time in this class it is worth it. The textbook is your real teacher.
I would stay away period, she didn't seem to give 3 cents for her students. Wasn't clear what she expected for papers, then grades extremely hard. No extra credit oppurtunity options. Have to pass exams with high scores to score high on class.
Tests are on 3 chapters. And trust me, YOU HAVE TO READ BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE YOUR ONLY HOPE! I really did not like the fact that when a student emailed her a question, she would copy and paste the email, forward it to the class, and then answer the question after copy and pasting. She does make some jokes in class though.
We have weekly essays (15 of them) that are a minimum of 9 pages, we also have weekly quizzes (15 of them) aside from that she recently decided that we needed to participate more in class so now we split into groups of 5 & we have to present the lecture to our classmates for every class lecture from now on... for the rest of the semester.
NOT AN EASY A CLASS. Lecture are very interesting and she's pretty funny but she gives a lot of homework and tests are hard. Expect to do one essay per week, a pre test of the chapter before the lecture (usually once a week as well) Can't pass the class if you don't read..
She's nice but it requires a lot of work, 5 exams, 15 weekly essays, an 8 page paper APA format, 15 weekly quizzes, read the book and go to class. She gives long study guides that are helpful.
A really good professor. She makes the class entertaining and will clarify if you need more explanation. I really enjoyed the class, but you have to stay on top of your reading and homework.
I LOVE Dr. O'leary. i really dont understand why her ratings on here are so low. Shes an amazing professor who really cares about her students. Lectures are very interesting and engaging. One of my favorite classes this semester. Her tests are super easy, all of it comes straight from her powerpoint, which she posts online. TAKE THIS CLASS!
Professor O'leary is awesome & has a great sense of humor. Lectures are interesting. I looked forward to them. But this class isnt an easy A. Dont think that you can skip class study, & expect an A. Work for it. Do ur hw, read the chapter, listen to lecture. Her tests reflect how much effort you put into studying. overall,shes a great teacher
Really loved her as a professor. She was super clear about grading and the homework was all online (and easy). Her lectures usually last the entire hour but she keeps it interesting. Would definitely recommend!!!
Her class is pretty easy and interesting. All her hw assignments are online and even though her lectures are long, she keeps it fun. As long as you do the hw assignments and read you'll do fine.
TAKE HER! She's a great professor. There homework assignments, but you can find it online. Test are pretty simple, I suggest reading the book and pay attention to the lectures. She's funny and good at teaching. I would take her again for PSY 100!
I skipped alot, didn't read the book, cheated on the online tests, & studied off of the powerpoints. I was able to pass with a high C. You can either work for your A or get by with a C. Up to you. Her lectures are interesting and funny but attendance is not mandatory.
O'Leary was a great professor. There is weekly homework and the lectures do last the entire class. But, she was very helpful, interesting and organized. There are 5 exams each of which are not cumulative. Only issues were with the online grading system, other than that? I would recommend!!
You don't even have to show up for class. Just read the text book, REALLY READ IT. Because her tests are exactly what's in there. I read each chapter about 3 times. The weekly "essays" are easy if you explain thoroughly: these are submitted online and you get your results within a second. Weekly onlinquizzes as well but you have 2 hours to take it.
she reads off the power point slides which she posts online. she teaches how Pearson wants to teach students which is why most of the assignments are online. Didn't exactly learn much with it which is why you need to work extra hard in her class.
reading is very important. You will read the textbook if you want the good grade. Do not underestimate the class. It is not that hard but you have to put in the work to get the A.
Syllabus quiz at the beginning of the semester for extra credit. Online homework and the answers can be found on quizlit. Lectures straight off powerpoint. Textbook PDF online. Attendance isn't mandatory but go cause she'll tell what is on the test. Final not cumulative. She's a good lecturer. Makes information interesting and class enjoyable.
