2.3

Mary Theresa Howard

Psychology - University of Ottawa

2.3
Quality
3.2
Difficulty
30%
Would Retake
134
Reviews
2.3
Quality
3.2
Difficulty
2.2
Helpful
2.4
Clarity

30%

Would Retake

134

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

12

4

25

3

14

2

36

1

47

What Students Say

Her tests are awfully designed and hard to ace let alone do well on

PSY3121 - 2.0 rating

The hardest class I've ever taken

PSY3101 - 1.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

24%

Textbook Required

45%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 44 grades
Most common grades:
Not sure yet (21)
A (13)
B (8)
Grade Distribution
A(21)B(10)C(4)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(9)
Based on 68 reported grades
Not sure yet: 21
A: 13
B: 8
A+: 8
Common Tags
Tough grader (23)
Graded by few things (21)
Test heavy (19)
Get ready to read (17)
Skip class? You won't pass. (17)
Tough Grader (9)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (9)
Lecture heavy (5)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.87 avg change
Jan
Apr
May
Oct
Nov
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

3101

5.0

(1)

PSYA

5.0

(1)

PSY3123

3.1

(7)

PSY3301

3.0

(2)

PSY3102

3.0

(1)
+12 more courses
Difficulty by Course

PSY3306

4.3

PSY3102

4.0

PSY3303

4.0

PSY3109

3.8

PSY2114

3.7

Reviews (134)
5.0
3.0
3101
Aug 9, 2006

amazing

2.0
3.0
PSY2101
Oct 28, 2006

The Psychology of Death and Dying is not so much a psychology course as a Death education. Everything you never wanted to know about people dying. Philosophy, theology, criminology, history, sociology, health services, anthropology, and yes, even some psychology - this is just about death and everything to do with death. It isn't a psych. course

2.0
2.0
PSY3101
Nov 23, 2006

she's so boring!

2.0
3.0
PSY3101
Nov 28, 2006

Course was a disappointment. Many movies but no link made with course material show fewer movies and have more discussion about them. teacher seems uprepared in that if class asks no questions about the movie, she has no questions to get discussion going. I wonder if the teacher was uncomfortable with the material being presented?

4.0
2.0
PSY3101
Jan 4, 2007

I found the class fairly interesting when covering some topics. other topics are not so interesting. the movies were kind of a waste of time, but they made the class much more interesting. The class really isnt a psychology class, but all about death and what surrounds it. If you're looking for psychology, this might not be for you. still good tho

4.0
2.0
PSY3301
Jan 25, 2007

Pretty interesting courses. Exams are pretty straightforward, make sure u pay attention to her movies though.

4.0
2.0
PSY3121
Apr 27, 2007

Everything about this professor and her class is straightforward. There is very little in class discussion, but the material is interesting. She knows a lot about a variety of topics, so she can always answer questions. She seems a little cold upon approach, but is actually really nice. I enjoyed all the classes I have taken with her.

3.0
3.0
PSY3101
Nov 23, 2008

She relies on movies too much. There's basically no discussion. Just passive learning. She also likes to modify the slides without actually telling the class she has done so. Make sure you keep downloading the newest versions before studying.

5.0
2.0
PSY3101
Sep 22, 2009

Interesting class. Movies added interest, Fair prof, fair exams. Pretty good class overall.

1.0
4.0
PSY3121
Dec 2, 2009

Tempting to keep her class because it seems easy, but her exams are SO TRICKY, an her slides are awful, and she doesn't actually convey subject matter. You find yourself cramming in the last minute and having no idea what will actually be on the exams. She is also really mean when you talk to her outside class. It's easy to do poorly with her.

2.0
4.0
PSY3301
Dec 26, 2009

Awful prof. No discussion. Her opinion on euthansia/organ donation, etc is right, end of story. Used 20 year old movies that are no longer relevant. She is so lazy she couldnt even bother to update her slides to reflect current organ donor process. Never answered emails I sent her. Exams require you to memorize slides as oppose to learn anything

4.0
2.0
PSY3101
Jun 30, 2010

Easy class, point form midterm and final with 2 journals (10% for just doing it) Textbook is never used (not necessary to get an A in the class) the slides are crucial memorize them and you will get a good grade!

2.0
2.0
PSY3101
Dec 31, 2009

Very dry, stern prof. Not helpful to students. Do not even need to buy the textbook. Her exams are solely on her slides which is good because there are not that many of them. But she doesn't cover all the slides in class but you are still required to know all of them for the exams. Just memorize all the slides in lists and you will do well.

4.0
3.0
PSY3123
Aug 25, 2010

Very helpful prof outside of class. In class she isn't as dry as some others I've had. Study in this order: movies>slides>text. The material on her exams would qualify as "easy" under most profs, but because she's so confusing about what's on it, the exams are a lot harder than they should be.

2.0
4.0
PSY3101
Sep 8, 2010

Avoid at all costs. The exam questions are ridiculously complicated, expecting you to know minor details which are barely covered (every topic is barely covered). The lectures, textbook and most videos are dull and sometimes irrelevant. Don't waste your time and money.

1.0
4.0
PSY3121
Nov 5, 2010

Had her for a feminism class - she's crazy! Hard marker on irrelevant info. Write your journal for extra marks because her point-form exams aren't easy. Old movies and narrow insight. She really needs to update herself before giving out any more ridiculous ideas!

