Marti Doyle

Associate Social Science Professor of the Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Courses Regularly Taught

• SOC 102 Introduction to Sociology
• SOC 360 Death, Dying, & Bereavement  
• PSY 101 General Psychology 
• PSY 202 Developmental Psychology 
• PSY 410 Social Psychology  
• PHI 280 Caring in a Diverse Health Care Environment  

Year Started at Mercy College 2005

Education

• PhD, General Human Services, Capella University (2008) 
• MSW, University of Iowa (2004) 
• BA, Human Services and Sociology, Grand View College (2002)
• AA, Iowa Central Community College (1979)  

Certifications

• Licensed Master Social Worker
  

Advice to Students
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." -- Aristotle

Clinical/Field Experience

• Student Enrichment Coordinator  
• Hospice Bereavement Counselor 
• Parenting Educator 
• Homeless Youth Specialist 
• Protective Service Worker

Research Interests and Professional Projects

• Transformation of nursing students' attitudes, assumptions, and beliefs on death and dying: A mixed method study (2008) 
• Other research interests: Ageism, Transformative Learning,Grief and Loss

Professional Memberships

• American Sociological Association (ASA) 

Community Service Involvement

• Iowa National Guard Enduring Families Program

Personal History

My path to the educational field has been a non-traditional one. In 1979 I left college after receiving an Associate of Arts Degree in order to support and raise my two children. When my youngest child went to college I followed her and received my bachelors two years later. I thought that I would feel old returning to college in my 40’s but I discovered that I had never felt younger. I wasn’t ready for my education path to end so I went on to pursue my Masters. After receiving my Masters, I taught my first class as an adjunct professor at the same college where just four years earlier I had been a student sitting in my first college class in 21 years;  wondering if my brain cells would still work.  It was then that I discovered my love of teaching. I was working in the hospice field at the time and the experience of working with dying and grieving individuals taught me to not put off my dreams. I took a leap of faith and began to pursue teaching full time. I completed my doctorate in April of 2008 with my father, husband, children, son and daughter- in-law, and four grandchildren all in attendance. My 4 year old grandson went to day care a few days later and proudly announced, “My grandma is a doctor!”  I truly believe that education is my calling and I feel privileged every time I step in front of a classroom full of students.