Dr. O'Leary is very passionate about Psychology and has lots stories to incorporate into the lectures, but she's a really tough grader and doesn't really explain what she wants until after it is graded. Tests are 10% lecture, 90% book, so plan on reading more than anything else. HW is online and based on the reading as well. Would not recommend.
To get a good grade in her class it is not necessary to go to her lectures or even "really" read the book. The power points are the key. Learn and comprehend each power point Chapter 3 (60 or so slides) or so times until it's in your head and you're set. Class time is just a *lazy regurgitation of the PPTs. 4 Online HW use the book's srch function
She's very clear on what she expects with papers and tests. She's also very open to office hours and helping students understand why they got the grade they did. Definitely uses the book but mostly relies on the lecture material and class discussions. Come to class, participate to engrain the info, and you should have no issue doing well.
4 exams 75 questions, timed quizzes. Hardest part of her class is the writing assignment. she's picky and a tough grader. She isn't clear at all about the paper. Buy the book and read the book!! its the key to passing the exam and quizzes. Plan on missing work a lot if you work. Good luck if you do take her. anxiety levels are gonna be high!!
Her tests are 100 percent straight out of the text. She asks you extremely specific questions in her tests that make sure you read each chapter at least twice. Shes very unclear about the paper, and pretty much only cares if your apa citations are perfect. Very hard grader, going to class isn't necessary, but a good idea.
She gives you study guides with virtually all of the questions on the tests. The paper has instructions that are thorough and CRYSTAL CLEAR. In addition, she is helpful during office hours and willing to clarify anything you're confused about. I never read the chapters completely, just focused on charts and filled in the study guide questions.
Professor O'Leary is a wonderful professor! There's homework every week, but its really easy, just don't wait till the last minute to do it. Her lectures are VERY interesting! She makes class really fun by adding in her own personal stories. 2 papers, which are so easy. She gives you a template so all you have to do is fill it in. Highly recommend!
really easy class, just read the book
Hilarious, amazing, caring, welcoming; just a few things that make professor O'Leary one of the best professors I've had at SMC. She uses personal stories in the lectures, she makes learning Psych 14 fun. Be ready to read! we covered A LOT of material (14 chapters) in one semester. Online homework and 5 exams. Take her if you want to learn!!
Her class is not too bad. I do not recommend taking her if you have a lot going on in your life. If you have a job, kids, and are taking more than 4 classes, she would make your semester miserable. There are many assignments and readings that make you fall behind in other classes. Also, her lectures make you feel like you're in high school again.
Amazing. She is funny and makes lecture worth it (even though it is not mandatory). Study guides are exactly like the exams. 1 paper (6 pages) broken down into 3 assignments (2 pages each) so it is really easy. 5 exams and gives extra credit at the beginning of the semester so I had above 100% in the class for more than half the semester.
Worst lecture of my entire college career. Inconsistent grader and off topic lecturer. Thinks her class is the most important in your life, even though the material is more opinionated than research/fact based. Has five, 100 question exams on top of 17 online exams. Would've been an enjoyable class with great material, but she was horrible.
This class is work intensive. O'Leary is a great lecturer and is truly passionate about psych of child development, but you won't get an easy A. Five exams, 10+ mini papers from an online assignment called "My Virtual Child", and online quizzes weekly. I decided to do the extra credit and work as a BLAST! mentor off campus - I recommend it!
100% based on book notes. You must read the entire book; even the little side blurbs. They will be on the test. Nothing in class is going to be on the test. You don't need to know percentages, just the vocabulary very well, and some random facts. Dr. O'leary is kind and well meaning, but all of the test material is book based.
Professor O'Leary is cool herself but the class as a whole was fine. Nothing special, if you have to take PSY 100 you'll be fine with her. 2 two paged "essays"(pretty easy), 4 exams(including final), in class required experiment(you don't do anything if you don't volunteer, just show up), and required experiment participation outside of class.
She was a great professor. She made the lectures fun and related them back to stories which were interesting. class consists of 4 exams (including final), 2 papers, research participation outside class and super easy in class experiment. I never read the book and still managed to pass with an A. Just show up and study the lecture notes. Gives E.C.
