Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Psychology is the science of human behavior and mental processes. Our psychology major curriculum is grounded in the American Psychological Association’s guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major, with a particular focus on:

• Providing students with a broad understanding of psychology’s core areas, including: learning, cognition, personality, social processes and human development.

• Teaching students to understand and apply scientific thinking and research methods to psychological questions, and to extend these critical thinking skills to other areas of endeavor.

• Introducing students to applied areas of psychology, e.g., clinical, counseling, health, and educational psychology.

• Instilling in students the values of scientific psychology, e.g., intellectual curiosity, respect for empirical evidence, ethical action, appreciation of human diversity and social responsibility.

Our psychology faculty members are passionate about teaching and mentoring students. We draw on our rich blend of academic and real-world expertise to highlight psychology’s relevance to everyday life, important current events and the remarkable sociocultural challenges of our time.

Students interested in applied work can choose from a variety of off-campus internship sites. Recently, students have completed internships at the Center for Grieving Children, Youth Alternatives Ingraham, Windham Primary School, Sweetser, and Spring Harbor Hospital.

Psychology students emerge from our program well-prepared for graduate study in psychology and related fields; recent graduates have gone on to master’s and doctoral degree programs at University of Connecticut, University of Southern Maine, University of New England, Tufts University, University of Vermont, Springfield College, Duquesne University, Harvard University and more.

The psychology major emphasizes broadly applicable skills such as critical thinking, quantitative ability and writing, so our graduates are also well-prepared for employment in diverse areas including communications, business, advertising, human resources, and social services.

Psychology Minor

A minor in psychology is available and requires students to take 20 credits.