Bachelors Degree in Psychology Overview
Psychology: Understanding the Power of Social Dynamics
In Keene State’s psychology program, you’ll gain an understanding of why people do what they do. Grounded in a scientific approach, our program examines the complex nature of the human brain as it relates to human behavior, mental health, and cognitive development. Classes in clinical, neuroscience, development, social, and experimental psychology explore a wide range of perspectives on the field. These topics offer an understanding of social dynamics that is essential to success in any career.
Major
Majoring in psychology at Keene State starts with connection. In your first year you’ll be paired with a psychology professor who will advise you on courses and help you realize your goals in the field. Your fellow students will be on a similar journey, and you’ll find chances to connect with them through research labs, conferences, and student organizations in psychology. As you work with your advisor to develop your own path, you’ll have the chance to:
- Develop a strong mentoring relationship with faculty
- Explore your own interests through independent study and internships
- Understand how the structure of our brain plays a role in everyday choices and decisions
- Learn about child development, social psychology, counseling, and neuropsychological perspectives from experts in those fields
- Use the knowledge you’ve gained to create your own unique opportunities
- See how psychology can let you make a difference in the lives of others
Hands-on Learning
Studying psychology is a hands-on experience. You’ll join your fellow students in practicing counseling skills, debating ethical and moral concerns in the field, dissecting brains (if you want to), and even designing your own research projects!
Psychology majors at Keene State can also work directly with professors in their labs studying topics including the intersection of moral rules and legal rules, belief formation and change, the neuroscience of emotions, and gender roles. Our majors also pursue opportunities for internships in settings related to mental health, research, neuroscience, social justice, and other areas.
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Career Opportunities
Graduating with a degree in psychology is your first step towards a range of exciting careers. The knowledge you gain from Keene State’s program will set you up for jobs in marketing and sales, social media branding, human resources, higher education, and many other fields where skilled engagement with the public is essential.
Our recent graduates have started their careers in jobs such as case managers, staff in inpatient mental health settings, or researchers in clinical and medical research labs. Some students in our program pair psychology with education, criminal justice, or women’s and gender studies to pursue specific work in those areas.
Other students go on to pursue a master’s degree and work as social workers, clinical mental health counselors, school psychologists, or marriage and family therapists. And some choose to pursue a doctorate and become psychologists themselves! Whatever direction is right for you, the first step on your path is right here in Keene State’s psychology program.
Core Courses
Psychology, B.A., Total Credits: 121
General Psychology
An introduction to the major topics involved in understanding the behavior of humans and animals. Topics include perception, cognition, social behavior, and psychopathology. Fall, Spring.
Psychological Statistics
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics used in psychological research. Topics include measures of central tendency, variability, and correlation, as well as probability, sampling, hypothesis testing, and analysis of variance. Fall, Spring
Research Methods in Psychology
Methodologies of psychological research will be explored. Students will learn to conduct, evaluate, and interpret experiments within various subareas of psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 251. Fall, Spring.
Brain and Behavior
This course examines how the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as the endocrine system relate to human and animal behavior. Prerequisites: ISPSYC 101 or permission of instructor. One Biology course recommended. Fall, Spring.
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