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鈥檚 (APA) guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major.
Our graduates are not only prepared for the mental health fields but also find careers in diverse areas including communications, business, advertising, human resources, and social services.
At a Glance
- Dynamic curriculum blends academics and real-world applications.
- Enthusiastic, dedicated faculty with broad expertise.
- Faculty-student collaboration in classroom and research.
- Two optional concentrations available for interested students:
- Clinical/Counseling
- Forensic Psychology
- Diverse internship opportunities.
- Individual senior research projects with one-on-one mentoring.
- Strong preparation for career and graduate studies.
- Flexibility in helping students double major in related fields, including Criminal Justice and Social Work.
Curriculum
Saint Joseph鈥檚聽聽is grounded in the APA鈥檚 guidelines, with a particular focus on:
- Providing students with a broad understanding of psychology鈥檚 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.
Clinical/Counseling Concentration
This optional concentration is designed for students with a particular interest in careers in clinical/counseling psychology and other areas of mental health and human services. The concentration provides a solid foundation for graduate work or employment in these fields.
Forensic Psychology Concentration
This optional concentration is designed for students with a particular interest in the interaction of psychology and the law. Forensic Psychology is a broad field 鈥� practitioners work in areas such as crime trends, criminal profiling, mental health treatment for offenders and substance abusers, jury selection, impact of divorce, custody, and more. This concentration does not lead to a professional license; rather it provides a foundation for graduate work or entry-level employment.
Psychology Minor
础听聽is available and requires students to take a minimum of 18 credits.
Some of our faculty
MA, University of Arizona
BA, Columbia University
Clinical psychology research and practice
Relationships and health
Clinical science in the public domain
MA, University of Georgia
MA, University of Bombay, India
BA, University of Bombay, India
Motivational beliefs and classroom strategies used by college students
Predictors of academic success for college students
Cross-cultural comparisons of attitudes towards computers
MA, Claremont Graduate University
BS, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Focus on positive psychology interventions, well-being, psychological need satisfaction
Evaluation, community program development, and measurement development
Student stories
Career moves
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.
The psychology major emphasizes broadly applicable skills such as critical thinking, quantitative ability and writing, so our graduates are also well prepared for .
Graduate Study
Psychology students emerge from Saint Joseph鈥檚 program well-prepared for graduate study in psychology and related fields; recent graduates have gone on to master鈥檚 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.