Psychology

Psychology is the science of the intellects, characters, and behavior of animals including man.
~Edward Thorndike

A group of psychology students posing with a Concord University sign
A Concord University psychology student standing next to her poster at the CU Research Festival

The program in psychology strives to prepare students for professional training in the field of psychology by providing experience with the essential methods and findings of experimental, clinical, and theoretical psychology.

Students learn to:

  • Think critically about psychological issues
  • Design and carry out scientific studies in the laboratory and in the field
  • Communicate their ideas and conclusions effectively

The program offers courses geared to help students gain experience with psychology as a science, addressing issues of human behavior, thought, emotions, and mental illness from a number of theoretical perspectives. Students develop an understanding of how the biological underpinnings of behavior and thought interact with culture and the environment to produce the human experience. In applied courses, the scientist-practitioner model allows students to get hands-on experience performing scientific research and participating in clinical settings.

Psychology students at Concord University have the opportunity to tailor their experience through a wide variety of elective courses and research opportunities which prepare them for employment in psychology-related fields and graduate study in areas of psychology, education, medicine, law, and business.

The psychology faculty offices are located on the first floor of Marsh Hall. Also located on the first floor are our psychology research and observation rooms equipped with one-way glass and our animal behavior laboratory.

Psychology graduates posing for a group photo with the faculty holding letters that spell psychology

An undergraduate degree in psychology is useful for many different career paths. The psychology program at Concord is a liberal arts major that focuses on breadth of learning, so our graduates have both expertise in psychology as well as a diverse set of skills across the disciplines. A psychology major can be the start of a career in psychology, other behavioral sciences, data analysis and interpretation, and other areas focused on human or animal behavior. At Concord, psychology majors are also required to have a minor in another discipline to help you gain specialized skills in complementary areas.

Here are some resources from the American Psychological Association about how you can use a psychology major after college:

  • Degree Requirements: This links to our psychology requirements in the academic catalog.
  • Progression Sheet: A handy document to help you plan to get all your requirements done.
  • Four-year plan: This is a recommended progression of courses for how to get a psychology degree in four years.
  • Academic Advising: General advising information as you plan your course schedule.

As you prepare for graduate school in psychology or related fields, there are a few issues you will encounter. Our advice is to start researching graduate school early, meaning in your junior year. You’ll need advance time to prepare and to consider the following issues:

  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE): Most psychology graduate programs require that you take the GRE. You will want to start studying in advance for the best chance of success. We recommend starting to study in your sophomore or junior years. You will need to take it by early fall of your senior year.
  • Applying to graduate programs: Every graduate program has different requirements and prerequisites. Look for these early, so you can plan to take any required courses.
  • Requesting letters of recommendation: We are happy to write student letters, but we need advance notice (at least a month). We will also need a copy of your CV, a list of psychology classes you’ve taken, your graduate and career goals, and any other important information about you that would help in writing your letter.

Students can also consider joining our McNair Scholars Program, which aid students in preparing for graduate school. To qualify, students must be either income-eligible and first-generation or a member of an underrepresented group in higher education. To learn more about Concord University’s McNair Scholars Program, visit our webpage.

The members of Psi Chi

  • Psi Chi is the international honor society in psychology. If you would like to join, check out the membership requirements to see if you are eligible, then fill out an application found on Dr. Rodney Klein’s door. Once you’re a member, you can find out what’s going on by contacting the Concord Psi Chi president directly or by asking Dr. Klein.
  • Concord University Psychology Club is an organization for students interested in psychology. For more information, contact Dr. Manjunath Burdekar or Dr. Karen Griffee, or check out the CU Psychology Club Facebook page.

A group of Concord University McNair Scholars Program students standing with Dr. Rodney Klein at a research festival

The psychology program at Concord provides students with the opportunity to do scientific research. Many students graduate from Concord with a psychology major and go on to graduate programs in psychology, where they pursue both masters and doctoral degrees. In psychology, the most important factor for admission to graduate school is hands-on experience performing psychological research.

Undergraduates at Concord have unique opportunities to get involved in research early on by assisting other students and to eventually plan, execute, and present their own psychological research. Students work closely with faculty mentors as they develop their ideas, review relevant literature, and empirically test their hypotheses.

A psychology student standing next to her poster presentation at the Concord University Research Festival

Scholars have the opportunity to present their research both at the spring Concord University Research Festival and at various regional and national conferences. Through these undergraduate research experiences, Concord students learn to approach problems scientifically and think critically about research in the field.

If you’re looking to get involved in psychological research at Concord, there are many different opportunities. Consider consulting the department faculty or your advisor. You can plan your own study or get experience helping with others’ projects. Get an early start! Planning and carrying out a project takes time. Starting as a sophomore or junior will let you get experience before doing your own project.