2.0
3.0
PSY3171
Dec 26, 2010

Awful. The most interesting topic in the field of psychology, and she manages to make it boring! Has no idea what she is talking about, taught us wrong information on more than one occasion, and shows movies from the 70's. We covered almost nothing in class, it was a huge waste of time.

2.0
2.0
PSY31
Jan 13, 2011

You could easily have a recording of this proff reading the slides and it would be an adequate replacement. There was no textbook but class consisted of watching movies and listening to her read slides. The tricky part is she expects everyone to remember details of every movie watched and used it during all questions on the exam.

3.0
3.0
PSY3101
Feb 1, 2011

Seems like an easy class as you always watch videos, but expects you to remember minor details, which sucks. As a professor, she's not good and from a distance can intimidate students.

2.0
3.0
PSY3101
Apr 5, 2011

The course material is very dry and in no way challenging. You are simply required to memorize outdated statistics and commonsense information from slides and include points from movies shown in class for every question on both exams. The class seems easy, but it is an excruciating waste of time and money. This is not a real university course.

3.0
2.0
PSY3101
May 4, 2011

Blunt prof, but interesting and pretty easy class

2.0
3.0
PSY3171
Aug 9, 2011

First of all, don't bother buying the textbook. Serious waste of money. She can't teach and she can't write exams - her expectations are unclear and she is generally useless. Not to mention the class is utterly boring.

1.0
4.0
PSY3171
Aug 13, 2011

Switch NOW if you have her. She's boring, unclear, and honestly has no idea what she's talking about. Her exams are hard because the questions are worded poorly, and she's no help in office hours so don't even bother. The ONLY good thing is the 10% mark boost you get for handing in your journals.

4.0
4.0
PSY3101
Nov 15, 2011

Doesn't smile often, but has a sense of humour, and is very nice. Lots of films in the class, and most of them very interesting. Not a bird course, but I would recommend for a psy-credit.

4.0
3.0
PSY3101
Dec 30, 2011

Loved this class and she is an awesome prof! If you take good notes from the slides, take notes of relevant examples from the movies (not just general concepts) and study everything well you will be fine. She was also very helpful during office hours. Her midterm and final were fair and I would definitely take another class with her!

5.0
1.0
PSYA
Jan 12, 2012

She taught my favourite class and I got an A. Yes, you need to go to class and put effort into your studies, but that's what university is about. She really knows her stuff--it was great to learn from someone with such an extensive bg. It was a great class and very interesting. Sadly, she seems to be an acquired taste. I thought she was great

4.0
3.0
PSY3123
Apr 22, 2012

Had her for Death and Dying as well as Family studies. Her exams aren't worded properly, so you could lose marks. She was boring, but the material was interesting. A LOT of movies, so attendance is a must. Not a bird course, but worth taking.

4.0
3.0
PSY3101
Apr 27, 2012

When taking movie notes, only write key themes, not insignificant details like names and places. There are movies nearly every other class. Print off all her slides at the beginning of the course because she will often jump all over the place or skip some. To do well: memorize the slides. There is no textbook and very few slides.

4.0
1.0
PSY3101
Apr 14, 2013

She didn't really teach as much psychology, more what it means to be a nurse in a place with lot's of dying people. There's no reading in this class. and way too many movies. I seriously could have learned 1/2 the material sitting on my couch watching these movies, except they're all rare and old so you can't miss class.

5.0
2.0
PSY3101
Apr 15, 2013

Reasonable, clear and direct

2.0
2.0
PSY2110
Dec 8, 2013

didnt want to take this class cuz of her poor ratings, but it was bittersweet. the tests are probably only 50% elated to the class material. her exams are mainly multiple choice which is great. if you read the textbook, you can do better than you would by attending class and taking notes, etc. had social psychology. shes anything but stimulating

3.0
4.0
PSY3102
Jan 8, 2014

Only uses one method of testing on exams, doesn't make it a mix so you can do better on a different part. I'd say avoid. Expectations for exams also unclear, not only beforehand while studying, but also on the exam some questions were vague.

1.0
3.0
PSY3171
Mar 9, 2014

She actually has taught us stuff that is 100% wrong. She's rude. Lectures are boring. She doesn't know what she's talking bout. Not helpful. Unpleasant. The DSM5 has been out for over a year and she hasn't updated her exams/course to this. worst class even though I got a good mark, I just didn't learn anything, LOW VALUE EDUCATION

4.0
5.0
PSY3171
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Mar 11, 2014

Very interesting, good videos, answers questions well, very helpful. Exams are VERY HARD and so is the markings though; will drop your GPA BIG TIME!

4.0
2.0
PSY3101
Grade: A
Mar 26, 2014

No textbook, only an exam and a midterm. Fairly easy course, although expectations for the exams are a little vague. However, I expected a course on death to be a lot more interesting. Material was very dry.

2.0
4.0
PSY3121
Grade: B
Nov 25, 2014

No textbook, so showing up and taking good notes are a must. She does supply 'class notes' to study, though they rarely relate to anything she says in class. Half the things she says seem made up, doesn't clarify where her statistics are from, etc. Good thing is you get a bonus 5% on midtermexam for handing in a journal!

