Psychology

What is psychology?
Psychology students at Agnes Scott are critical thinkers, problem solvers and effective communicators. They study human and animal behavior with direction from a quality faculty. They have immediate access to labs; no waiting in line behind graduate students. More than half participate in a field experience.  Examples include working with industrial/organizational psychologists at Development Dimensions International, one of the top five industrial/organizational consulting corporations in the U.S., forensic psychologists at the Metro Regional Youth Detention Facility in downtown Atlanta, sports psychologists with the Washington Mystics basketball team, and neuroscientists at the Yerkes Primate Research Center.  They are gaining valuable knowledge with hands-on opportunities.

The department of psychology also offers an interdisciplinary, student-designed major in bio-psychology.

What will I study?
Psychology students study a variety of areas within the discipline, from social psychology to developmental, assessment, cognitive, abnormal and physiological psychology.

Program requirements and course descriptions
 View the academic catalog page

Why should I study psychology at Agnes Scott?

• A Home for Science
  Opened in January 2003, the 110,000-square-foot science building is home to the biology, chemistry, psychology and physics/astronomy departments. The building features multi-million-dollar scientific instrumentation, dedicated faculty-student research laboratories, independent student project laboratories and long-term observation areas. 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.
  
  
• Research Involvement
  Students can participate in and complete several research projects during their time at ASC.  Many of the students are first author on publications or present at regional, national and international conferences. 
  
• Internship Opportunities
  Many psychology students complete multiple internships during their time at Agnes Scott.  Examples include working with industrial and organizational psychologists at Coca-Cola’s headquarters, Corporate Insights and Development, McKinsey and Company, Public Broadcasting, Georgia Power and the Ronald McDonald House.  Other students work with clinical and counseling psychologists at Zoo Atlanta, The Yerkes Primate Research Center and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  
  
• International Education Opportunities
  Rachel Handschuh, a psychology major, received the prestigious Freeman Foundation Scholarship to study abroad at Thammasat University in Thailand spring 2002, and a student from Thammasat, Joy Khamijoun, attended Agnes Scott College on exchange for a year. See her testimonial on this page about her other travels.
  
  
• Campus Involvement
  Many psychology students are members of the Psychology Club. We also have an active chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in psychology.

What can I do with this degree?
With a degree in psychology, you will acquire a broad background in laboratory experiences and research techniques, preparing you for a wide range of careers as well as advanced study. As a graduate, you can:

• Pursue graduate school in any branch of psychology, such as counseling, clinical psychology, industrial/organizational psychology and social work;
• Attend medical, law or physical therapy school;
• Work as an urban planner;
• Join the Peace Corps;
• Work for nonprofit organizations, like Teach for America and Planned Parenthood.

Learn more
 View the psychology fact sheet
   (PDF file 141 KB; requires Adobe® Reader®)