Welcome to Undergraduate Studies

"Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. The discipline embraces all aspects of the human experience - from the functions of the brain to the actions of nations, from child development to care for the aged. In every conceivable setting from scientific research centers to mental health care services, 'the understanding of behavior' is the enterprise of psychologists." (American Psychological Association)

Psychology informs and is informed by almost every other discipline. While there are several required courses and required areas, majors have a good deal of opportunity to explore their own interests. Within the major students can focus on research and theory or more on applications. But all majors are provided a strong grounding in research methods, the analysis of data, and the core areas of psychology. The major is organized so that students develop analytic, critical thinking and presentation skills.

Students are encouraged to start taking the foundational methods and data analysis courses required of all majors as early in their career as they can.

In addition to the methods/analysis courses students take a core of foundation course and then can take more advanced and specialized courses in a wide range of areas. As part of the major, students can take advantage of experiences beyond formal courses. We offer teaching and research assistantship as well as internships and fieldwork practica. Students can also earn honors in psychology doing a senior thesis, taking a senior seminar and achieving a minimum GPA in psychology. We also have a chapter of the national honorary society for psychology, Psi Chi and a Psychology Club. The officers and faculty advisors of these organizations can offer further assistance about careers paths and extra-curricular training opportunities in the department or in the community.

We offer two degrees; the bachelor of arts and the bachelor of science. We also offer a minor in Psychology.

The BA and BS share the same methods sequence, core courses in psychology, advanced science courses and a capstone. The differences are that for the BS degree students take more advanced science courses and two research capstone courses or a senior thesis. Students choosing the BA take a required course in interpersonal relations and an additional course applying interpersonal skills to groups/teams or the workplace as well as advanced science courses and a capstone. Either degree would allow students to go on to graduate programs.

The minor in psychology is quite flexible requiring only introduction to psychology and an additional 5 courses in psychology, student's choice.