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Psychology

Are you interested in understanding the complexities of the human mind? If so, then a Psychology degree may be the perfect choice for you. Through exploring concepts such as behavior, learning, and cognition, you will gain valuable insight into why humans think and do the things they do. McDaniel's Psychology program provides a unique opportunity to uncover the inner workings of humans and can open up new doors to insights that weren't previously available.

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Degree Types
Major , Minor
Institution
Complementary Programs
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.
Heart
Distinctive Requirements
Capstone
Document
Research Facilities
2 animal labs

Why McDaniel for your Psychology Degree?

Earning a Psychology degree from McDaniel College will give you the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to understand and investigate questions of human and animal behavior. Utilizing psychological theories and scientific methods, you'll work on research projects individually or as a part of a team in our modern lab facilities. Through working with clients and organizations in the local community, your acquired skillset can be applied in a real-world environment. You may even have the chance to showcase your research at a regional or national conference.

Pathways to Success: Where will your Degree in Psychology take you?

Graduates from McDaniel's psychology program are primed for success. Many decide to continue their studies in Psychology in graduate school and we've been successful in placing our students in leading programs. Other graduates go on to get jobs in the fields of education, business, counseling, and many others.

Recent graduates of our program now have job titles like:

  • Social and Human Service Specialists
  • Higher Education Teachers
  • Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists
  • Guidance, Career, and Academic Counselors
  • School Counselors
  • Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Counselors

Check out our pre-medical and pre-professional allied health career advising options for additional guidance.

BA/MS Pathway: Psychology Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Programs

McDaniel offers an Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s program for students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in Mental Health or School Counseling. McDaniel’s bachelor’s to master’s (BA/MS) pathway programs provide the unique opportunity for academically qualified McDaniel students to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees in an accelerated timeframe with less cost.

Learn more about BA/MS Pathway for Psychology Majors

Distinctive Courses in Psychology

PSY 2211 - Abnormal Psychology

The incidence, causes, treatment, and prevention of abnormal behavior of persons; major focus on adult populations.

PSY 2214 - Behavioral Neuroscience

Behavioral Neuroscience investigates the relationship between the brain and behavior.  The first part of the course is designed to provide students with a solid background in the fundamentals of neuroanatomy, nervous conduction and psychopharmacology; this will allow students to actively participate in classroom discussions in the second part, when major issues in behavioral neuroscience such as learning, memory, emotions, sleep, biological rhythms, and stress are investigated.

PSY 2209 - Developmental Psychology

The study of developmental changes from the prenatal period through adolescence, with particular emphasis on how physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development interact in forming the whole person. Special attention will be given to theoretical perspectives, the contexts within which development operates (home/school), and the application of research to current topics.

PSY 3200 - Writing in Psychology

This course is designed as an in-depth foray into writing in the discipline of Psychology. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to write clearly, concisely, and objectively using the format of the American Psychological Association in various formats common in the discipline of Psychology. These objectives will be met with the completion of multiple writing assignments focused on a particular area of Psychology and will require students to read and critically evaluate the primary literature in this area.

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Special Opportunities for Psychology Students

Senior Capstone Research: The culmination of four years of Psychology Training

Psychology major Lexi Andrea talks about her senior capstone, in which she studied the relationship between disability identity and psychological well-being. "After I graduate from McDaniel, I'm going to attend University of Maryland for their master's program in clinical psychological science."

Baby in a classroom full of Developmental Psychology students.

Babies steal the show in Developmental Psychology class

It’s “Baby Day” in Psychology professor Stephanie Madsen’s class. In addition to the mostly Psychology, Education, Sports Coaching and Pre-Med majors taking the class, McDaniel faculty and staff moms are attending with their babies, age 2 to 10 months. “Part of this really is about having a little fun while connecting students with community members,” says Madsen. “They also discover that theories and research findings can be translated into real life.”

McDaniel Psychology professor Wendy Morris (left) with students Matt Allen, Max Seigel and Katie Keegan at the Association for Psychological Science conference in Boston.

Psychology student presents groundbreaking research at national conference

During Katie Keegan’s senior year, the Psychology major’s curiosity sparked an Honors research study about perceptions of mass murder committed by Muslims versus Christians and landed her a presentation spot at a national conference. “It was an amazing opportunity,” says Keegan of Hadley, Mass. 

The McDaniel Commitment in Action

The McDaniel Commitment—a series of opportunities guaranteed to all students—provides enhanced mentoring and coaching, and ensures every undergraduate student completes at least two meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

Students in Budapest.

Study Abroad

An employer talks to students at a job and internship fair.

Internships

Student-faculty researchers senior Phuc Truong, senior Jake Holechek, Chemistry professor Dana Ferraris and senior Bobby Lease.

Research

Professor holding pigeon in the pigeon lab speaking with students.

On Campus Animal Lab McDaniel College Pigeon Lab Research & Training

Many students worry that by attending a small college, they won't have access to cutting-edge labs or animal research studies that are hallmarks of large research universities. At McDaniel, you'll have the chance to engage in high-level animal research, including on-campus at our pigeon lab, where choice and decision-making are researched through a study of pigeon behavior.

Learn about Research at McDaniel

“If you would have told me when I was graduating from McDaniel that I’d start my own nonprofit, I would have said, ‘No way, that’s a lot...But we just built from where we were and all of a sudden, it just makes sense.” Read Britt's story.
Britt Burr '11, Psychology and Theatre Arts Double Major
Class of 2023: Dylan Hughes

Senior Spotlight Class of 2023: Dylan Hughes Get to Know a Green Terror

Dylan Hughes, Psychology major and Chemistry minor, zeroed in on the pre-med track, taking part in hands-on medical internships and research that have prepared him for medical school. A transfer student, Dylan discovered his strong leadership skills on the Hill as a Writing Center tutor and founder of the Chess Club. 

Read Dylan's full profile.

Recent News for Psychology

  • Argonaut Award winners with President Jasken.

    Ridington and Argonaut awards presented at Class of 2023 Commencement

    History major Stephanie A. Eckard was honored with The Edith Farr Ridington Writing Award for writing the best senior paper. Six undergraduates were tied for the highest cumulative GPA and were recipients of the Argonaut Award: Kate Rebecca Cramer, Evan J. Darr, Kyra M. Greenfield, Lyra Juliet Houghton, Grace Elizabeth Maglietta, and Eleanor Vivienne Tomkins.
  • Daria Buese and Tracey Lucas

    McDaniel faculty awards presented

    To kick off the 2022-23 academic year, various awards were presented to McDaniel College faculty members during the opening faculty meeting.
  • Women's soccer team photo on a grassy field.

    Recent Psychology graduate studies how DIII student-athletes coped with COVID

    Psychology major and women’s soccer player Lauren Murray ’22 conducted research on the coping mechanisms of Division III student-athletes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She presented her findings at the 36th Annual Association for Applied Sport Psychology Conference and McDaniel's Inaugural Academic Symposium.

Related Programs

Philosophy Sociology School Counseling, M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. Social Work
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Keep in Touch

Tell us a little about yourself and we'll share updates & information. (We'll also make sure you don't miss any important deadlines.)

Request More Info
mapsearch Created with Sketch.

See Yourself Here

Take your first steps on the Hill! Visiting campus is one of the best ways to determine if McDaniel is right for you.

Visit McDaniel
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