3.0
2.0
PSY3101
Dec 17, 2014

If you don't go to class, don't take this course! The movies she shows can be pretty boring but she does include a lot of personal stories in her lectures that I found to be helpful for remembering material. If you're willing to memorize you can get a good mark! It's only the midterm & the final and she basically just gives you 10% for the journals

4.0
3.0
PSY3101
Jan 9, 2015

- 1 Midterm - 1 Exam - Repeated from previous years - Pay attention to movies as they are the only thing you need to know - Memorize every detail on the slides

1.0
5.0
PSY3101
Apr 25, 2015

The hardest class I've ever taken. Journals for a free 100% for 10% of your grade is a trick. Lectures are okay, but exams are BRUTAL. Expects you to memorize list after list after list. All memorization of useless facts, sometimes inaccurate. The 30-point question on final is impossible to predict. She WILL trick you. AVOID.

2.0
5.0
PSY3101
May 12, 2015

Very rude&aggressive when you confront her about her errors in correcting exams. Too much pride to apologize for mistakes, rather blames student and makes you feel like she is doing you a favour for changing marks when really it's her lack of accuracy in marking in the first place. Very monotone, emotionless, and boring professor. Don't take class!

3.0
4.0
PSY3303
Grade: C+
Jul 6, 2015

Terrible class. Lectures like the students are 1st graders. Incredibly boring lectures with pointless videos. No application of any kind, just expects you to learn lengthy lists. Journals are a breeze but the tests are brutal and dry, which is unfortunate since the material could be interesting easy if the questions didn't ALL rely on memorization.

2.0
5.0
PSY3101
May 18, 2015

Avoid if possible. Her class is boring, she does not give useful information or even accurate information. Her exams are worth a lot and often you have no idea what she will ask. I wish I would have dropped that class when I had the chance.

3.0
4.0
PSY3123
Aug 29, 2015

PROS: often lets you out early for 3 hour lectures, drywitty sense of humour, journals are free marks. CONS: very tough marker, tests only have 10-point questions meaning you have to memorize everything with 10 bullet points in mind, expectations on tests are unclear, expect to work your ass off for a mark that isn't even great.

4.0
2.0
PSY3123
Grade: B
Oct 5, 2015

The class content was no difficult to understand, but you have to go to class to watch the videos because they will be on the midterm and final. The textbook and her lectures were the same though, so you don't need to really pay attention in class. Her tests are all long answer questions out of 10, plus a 30 point question on the final.

1.0
5.0
PSY3101
Nov 13, 2015

Brutal class. Prof uses the same powerpoint layout every time, giving endless lists to memorize, but without any context. Never explains any significance, and its very tough to understand what is expected. She ends her lectures after 50 minutes most times, and spends entire classes showing videos. Do not take this class.

3.0
2.0
PSY3101
Dec 18, 2015

I don't know what the big fuss is about this course - I found it to be pretty easy. If you are good at memorization take this! Lecture slides and info are out of date - but it is still interesting! Midterm 40% and final 50% with 10% allotted to an easy 100% on a journal - topic of choice. She does show a lot of old movies but she ends class early?!

5.0
2.0
PSY3101
Grade: A-
Dec 19, 2015

Professor Howard is an amazing teach. Super passionate about her work, and has a lot of knowledge about all the topics covered. Her tests are fair and she is willing to help you go over material you don't understand. Would highly recommend, plus no text book!

4.0
3.0
PSY3101
Jan 6, 2016

Great course. No textbook, just slides. The exams are tough (entirely written) but if you memorize lists on her slides you'll be fine. Midterm, final, 2 journals (automatic 10% if you submit them). Watch lots of documentaries in class and she has a great dry sense of humour.

1.0
4.0
PSY3121
Jan 15, 2016

Get ready to watch A LOT of movies. They are from the early 90's, so if you're looking for a class about modern feminine psychology, this one might not be it. Her test questions are very vague and sometimes difficult to know what she is asking. I was excited to take this class but I felt like I was wasting time being in class/ didn't learn much.

5.0
1.0
PSY3101
Grade: A
Mar 22, 2016

She is amazing! Passionate about her work and knows a lot about the topics. Her tests require a lot of memorization, but are fair and easy to do well on if you pay attention/study. Loved her class and she is very understanding

3.0
5.0
PSY3101
Grade: B+
May 13, 2016

Lectures are interesting but its a lot of writing to keep up with and she does not allow laptops/any electronics. Journals are pretty much an automatic 10% which is nice but the tests are tough. They are straight memorization and she pretty much just asks you to reiterate lists. Kind of felt like I wasn't being tested on what I learned. Overall OK

2.0
4.0
PSY3121
Jun 14, 2016
Wouldn't take again

She spends a fraction of the class time actually lecturing and usually hands the "teaching" to badmovies that are fair game for exams. When she does lecture she gets off topic quickly and it's sometimes difficult to see how the content even relates to the course at all. Her tests are awfully designed and hard to ace let alone do well on. Avoid her.

4.0
3.0
PSY3171
Grade: A+
Aug 4, 2016
Would take again

I loved her. She is kind of dry but a really nice and polite lady overall. Gets course material across and is really accommodating to students. She is a very good public speaker and definitely good teacher. I didn't do any of her tests because of accommodations, but I got a really good grade on my papers. Would recommend, super interesting course!

4.0
3.0
PSY3171
Sep 6, 2016
Would take again

She is a good and fair prof. Her lectures can be a little bit boring because she plays a lot of videos, but when she is actually speaking it's a lot more fun. Midterm was pretty easy, exam was a bit tougher but still fair. Got an A in the class; would take again. Just be sure to make the time for your reading and you'll do fine.

