ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Psychologists are concerned with advancing knowledge of behavior and experience. Psychology courses provide background in the social, cultural, developmental, mental, emotional, and biological bases of behavior. The primary goal of the psychology curriculum is to enable students to think like psychologists, that is, to view experience and behavior from a psychological perspective.

Achieving this goal requires critical thinking and communication skills as well as knowledge of psychological theories and research methods. Students also need to understand relationships between psychology and other disciplines. In addition, the psychology faculty is concerned with individual development, including self-awareness and understanding others of diverse backgrounds.

Coordinated programs of writing and research across the curriculum in psychology help prepare students for graduate work or employment in psychology and related fields. Majors or minors in psychology typically seek careers in social services, the arts, education, business, international relations, law, or specific branches of psychology.