Psychology Major

The Psychology major at Washington College emphasizes hands-on, active learning. Apply concepts you learn in the classroom to everyday life and learn key interpersonal skills all while gaining practical experience that is often associated with graduate studies. The major is customizable, so you can take courses that interest you and focus on what will help build your career. The major provides a comprehensive overview of the discipline, focusing on writing, critical thinking skills, oral presentation, and statistics and design. You can earn additional recognition for your studies with a concentration in clinical/counseling or behavioral neuroscience.  

You can get into the lab as soon as your sophomore year and work with faculty on their research, using equipment and doing work that at a university would be conducted by graduate students. Internship and volunteer opportunities are also abundant. Gain skills in communication, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical values in research and practice, and more, all valued by employers and graduate schools. Put all you've learned into practice by completing a Senior Capstone Experience (SCE) in your final year. Psychology SCEs can either be data-driven—pose and test a research question by collecting and analyzing data—or a theoretical review—pose a research question and use critical analysis to evaluate existing literature to answer it.  
 
Through the flexibility of the major, it’s possible to double major in another subject that interests you. The comprehensive overview provided by the major ensures that you are getting all the tools you need for whatever comes next. Psychology faculty are committed to innovative, hands-on teaching and information on our course offerings can be found in the college catalog.