4.9
Quality2.4
Difficulty97%
Would Retake85
Reviews97%
Would Retake
85
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
75
4
8
3
2
2
0
1
0
What Students Say
“He really wants his students to do well”
PSY110 - 5.0 rating“He also gives great feedback”
PSY114 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
85%
Textbook Required
0%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.15 avg changeRatings by Course
PE169
5.0
(1)PE555
5.0
(1)HED112
5.0
(3)PSYCH114
5.0
(3)PSYC114
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PE169
3.0
PE555
3.0
PSYCH118
2.9
PSY110
2.6
PSY118
2.4
Reviews (85)
I relly learned a lot from this instructor
Shawn is the best!
No Comments
Amazing teacher! I really enjoyed his class and learned a lot
I took Shawn for psychology 114 and drugs & society. He's funny, always makes class interesting, and most importantly he wants ALL his students to do well. His notes are all powerpoint, his assignments are clear. I wish all my classes could be taught like his.
I took this class last semester, and it was good. he straight forward about when assignments are due and he gives you more than enough time to complete the. the test are hard if you don't study for them, but overall I enjoyed this class.
Shawn is a kind, helpful and fun professor. He's genuinely interested in the success of all of his students. If I could have taken more than one course with Shawn, I definitely would have! :)
Shawn is an excellent teacher. He respects his students and is very helpful. His assignments are fair and he let us use notes for the test.
Psych 114 (Developmental Psych) was a *delight.* I loved it. Shawn is an excellent and committed teacher. This is a social, discussion-oriented class and Shawn structures it in a way that makes it impossible to not make new friends. People who were respectful and participated and followed directions got As; people who didn't got Cs, Ds & Fs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this class. If you are respectful and show interest you will get a good grade. Tests are almost purely based on lectures. The final is a take home test. His sense of humor and explain information in a clear way, makes his class extremely enjoyable.
Loved this class! Purcell gave clear lectures, and related all the information to every day life. The tests were open note, so as long as you went to class its an easy A. Purcell is funny and keeps you interested every class. Not to mention hes great looking!
I loved this class! The instructor was amazing and kept the course interesting. Many of my classmates loved the class too. I see that someone from my class did not enjoy this instructor....hmm, I am surprised. Perhaps they are not a very good student because if you put in your full effort this instructor is wonderful!!!
I loved this class!!! Shawn was an amazing instructor and keeps the content interesting. He has an amazing way of encouraging you you to become a better and more empowered student. I Highly Recommend this instructor!!!
This is my second time having a class taught nby Shawn, and he is great. He gives you so much time to do your research papers, and he very understanding of real life. I recommend that you take a class or two from him.
He is an excellent teacher. He teaches using the Power point method, group activities, and his interpretations on certain community and cultural teachings made me look at life in a new perspective. He tends to run a tight ship. But overall he is the best teacher ever.
He is the best teacher I have ever had. I highly recommend that you take his class. He makes everything so interesting and I am actually excited to go to his class.
Shawn is one of the best psychology teachers I've ever had. Genuinely loves his profession, always open to helping you offers amazing options to up your grade. Cares about his students and offers help on non academic and academic problems Difficult exams however everything relates exactly to lecture and text best class i've ever taken!
Shawn is one of the best professors I have ever had. He is so helpful and willing to do whatever it takes so that everyone "gets" the material. His classes are a mix of lecturegroup workvideos, so it's always fun and never monotonous. I would totally take his class again, even though I don't need the credit! He rocks
Professor Purcell is the best! His lectures are incredibly interesting and he genuinely wants his students to learn and understand the topics. Super nice person, too.
I really enjoyed this class!! Following the class I have decided to become a psychology major. You must attend class, but the lectures are very interesting and engaging. Overall, I wish I could take this class again, but I definitely recommend the Mr. Purcell.
Class is structure around group summaries of textbook chapters, with little lecture. Papers are short (3-4pp each) with a few multiple-choice exams. Class is taught at much too easy of a level - more like high school. Class discussions are more about personal experience than textbook concepts. You won't have to work hard, but won't learn much.
Professor Purcell has an amazing way of taking the most difficult material and making it easy to understand. I really enjoyed this course and wish that all of my instructors were as amazing as Purcell. After taking this class, I have decided to change my major to psychology and I now feel inspired to become a professor!!!
By far one of my favorite classes and teachers I have ever had. He really wants his students to do well. His exams are very straight forward and what he says is going to be on the test will be on the test. I wish he could be my professor for all of my classes. I learned so much in this course.