Professor OLearys class is extremely tough. There are (5) 75 question exams based on specific statements in the book. Her lectures are kind of pointless because there isnt much on them that will be on the test. You can skip class as long as you read the book. She is not very helpful & doesn't provide study guides for exams.
This class is not hard, but get expected to have a ton of homework. A weekly 3-4 page paper is due every Saturday , and a weekly test. Buying the book is mandatory since the test are done through the online book. It is extremely expensive. If you are looking for a class without having a lot of work do not take this class.
It is an easy class overall, you just have to be used to weekly papers on your virtual child assignments. Her tests are extremely easy, just memorize the quizzes on the online textbook (mandatory). Beware, she says things like "I will not be assigning this or that" but then she does! If you remind her, she gets annoyed and won't listen. She's funny
You need to get the online access code for this class' textbook because all the assignments are on there, also the exams are easy if you know what to look for. Overall the class is pretty easy you almost need to try to fail.
Online work code is used to raise your virtual child. No physical textbook, just online code needed for the course. Homework is given every weekend including quiz and essay. Dr. O'leary makes the material interesting and fun to learn about. One of the best PSY classes I have taken at CSULB.
Not a hard class, just a lot of busywork. Uses online textbook that has weekly quizzes that majority of answers are online. 25% of the quiz questions aren't even in the book or online. The prof will take NO accountability for her mistakes or the resources she uses. Don't submit anything late, she can care less even if your house burned down. Trust.
I was not going to leave a review but when I saw how negative they were I thought it was important to justify. She is such a cool, straight up, funny teacher. There's a lot of homework but it's done to help you. She offers extra credit which helps a lot. Everything is clear. The tests are to the point. HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Pros: Detailed study guide for exams, extremely good lecturer (you will learn a lot). Cons: Very tough grader, is unclear on her expectations for essays, rushes through notes when running out of time, egotistical, strict and does not allow phone usage in class. Overall: Class is passable if you use the study guide
VERY good lecturer but is pretty harsh on requirements (how/when to reach her, assignment formatting, etc.) waaaay less forgiving than other professors. Goes on and on about how many students she has to keep track of so its a little intimidating tryin to reach out. SUPER fun and knowledgeable, her enthusiasm outweighs the strictness! Learned a lot!
One of my favorite professors totally would take her next psych class. Most people tend to hate her for some reason but I thought she was great. The textbook is required so do get it and you will pass the class.
This class was unnecessarily difficult. Didnt really feel like I learned anything - just a bunch of facts. She would go over subjects but never really explained them. Her way of explaining was through examples but she never really got to the point. Lectures were rushed.
She is honestly a great professor, and is very understanding of the issues the pandemic may cause. There are five multiple choice exams, for which she provides detailed and useful study guides. Easy weekly online chapter quizzes, just make sure you don't forget about them. One group paper that is evenly split up. Overall, a pretty easy class.
Class is super straight forward and easy as long as you read and watch lectures. She can bet very stubborn and petty if upset. You can make the smallest mistake and she won't let you fix it. Says she understands that we are in hard times (covid) and everything is mentally draining but shows now empathy and argues with you when you mess up.
Dr. O is very familiar with the topic she teaches. But, she lacked empathy towards her students especially during a pandemic (changed late assignments from 50% off to no credit at all). She took no responsibilities for her mistakes or those of the online text book we use and other internet issues. Doesn't check her e-mails at important times.
Professor O'Leary can sometimes be funny but that's about it. She just couldn't care less about her students. You could be in the hospital with COVID-19 after losing your house in a fire, die, come back to life, and she'll still chew you out for asking for an extension on a paper. Do yourself a favor and take this class with another professor.
Dr. O'Leary said the deadlines were strict the first week. Most professors are strict initially but will extend deadlines or give partial points since we are in a PANDEMIC. She rudely responded to issues outside of a few students control with "THE DEADLINE IS FINAL" and sent a students email without permission. Then everyone lost respect for her.
