Psychology

The study of psychology encourages students to think deeply and critically about human behavior, mental life and the nature of inquiry into the human condition.

At Holy Cross, the psychology faculty explore the breadth of the discipline with their students both in and beyond the classroom and contribute to the field with their own research.

Program Type
Major
Department
Psychology Department

Like the field of psychology itself, which encompasses conducting research in laboratory and field settings, meeting the needs of individuals in clinical settings, and addressing enduring philosophical questions about human behavior and experience, the psychology department at Holy Cross engages students in a wide variety of intellectual pursuits with a curriculum that ranges across natural science, social science and the humanities. 

Areas of Study

  • The nature of psychological knowledge, methods, and theories 

  • Methods of inquiry and psychological research 

  • How to communicate ideas and research findings effectively

  • How the work of psychologists is related to broader social and cultural contexts

Requirements

  • Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 100)
  • Statistics (PSYC 200) and Research Methods (PSYC 201)
  • 1 Biological Processes course
    • Physiology and Behavior, Sensation and Perception, or Cognitive Neuroscience
  • 1 Cognitive and Behavioral Processes course
    • Animal Learning, Developmental Psychology, Cognition and Memory, Psychology of Language, or Judgment and Decision Making
  • 1 Individual, Social, and Cultural Processes course
    • Life-Span Development, Personality and the Life Story, Social Psychology, Psychology of Adolescence, Psychopathology, or Motivation and Goal Pursuit
  • 4 additional psychology courses, including one that is advanced (300-level)

Meet Your Department Chair

Mark Hallahan - Associate Professor, Department Chair Peace and Conflict Studies

Meet all Faculty & Staff

Faculty & Staff Directory

Sample Courses

Course Catalog
  • Physiology and Behavior
  • Sensation and Perception
  • Animal Learning
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Judgement and Decision Making

Opportunities

The psychology department provides students with ample opportunity to work independently under the individual direction of their professors through College-sponsored programs.

Research

We offer courses for supervised independent study which may be used to fulfill the elective requirement of the major. Additionally, students may volunteer as research assistants in faculty labs. Our faculty members are actively engaged in research on a variety of topics, including the neurobiology of learning and memory, language and conceptual development, cognitive neuroscience, visual perception, equity in educational outcomes, emotional dysregulation and more.

Research Opportunities

Internships

Engage in hands-on learning through a variety of internships in the Worcester area.

Internship Opportunities

Psi Chi National Honor Society

Students demonstrating high academic standing in psychology are recognized with membership to Psi Chi.

Awards, Honors, & Fellowships

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