This was by far my favorite class I have taken in college! Amazing instructor who has inspired me to challenge myself and my thinking in terms of being a student. I will be sure to take other classes with Shawn Purcell!!
I LOVED Purcell. He makes learning really fun. Tells stories to relate to lecture topics. I am pretty bummed that the semester is over! That's how much I enjoyed his class! 2 longish papers and 3 exams with journals. Not tough. Def take hi!
BY FAR THE BEST TECHER I HAVE HAD. He makes his class fun with group projects, and the exams are easy if you study. He makes his class interesting, with the different stories he tells us. I learned a huge amount of things from his class. He is fun, nice, caring, and a great teacher! Lots of passion for his teaching career. FAVORITE CLASS!
Purcell was a GREAT teacher to have for Psy! He was nice, funny, but strict and teach heavy. There's A LOT of power points and notes and the tests can be hard if you don't study. Overall. He's a SUPER amazing teacher to have and I'd love to take him again!
This was by far the best psychology class I have ever taken! The instructor was clear about course requirements and was always available to help me understand the material. The lectures and activities were amazing, the class time flew by. I loved this Prof Purcell and I wish he taught all of my classes!
Very good teacher. He respects all races, and just does his job.
I did not think that psychology would be my favorite class this semester, but Prof. Purcell was such an amazing and inspiring instructor! I never wanted to miss a class, as each lecture was so interesting and my friends and I found ourselves discussing course material for hours. I will be sure to take more Psychology courses with Purcell.
Purcell was the best professor I have ever had! He is strict but it kept the class focused, and didn't feel confining. Purcell's lectures were so interesting and relatable, because he used many examples from his own life to go along with topics he was discussing. Amazing class! Wish he could teach all my classes.
One of the best professors I've ever had. Lectures are always interesting and he makes difficult concepts easy to understand by telling stories from his life. Exams are challenging but he wants you to succeed, questions are based directly off the lecture and he provides a helpful study guide. He opened up the world of psychology to me!
Purcell is a really relaxed lecturer. He always has a powerpoint with all the necessary information given clearly. He is straightforward and genuinely a nice guy. You can skate by without doing any of the readings but you do need the textbook for class so I would recommend getting one. His tests are a little tricky but he gives a lot extra credit
BEST PROFESSOR EVER! Every class we have a lecture and it is joined w a PowerPoint w all the info that you will need for tests and final exam. Helps make lectures easy to understand by connecting them to his personal life. Test are pretty tough but gives really helpful study guides. Thank you Shawn for all your hard work!!
I had such a blast in Purcell's class! You can truly tell how much he loves his subject, which makes it that much more fun to be in his class. He doesn't bore you to death with facts from the textbook, but rather connects it to relatable stories and studies. Heck, I'll even go as far as saying that he is part of the reason I am now a Psych major.
He made me feel like the class was going to be real hard the first day and I was scared, but its really easy. Just show up everyday and you will get an A. Its easy but really interesting too, listen and engage yourself. Theres 2 relitively big essays, just follow his instructions word for word and you'll be fine. You will learn a lot!
I loved Purcells class. He is an amazing teacher. I really enjoyed to be part of his class. His lecture were amazing just like him. I really recommend him. I did not really want to take psychology because I thought it would be very hard, but he made me love it.
I loved Purcells class. He is an amazing teacher. I really enjoyed to be part of his class. His lecture were amazing just like him. I did not really want to take psychology because I thought it would be very hard, but he made me love it. If you study your notes and attend to class, youll do fine. I really recommend him.
Shawn is a great online professor + makes Lifespan an interesting class from start to finish. He's quick + thorough to respond, offers good feedback + it's clear that he really wants you to succeed. Don't be scared by the intro email! Everything is clear once you get started and become familiar with the routine.
This class started my interest in the subject of psychology. It was such a fun class, because not only did he cover a lot of material, he also provided real life examples and personal anecdotes to make the topics more relatable. I looked forward to coming to this class every week, and I think you all will think the same if you sign up.
I had Shawn for psychology and loved the class. He is easy to approach and ask questions. He will work with you if needed, as long as you keep contact and keep the communication line open as much as possible. I love the way he teaches, it's not just lectures from a PowerPoint, but you get the chance to work in groups as well.
