Psychology Major
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior, mind, and brain. We seek to understand how people think and act, both as individuals and in groups.
Majoring in psychology includes foundational courses, training in statistics and research methods, advanced seminars, and opportunities to conduct original research. It is a rigorous and structured path. Students wishing to declare a major in psychology should prepare as early as possible so that requirements for the major are completed by the end of their sophomore year.
Major at a glance
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Duration
Full Time
Number of Credits
32
Format
On Campus
Why Major in Psychology?
Skills developed by majoring in psychology are valuable in many fields including psychological and related research fields, clinical psychology and counseling, human resources, marketing and consumer behavior, social work and case management, education, law, and criminal justice, among others. Those who pursue psychology professionally are frequently innovators, developing theories and testing them through their research. And ultimately, evolving new approaches from established knowledge to meet the changing needs of people, organizations and societies.
Subareas of Study
The department has 18 faculty providing expertise in six subareas of study. Each is a branch of psychology:
Explores mental processes including perception, language, memory, and decision making.
Explores how human cultures help to shape behavior, thoughts, and emotions.
Explores how people change and grow over the course of their lifespan.
Explores various mental disorders including their potential causes, diagnosis, and treatments.
Explores how the structure and functions of the human brain relate to mental processes and behaviors.
Explores how individuals are impacted by other people through social interactions and group dynamics.
Concentrations
While most students do not do a concentration within psychology, we offer two concentration options within the major—cognitive science and cultural psychology. With a few additional courses, through these concentrations students can organize their coursework around these themes while completing the major. Students who successfully complete a concentration receive a departmental certificate.
BA/MA Program
Honors
Psychology majors who have earned at least a B+ average in all psychology courses and at least a B average in all non-psychology courses by the spring semester of their junior year are eligible to pursue honors in psychology by writing a thesis. To pursue honors, students secure a faculty advisor who will evaluate the final thesis along with a second faculty reader and determine if honors will be awarded.
Research Experience
Students interested in research opportunities are encouraged to develop statistics and research methods skills as early as possible, as well as broad knowledge in the research area of interest. Speak with individual faculty members about possible research opportunities in their labs. As a capstone experience, students also have opportunities to apply in an advanced research seminar.
The skills that my students learn in terms of critical thinking and writing along with the skills that they learn in the lab are very transferable to many careers.
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