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Learn how our brain functions, how our personalities develop, and why humans behave the way we do. Gain a greater understanding and appreciation for individual differences.
The Psychology program at Agnes Scott provides students with a strong background in academic psychology, including opportunities for both first-hand laboratory experiences and field experiences.
Take advantage of state-of-the-art research laboratories and find opportunities to study important and fascinating topics. Students with a psychology major will be able to demonstrate familiarity with concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. Most Psychology majors complete a relevant field practicum or internship and build on research methods coursework with independent and mentored research experiences that hone research design, data analysis, and interpretation skills.
As a psychology major at Agnes Scott, you’ll explore the depth and breadth of this multifaceted discipline that includes many sub-fields of study such as: human development, social behavior, health, clinical, industrial/ organizational, sports and cognitive processes. You'll learn:
As a major housed in the science building, you’ll have access to multi-million-dollar scientific instrumentation, dedicated faculty-student research laboratories, independent student project laboratories and long-term observation areas in the Mary Brown Bullock Science Center. All psychology labs are taught by full-time and part-time professors (not graduate or teaching assistants), and all students have the opportunity for hands-on research and experimentation. In psychology classes, you can expect to engage in dynamic discussions, listen to intellectually-stimulating lectures, analyze your collected data, discuss journal articles and examine case studies.
Psychology faculty at Agnes Scott encourage undergraduate students to conduct supervised research, and even co-author journal articles. Students have the opportunity to present on campus at the Spring Annual Research Conference (SpARC) and also at regional, national, and international conferences. Many psychology students complete multiple internships during their time at Agnes Scott. Examples include working with industrial and organizational psychologists at TalentQuest, City of Decatur HR, and the Georgia Aquarium Training Department. Other students work with clinical and counseling psychologists at Emory Autism, Grady Trauma Project, Atlanta Victims Assistance, and Feminist Women’s Health Center. Still others work with neuroscientists at Zoo Atlanta and the Yerkes Primate Research Center.
The student-run Psychology and Neuroscience Club, open to all who are interested in psychology, will provide you the opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience, as will Agnes Scott’s chapter of Psi Chi, the international honor society for psychology. Psychology major alums are a strong network who stay connected to the department. Every year the department brings back several alums to speak about their careers and life after Agnes Scott. Many internship and employment opportunities are the result of the Scottie network!
A major in psychology increases your writing and communication skills, as well as provides you with the knowledge to conduct research and statistically analyze data.. These new skills will prepare you for both employment and graduate studies.
60% of our psychology majors and minors apply to graduate programs and most of them apply within two years of graduation. The Psychology department has a 92% acceptance rate for graduate programs. When the students who do not get in on their first try apply again, the acceptance rate goes up to 99%. Although many of our alums attend graduate school, several professional opportunities exist right after graduation.