Get ready to read
2.0
3.0
PSY3121
Dec 3, 2016
Wouldn't take again

She's very boring prof, not engaging and shows videos from the 80s... It was one midterm, one final and 2 short personal papers. the MT and finals are short awnsers, very vague and she's a tough grader. She jumps from one topic to another so you need to be in class, very disorganized and unclear expectations.

Tough Grader
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
1.0
4.0
PSY3171
Sep 9, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Lazy and incompetent prof. Shows outdated documentaries instead of teaching. Exams require a lot of memorization of facts that are sometimes wrong.

2.0
4.0
PSY3101
Dec 5, 2016
Wouldn't take again

If there was ever a prof who has lost their passion for teaching, it's her. Ends classes early, limited office hours, slides are out of order/not updated, never offers context for the endless old movies she shows, gives incorrect information, exams are difficult and worth a lot. Total waste of time and my GPA is going to suffer as a result.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
4.0
PSY3101
Jan 12, 2017
Wouldn't take again

I have never had a prof that was so uninspiring and that made the topic more dry than it already is. As others have said, it seems as though she has lost all interest and passion in teaching. Most lectures she will play an outdated video and will then end the class early. Her exams are difficult because she looks for exact wording. Avoid this prof.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
2.0
5.0
PSY3101
Grade: C+
Jan 14, 2017
Wouldn't take again

I was really looking forward to this class but was somewhat disappointed. We watched A LOT of movies of which I only enjoyed a few (and only a few seemed relevant). Her exam questions can be quite unclear, some only ask for lists you have to memorise. Even though I really studied for the final I only received 65% on it (straight A's otherwise...).

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
4.0
PSY3121
Jan 20, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Insanely boring. Lectures haven't been updated in years. Shows so many movies/documentaries that are so boring it is almost impossible to pay attention. Would not recommend to anyone.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
1.0
4.0
PSY3109
Grade: B
May 3, 2017
Wouldn't take again

I would not recommend Dr Howard. The majority of class was spent watching outdated movies, some which had nothing to do with the course content. When she does lecture it is very dry. Class always ends early, it only lasted the full time once. Her test are basically memorizing long lists and finding how it referenced one of the movies.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
2.0
4.0
PSY3101
May 24, 2017
Wouldn't take again

I should have never taken her class. It was so boring and I learned absolutely nothing. Her slides are extremely disorganized and horrible to read. She makes you memorize random lists she made up and watch outdated movies and shows. Avoid!

Tough Grader
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
2.0
2.0
PSY3101
Grade: A-
Jun 12, 2017
Would take again

Insanely boring prof - plays movies every class that have nothing to do with the exams and every class seems like a complete waste of time. However, content is usually easy enough to get a decent grade. Her exams are point form lists of the information. You might as well skip every class and learn it on your own, but overall pretty easy.

2.0
3.0
PSY3101
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 20, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Need to go to class for the movies. Very boring. Tested by not a lot of stuff.

Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
2.0
3.0
PSY3109
Grade: A-
Aug 24, 2017
Would take again

Boring lectures, pointless videos. If you connect the videos to the course material on midterms and finals, you can score yourself full points. A lot of memorization of lists and theories. Attending class is almost essential because she tells students what is on exams and what is not, and which slides are. If you memorize her slides You will be ok

Get ready to read
Skip class? You won't pass.
1.0
3.0
PSY3101
Dec 14, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Mary Theresa Howard is honestly just so rude. You can't even ask questions because she gives you some stuck-up smart ass response. Her lectures are extremely boring, she hasn't updated any movies and expects you to memorize lists.

1.0
4.0
PSY3101
Mar 1, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Hands down, one of the worst professors I've ever had. She knows her lectures are mess and warns you but doesn't correct them. 3/4 of the semester is movies she taped back in the 90s from A&E and HBO. Then she doesn't put anything from the films on the midterms. She doesn't prepare you for the tests either. On top of that she's extremely rude

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
2.0
3.0
PSY3171
Grade: Not sure yet
Mar 27, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Her lectures are dry. The textbook was very useful buy it. Not the best prof but she teaches psychopathology better than death and dying.

LECTURE HEAVY
4.0
3.0
PSY3101
Grade: A+
Apr 26, 2018
Would take again

Her exams are short answer questions based on very specific class material, BUT if you listen during the lectures, she gives hints as to what she expects. Seeing as her hints can be subtle and she is specific, I would recommend this class for upper-level students. She is very kind during office hours--it's helpful to go talk to her.

Skip class? You won't pass.
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
Caring
4.0
3.0
PSY3171
Nov 26, 2018
Would take again

I know there are a lot of bad reviews on her, but she's honestly a good prof. Super sweet and helpful. I missed the midterm due to a concussion and she was very understanding and made it very simple to make it up. She adds interesting stories and anecdotes. Good class, nice prof!

ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
GRADED BY FEW THINGS
LECTURE HEAVY
3.0
3.0
PSY3171
Grade: A
Dec 5, 2018
Would take again

It won't be clear on the midterms/finals, but she shows one video per chapter and you NEED to reference the video in the relevant question on the midterm & final. Don't need the textbook. You can easily study from just the slides, but go to class for the videos and her lectures help absorb the info better. Good luck :)

Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
2.0
3.0
PSY3171
Dec 18, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Be sure to carefully read her exam questions. You have to include examples on lectures, slides and movies. Sometimes the movies seemed a little boring or irrelevant, but be sure to take notes and attend class to get your full marks for the exam! She a bit dry, but has invaluable years of experience and knowledge in clinical practice.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
LECTURE HEAVY
2.0
4.0
PSY3171
Mar 19, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Exams are hard. She wants extreme detail and to be precise to the lecture notes. Grades hard too. She is rather un-stimulating. Offered extra credit assignment.

Test heavy
EXTRA CREDIT
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
PSY3306
Grade: B+
Apr 7, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Goes back and forth between "use the txtbook" and "don't use it". Tests you on stuff she didn't teach. Constantly cancelling class and office hours. Over half of her "stats" and "fun facts" are myths that are scientifically incorrect. Has no TA so there's no quality control. If you get stuck with her, e-mail the faculty with your concerns.

Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
PSY3306
Grade: B+
Apr 7, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Horrible professor, quotes myths and stats that aren't scientifically correct. Content is EXTREMELY outdated and her old-school mentality propagates so much stigma around mental health in diff cultures and races. Unclear grading, unclear on what to study, contradicting instructions, no TA, cancelled 1/3 of the classes & office hours. 0/10 avoid her

Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
PSY3306
Apr 9, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Avoid her. Save your GPA.

Get ready to read
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
PSY3173
May 14, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Having her as a prof ruined a class I was excited for. Boring lectures, outdated films/content, she's rude. Ridiculously hard marker for no reason, point value system on exams is extremely flawed (asks a question requiring 3 examples & makes the question 10 points?) She also lost my final exam & failed me until I emailed her she made a mistake

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Tough grader
5.0
4.0
PSY3101
Grade: A
Jul 10, 2019
Would take again

She is honestly my one of my favourite profs at uO. If you hate multiple choice exams, take her class. She gives out a few questions worth 10 ish marks and you can answer them in point form which i am a big fan of. I get how some people may not like her because she does come across cold and the movies can be boring but she is such a kind woman!!!

Caring
Tough grader
5.0
4.0
PSY3101
Jul 20, 2019
Would take again

Professor Howard is an amazing lecturer and actually so hilarious! She fills her lectures with anecdotes that enable you to better grasp the content of what she is teaching. As for comments about people finding her cold, I would disagree. People can be harsh on intelligent women...

Skip class? You won't pass.
Hilarious
4.0
4.0
PSY3171
Grade: B-
Jul 31, 2019
Would take again

Incredibly interesting topic. Professor Howard is very knowledgeable, although perhaps some of her media was a little dated. 100% handwritten, point form short answer exams - I prefer multiple choice. She's very helpful for my (bombed) midterm review and gives tips on managing test anxiety which helped me.

Accessible outside class
Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
5.0
4.0
PSY3171
Grade: A+
Aug 19, 2019
Would take again

People find her courses hard because she has an unconventional marking scheme. 1) Don't skip a single class 2) Take notes on what *isn't* in her slides - her anecdotes, what she elaborates on 3) Note any videos shown (title and something specific from each video) 4) Mix with slide notes 5) Do bonus hw On tests, study 1-4 for A and submit 5 for A+

Gives good feedback
Skip class? You won't pass.
Caring
5.0
1.0
PSY3171
Sep 25, 2019
Would take again

Amazing Prof!! I have had her 4 times and loved her each time. It's pretty easy to do well in class if you pay some attention to the videos and read the slides. She takes exam questions right from the slides and you'll do better on exams if you reference her films but she never asks about them on tests. If you do this you will probably do well

Graded by few things
Hilarious
2.0
2.0
PSY3101
Grade: A-
Sep 29, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Mary Theresa Howard does not follow her own syllabus. We are easily at least 2 classes behind, at all times. She speaks off topic after each and every slide. I do not pay tuition to learn about things I will not be tested on. She skips over her own material (sometimes 10 slides at a time). 1h30min of class feels like a 3hr lecture.

1.0
4.0
PSY3123
Grade: C-
Nov 6, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Her lectures are dreadful. You watch pointless movies. Her slides have facts from the early 2000's Had her for Death and Dying and also Family. Just brutal. She skips so many slides, but every slide is on the midterm

Graded by few things
Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
3.0
PSY3171
Grade: B+
Aug 5, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Mary Theresa Howard is not bad as a person, she's just teaching MASSIVELY outdated material. I did not pay tuition to be taught "facts" that were debunked in the 90s. Perpetuates stigma towards mental illness in a psychopathology class and vilifies mentally ill people. I wouldn't be mad about the videos if they weren't spreading misinformation.

Test heavy
Tough grader
5.0
3.0
PSY3123
Oct 6, 2020
Would take again

I have only had this prof once, but she was very kind and extremely accommodating to my particular situation. She is clearly a caring prof that delivers material in a very comprehendible way. The class was reading heavy but a good experience overall

Accessible outside class
Get ready to read
Caring
2.0
3.0
PSY3101
Grade: A+
Nov 24, 2020
Would take again

Had old information in her slides, but the material was easy to understand and midterm was easy to complete (open-book). No readings needed. Not much to say really, just take notes on each tedious lecture and watch (+ take notes on) every video (must reference them in exams). Content is interesting, she just doesn't teach it to its full potential

Skip class? You won't pass.
Lecture heavy
1.0
5.0
PSY3123
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 16, 2020
Wouldn't take again

I understand that COVID has made everything harder but its ridiculous that I am paying tuition to be taught by online videos from YouTube rather than her actually teach a lecture. her exam was "copy paste the textbook" and she gave out terrible grades. not hard content, but difficult to do well cuz she doesnt make sense or tell u whats expected.

