Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Why do humans behave in the way that they do? How can psychological science be used to improve the human condition and encourage everyone to thrive and lead happy productive lives? The Psychology Department strives to develop in its students a deep knowledge and understanding of human behavior to improve the lives of individuals in a diverse and ever-changing society.

The undergraduate program offers a range of classes for students seeking to fulfill general education requirements, to satisfy their curiosity about human behavior, or those who have selected psychology as a major or minor. The diversity of required and elective courses provides students with opportunities to study and have first-hand experience with a wide range of human behavior and problems. Adopting an applied focus, the Psychology program strives to prepare students for careers in and out of the field of psychology through its broad approach, which includes principles and theories in psychology, methodology, laboratory, and applied courses.

In addition to the traditional in-classroom instruction, the internship class encourages students to be active in the community by providing opportunity for direct work with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of community-level agencies. The research classes in the program encourage students to design, conduct, evaluate and present their own research studies, while lab courses provide hands-on experience.

The vast and diverse course offerings include an introduction to the field and its career options, including: statistics, research methods, experimental design, development across the lifespan, multicultural sensitivity and understanding in a socio-cultural context, as well as how the brain and behavior are inseparably bound together. Students further learn how to conduct their own research projects in the culminating course, Experimental Psychology.

The mission of the psychology program is to prepare undergraduate students for their academic, professional, and personal futures by providing them with a well-balanced undergraduate education in psychology covering theory, research, and practice.

Ultimately, psychology majors will: