Psychology, broadly defined, is the systematic, scientific study of physiological, behavioral and mental processes in humans and animals. The field of psychology is simultaneously a scholarly discipline, a research domain and an applied profession. Psychologists may work in clinical, counseling, educational, industrial or social settings and play central roles in the fields of health, sports, politics and business. The main goal of the Department of Psychology at Bridgewater College is to teach students the significant concepts, theories, research findings and methodological approaches that have shaped the history of psychology and that represent the contemporary status of the field. A vital component of a Bridgewater student’s training in psychology is direct involvement in psychological research and the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to the prevention, treatment and solution of individual and social problems. The Department of Psychology offers a wide range of courses to students to represent the diversity of the field and to meet the diversity of students’ interests. Students have the opportunity to choose those courses that best serve their interests and career goals. The curriculum is research-focused while sampling from subfields within psychology that are traditionally regarded as fundamental (cognition, developmental and social) and those more often labeled as applied (clinical and sexuality), in addition to the neurosciences. Students often culminate their educational experiences through a faculty-mentored research project using state-of-the-art computing and laboratory or through applied research in an internship or practicum setting at one of many human service agencies in the area.

This two-year degree prepares students for jobs in human services. Graduates will be prepared to work in the areas of social services, substance abuse, disabilities, and family violence.

This program prepares students to work as mental health paraprofessionals. Successful students will be prepared for positions within the human services field or to continue their education.

The Human Services AAS degree is designed to prepare and provide students access to industry-based workforce credentials required for employement. (For more detailed information see Behavioral Health Technician CSC and Human Services Technician CSC.) The Human Services AAS provides individuals with the requisite knowledge, skills, professional ethics, and values common to jobs in the Human and Social Services sector, which includes opportunities for employment in mental health and autism spectrum disorders related services. Program Notes: A "stackable" curriculum has been designed to provide a progression of credentials, typically beginning from short term certificates and building to a college degree, in a specific program of study. Students who enroll in the Human Services AAS are enrolled in the third and final step of a 3-step “stackable” curriculum that provides 2 career studies certificates and a 61 credit-hour associate degree in Human Services. (For first step see Behavioral Health Technician CSC; for second steop see Human Services Technician CSC.)

The Associate of Applied Science in Human Services is designed to prepare highly skilled graduates for employment in a wide variety of human services settings, to update and enrich the capacities of those persons presently employed in the human services field, and to prepare students for transfer to a bachelor degree program in human services, social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, or other related field. Graduates develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for professional work in community service agencies and organizations and informed by the National Organization for Human Services.

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Human Services is designed to provide the education and training necessary for entry-level employment and career advancement in human and social services. Students obtain education and training in observation, intake and interviewing, implementing treatment plans, problem-solving, crisis intervention, case management, and referral procedures.

Graduates may seek employment as human services workers, case management aides, social work assistants, community support workers, mental health aides, community outreach workers, life skills counselors, or gerontology aides. These positions typically work under the direction of individuals in fields such as nursing, psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitative or physical therapy, and social work.

This program is designed to prepare students for work in the social service field.

The Human Services program prepares students for entry-level positions in the helping fields and/or for transfer to a bachelor degree program in social work or human services. Through courses and an internship at a local human services agency, students develop skills and knowledge in working with people who have physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities, adolescents, the aged, people who abuse substances, and the child or adult in crisis. Employment opportunities are varied and include