Why Elms for my Psychology degree?

  • Take an interdisciplinary approach to studying human emotion, cognition, and behavior.
  • Gain an understanding of a diverse range of topics, including mental health and illness, social psychology, educational psychology, counseling, and identity formation.
  • Collaborate with faculty on research projects and present your findings at conferences in preparation for graduate school.
  • Specialize in child psychology.

Study the Science of Behavior, Emotion, and Thought

Psychology answers questions about why and how we think, feel, and behave the way we do. This is an exciting time for psychological science, because it is expanding and intersecting with other disciplines like neuroscience, health sciences, business, marketing, and more. At Elms College, psychology majors take an interdisciplinary approach to the study of psychology that strengthens their understanding of the individual — and presents new opportunities to examine diverse and complex issues.

Our program is designed to prepare you for graduate study or work in a variety of settings. Employers want to hire people who can problem-solve, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and have basic research and analytical skills. Psychology majors are in demand in many fields, including:

  • Human resources
  • Advertising
  • Market research
  • Customer service
  • Social service
  • Education
  • Law enforcement
  • Counseling

One-third of our alumni continue their training in graduate school. Another third are employed in mental-health agencies, correctional facilities, schools, and hospitals. The final one-third work in nonprofit organizations, legal settings, and in private industry.

Quick Info

Degree Option

Major and Minor

  • Small class size
  • Dedicated faculty
  • Individualized internship opportunities
  • Independent research study opportunities
  • Specialized courses for working with children
  • Excellent preparation for graduate school or work
  • Gain practical field experience

Pablo Ortiz ’20

Photo of Pablo Ortiz '20

As a psychology major and criminal justice minor, Pablo Ortiz ’20 sees himself pursuing a career in corrections or counseling after graduating. The Newington, CT, local said that he was drawn to psychology because he has always been curious about the inner workings of the mind.

“What originally fascinated me was learning about the brain, how it works, and how people’s minds develop as they grow older,” he said. “I’m interested in how even the tiniest of things can affect something in the end, kind of like the butterfly effect. A small ripple can make a huge change in the future.”

Curiosity aside, Pablo also chose to major in psychology because it’s a versatile degree to have on the job market.

“You can do so many different things with a psychology degree, it doesn’t have to be strictly counseling or therapy,” he explained. “You could work at a school with students, for example, and shape the future of our society by helping kids learn.”

Curriculum

Click to view course requirements for the Psychology (B.A.).

37 credits, Min. 18 PSY course credits at Elms College. Min GPA 2.5

The major in Psychology requires 37 credits, composed of 22 credits of required courses and 15 credits of electives. When picking electives, at least one course must be selected from each of following clusters: Clinical, Developmental, Cross Cultural, and Physiological.

Required courses (22 credits)

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
PSY 1001General Psychology3
PSY 2002Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences3
PSY 2005Writing in Psychology3
PSY 2100Research Methods3
PSY 3002History and Systems (Jr and Sr only)3
PSY 4001Psychology Seminar Capstone3
PSY 4003Field Experience4
CORE Electives: Five Courses (15 credits), including at least one course from each of the four content areas: Clinical, Developmental, Cross Cultural, and Physiological.

Clinical

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
SWK 3003Mental Health and Illness3
PSY 3007/5007Psychological Testing and Assessment3
PSY 3103/5103Psychology of Behavior3
PSY 3101Introduction to Counseling3
PSY 3205Personality3
PSY 3004Forensic Psychology3

Developmental

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
SWK 2004Human Behavior in the Social Environment3
PSY 2104Child Development3
PSY 3305Adolescence3
PSY 3006Educational Psychology3

Cross Cultural

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
PSY 3009/5009Social Psychology3
PSY 3108Community Psychology3
PSY 3100Psychology of Gender3
PSY 6104Health Psychology: A Cultural Approach (Jr. and Sr. in good academic standing)3

Physiological

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
PSY 3008Cognitive Psychology3
PSY 2400Stress and coping3
PSY 3106Biopsychology3

Additional Electives

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
PED 2001Sports Psychology3
PSY 4000Independent study3
PSY 4002Special Topics3

Click to view course requirements for the Psychology minor.

21 credits, Min. 9 PSY credits at Elms College, Min GPA 2.5

The minor in Psychology requires 21 credits, composed of 9 credits of required courses and 12 credits of electives. When picking electives, of course must be selected from each of following clusters: Clinical, Developmental, Cross Cultural, and Physiological. To view these course options click “Click to view course requirements for the Psychology (B.A.)” above.

Required courses (9 credits)

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
PSY 1001General Psychology3
PSY 2002Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (may substitute PSY 2100 Research Methods)3
PSY 3002History and Systems3

Electives (12 credits)

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
Four courses (12 credits), one course from each cluster: Clinical, Developmental, Cross Cultural, and Physiological