I enjoyed this online course. Professor Purcell provides a lecture, power point, reading assignment, chapter test, and writing/discussion board assignment each week via Canvas. He also gives great feedback. There's no midterm and one easy 3-4 page paper for the final exam. If he did video lectures, it would have made this class even better.
I took his online lifespan course and I loved it! He is a great professor and gives great feedback. The class is not hard, just consist of discussion papers each week and a quiz at the end of the week. Take him and good luck!
I took the Psych 110 class and loved it. He gives great lectures and uses slides so you don't miss anything. This class is based purely on points and you'll have to write 2 papers and do 3 multiple-choice tests but I would definitely choose to take a class with this teacher again. I learned so much in that class and really enjoyed it.
I liked this class/professor a lot. He uses slides so you can take notes off them and he's clear about the way he grades (points only) including 3 tests (allowed a note sheet) & 2 papers. He's very open to questions, gives amazing lectures and makes it easier to understand what he's teaching. I would recommend this professor.
One of my top favorite classes taken at COM. Every lecture was so interesting and engaging. Tells personal stories that relate to the subject for that day. When I say "tough grader", I really mean that his tests are difficult. TAKE DETAILED NOTES! Usually, he allows a page of notes for each test so TAKE ADVANTAGE!
He is very passionate about the subject and wants to make sure you understand the criteria.
We got to use a full page of notes on tests and our last project was cancelled because he was sick the week he was supposed to give it out. However, tangents. I remember more about his childhood stories than I do about psychology. He does get a bit political at times (left) which can be annoying, but I've had worse. Good teacher if you want credit.
Shawn is my favorite teacher at COM. He gives outstanding lectures that make you want to go to school. If you do the work, you will get an easy A. I leave his class mindblown because he explains concepts very well. Suggestion: Don't purchase the book. Share with someone else who isn't in your class. You get a page of notes with you for tests.
One of the best classes I have taken. Shawn's lectures are amazing. He is a no bs type professor who makes sure students are there to learn and not mess around. He doesn't want any distractions and he wants students to not eat or have there cell phone in class. His grading is fair and you will not be bored in his class.
Professor Purcell is awsome!! Def would take again if I needed more psych classes for my major (Nursing). He uses real life examples to connect with the subject in class and it actually helps me maintain the info. He is always available outside of class if you need help. Show up to class or you will miss a lot of what is being taught in class.
Amazing professor!! Probably my favorite teacher of all time. Shawn is engaging and funny. He encouraged participation and classes are full of different points of view (all of which are encouraged). Homework and reading was doable. Papers were fun (we got to watch a movie!). Assignments and grading criteria were very clear.
It was an awesome online class that I fully recommend
I had a mixed experience with Shawn. He was funny and had lots of amusing tangents, but he didnt adequately go over the material. We only spent the day before the test going over one chapter and he still expected us to know everything covered. He was also 20 minutes late to every class for the first half of the semester. Thats just my experience.
The best Professor I have ever had! His lectures are great, they are funny and cover all you need to know. The test are reasonable and there are a lot of other assignments that make up your grade if tests arent your strong suit. Hes a handsome, funny guy so you wont get bored.
He shows up 20 mins late every class but I honestly don't care. His lectures are very easy to listen to and he provides a lot of personal examples. The content is diverse so you never get bored. The exams are tricky so make sure to study but the papers, if you try, are very easy. You'll learn weird and interesting facts that will randomly pop up.
I really loved this class! Prof Purcell gave such wonderful lectures and he really worked so hard to make all the content so clear. I am so grateful to have has such an amazing experience. I highly recommend Purcell's class.
I really really loved this class so much! The discussions were really inspiring and so very insightful. We had the most amazing class full of mind blowing lectures, wonderful activities and a lot of brilliant people. This was by far one of my favorite classes ever!!!
Hands down, one of the most influential people I have had in my educational career!
Shawn Purcell is a phenomenal professor. I have taken three courses with him, one of which was online. He was very inspirational and upbeat. Shawn cares a lot about what he's teaching and is very straightforward with his expectations. I highly recommend taking his courses because he displays all the characteristics of a wonderful professor.
Definitely one of my favorite professors of all time. Intellectually stimulating, not intimidating, and the way he teaches is accessible, clear, and entertaining. You can tell that he really wants to be in class and he actually cares about the content which makes it so much easier to want to be there as well. He also makes great study guides.
Nice professor
Purcell is a great person, his teaching is sorta all over the place though. He is a great teacher where he cares a bout everyone and is very understanding. But unless you read the textbook or go to every class you might not understand a lot. There are options for extra credit which is really nice. He does not record lectures so youll need to go.