Get ready to read
Tough grader
4.0
2.0
PSY3101
Grade: A
Dec 7, 2020
Would take again

I took it during COVID so online. The content was really interesting, she is very clear. She just reads her slides, I copied and pasted her lecture notes then listened to her talk over them and took extra notes. You MUST reference a movie in EACH test question or you will LOSE marks! I wished she made that clear in the beginning.

Graded by few things
1.0
4.0
PSY3121
Dec 17, 2020
Wouldn't take again

This prof uploads uninformative slides with audio of her reading the text verbatim. These "lectures" are 10-20 minutes for what's supposed to be 3 hours of content per week. Even with 1-2 hours of videos to watch per week, that's ridiculous. She could also benefit from technology training for Brightspace, including hyperlinks in Powerpoints, etc.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
1.0
3.0
PSY3121
Dec 19, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Uploads the most boring slides I've ever seen and reads them VERBATIM. Slides don't even include much info, but instead of expanding on any of the points, she reads them as if she's seeing them for the first time. The few times she has added extra info, I've checked the textbook and her info has been misleading or just false. Just read the textbook

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
3.0
3.0
PSY3101
Jan 13, 2021
Would take again

Posts lectures ahead of time for you to view at your own pace. Never had a synchronous lecture. Kept exam format from in-person class but left it open book. 2 tests; 40 & 50% and 2 quick assignments worth 5% each.

Skip class? You won't pass.
Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
3.0
PSY3173
Feb 3, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Does not seem to want to help students at all, I find the way she teaches is very monotonous.

1.0
4.0
PSY3173
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 22, 2021
Wouldn't take again

1 midterm 1 final. One of the worst profs I've ever had at u ottawa. she makes you watch documentaries that literally don't relate to anything seen in class then asks you to relate the content to the documentary. the exams are so ridiculously long and she is so disengaging. audio over powerpoints with 0 class engagement. i wouldn't recommend her

Test heavy
1.0
1.0
PSY2114
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 2, 2021
Wouldn't take again

horrible prof who makes the content so dry and boring. Relies on videos to do her teaching and reads slides verbatim with info that comes from textbook. The exam is confusing, and is very long, I did not have sufficient time to even complete the exam. overall so disappointed in this class, such a waste of money

Graded by few things
Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
PSY2114
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 11, 2021
Wouldn't take again

the course content is interesting and simple enough to understand & study. However doesnt matter how much you study, if youre a slow writer & cant write 10 pages double spaced worth in 2 hours for a midterm you wont do well. time component issue & how broad the questions asked are. 10 marks a question, but no info on whats exactly marked.

Test heavy
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
PSY2114
Grade: Rather not say
Nov 12, 2021
Wouldn't take again

If you don't need to, DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! She does not teach the content and she just post slides and reads the EXACT same thing from the powerpoint in her audio recordings. Midterm is 2 hours 8 questions one page each question and we have to reference videos that do not relate to anything, so type fast! &She almost never gives out high marks!

Graded by few things
Test heavy
Tough grader
3.0
3.0
PSY2114
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 13, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Overall, prof Howard is fine. Lectures are dry though. She literally just reads off the slides word for word. She also attaches videos to watch each week. Watch and take notes on the videos as you MUST reference (with citation) a video in each question on each exam. Gives out extra credit which is a perk.

Graded by few things
Test heavy
Clear grading criteria
1.0
4.0
PSY2114
Grade: A+
Dec 10, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Howard is the worst professor I have had at uOttawa. I took this course as an elective and she has completely ruined my love for psychology. Can't even be bothered to teach well, she just records herself reading premade slides. Her exams are brutal expect to write 4K words in 3 hours based on questions that have nothing to do with the course.

Test heavy
So many papers
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
PSY2114
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 10, 2021
Wouldn't take again

I wish I could rate her below 0. I don't know why I signed up to see her do a weekly reading comprehension during her prerecorded lectures. I am shocked by how much she expects from us during exams, it's ridiculous. I didn't know my tuition was going towards being trained to hold the future title of world's fastest typist. Thanks for nothing, Prof.

Respected
Graded by few things
Tough grader
1.0
5.0
PSY2114
Grade: A
Dec 10, 2021
Wouldn't take again

This prof does not care about you- she uploads herself reading the slides. Her exam is based on you writing close to 4 thousand words to answer 10 questions with NO mark breakdown. It is just you and the vague question based on the 3 slides she went over in class. If you take this class after reading this review, I gotta question your brain.

1.0
4.0
PSY2114
Grade: B+
Dec 14, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Lectures are 20min videos of her reading off the slides word-for-word. The rest of the class time is taken up by long and boring videos that she posts. Exam questions are broad topics and she requires you to connect a video to each question (even though some videos dont have any connection whatsoever).