Very unprofessional and doesnt communicate well
She doesn't care if you are dealing with anything personal in your life or if you got a full-time job. Her deadlines (often 1 pm) are set and no exceptions. The previous reviews about her not caring if your house burnt down and being in the hospital are true. She couldn't care less about you. There's also a paper due every week or every other week.
As a person, O'Leary seems funny and cool. However, what isn't cool is her as a professor. She's condescending, hostile, and makes you scared to ask her questions, in class or privately in an email. You also won't learn much from her since she just rambles in her lectures.
She's funny & some of her lectures are interesting. With that being said, she is also rude. Don't ask for an extension EVER (even if you are literally dying) because she will get angry & scold you & the whole class through email. I understand that profs are strict about deadlines but sheesh. 5 75 question exams, MULTIPLE assignments/quizzes/papers.
I think how professors treat their students as a whole with their struggles in the pandemic says a lot about their character. Dr. O'Leary is also a therapist. That being said, not in a million years would I go to her for therapy. Also, If you you email her about a private matter she WILL forward your email to the whole class without your consent.
Early in the semester I was confused about Pearson and emailed her. She replied pretty harsh and I never asked a question every again. This is the experience for most students in this course. I did learn a lot and like someone said she is a cool person but as a professor in a pandemic she wasn't the best. She should have clocked out this year.
The class consists of : five 2 page papers, weekly chapter and chapter quizzes, raising a virtual child, test every three chapter (1 minute per question and you can't go back after you move from the question). The professor is very cold and does not empathize with the students but swears she understand the situation we are in because of COVID
She is so passive aggressive in emails and rude to students who come to her for help. Her C-PIF group papers are the WORST because she deducts points for any little thing and is strict on APA format.
If you plan on taking this class with this professor don't! She does not care about her students well being and doesn't take an excuse as to why something is late. Even if you were to have a major emergency she wouldn't care. Take this with a different professor if you want to enjoy this class! She grades hard also.
Honestly I do not recommend this professor. She is not empathetic and this class has been anxiety-induced. As a psychology course and clinical psychologist herself how does that work? Like she should know how to manage a class that won't affect a person's well-being but again she is not empathetic or caring. Her lectures are good at least, bare min
DO NOT TAKE THIS TERRIBLE PROFESSOR! This professor is very empathetic and rude. She is not understanding at all for her students. Her TEST ARE 60 QUESTIONS IN 60 MINS WHICH IS UNREALISTIC. shes so distasteful and uncaring. WORST professor taken at CSULB.
If you need to take the class, you can pass it and an A is obtainable. I just think shes a bad professor. She responded to emails very rudely. Harsh grader on the paper so PAY ATTENTION TO APA EXACTLY. She rarely finishes lectures bc she takes so long to get through them and then its your job to teach the rest to yourself. Not a fan.
Dr. OLeary comes off as very nice/laidback but I have a list of complaints: Very little time to take exams. Weekly reading/homework assignments on expensive software. Very rude and condescending when asked questions. Will not accommodate you. Sidetracks during lecture talks slow, goes over time. Talks down to students. Lots of work to keep up with
Worst professor in the Psychology department. She has been reported countless times, which is well deserved. She is blunt, disrespectful, and a harsh grader. Try and avoid this one.
Avoid this professor if possible. I was excited to take this class, but she is extremely rude and condescending. She makes you feel bad for coming to her with questions. She would be a decent professor if she could speak to her students with a little bit of respect and be able to take accountability for her mistakes.
I don't understand why there are so many negative reviews. Dr. O'Leary is amazing! She is smart and provides many supplemental videos/resources to help you understand the diagnoses. Project is very doable and interesting. She is the best teacher I've taken here. Direct and organized, which I appreciate. Just put in the effort and you will do great!
Worst psychology professor ever! Bernadette is very rude and demeaning. She is so rigid and when a student contacts her about an emergency situation she forwards the email to the whole class and is so uncivilized. Does not show concern for students well being. You must buy the person revel online book to complete assignments and it syncs.
