Liberally educated students should achieve an understanding of self and of others that enables them to function effectively in diverse intellectual, occupational, and interpersonal pursuits. Psychology, which focuses on the nature and causes of action, experience, and mental activity, can play a central role in achieving this educational aim. The psychology curriculum provides intensive instruction in psychological theory and methodology and exposes students to important applications of psychological knowledge. With its emphasis on critical reading and thinking, communication, and active learning, the required course work prepares students for graduate study in the social sciences, and is also well suited to students who plan to enter the world of work following graduation.

The content courses in the curriculum provide detailed coverage of fundamental processes in cognition, psychobiology, development, social interaction, and clinical applications. The courses in these areas share the same goal: they are designed to teach basic and advanced principles and methods and to promote analytical skills so that students may deal with complex phenomena, theoretical or applied, with an appropriate level of theoretical sophistication and critical evaluation.

The curriculum also includes extensive instruction and experience in research design and the scientific method; in addition to the required Research Methods course, all students are required to take one Advanced Research Projects course. This course will follow a specific prerequisite content course and give students an opportunity to evaluate the empirical and theoretical literature in an area and design and implement an original research project. Students considering graduate study in psychology are strongly encouraged to take an additional As course and do further collaborative or independent research under faculty supervision. To support the research activities of students, the psychology department has well-equipped, modern laboratories.

For students with an existing interest in a specific area of psychology, we offer the following emphases within the psychology major: Cognitive Science; Psychobiology; Developmental Psychology; Social Psychology; and Clinical Applications. To obtain such an emphasis, a student must take three courses from a certain category. For example, students interested in a Developmental emphasis could take PSYC 330, PSYC 339, and PSYC 332. Although the emphasis is not an official designation on the diploma, it is recognized within the department and can be mentioned in letters of application or recommendation for graduate education or employment opportunities following graduation.

The department offers many other opportunities for interested students to become involved in research and practice outside of the classroom. Each external site is chosen for its relevance to the student's interests, abilities, and goals. Sites often selected include hospitals, centers for emotionally disturbed children, businesses, schools, law-enforcement agencies, and community mental health centers. The field study and internship programs encourage students to relate theory to observation and provide experiences that help students to choose occupational and educational goals wisely. Both are highly recommended for students planning to do graduate work in applied areas such as clinical, counseling, or industrial/organizational psychology. Students may complete up to six hours in internships, field studies, or a combination of the two; however, only three hours will count toward the fulfillment of the major. In addition to internships and field studies, experiential opportunities are available in travel courses and various course and department-related service projects.

Any PSYC 100-level course partially fulfills the Area of Knowledge requirement in the Social Sciences, as does PSYC 200.

PSYC 200 is a prerequisite for all psychology courses above the 100 level. Students considering a major in psychology are encouraged to take this course as soon as possible. Students planning to major in psychology must obtain departmental approval and must earn a grade of C- or better in PSYC 200 before they can take the remaining PSYC courses. Successful completion of PSYC 201 with a C- or better is the prerequisite for 300-level courses in psychology. PSYC 433 is open to all seniors who have successfully completed PSYC 200, PSYC 201, and two 300-level courses.

Majors are encouraged to fulfill collegiate requirements in the natural sciences by taking at least one course in biology. Students with weaker preparation in mathematics are advised to take MATH 105 prior to taking PSYC 201. Students who are considering graduate school should enroll in MATH 113 (or MATH 111) and are encouraged to include among their electives an additional Advanced Research Projects course and a senior project in which students spend their senior year working on an original research project with a faculty member.