Four PSI CHI students
Enhancing the Well-Being of Others

Psychology Department

“What we call ‘normal’ in psychology is really a psychopathology of the average, so undramatic and so widely spread that we don’t even notice it ordinarily.” – Abraham Maslow, Toward a Psychology of Being

The Psychology Department offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, providing the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue study in psychology beyond the B.A. or to obtain employment in government, education or various human services fields. Psychology is the scientific study of the principles governing behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals and the application of these principles for the well-being of both. The department provides a high-quality education for students in the methods, theories, research and applications of psychology. Our faculty engages in teaching, research and service; all of which enhance the University, the community and the discipline of psychology.

Mission Statement

The Psychology Department’s mission is to instill the habits of thought of the psychological scientist as well as the empathy and understanding of the clinician. We foster the perspective that students’ academic learning serves their development as individuals, professionals, and global citizens.

Our Academic Programs

The program has a broad and enhanced curriculum covering four main areas. The brain sciences area includes courses on the biological bases of behavior, cognitive processes, sensation and perception, and fundamentals of human neuropsychology. The developmental area includes infancy and childhood, adolescence, death and dying, developmental disabilities, and nature/nurture. The social area offers courses on the psychology of sexuality, the psychology of men or women, attitude and attitude change, and psychology and the law. Finally, the clinical area offers courses on abnormality, childhood disorders, tests and measurement, and the psychology of personality

Learn more about the programs offered by our department:

SU psychology students get unique opportunity video still

SU psychology students get unique opportunity

Students in the psychology department have the opportunity to work with advanced equipment not available on many college campuses. As part of their sponsored research this summer a number of students, under the mentorship of Drs. Meredith Patterson and Echo Leaver (Psychology) are utilizing electroencephalogram (EEG) in their projects to study brain activity.

Undergraduate research assistants are a really important part of my research. These skills can be really helpful when you enter the job market or apply to graduate school.
Dr. Rhyannon Bemis Psychology Department Faculty

Hands-On Experience

Students are offered opportunities to learn skills and abilities outside the classroom in our various faculty mentored courses. For example, in the Psychology Practicum students gain valuable training experience in a range of clinical settings. In Individual Study or Research in Psychology courses, students meet regularly with faculty regarding independent projects or they assist faculty in designing and performing scientific research. This may include library research, developing hypotheses, testing participants, conducting interviews, coding data or presenting findings. These concrete experiences under the guidance of our diverse faculty help students develop valuable and practical skills especially critical thinking.

Learning Goals

  1. Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology.
  2. Describe applications of psychology.
  3. Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena.
  4. Demonstrate psychology information literacy
  5. Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry
  6. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice.
  7. Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels.
  8. Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes.
  9. Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.
  10. Understand how the scientific method is used to conduct psychological research.
  11. Apply statistical concepts to analyze and interpret data.

Our Alumni

Students who have graduated from the Psychology Department have gone on to careers in:

  • Customer Relations
  • Case Worker
  • Employment Counselor
  • Personnel Analyst
  • Advertising Sales
  • Staff Training and Development
  • Program Manager
  • Social Services Director
  • Residential Youth Counselor

Our alumni are encouraged to let us know what they are up to through our Alumni Registry.

Student Resources

PSYCH Forums

  • 2 Minors
  • 4 Curricular Areas
  • 9 Major Career Opportunities

Support the Psychology Department Today!

Psychology Department Fund