Everyone saying she's a 5 on difficulty works for Super Weenie Hut Jr. Read the textbook, study, and you'll pass. The tests are based on the textbook and lectures, there are no surprises. It's literally an easy class if you're up to it.
Dr. O was an absolute pleasure and my favorite prof! She's engaging during lectures and gives so many great clinical examples. But be warned- she is tough and it is not an easy A. Chapters take 2 hours each to read and the reading/quizzes are mandatory. DO THE EXTRA CREDIT! If you love psych and are willing to work, I can't recommend Dr. O enough
Amazing professor! She's hilarious and very straight forward. There is a lot of reading and the homework is based on that. Her exams are difficult. There was a group case study based on a movie character.
This might as well be an online class because she can never get through full lecture without talking about herself. Just focus on good reading/note taking on the material at home. First/only time I emailed her for help, she responded rudely without considering how the issue was actually her fault. She acts like she cares when she doesn't.
There are 3 papers. Final is not cumulative. The papers are graded more on format that actual context (make sure its times new roman and 12 font) The flashcards on the online book are helpful for the tests.
Places unrealistic expectations on students and expects them to read the text multiple times or else they truly will fail. Be prepared to be thrown off by her very challenging exams. Interesting material. She is extremely attentive to detail... to a fault. This should be an asynchronous class if the lectures can't be finished in a class meeting.
Started the semester with a speech about giving & receiving grace but has given none since. Made ableist comments to a student w/ a disability, only honored some BMAC accommodations after what felt like pulling teeth, papers were graded unfairly, & the tests were close to impossible. Told us to just read the textbook 3 or 4 times in order to pass.
**Pros:** 1. Engaging Lectures 2. Lively Atmosphere **Cons:** 1. Communication Gaps 2. Challenging Exams 3. Lecture-Exam Disconnect 4. Insensitive/rude Comments Improving communication and aligning lectures with exams would enhance the overall learning experience.
There is no study guide; your notes are your study guide. Outside of business hours, she will not respond to messages. This course is lecture-heavy, with 4 exams, 1 extra credit paper, and 3 MVC papers. She does require you to have Pearsons for all assignments. She is not a good communicator and is condescending. Overall, she's ok.
I loved 361 so I thought why not take 363... worst decision of my life. I knew her exams were challenging so that was expected but for those who haven't, there's no study guide and her expectations are high. She's also rude and lacks empathy. Comments are so condescending and ultimately will not accommodate you, regardless of your situation.
Most unprofessional Professor I have taken. She would not finish the lecture and claimed she would "post the rest later"... she never did. She would speed through the lecture just to get through all the information. She would text outside of business hours with unnecessarily rude and passive-aggressive emails. Not worth your tuition!
Dr. O' is one of the best professors I have ever had. She cares for her students, and wants them to succeed. She inspired me to pursue graduate school. She wants to be a mentor, she loves what she does. Going to office hours is beneficial. I have taken 363 and I'm taking 361 now. Dr. O has inspired me and poured into me. She is blunt not mean.
took psy 361 w/ Dr. O'Leary and loved it so I decided to take psy 361 and kinda regret it now. class has 7 exams and a group paper. each exam is on 2 chapters, and these chapters are usually very long. She doesn't get through all of her lecture slides most of the time, and there is no study guide, just says to read the chapters 2-3 times...
It almost seems like she enjoys making life harder for her students. Refuses to give study guides of any kind, doesn't respond to emails or comments, is incredibly cryptic if she does, and even changed an essay prompt days before its due date to require MORE work. Avoid, avoid, avoid if you can. Class material was decent and moderate challenge.
Dr. O'Leary prepares her classes for the real world and for a real psychological environment. Exams matter and readings matter, but they definitely help a lot! She also makes the class enjoyable
don't feel discouraged to take her class based on these comments. she does require a lot; she is last minute on information on papers (changing details). TIP: make notations during class. take notes of keywords in the book. pray.
