Psychology Major: Specializations & Careers

Dr. Linda Berger Hellmich ’82 a clinical psychologist, who pursued a psychology major obtained a psychology degree at ��ý��Ƶ

Alumni Perspective

“It took several more academic terms to learn how to balance social and academic demands, but through trial and error this eventually happened. As a result of my ��ý��Ƶ experience, I found my doctoral studies relatively easy. I was well prepared both with knowledge and with a skill set for being a successful student.”

Dr. Linda Berger Hellmich ‘82, Psychologist at KSB Hospital
Psychology
Dixon, Illinois

Explore Life After ��ý��Ƶ

From left: Margaret Malone, Kristina Pagel-Martinez, and Carrie Picardi

Feb 25, 2025

Academics

Three tenure-track professors to join ��ý��Ƶ for 2025-26

Academics

��ý��Ƶ Research Fellows

As a ��ý��Ƶ Research Fellow, you will have the opportunity to participate in student-faculty collaborative research, whether it’s with our professors here on campus or with one of our collaborating off-campus programs around the world.

Brain and neuron models used by psychology majors at ��ý��Ƶ

Course

Psychology of Music

A scientific approach to questions about musical structure and its effect on human behavior and mental experience. Topics include the physical characteristics of sound that specify pitch, loudness, and timbre; the perception of melody and rhythm; the universality of musical structures; the psychology of musical ability and performance; and the effect of music on emotions.

Common Coursework for Psychology Majors

Set the groundwork for your understanding of human behavior through fundamental classes, and explore specialities through courses like the Psychology of Gender and Industrial Organizational Psychology.

Psychology Courses

See psychology major requirements

Discover coursework requirements for a major or minor in psychology.

Requirements

Meet the faculty

Learn from faculty with a diverse range of psychology specialties.

Our Faculty

Psychology major students in Psychology Lab conducting applied research into human behavior

Apply your classroom studies to hands-on research

With access to our behavioral neuroscience lab and experimental observation rooms, you’ll bring human behavior theories and frameworks to life through applied research as an undergraduate.

Explore research opportunities

Woman sitting at a table in the library near a window, looking at her laptop computer.

Hone your interests in specialized fields

As a psychology major, you'll experience training in neuroscience, developmental psychology, clinical psychology, and more.

Explore the psychology curriculum

The Chandler Senior Experience

As a psychology major pursuing a psychology degree, you'll complete a Senior Experience, an original project demonstrating your autonomy and creativity. You'll choose from a critical review, an empirical study, a theory paper, or an applied work integration. With faculty guidance, you'll develop this project. A senior capstone course prepares you. In small seminars, you'll discuss readings, critique peers' work, and present progress.

Recent Senior Experience projects include:

How Much Do You Pay Attention to What is Happening Around You?”: Mindfulness in Preschoolers
Following the Footprint of Trauma: Using Artificial Intelligence to Identify Biological Markers of PTSD
Providing Culturally Competent Diagnoses and Treatments for Asian Americans
Trans Women’s Experiences in Sex Work