Academic Program
Psychology is not just the study of behavior! Within the field of psychology, there are many different areas that focus on specific questions or take unique theoretical perspectives. Many of these areas are represented in our faculty. We focus on clinical psychology, cognition, comparative psychology, development and aging, education, industrial/organizational psychology, learning and memory, neuroscience, and social psychology.
Compared to many of the traditional branches of science, psychology is unique because it is considered a “hub science.” This means that psychologists must often draw from many different branches of science in order to study the various abstract concepts that contribute to what we know about the mind and behavior. At a very broad level, psychologists may study groups of people by drawing from theories in anthropology or sociology; when studying the behavior of an individual person, psychologists may look to biology, chemistry, neuroscience, physics or computer science. By combining these approaches, psychologists are able to study the same question from multiple angles, each one informing the other, helping gain insights that are not possible through theory alone.
Becoming a psychology student
The psychology curriculum offers coursework at elementary, intermediate and advanced levels, including courses with laboratory components. Options also include student-focused coursework such as practica, seminars, individual faculty-mentored research opportunities and group research projects. The department offers a wide range of courses covering the breadth of modern psychology. A full list of courses can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
Degree options
Students interested in earning a degree in psychology have several options available.
- Bachelor of arts
- Bachelor of science
- Teacher preparation program
- Psychology minor
Degree requirements for each of these options can also be found in the undergraduate catalog.
If you are interested in becoming a psychology major, make an appointment with one of your psychology professors and ask them for guidance. We are always happy to answer questions about the field that we love!