Psychology
About
Psychology is both a science and a profession dedicated to understanding and changing human behavior. There is a broad diversity of specializations, such as clinical, cognitive, developmental, health, social and physiological. Psychologists work in academic settings, independent practices and hospitals, as well as government, business and industry.
Why Psychology is in Demand:
The discipline continues to evolve as we learn more about human behavior and face new challenges. Years from now, psychologists will have professional positions we cannot even imagine today.
- The demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, addiction centers and social agencies is expected to fuel the demand for trained professionals.
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of psychologists is expected to grow at a rate of 14 percent through the year 2026.
- Three job areas expected to be in high demand are clinical psychology, school psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology.
Is it for me?
Are you:
- Curious about human nature?
- Comfortable engaging in research?
- Motivated to improve health and happiness?
- Interested in helping people?
Five Reasons to Choose Scranton for Psychology
As a student at Scranton, I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself. In this department...it felt like being part of a family
Allison Smith, Ph.D.
Clinical Faculty, Harvard Medical School
Preparing You For Personal & Professional Successplus or minus
You'll learn:
- To use scientific methods to study human behavior
- To analyze data to draw meaningful conclusions
- To understand the emotional, intellectual and behavioral norms of humans
- To communicate effectively through spoken and written word
- To help others based on the most current knowledge
Field Experience
For-credit internships are taken in settings where psychologists typically work. Faculty guide students through the experience with concurrent small seminars. Examples of clinical settings include hospitals, schools, addiction facilities, children centers and treatment clinics.
Internships are also available in non-clinical settings, such as speech pathology centers, personnel offices and research centers. These placements provide vital skills and experience.
What You'll Learnplus or minus
Curriculum
Psychology majors take foundation courses to ensure a breadth of knowledge: Fundamentals of Psychology, Research Methods & Statistics I & II and Senior Seminar I and II. In their junior year, psychology majors take the Career Development Seminar.
Students also select psychology electives to match their interests and explore areas:
- Clinical/Health/School Psychology
- Social & Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology & Behavioral Neuroscience
- Industrial-Organizational or Personnel Psychology
The Psychology and Biology departments co-direct the neuroscience program.
Click here to see the curriculum.
Research Projects
We encourage students to engage in research and present/publish with faculty. There are four avenues through which undergraduates gain research experience in psychology:
- Volunteer as a research assistant (no academic credit)
- Faculty/Student Research Program, credited on your transcript
- Undergraduate Research in Psychology, a 400-level course for credit
- Honors Thesis, as part of the Honors Program
For more information click here.
Scranton is unique because faculty regularly mentor undergraduates as research and teaching assistants; opportunities that may not be available at larger universities.
Jennifer McLaren, Psy.D.
Director of the Center for Autism
Pursue Your Passion and Make a Differenceplus or minus
With the hands-on approach of our Psychology Department, students contribute to the discipline through research and internships—even before they graduate!
Graduates make new research discoveries, help people with behavioral disorders, promote healthy interaction among workers, mediate conflict among family members, and, in general, help us understand each other better.
Careers
Where will psychology take me?
The curriculum prepares students for entry into both graduate school and baccalaureate-level employment.
Many students major in psychology with a particular interest in mind. Here are some specializations:
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- School Psychology
Read more about career paths with a Psychology degree.
Top Graduate Schools
Just some of the prestigious graduate schools which have admitted our psychology graduates:
- University of Minnesota
- Rutgers
- Columbia
- College of William and Mary
- Drexel University
- Fordham University
- Lehigh University
- Penn State
- University of Memphis
- University of Washington
- Villanova University
See more graduate schools attended by our graduates.
Occupations:
An understanding of human behavior is critically important whether you are working in healthcare, education, journalism, law, or business.
Here are a sampling of the professional positions held by recent graduates:
- Case Workers
- Research Assistants
- Paralegals
- Program Directors
- Teachers
- Store Managers
Read more about employment outcomes of our graduates.
How Scranton Gives You a Competitive Edge
Our program provides students with many mentoring opportunities with 12 full-time faculty, including three licensed clinical psychologists. This unparalleled level of one-on-one interactions during your Scranton experience means that faculty can write detailed and personalized letters of recommendation about your talent and potential. At Scranton, faculty members are much more than researchers and teachers. They are your advocates.
In addition, our students' research experiences and teaching assistantships as undergraduates set them apart. That gives you the competitive edge for employment and graduate school!
Take the Next Step
Get the Facts
For More Information
Office of Admissions
The Estate
Scranton, PA 18510
1-888-SCRANTON or (570) 941-7540
570-941-7572
admissions@scranton.edu
Department of Psychology
John C. Norcross, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Psychology
(570) 941-7630
john.norcross@scranton.edu
Psychology Department
Career Roadmap
Curriculum
Psychology Department Tour
Why Choose Scranton Psychology?
Academic Excellence
Programs of Excellence
Learn more about our five honors programs:
- Honors Program
- Business Honors Program
- Business Leadership Honors Program
- Magis Honors Program in STEM
- Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program