Graded by few things
Test heavy
Tough grader
2.0
3.0
PSY3173
Grade: A
Dec 20, 2021
Would take again

If you're okay with reading the textbook rather than relying on lectures, you'll be fine. I did not watch a single lecture, and based my notes completely on slides + textbook chapters and the exams were easy. If you don't read the textbook, you likely will not succeed. Please don't take PSY3173 you have trauma with sexual violence.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
1.0
4.0
PSY3173
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 28, 2021
Wouldn't take again

I was so excited for forensic psych, but I ended up being very let down. Her idea of a lecture is a 15-minute outline of what we will have to read in the textbook. The midterm and exam were so long and tested our ability to think and type fast, rather than our knowledge of the material. Very boring and poorly organized class.

Get ready to read
1.0
4.0
PSY2114
Grade: B
Jan 10, 2022
Wouldn't take again

I honestly have never had a prof put so little effort into her class before. This course was a complete joke. Get ready for no capitalization on anything, recorded lectures of her just reading word-for-word what is on the slides, and the most incredibly vague exam questions ever. If you have the option, do NOT take a class with her.

Tough grader
1.0
4.0
PSY3109
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 26, 2022

Wanted to give her a chance, but this class was truly awful. Lectures were just recorded videos of her reading the slides, and each lecture had multiple long "movies" we had to watch and include on the midterm/exam. Doesn't give feedback on the midterm, takes forever to reply to emails, only two assessments. Avoid this class if you can.

Tough grader
Graded by few things
1.0
4.0
PSY3101
Jul 19, 2022

This class has been a horrible experience. The content is really interesting but this professor should not be teaching. She is nice but her exams make absolutely no sense and then she posts everyone's grade son a giant excel file that the whole class can see. Overall, avoid this woman at all costs.

Graded by few things
1.0
4.0
PSY3109
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 1, 2022

Completely unreasonable professor. Outdated lectures & videos, but heavy test content with vague questions. I can usually handle mediocre/bad professors, but this class was unbearable. On top of everything she's very hard to reach: office hours only by appointment, slow to email responses & when she does finally reply they're short and confusing.

Test heavy
Graded by few things
2.0
1.0
PSY2114
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2022
Would take again

Not a strong prof in general. If you are truly interested in learning, don't take her, but if you want an easy grade since you have a tough semester, by all means go for it. I watched NBA highlights for every lecture and got a 98 on the midterm since it was online. Did I learn anything? No, but did I have time for Patho studying? Yes.

Test heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
4.0
PSY3109
Grade: C+
Jan 25, 2023

I took Motivational studies with Professor Howard. I have never seen a professor put so little work into teaching a class before. She taught her class entirely with very outdated films which is what the exams were based on. I found it ironic that the class was in motivation when she lacked motivation to teach the material.

1.0
5.0
PSY3173
Grade: Not sure yet
Feb 27, 2023

Do not take a class with Dr. Howard, I would rather have an extra semester then to take her class.

4.0
4.0
PSY3173
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 11, 2023
Would take again

Her courses are only remotely easy if she includes a textbook in them. She is a very tough grader, and the only reason I gave her a good score for quality is that she does find good sources of information to share (mainly through films)- She is also quite nice if approached and is available outside of class.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Test heavy
1.0
3.0
PSY4372
Grade: Incomplete
Jan 15, 2024

Her information is so dated and incorrect. It is bad for students to be learning this stuff because it is inaccurate and frankly misinformation. Really annoying to hear her teach information that is incorrect and actually damaging and stigmatizing.

1.0
5.0
PSY2114
Grade: Not sure yet
Jan 18, 2024
Wouldn't take again

Reads slides word for word. Not engaging. Very difficult, long exam.

5.0
2.0
PSY3173
Grade: A
Jan 20, 2024
Would take again

Loved forensic psych with Dr. Howard! Great material covered in class, kind prof, and exams are very fair. Both exams in this class were online open book and they were extremely fair as long as you have the textbook and follow her lectures, although they can be time consuming. This class is the reason I want to pursue forensics! Also watch the vids

1.0
2.0
PSY3173
Grade: B
Mar 7, 2024

Boring and outdated. Majority of the class time is spent watching old documentaries of youtube. Most of her material is from the 1990s or earlier. Will mark exams in correct if you do not copy word-for-word from the textbook/slides/transcript of documentaries.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
2.0
2.0
PSY3171
Grade: A+
May 1, 2024

She is very knowledgeable but shows a LOT of videos/movies which are very outdated, and referencing them is required to get full marks on the assessments. 1 midterm, 1 exam, which are very labour intensive despite being open-book.

Clear grading criteria
Graded by few things
4.0
2.0
PSY4372
Grade: A+
Nov 13, 2024
Would take again

Dr. Howard is very knowledgable and passionate about the topics discussed in class. Some of the lectures can be long, but she is very caring and understanding. Exams are online and if you do the readings you should be good but DON'T FORGET to watch all the videos and take notes, they will be on the exam!!!

Get ready to read
Respected
4.0
2.0
PSY3171
Grade: A
Dec 9, 2024
Would take again

40% midterm short written answers (that you can take from the book, it's open book exam), for each question you need to also relate it to something you've seen in the short videos in class. Same format for final (50%), non-cumulative. 2 journals (5% each), very easy, such as simply drawing something or expression your opinion in a few sentences.

2.0
2.0
PSY3171
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 21, 2024

Pretty easy (open book exam, just copy and paste from the textbook), but she's very monotone and seems disengaged. I also hated the videos she makes you watch, a lot of them are really unprofessional. Many of the videos are ditsy people talking about common knowledge.

