James Calvert

Biography

Dr. Calvert has been a licensed clinical psychologist since 1990. After New Mexico and Louisiana passed laws licensing psychologists to prescribe medication, he obtained a post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology and became licensed as a medical (prescribing) psychologist in 2007. 
He has spent over 30 years in healthcare as a practicing psychologist, program director, training director, clinical director, and executive director at community mental health agencies, hospitals, and private practices. Prior to coming to SMU, he also taught at numerous universities, including Louisiana State University, University of Alabama, Texas A&M – Texarkana, and Midwestern State University. He has developed numerous courses at SMU (e.g., psychopharmacology, psychology of evil, ethics in psychology) and teaches multiple courses in both the undergraduate and doctoral programs. He is the author of the textbook, Psychopharmacology: Drugs of Pharmacotherapy and Addiction.
He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in Divisions 55 (Pharmacotherapy), 53 (Child and Adolescent), and 43 (Couples and Family).
In his spare time, Dr. Calvert likes to watch movies, go to museums, shop for art and antiques, dine with friends, and visit his adult children. He is currently writing two novels.

Courses

Spring 2025

PSYC 4321 | Behavioral Action of Drugs

Addresses the principles of drugs and behavior, classification, and chemical effects of behaviorally active drugs; influences of environmental, response, and task variables; and the evaluation and treatment of addiction.

PSYC 4334 | Psychological Disorders of Children

Theories, causes, assessment, and treatment of abnormal behavior from infancy through adolescence. Topics include behavioral and emotional disorders, as well as developmental and learning problems. Historical and cultural perspectives, ethics, and research methods are also addressed.

PSYC 4378 Psychology of Evil

Examines why people become evil, exploring a wide variety of malevolent behaviors with a focus on why people torture, rape, murder, and otherwise exploit and dehumanize others.