The MSP Community is mourning the loss of former Program Director, Director of Clinical Training, and faculty emeritus, Dr. Marjorie Scott, who passed away on May 11, 2025, at age 87.
Dr. Marjorie “Marjie” Scott first came to the Center for Humanistic Studies (CHS- former name of the Michigan School of Psychology) as a student with a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from Oakland University. She was seeking to further her education as a therapist and earned a Specialist in Psychology (PysS) degree in 1985. Inspired by her studies here, Dr. Scott then went on to complete her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Union Institute in Cincinnati in 1987.
In 1991 she joined the faculty at CHS and over the next 30 years taught as an adjunct, associated, and full-time faculty member in the masters and specialist, and later doctoral, programs. Among many other courses, she regularly taught Psychology of Individual Differences, Psychological Testing, and Key Processes in Therapeutic Relationships. Dr. Scott took on the role of Director of Clinical Training in 1995 and for the next five years oversaw the placement of students at practicum and internship sites across southeast Michigan. Over the years she served on numerous administrative committees for the institution including the Visions and Planning Committee, Institutional Review Board, Administrative Council, and Higher Learning Commission/ North Central Accreditation Task Force.
Dr. Scott’s dedication to the school and its success helped bring the doctoral program into existence in 2000, fulfilling the long held institutional goal to provide alumni with the opportunity to continue their education at CHS with a doctoral program in humanistic and clinical psychology. She proudly served as the first Chair of the doctoral program from 2000-2007. Dr. Scott then went on to chair 27 dissertations between 2003-2014. She also made time for her own research and writing projects exploring identity. In 2012 she published a research study with five MSP students on exploring the identity of women psychologists and in 2015 wrote about the experiences of the newly retired.
Colleagues, students, and alumni knew Dr. Scott to be demanding of exceptional academic work and clinical accomplishments. In 2006 the president of MSP honored Dr. Scott’s dedication to the school and her commitment to “gently pushing students toward their greatest potential in research, writing, and psychotherapy” by establishing the Marjorie Scott Scholarship for Excellence. The award honors graduating students who best exemplify Dr. Scott’s commitment to excellence in academics, clinical work, and research.
Dr. Scott retired from full-time teaching in 2015 but continued to teach as an adjunct and supervise students in practicum and internship. In March 2021, she officially retired and was given the honor of Professor Emeritus. Dr. Lee Bach noted, “Marjie’s contributions to MSP over many years have positively directed the trajectory of the institution and continue to benefit students, staff, and faculty.”
Dr. Scott’s legacy is the continued success of the Michigan School of Psychology and its students and alumni. Her dedication and passion over many years helped to shape the institution and lives of the hundreds of students who passed through its doors during her tenure. She is dearly missed.
A celebration of Dr. Scott’s life will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 12:00 – 4:00 pm at the Michigan School of Psychology. Former students, alumni, colleagues, friends, and family are invited to attend.
Dr. Scott’s family asks, “If you are able, please share in donating to one of Marjie’s favorite charities: Michigan Public Radio, UNICEF and Forgotten Harvest. Or buy yourself flowers in her memory.”
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