The psychology program offers a comprehensive education in the methods and content of the discipline of psychology while remaining true to the liberal arts ideal. The program provides flexibility, so that students can expand their intellectual horizons, and structure, so that students can acquire the core ideas and skills of psychology.

Students graduate with skills in interpersonal and intrapersonal interactions, quantitative analysis skills for understanding social science data, and with exposure to a tiered writing experiencing emphasizing critical analysis and argument based on empirical evidence.

The department prepares our students to be productive members of a culturally diverse society embedded within a changing global environment.

At the completion of their studies, Psychology majors will be able to:

1. Be knowledgeable of the facts, theories and principles of scientific psychology, including the areas of cognitive, biological, developmental, social and personality, and clinical and counseling psychology.
2. Describe applications of psychology.
3. Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research.
4. Demonstrate psychology information literacy.
5. Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem-solving.
6. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice.
7. Write in a cogent scientific argument, present information using a scientific approach, engage in discussion of psychological concepts, explain the ideas of others, and express their own ideas with clarity.
8. Produce a research study or other psychological project, explain scientific results, and present information to a professional audience.
9. Apply psychological content and skills to career goals.
10. Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.

4+1 Graduate Masters Degree Pathway for WCSU Psychology Majors

Advanced Standing Option

WCSU Psychology majors who complete three undergraduate courses in Substance Use Counseling (out of PSY 392, 393, 394, 395) and who complete an undergraduate internship can apply for Advanced Standing and complete the graduate program in 30-31 credits rather than 37. The MS in Addiction Studies can be completed in one year full-time, or in two years part-time.