Shawn Purcell amazing. He was very inspirational and upbeat. Shawn cares a lot about what he's teaching and is very straightforward with his expectations. I highly recommend taking his courses because he displays all the characteristics of a wonderful professor.
This is my first year at COM (2nd semester), and Shawn is easily by far the best professor I've ever had. The first semester I took his intro to Psychology class for transfer credits, but because I liked it so much, I'm now taking his Drugs and Psychology class just for fun! I would highly recommend both classes and him as a professor.
Shawn Purcell is an amazing and realistic professor. Im not even done with his class so Im sure I will be adding more to this later. Hes the only class I attend currently that Im excited to do attend class and do the course work. A very inspiration professor as well. Not too test heavy which I appreciate as a new and returning student. 10/10!
Very attractive and engaging
Invested and entertaining. Makes coming to class and learning enjoyable.
Such a pleasure. I really enjoyed his teaching style, I learned a lot and was so excited to attend class!!
Very funny, always had really engaging lectures and anecdotal stories. Take what you will from that given the course, lol. A bit discombobulated, though, and often had some technical difficulties on tests. He also showed up to class 30 minutes late one time but it seems less-than-average punctuality is normal for him. Great teacher!
Shawn Purcell is an excellent professor with a passion for teaching. I walked out of every lecture knowing more than I had walking in. Exams are easy(open note), and the papers hold more weight in the gradebook than they do. The assignments he gives out are actually quite fun to complete and they get you more invested in the content he is teaching.
i love this man more than life itself.
Shawn is engaging and funny with personal stories and anecdotes to annotate his lectures. engage in the classroom and you will do well. he also offers a good amount of extra credit.
Purcell cultivates a space for his students to be effortlessly engaged. His teaching sparks a desire for learning and a genuine excitement for returning to class. His ability to relate the content back to himself with anecdotes and stories allows the students themselves to do the same. Would definitely recommend him even if you're not a Psych major
Shawn Purcell really shows devotion and interest in what he teaches, he may go off topic at times but most stories he tells are relevant and help give a deeper insite other than what is said in the text book. He cares about his students and is available if you need extra help with a certian assignment.
Shawn Purcell is an excellent professor with a passion for teaching. I walked out of every lecture knowing more than I had walking in. Exams and the papers hold more weight in the grade book than they do. The assignments he gives out are actually quite fun to complete and they get you more invested in the content he is teaching.
Professor Purcell's class was very interesting. As long as you read the chapters, you'll do fine. Tests are not too difficult (if you read the material). Follow instructions for the discussions. There is one discussion and one quiz per week. The only thing is we can't work ahead BUT interesting class. I hope he teaches my next psychology class.
PSY-SOC-230-010 3 hour class flies by! I'm engrossed the entire time. Amazing professor. He gives good examples, he tells stories, he's enthusiastic. Awesome class!
Shawn Purcell is actually my FAVORITE PROFESSOR, I wish there wasn't a word count for my rating. He changed my life I seriously didn't know anything about the psychology behind drugs or how addiction worked before taking his class. Shawn Purcell is the reason I'm switching my major to psychology. Please take his class! He's funny and actually cares
LITERALLY JUST TAKE HIS CLASS, HE'S AMAZING!!! I can't say enough amazing things about Shawn Purcell. I took this class in high school and miss it SO much.
The best professor ever. His class literally changed my life and how I view the world and has made me want to major in psychology. Take his class!
Professor Shawn Purcell is the best! I took intro, 114, and 118 with him and his classes have always been my favorites each semester and the one I look most forward to. The way he teaches the class is very inspiring and his lectures motivate you both inside and outside of the class. He really does care about his the success of his students.
He is the best professor ever
I took Drugs and Psych. Best teacher I've ever had. He has a great attitude and actually cares about educating his students. Amazing lectures. Always answers questions. Light homework. Not only does he teach the curriculum, but will stray away to other related subjects which always leads to learning new things. Definitely take his class!!!
Prof. Purcell is the best! really enjoyed his class in the fall of 2026. Definitely should take him!
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
85%
Textbook Required
0%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
-0.15 avg changeRatings by Course
PE169
5.0
(1)PE555
5.0
(1)HED112
5.0
(3)PSYCH114
5.0
(3)PSYC114
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PE169
3.0
PE555
3.0
PSYCH118
2.9
PSY110
2.6
PSY118
2.4