B.A. with a Major in Psychology - Social / Developmental Research and Policy

The Department of Psychology introduces students to the content and methods of the science of psychology. As an integral part of a liberal arts education, psychology studies the processes, behavior and experience of humans, and is used to improve people?s mental health and lives. Coursework prepares you by teaching the fundamentals of deriving theories; design, data collection, analysis and research report writing. If you wish to pursue a degree, you will be given the opportunity to follow one of four distinct tracks: mental health research and practice, behavioral/cognitive neuroscience, social/development research and policy, and general psychology. Throughout the program, students enhance their experience by interning in a variety of fields. Our faculty sponsor student research over the summer, making you a prime candidate to be placed in top graduate programs across the nation. With a degree in psychology, you will have the necessary skills for entry-level positions requiring a liberal arts education, and will also have the knowledge and abilities for careers in related fields such as law, education, social work, and public policy. Departmental requirements for a degree in Psychology are laid out below. While they provide a broad overview of the field, there are also opportunities both within and outside of the major to explore specific interests. Students interested in cognitive and/or behavioral neuroscience should focus on the Psychology courses that comprise the Behavioral Neuroscience minor, along with Philosophy courses on philosophy of mind and of language, and Biology courses in genetics, animal behavior, physiology, and evolutionary theory. Those with interests in mental health should consider Psychology courses on abnormal psychology, psychotherapy, testing, neuropsychology, and learning, as well as Sociology courses on social work and the courses, drawn from a variety of departments that comprise the Health Studies minor. Students oriented toward social/developmental/legal policy issues should look at Psychology courses in social psychology, psychology and law, and false memories, along with Sociology and Philosophy courses related to criminology and the law. The Health Studies minor also includes a number of relevant policy-related courses. Throughout their time at Fairfield, students should work with their advisors to refine their interests. Together they can then identify specific courses within and outside of the major that will enrich their understanding of those areas of interest.