3.0
4.0
PSY2114
Grade: B
Dec 22, 2024

This class was a real challenge, but Unstuck AI helped me stay on top of the material. The professor's recorded lectures lacked engagement, but I found the textbook and practice quizzes to be useful study tools. Overall, it was a tough course, but I'm glad I pushed through.

3.0
1.0
PSY3171
Grade: A
Dec 25, 2024

Prof is very experienced and knowledgeable about the field, but some of her information is outdated. Her lectures aren't super engaging and the class isn't really set up to foster learning. If you want an easy pass, I'd recommend, but if you want to really learn about psychopathology, it's probably best to take this with a different prof.

Clear grading criteria
Lecture heavy
2.0
3.0
PSY3171
Grade: B
Jan 8, 2025
Would take again

I would take her again because I know how to navigate her teaching style and notes after having her class, BUT I wouldn't recommend her unless you have no other options. Classes are quiet, very boring teaching style, and she doesn't speak clearly or loud enough. Subject is interesting but she makes it less interesting sadly.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
2.0
4.0
PSY3171
Grade: Not sure yet
Jan 9, 2025

Definitely use the textbook because her lectures dont cover all material for the midterm and final. Plus the content in the book was actually very interesting since of the in-depth explanations helped a lot and made the subject of psych disorders more fundamental for me. Her teaching style is not engaging at all, very monotone. Lots of class notes

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
1.0
2.0
PSY3171
Grade: Not sure yet
Jan 9, 2025

sadly i learnt nothing in this class :(( both the midterm and final were online and copy paste out of the textbook. she directly told us not to memorize anything and just copy and paste. she read off the slides in class and went on long irrelevant tangents. If you actually want to enjoy this class, dont take it with her

2.0
2.0
PSY3171
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 25, 2025

A strange experience. Dr. Howard says she doesn't want you to memorize any information, so her exams are open book. All the exam answers need to be copied and pasted from her slides or from the textbook, they can't be your own words. It's a really baffling way to teach, and you end up learning nothing. At least there's no need to study.

1.0
2.0
PSY3171
Grade: A
Apr 26, 2025

Mary is lovely, but her teaching style is not for everyone. She is a very quiet speaker, forgets to cover chapters in her lectures & does not respond to emails. There are 2 exams, both online, based on a textbook and her slides. If you are looking for an easy A, take this class; if you are looking to learn something, take another professor.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
1.0
1.0
PSY3171
Grade: A
May 2, 2025

Dont take this class with her if you want to actually learn and enjoy it. Lectures felt more like a bedtime story as it was an evening class and even from the second row, I could barely hear her! Exams were copy-paste from slides and textbook, so you dont really need to study, but you also wont retain much of the actually very interesting content.

Get ready to read
Graded by few things
2.0
1.0
PSY3171
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 10, 2025

Don't take this class with this prof if you actually want to learn anything. Her exams are all online and she instructs you to copy & paste from the textbook. Her lecture slides are just screenshots from the textbook. Very monotone, boring, and disengaged professor. Instructs students to find youtube videos to supplement her pointless lectures.

4.0
1.0
PSY3171
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 27, 2025
Would take again

Dr. Howard's evaluation style is definitely different compared to any professor at the university, but the other ratings are very harsh. She is very sweet and makes sure that students understand the material. There is 1 midterm with a movie journal and a final exam with a movie journal. If you read the textbook, you should get an easy A :)

1.0
5.0
PSY3173
Grade: B-
Dec 4, 2025

avoiddddddd

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Test heavy
1.0
1.0
PSY3171
Grade: A+
Dec 14, 2025
Would take again

the other reviews don't lie! you will learn nothing in this class. I went to about 2 classes and still passed the class with a 90. Her exams are legitimately copy and paste from the textbook. It's a shame cause this course could be so cool, but she ruins it. She is so incredibly old, speaks so quietly and is so unengaging

2.0
4.0
PSY3171
Grade: B
Dec 18, 2025

Very very odd and confusing exams, not much to be graded on so you have to do well on them. Didn't learn a thing which is unfortunate because this class is directly related to what I'd like to get in to. She was incredibly bland and disengaging as other students report—also incredibly quiet. Sweet lady, not a great professor.

Tough grader
Graded by few things
1.0
2.0
PSY3173
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 23, 2025

NOT clear AT ALL. she says opposite things each sessions. slides copy and paste from book. 1 midterm 1 final. both open book from home. midterm is very heavy and i ran out of time by a lot.

Get ready to read
Test heavy
Graded by few things
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

24%

Textbook Required

45%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 44 grades
Most common grades:
Not sure yet (21)
A (13)
B (8)
Grade Distribution
A(21)B(10)C(4)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(9)
Based on 68 reported grades
Not sure yet: 21
A: 13
B: 8
A+: 8
Common Tags
Tough grader (23)
Graded by few things (21)
Test heavy (19)
Get ready to read (17)
Skip class? You won't pass. (17)
Tough Grader (9)
GRADED BY FEW THINGS (9)
Lecture heavy (5)
Rating Trend

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Ratings by Course

3101

5.0

(1)

PSYA

5.0

(1)

PSY3123

3.1

(7)

PSY3301

3.0

(2)

PSY3102

3.0

(1)
+12 more courses
Difficulty by Course

PSY3306

4.3

PSY3102

4.0

PSY3303

4.0

PSY3109

3.8

PSY2114

3.7

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