Psychology

Why Major in Psychology at Allegheny College

As a Psychology student, you’ll delve into human thought and behavior, blending paradigms and new ways of understanding. You’ll gain problem-solving, analytical, and interpersonal abilities that will set the stage for your future in a wide variety of rewarding careers.

Unusual Combinations
Students often combine Psychology with:

Biology Chemistry Communication and Media English

Division

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Program Type

Major
Minor

Number of Credits

44 for major20 for minor

Where Psychology Alumni Work Today

Head of Litigation

Goodwin Procter LLP

Elaine Herrmann Blais ’91

Associate Professor

University of Pittsburgh

Jamie Kulzer ’05

Continuous Improvement Manager

Fyda Freightliner Pittsburgh – Barkeyville

Melissa McCombs ’04

Vice President, Corporate Marketing & External Communications

Catalent Pharma Solutions

Bernie Clark ’01

Children’s Book Author/Illustrator

Richard Torrey Studios

Richard Torrey ’01

One thing that I really treasure about Allegheny is the small class size. My favorite professors are from the Psychology Department; they go above and beyond to get you to succeed in their classes. The overall environment is so open and caring. I’m never afraid to speak up.

Isis Offutt Alumna

Your Four-Year Journey

Psychology Overview

Year 1: Understanding

Take time to explore the field of psychology by taking a first introductory course or two.

Featured Courses:

Year 2: New Approaches

In year two you will take further introductory courses and learn about research methods and statistics in the discipline of psychology.

Featured Courses:

Year 3: Delving Deeper

During the third year, you will delve deeper into a topic by taking an upper-level course or two and your Junior Seminar, where you learn about writing a research proposal. You will begin your Senior Comp proposal during this time.

Featured Courses

Year 4: The Comp

If year four you will take more upper-level coursework and conduct research and collect data in order to complete your independent research project known as the “Senior Comp.”

Featured Courses

View All Courses for Psychology Major

View All Courses for Psychology Minor

Research and Internships

Learn By Doing

Psychology students apply the theory they learn about thought and behavior in the classroom to:

Local, regional, and international conferences
Internships
Independent studies
Summer research
Senior comp

Conferences

Allegheny students regularly present their research findings at local, regional, and national professional meetings, and their work is often published in professional journals.

Recent Internships

The Psychology Department sponsors internships for upper-level psychology students at various sites within Crawford County to enhance your learning, allowing you to apply what you know to real-world settings.

Crawford County Center for Mental Health Awareness (CHAPS)
State Correctional Institution at Cambridge Springs (SCICS)
Meadville Medical Center, Department of Active Aging
Bethesda Youth Services
Meadville Children’s Center
Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community
Women’s Services Inc.

Research Opportunities

Conduct original research directed by faculty between an independent study or summer research, either off or on-campus.

Creating an Autism Nature Trail at Pymatuning State Park – Summer Research
Yoga, Meditation, and Me: Do (Some) Relaxation Techniques License Unethical Behavior? – Independent Study and Summer Research
Effects of separate amygdala and anterior rhinal lesions on memory in rhesus monkeys – Summer project at National Institute of Health in Washington, D.C., supervised by an Allegheny alumnus
Exoneree Identity Influences Support for Exonerees – Independent Study
Service-learning involvement for at-risk youth: Pilot implementation and curriculum development – Independent study
Active aging – Internship
Fear of Missing Out, Attitudes towards Hooking Up, and Dating App Use in College Students – Independent Research

Recent Senior Comps

The Senior Comp is the culmination of four years of experience, imagination, and study. It is the moment when you demonstrate what you’ve learned by teaching us something new.

The Relationship Between Social Media Use, Attention-Seeking Behavior and Narcissism
Exploring the Model Minority Myth Effect on Academic Performance and Mental Health
Complexities of Multiracial Identity: A Systematic, Interpersonal, and Intrapersonal Analysis
Are You in Control?: Studying the Effect of Ego-Depletion on Halo-Effect Perception of Job Applicants
Doodling and Tactile Toys: How to Reduce Mind-wandering in the Classroom
Effects of Queer Media Representation on Queer People
The Effect of Biological Explanations of Mental Illness on Professional Help-Seeking
Boys Don’t Cry; They Man Up:Studying the Effects of Expressions of Vulnerability on Compensatory (Hyper)Masculine Behaviors
Psychological Distance, Emotion Regulation, Affect, and Action Intentions in Response to Climate Change

Faculty and Staff

Lydia Eckstein

Associate Professor

Ph.D., University of Tennessee; M.S., B.S., Humboldt University

Email: leckstein@allegheny.edu

Phone: 814-332-5955

Megan Bertholomey

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., M.S., Indiana University-Purdue University; B.A., Knox College

Email: mbertholomey@allegheny.edu

Psychology Directory All Employees

Frequently Asked Questions About the Psychology Program

What type of degree is an Psychology major?

Students who major in Psychology at Allegheny College will earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree (students may elect to receive either degree).

Are there any clubs and activities available for Psychology students?

Yes, there are multiple campus organizations that can benefit students in the Psychology program, such as Psi Chi (Psychology) Club. Explore all Allegheny College clubs and organizations.

Psychology

Why Major in Psychology at Allegheny College