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
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 1001 | General Psychology | 3 |
PSY 2002 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
PSY 2005 | Writing in Psychology | 3 |
PSY 2100 | Research Methods | 3 |
PSY 3002 | History and Systems (Jr and Sr only) | 3 |
PSY 4001 | Psychology Seminar Capstone | 3 |
PSY 4003 | Field Experience | 4 |
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 3003 | Mental Health and Illness | 3 |
PSY 3007/5007 | Psychological Testing and Assessment | 3 |
PSY 3103/5103 | Psychology of Behavior | 3 |
PSY 3101 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
PSY 3205 | Personality | 3 |
PSY 3004 | Forensic Psychology | 3 |
Developmental
Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
SWK 2004 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 3 |
PSY 2104 | Child Development | 3 |
PSY 3305 | Adolescence | 3 |
PSY 3006 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
Cross Cultural
Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
PSY 3009/5009 | Social Psychology | 3 |
PSY 3108 | Community Psychology | 3 |
PSY 3100 | Psychology of Gender | 3 |
PSY 6104 | Health Psychology: A Cultural Approach (Jr. and Sr. in good academic standing) | 3 |
Physiological
Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
PSY 3008 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
PSY 2400 | Stress and coping | 3 |
PSY 3106 | Biopsychology | 3 |
Additional Electives
Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
PED 2001 | Sports Psychology | 3 |
PSY 4000 | Independent study | 3 |
PSY 4002 | Special Topics | 3 |
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 1001 | General Psychology | 3 |
PSY 2002 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (may substitute PSY 2100 Research Methods) | 3 |
PSY 3002 | History and Systems | 3 |
Electives (12 credits)
Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Four courses (12 credits), one course from each cluster: Clinical, Developmental, Cross Cultural, and Physiological |