Welcome to Psychology, the science of mind and behavior. As a discipline, psychology combines natural science and social science, and the St. Olaf Psychology Department includes faculty and courses that span the breadth of psychology including behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, clinical, cultural, developmental, personality, and social psychology. We highly value both teaching and undergraduate research and have an endowment fund to support research with students. As one of the largest majors on campus, we graduate approximately 60 majors each year. Many faculty members have interdisciplinary interests as well, with connections to a variety of St. Olaf programs such as Asian Studies, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Family Studies, International Studies, Linguistics, Neuroscience, and Women’s Studies. The Department is housed in the Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in the fall of 2008.
Many of our graduates go on to earn advanced degrees in a variety of psychological subfields (e.g., clinical, counseling, cognitive, developmental, learning, physiological, and social psychology, in addition to various areas of cognitive science, neuroscience, and primatology). Others find their major serves them well in the study of law, medicine, education, economics, or theology. Those who work in industrial research, business, or personnel also find a psychology major is good preparation for the challenges they face.
News and Information
- WED (10/21):
Psi Chi has organized an informal event for this Wednesday, Oct. 21 during Chapel time in the 1st floor atrium of Regents. The purpose of this event is just to have a time and place for psych majors to stop by and meet other students in the major. If you're around Regents during chapel time on Wednesday and have even a few minutes to stop by, come down to the 1st floor atrium for some delicious snacks and good conversation with fellow psych lovers! - THU (10/22):
Ever wonder what types of opportunities you have being a Psychology major? The major is so broad that it sometimes seems too big to find a focus. However, we want to show you how to narrow down the Psychology major and work it into finding internships, jobs, or research that fits your interests. On Thursday, Oct. 22 during Community Time, we're hosting a Psychology Experience Panel/Event (PEPE) for you! Both Psi Chi & Psych Club have been working together to find all types of opportunities that students on campus have participated in for interim, summer, or potential after grad opportunities. These are your peers! So, whether your interests lie in neuropsychology or social psychology, come see what's out there and find out what other students with similar experiences have participated in! PEPE will be held in Regents Hall 150 with delicious treats and presentations.
