Psychology at the University of Deseret (UTAH): A century of progressive struggle

The University of Deseret (now the University of Utah) was organized in 1850. Mental philosophy appeared in the curriculum in 1868, and psychology, by that title, in 1893; but the designation of a department and the hiring of a faculty trained specifically in psychology did not occur until 1911 with the arrival of Joseph Peterson. Up to World War II, faculty and students were few, and psychology courses were aimed at the training of teachers. After the war, enrollments boomed, the faculty doubled and redoubled, and Ph.D.s were granted. Throughout its history, pioneer pragmatism–that is, don't ask permission; don't ask how–dominated the university.