Her tests are based off of the textbook or her lecture / slides. She helps during lecture with letting us know which informations can be more important to take notes on. Many people seem to not like her, but I personally think she is so caring and funny. This is actually one of my favorite class to go to because of how much I like the professor.
Challenging course with demanding exams. The professor can be blunt and lacks empathy. Engagement and aligning lectures with assessments could improve the learning experience. Unstuck AI proved helpful for test prep.
I took her 361 & 363 class. You want to pass the class you HAVE to read the book, her notes, & DO the Hw! She gives a lot of Hw, but is easy based on the readings and Quizzes are online due before the exam. She gave 35pts extra credit for 363 & 25 points for 361. Attendance is not mandatory, her notes are on canvas. Not boring a class, she is funny
Mixed emotions with this professor. As a student I often felt like a burden with any question as she made it clear emailing her overwhelmed her and she would NOT reply. Very passive aggressive in her responses. You can tell she does not want to be teaching and it eager to leave. Pearson textbook is mandatory or you'll basically fail.
Absolutely would NEVER take this class again. Take a different teacher. She just reads off powerpoints. coming to class is a waste of time. quiz heavy & 7 exams total so you're studying every other week for an exam. exam answers are unclear and designed to trick you. semester long group project. hard grader. Overall 0/10. Would not recommend.
Took her for 361 & 363, would not recommend. You are better off with a different professor. SUUUPER passive aggressive, emailed her about a personal problem I was dealing with, and she really could not care less. as a psych professor, you would think she wants the best for her students, even ones who may need accommodations.
Don't understand why there's so many negative reviews, I loved her class so much that I took 3 classes in total with her.
AWFUL, her class is insufferable, she does not teach. Your better off reading the pearson textbook ( mandatory) than coming to class. Homework imbedded into pearson. 5 total exams every 3 weeks. 3 papers and the rubric is non-existent. No makeup exams are offered for ANY circumstances. No study guides. VERY passive agressive
Leaves three different instructions saying to do different things for the assignments and then refuses to answer questions about anything. Says to come to office hours and then proceeds to just say that we should have just listened in class. The class itself is not that hard but O'Leary actually wants you to fail and will try her hardest.
I dont know why there are so many bad reviews. She is very clear about her expectations and boundaries from the start. Her lectures are fun to attend; she doesn't just read off the slides and is interactive with students. You need to read the textbook to get good grades on exams. She also drops the lowest exam grade which is nice.
Lectures are engaging/entertaining but sometimes consisted of group discussions that didn't seem add much to learning. Tends to be extremely rude when replying to emails but charming and helpful in person. Has very tedious rules to follow for class/papers. Overall very passable course. I had poor attendance & barely studied and I got an A.
At first I excepted this to be a difficult class based on reviews but her work is easy if ur well organized. its all in the syllabus so dont wait around. lots of reviews call her rude but I think shes very funny direct & keeps it real. students just like to be pampered. she is a great professor who cares and wants you to succeed
This course has a heavy workload, but once you get a hang of it the material is not too bad. There are ch quizzes, section quizzes, exams, and papers. She is a bit passive aggressive but means well, better off asking classmates for help than her, imo.. Nothing is graded by her, quizzes are automatic, exams are scantron, and TA grades papers.
she was overall nice and not boring in lectures, however she is a bit blunt and straightforward, which often comes across as rude. she refuses to answer most questions so I don't recommend going up to her. do all your work and you will be fine. she does allow one exam to be dropped at the end of the semester, which is great news
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
28%
Textbook Required
57%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.48 avg changeRatings by Course
CS350I
5.0
(1)PERS356
5.0
(1)PSYCH3240
5.0
(1)PSYCH100
4.5
(2)PSYCH1
4.5
(4)Difficulty by Course
PSY03
5.0
PSY350
5.0
PSY115
5.0
PSY350I
4.3
3210
4.0